Repair Windows, hard disks, optical drives, PCs and even your Xbox One and PlayStation. Roland Waddilove has all the answers
Christmas and the January sales are when many of us splash out on new PC hardware, consoles, peripherals and software. The bargain basement prices are just too tempting, and you can save a bundle by buying at the right time. If your new purchase is not running as well as you hoped, though, and if you’re experiencing problems with it, we have some solutions and advice that could get it running smoothly again.
Keeping old hardware running can be even more challenging than setting up new kit, and often new computers, consoles and peripherals are purchased to replace old and failing ones. Don’t ditch that old hardware yet, though, because you might be able to rescue it. Let’s look at some common problems and explore the solutions.
Fix Windows 10
If you can’t boot Windows 10 or if it loads but doesn’t work properly, starting your computer in safe mode can help. In this mode only essential drivers, background programs, utilities and software are loaded. A lot of the usual background processes are ignored.
One advantage of this is that if there’s a fault with something, such as a program or service, it won’t be started. The bare bones start-up makes it easier to update software and drivers without interference or bugs that would normally affect the process. Safe mode can also prevent some viruses, trojans, adware and other malware from running, making them easier to remove.
So how do you get into safe mode? At one time it was possible to display a startup menu by pressing the F8 key just after a PC was switched on or rebooted. Among the options, you could choose to start in safe mode, with or without networking. Today’s PCs are designed to start as fast as possible and, in an effort to reduce start-up times to a minimum, Windows no longer waits to see if you press F8. It doesn’t even look at what keys you might be pressing.
At first sight, this looks like a problem, making it impossible to enter safe mode. So how do we fix our PCs? Windows takes note of successful and unsuccessful starts, and if it fails to start several times in a row, an options screen appears. Another way to access it is to start your computer, and at the login screen, hold down the Shift key, click the power button and click Restart. A Shift + Restart either at the login screen or the Start menu reboots and displays the start-up options screen.
Click the Troubleshoot tile, and then click Advanced options. This screen provides several useful ways to fix your PC. For example, you can access System Restore and choose a restore point when Windows was working okay. A Start-up Repair option fixes problems that prevent Windows from loading. Just click the tile and follow the instructions. You can get to safe mode by clicking the Start-up Settings tile and then clicking the Restart button. A numbered list of start-up options is displayed, and pressing the 4 key restarts in safe mode.
There are more ways to fix Windows 10 if you can get to the desktop. For example, hold down the Windows key and press I to open Settings. Click Update & Security, and then select Recovery on the left. Here, you’ll find ‘Reset this PC’, ‘Go back to an earlier build’ and ‘Advanced start-up’.
Thanks to things like PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) and adware, Windows sometimes gets into such a mess that you just want to start all over again. Instead of having to find a Windows disc, boot with it and go through the installation procedure. You can now just click a couple of buttons to refresh the operating system.
Click ‘Get started’ under ‘Reset this PC’. There are two options: you can either reinstall Windows but keep your documents, photos, videos and music, or you can erase everything and start with a clean system. Whichever route you choose, it’s best to have a backup of your files before starting. Then they can be restored after the refresh procedure if necessary.
Windows 10 virtually forces you to accept updates, and for most people this isn’t a problem, but for a few it could be. A big update could break something, so there’s an option to go back to an earlier build. Just click the ‘Get started’ button. Updates are not permanently disabled, and when the next big update comes along, it will be installed. You basically just skip the current build if it’s not compatible in some way.
The Advanced start-up option restarts the PC and shows the start-up options screen, which enables safe mode, System Restore, system image restore, start-up repair and safe mode.
One day you may need to repair Windows, which is easier if you have a bootable DVD or USB memory stick. While your PC is working properly, you should download a copy of Windows and create boot media. You might never need it, but if disaster strikes, then you can boot from the DVD or USB memory stick. Go to bit.ly/1O3MCF9 and download the media creation tool. Run it and follow the instructions to create the boot media. It’s a 5GB download, so do it when you have an hour or two and try to avoid peak times like the evening, when everyone is on the internet.
