Technology can be brutal. My computer has been down since Monday, well, it was working Monday but Tuesday morning I got the dreaded 'blue screen.' After all my attempts to restore, recover, and re-install - nada. So now it's sitting with the 'dreaded blue' screen of troubleshooting options displayed while I wait for a re-installation disk/boot disk *** whatever, once I understand all of the 'tech' jargon of how all this works. I searched Amazon only to read that every disk doesn't have a 'product code.' What?!! Why would you sell something that doesn't have a 'product code' if you know that it's needed? Why? My middle son wants to contact the Geek Squad, not. Start with the cheapest way first. So off to Google search and Youtube I go. After awhile of clicking and scrolling and reading, a little angel turned on a light bulb about the product code. My understanding is that it is the code that is on the original product. So off I go to the abyss of software manuals to find the Windows 10 disk. Found it. Now going by to the question of 'Why?' in the first paragraph. My understanding of Google's explanation? Computers do not include software for 'recovery. You should create one when setting up your computer. Hence, my situation would occur. Of course in set up you are suggested to do this, but you don't, at least not me. What could possibly go wrong?
I well remember life with a Microsoft Windows computer, so you have my complete sympathy, @Von Jones . Hoping that you can find what you need to get that uncooperative device working right again ! If you end up having to replace it, you might want to consider a Chromebook. My experience with a Chromebook is that they are a simple device and nothing much goes wrong with them, and once you get the hang of using one, they are prey simple to use. There are a lot of books for seniors about how a Chromebook works, and even YouTube channels. They store everything online and do not need all that memory that Microsoft and Apple need, so they are much cheaper, too. If I didn’t need to have Apple, I would have a Chromebook.
Good luck Von. I hope you figure it out. With all the power outages recently I'm expecting some hardware on my older pc to crash any day. Thinking of getting a laptop as a backup before it happens this time. Keep putting it off.
If it makes you feel any better, I did create a backup disk (thumb drive), but the one time I needed it, it refused to load. "Hammer Time!!!"
I bought a refurbished Windows 10 computer and it gives me problems too. If you can, avoid Windows 10 the next time. Some say to avoid Windows all together which might be a good idea. It think it's about planned obsolescence with Windows.
Fortunately, Johnny had a laptop. That thought haunted me as I was huffing and puffing entering verification codes and user names and passwords. I had to stop myself and be thankful he still had it with Windows 7 . Go get that laptop.
That has happened to me and I learned that a back up disk doesn't restore, it is used mostly to save files on your hard drive.
I have never had any luck recovering from the blue screen. I have tried thumb drive backups, CD backups, and giving the factory site all the info they requested to download the fix, to no avail. I sent in a laptop once and they fixed it for $700. It last two months and went blue again. That time, since the fix was warranted, they just replaced it with a reconditioned one that lasted four months. I got the, "sorry about your bad luck, warranty expired," reply. I prefer putting the computer in a bag and driving back and forth over it. I can't swing the sledge like I once could.
My husband has been exploring the Linux operating system. We have an old computer and he has removed Microsoft windows off of it, and installed Linux. So far, he says it’s not bad. It is “supposed” to be a very reliable system that eliminates problems that Microsoft has; like the blue screen and crashes. Linux has always been free and claims it will stay that way. Aspects of it looks a lot like windows 7 but also looks like windows 11, if that makes sense. My husband has been playing around with it for a few days loading different things on it, and so far he said it’s not too bad. From what I have been told, Microsoft is going to charge for using windows in another year or so. How true that is, I don’t know. Some of the older versions of windows they will not support any longer. But they will support Windows 10 since a lot of people still use that version ---for a while, for a fee of course.
There are system backups and data backups; the "system restore disk" does not save your data. (And apparently does not rescue your operating system, either. )
I hope things get better for ya soon Von! I gotta take my Win98se in for repair also..... I tried making a startup disk but it still doesnt work.. (I think some files were deleted )
Our desktop has Windows 10, of which when the updates stop in October 2025, we will have to get another computer tower. Our laptop, that my wife uses all of the time, has Windows 11 on it. This morning I had a rather large Windows 10 Update. After the Update, I ran our Norton Antivirus programs, Disk Cleanup Program and Defrag Program to get everything in order on the hard drive. Every Monday I run Disk Cleanup and Defrag on both computers. Different things can happen to a computer, like: Too much software/too many programs. Too many "saved" things. To old of Windows. Antivirus not run enough, especially if not on "automatic". An older computer/Windows can only hold so many programs and then it starts getting "chocked up". People don't get rid of e-mails they don't need, or whatever.
The last time I had someone fix my laptop, he sold me an old cheap one that runs Linux. I don't know a darned thing about Linux, but the thing works and connects to the web. It's insane we get so dependent that we have to get a backup.