PC Issues - Gaming Initially

Although used PCs for many years, a family members gaming pc isn't working properly after a few years of OK use.

I cannot fathom when and why it started misbehaving?



The issue was first noticed when trying to run Minecraft - but it kept closing instantly.

My initial thoughts were Disk Driver - would try this if I could create a restore point



PC uses Windows 10 (PC doesn't meet the Windows 11 requirement)



​The use of the Internet and email etc (Office 365) works well.

Downloaded All Windows Updates (although Windows 10 Version 22h2 for x64 failed)



It is when I try and open Explorer or Windows Applications - then it doesn't seem to be 100%



Issues:



I have run Chkdsk = I couldn't do this in cmd but run it by another way, but it seemly ran but closed down again when finished so no idea what it reported

I have tried to run Event Viewer and Application Log = same again it hangs then seemly not opening

I have tried Disk Cleanup - it occasionally gets the stage to show the files to clean = same again - closes instantly

I have tried to create a restore point = doesn't let me

I have tried PC health check = wont run

Tried to download Malwarebyte = downloads but doesn't run

I tried to download Bitdefender = it ran but no App installed

When I tried to copy this text and save into Notepad = it crashes



I hope that is enough to see where I can now from here. Any help greatly received.

Thank you for that.
Yes have a HDD - 136gb used, 86gb free.

check disk = done. No issues found


Check scannow = done. An anomaly meaningless Rex profix used. 0x7fff41a72b50
Found corrupt files and repaired them.
said go to cbslog

check scan health = done. No corrupt detected.
Check restore health = done. No issues

Check disk log = done. I cannot access this as it closes every time I try to view. or Not responding.
Check crystal disk = done. Tried to run this (64 version). The form opens up for about a second then closes instantly. Health status good.

Tried something that I knew wasn't working properly: disk clean up and it just closes instantly or doesn't open to select folders to clean.

Also noticed Adobe Acrobat quit unexpectedly just came up. I don't know why as wasn't using it.

Also, happy to do a fresh install of windows - however, my family member has there files on the hard drive and the apps installed for gaming. I do not know what consequences this may have? As you have done previous any dummy instructions for either clean install or any other checks would be useful.

Any further help greatly received! Thanks a mill

Things need checking from the base upwards, without a solid base the rest will not run properly,
Thus:
Hardware > Windows > Installed apps.

I would do some safety backups first, personal files which maybe spread everywhere depending on the user.

The game situation depends on where the installation media comes from.
If, for example, a game client like Steam etc then the game can be uninstalled. You can get it back later when PC is fixed.

The HDD space used is very small so there cannot be any massive modern games.

A 256 GB HDD implies the PC is maybe 15 years old or more. Maybe it is an SSD, I don't know.

Some of the Disc check tools mentioned can be run from a USB stick.

So much is wrong that I would suspect hardware, likely the HDD.

To re-install Windows and on top of that and applications on a dying HDD is just not worth the continuous aggro. It may have to be replaced.

Thanks for all your help!

Firstly, I tried downloading and running Super AntiSpyware, KVRT and also others that I have been made aware of Malawarebyte, AVG. None of them were able to run. They just died by closing automatically.

So I tried the next step of running them in Safe Mode. I tried Super Antispyware first.
It found 764 Detected Items, including I believe mostly Adware - tracking, but others as well
. I think I saw a huge jump in threats when the antivirus was looking at my files do to with the Internet / Google. I am just running it again in normal mode, which now works, which is something that now works.
It took over 2 hrs.

Result = 10 items and all Adware. tracking cookie (google chrome user data). Can't copy the scan log, but seems to be these:
adnxs.com; doubleclick.net; tribalfusion.com; track.omguk.com

Again any further help would be fantastic!

- - - Updated - - -

Also - after running these are restarting my pc is behaving oddly.
Really slow on internet.

Super Antispyware not running anymore.

In safe mode - tried to load Malawarebyte, etc but can't due to no internet connection in safe mode.

Did manage to run chkdsk - found index entry SI30 of file 8f1c4 incorrect and similar on preference 1. Ran chkdsk /f and assume would be fixed.

Thank you - I will try Malawarebyte again later.

I seem to think that it cannot be run normally and when I try it in safe mode - it only gets to 5% - assuming in needs wifi?

Thanks again.