Booting from a DVD is usually a simple matter of inserting the disc and restarting or switching on your computer. The drive is usually checked for a bootable disc and an option is displayed on the screen to start from the hard drive or DVD. A USB disk or memory stick may require you to press a key just after switching on your computer. This can vary according to the computer manufacturer or even the model. Try all the F-keys, because one of them usually displays the start-up device choices.
Fix Windows 7
Windows 7 has fewer repair options, but they’re easier to access than with Windows 10. For safe mode and a utility to repair your computer, turn on your computer, and just before Windows begins to load, press the F8 key. Press it at just the right time, and the start-up menu is displayed.
There are three safe mode options, and the first, without the extras, is usually the best one to choose. If you need to access the internet, then Safe Mode with Networking can be selected. When Windows boots up successfully, the system state is saved, so the Last Known Good Configuration option is a useful one to try if there’s a problem starting Windows.
Select ‘Repair Your Computer’ at the top, and then select the UK keyboard. Select your username and enter the password to log in. A System Recovery Options window appears with five tools. Start-up Repair is an automated tool that can fix some problems that prevent Windows 7 from starting. Run it, and then reboot your computer to see if it can load Windows normally. System Restore can be used to restore a previously working version of the system. It doesn’t restore everything, but it undoes various configuration changes, registry settings and some files. Run it and select a restore point to fix the PC.
If you’ve created a system image backup on a USB drive, there’s an option to restore it. Many people don’t bother to create one, though. While your PC is working properly, open the Control Panel and click ‘Backup and Restore’. Click ‘Create a system image’ on the left. You can then save a backup on a USB drive. Ignore the option to save to DVDs unless you don’t mind working with a stack of 50 or so, depending on how much data is on the main disk.
Fix Your Hard Drive
There are two types of disk problem and they’re either hardware or software based. When the hardware fails, there’s rarely anything you can do about it. If the fault is with the circuit board attached to the drive, it may be possible to remove it and replace it with a new one. However, some people have had success, but others have not. It’s difficult to find the exact part, and on an old drive the firmware may have mapped out failing sectors, and this information won’t be available to the new circuit board.
The best way to avoid disk disasters is to back it up. A complete system image is the best type of backup. This will make an exact copy of the disk containing all the partitions, folders and files. EaseUS Todo Backup Free (easeus.com), Backupper free (backup-utility.com) and Paragon Backup & Recovery 14 Free Edition (goo.gl/XXSvo) are three utilities that can do the job.
After creating an image of the disk, create a boot CD or USB memory stick. A drive can easily be replaced after a failure, and the backup can be restored by booting from the rescue media. The only files lost will be those created since the last backup.
Software faults are much more likely than hardware failures, and they occur when the filing system is corrupted. Files, folders or even the whole disk contents can be lost, even though the hardware is fine. Frequent scanning for disk errors prevents small errors from becoming large ones, so open Explorer and select Computer or This PC on the left. Rightclick a disk, such as C:, and select Properties. Select the Tools tab and click ‘Check now’ in the error-checking section.
Tick ‘Automatically fix file system errors and start the scan’, even if it says it doesn’t need to. In Windows 7, there is an option to scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors. It might take all day to run, but it could be useful if there’s a serious disk problem. Bad sectors usually mean the drive is beginning to fail, so it should be replaced as soon as possible.
If an external USB drive is faulty, rest your hand on it and switch on the power. You can usually feel a slight vibration as it starts up (not SSDs of course). It may have an activity LED, it may get warm, and it may click. All these indicate that power is getting to the drive. If nothing happens when the power is turned on, then it could be a power supply issue.
Fix The Drivers
Windows and applications do not have access to the hardware, because there are just too many different components and versions of each one. Instead, a driver provides an interface through which components can be accessed. Each hardware component has a driver that is supplied by the manufacturer. The video card, webcam, sound system, motherboard chipset, wi-fi, Bluetooth and other components all have drivers.
Drivers can become corrupted, they can contain bugs, and they can conflict with Windows, software or other drivers. When there are problems with hardware, the cause is most likely the drivers. Obviously if smoke comes out of your computer, then there’s a hardware fault, but most of the time problems can be put down to bugs in drivers. Update them to fix faults.
There are several ways to get updated drivers. One way is to go to the manufacturer’s website and look for them. Most hardware suppliers have links on their home pages, either directly to the drivers or to the support pages where drivers can be found.
Driver Booster Free (iobit.com), Free Driver Scout (freemium.com), and SlimDrivers (slimwareutilities.com) are utilities that scan your computer for hardware drivers, check whether they’re up to date, and offer to download the latest versions and install them if they’re not. They sound ideal for keeping your computer up to date and for fixing faults that may be related to drivers, but it’s best to be cautious.
These utilities often find a dozen or more outdated drivers and update them all with one mouse click, but they occasionally cause problems instead of fixing them. Always make a complete system backup before using a driver update tool. If a problem occurs and the PC is unusable, you can restore the backup. Do not try to update every driver at once. Select one, such as the one for whatever hardware component you’re having problems with, and update that. If you try to update them all and something goes wrong, you won’t know which driver caused the fault.
Microsoft provides drivers, and these tend to be more conservative and compatible. They may not be the latest technology, but they’re safer. Click Start (Windows 7) or the search box (Windows 10) and enter ‘device manager’. Click it in the results to open it. Expand a component, such as Display Adapters, right-click the video card and select Update Driver Software. It goes online, checks for a newer driver, and automatically installs it if one is available.
Fix Your Mouse
A budget mouse can be purchased for just £5. If you use one that cheap, it’s hardly worth trying to fix a faulty one. Flip it over and clean the underside. Clean the desk with a damp cloth too. If it it’s an old fashioned ball mouse, then unscrew the plate holding it in and clean it. If you have a wireless mouse then make sure it has fresh batteries or that it is charged up if it’s rechargeable. There isn’t much else you can do.
Fix A Battery
If the battery in a laptop won’t charge up, there’s nothing that will get it working again. Thankfully, unless it’s an obscure model, a replacement should be available. The manufacturer might be able to supply one direct, but there are lots of third-party suppliers, such as Amazon (amazon.co.uk), Maplin (maplin.co.uk) and others. Google the laptop, such as ‘HP Envy battery’, and then click Shopping. Searching for the exact laptop model will narrow down a long list of batteries.
There’s one way to kill a battery very quickly, and that’s never using it. It doesn’t matter if it is charged up or run down, never leave it that way. Use the battery as often as possible and at least once a week. The more it’s used, the longer it will last.
Fix A Dead PC
The chances are that your PC will run for many years without any problems – at least not any hardware problems. Only a small percentage of computers fail each year, but if you press the power button and nothing happens, what can you do?
Firstly, make sure the power cable is firmly plugged in, both at the wall outlet and your computer. Do any lights come on when the power button is pressed? Can you hear anything when you put your ear next to your computer? Many PCs have power lights, disk activity lights, fans and mechanical drives, and you can usually tell if power is reaching the components.
If you hear and see nothing, it may be a power supply problem. Power supplies in desktop PCs are sometimes straightforward to replace, but it depends on the internal design and how easy it is to reach the unit. You might need to remove other components, like the drive or optical drive to get at it. Replace the old power supply with a new one with the same or larger wattage.
Fix Random Lock-Ups
Random lock-ups and crashes are most likely caused by buggy software or drivers, but overheating can also be the cause, particularly with older computers. Dust slowly accumulates inside the case and acts as an insulator, keeping in the heat generated by the components. If you open a desktop PC that’s several years old you’ll be amazed at the amount of dust that covers everything inside. It’s particularly bad around the fans and heatsinks on the processor and power supply, which might be so clogged up they barely function.
The solution is to either suck it or blow it out. Open your computer and use a can of compressed air or the hose on a vacuum cleaner. Better still, use both. Blast the dust away and suck it with the vacuum. Do not touch any components, and take care not to freeze components with blasts of icy air, because they may get damaged. It can be beneficial to perform an internal inspection and, if necessary, a clean-up every couple of years.
Laptops can’t be taken apart easily, so they must be tackled from the outside. Hold the vacuum cleaner hose against the air vents to suck out the dust.
Fix An Optical Drive
Optical drives sometimes fail completely, but more often than not, one function fails. For example, it might read CDs but not DVDs. It might read CDs and DVDs, but not write DVD-Rs and so on. If you have a problem, it might not be the drive but rather a faulty disc. Try two or three discs, and if you’re writing CDs or DVDs, try a different brand of disc. If several discs do not work then the fault must be with the hardware.
If the drive frequently has trouble reading discs, then the problem could be caused by dust on the lens. CD and DVDROM drive cleaning kits are available and cost just a few pounds. The kits provide a special cleaning disc, which can be wet or dry, and you just put them in the drive for a minute or two.
One last remedy worth trying is uninstalling the drive. Open the Control Panel and type ‘device manager’ into the search box. Open it, expand CD/DVD ROM drives, right-click the drive and select Uninstall. Restart your computer afterwards, and the drive should be detected as new hardware, then a driver installed automatically.
There’s no way to fix an optical drive if the cleaning kit and uninstalling/reinstalling doesn’t help, so it will need to be replaced. Fortunately, optical drive prices have hit rock bottom, with units available for less than £20. A USB model can be used if you don’t want to open your PC or if a laptop is too hard to dismantle to get at the drive. They’re plug and play, working without drivers or software.
Manufacturer Recovery Discs
When your PC was first used, you might have been provided with recovery DVDs or been prompted to make them. Sometimes there is a small partition on the hard drive with a system image, instead of DVDs. In the event of a serious problem that can’t be fixed, they can be used to restore the system back to the factory settings.
This is less useful than you might imagine, and it should be avoided if at all possible. The problem is that your PC may have received many upgrades over its life and they’ll all be undone. For example, a PC might have originally had Windows 8, which was upgraded to Windows 8.1 and then to 10. The recovery discs will put you back to Windows 8, and you’ll need to perform all those upgrades and service packs again. It could be 10GB of downloads and many hours or days up updating the system.
Avoid this situation by using the backup software recommended earlier. Create a complete system backup on a USB drive, and prepare recovery media with something like EaseUS Todo Backup. Instead of restoring the PC to the state it was in when it was delivered years ago, it will be put back a week or whenever the last backup was – much less painful.
Fix An Xbox One
If the Xbox One is having problems reading a disc, try cleaning it (the disc, not the Xbox). Sometimes it’s just dirt, sweat and sticky fingers that are the problem. Use soapy water, rinse it with clean water, and then dry it with a soft tissue. If you can play game discs but you can’t play music or movie discs, check that the Blu-ray player app is installed properly. Inserting a Blu-ray or DVD disc should trigger an installation, but if it doesn’t, do it manually. From Xbox home, go to the Store, select Apps and search for ‘bluray’ or ‘blu-ray’.
Here’s a useful general fix for some Xbox problems. Scroll left on the home screen to open the guide. Go to Settings and select All Settings > Power > Power Mode > Energy Saving. Hold down the power button for ten seconds, and the Xbox completely shuts down. Unplug everything, wait a minute, plug everything back in and power on.
The Xbox One has built-in surge protection, which may have been triggered by a power problem. When this happens, it won’t turn on. Unplug everything from the Xbox and unplug the power supply from the wall socket. Wait a minute for the power supply to reset, then plug everything back in and power on. It’s recommended that you don’t use a surge protector, because there’s already one built in. Plug the power supply into the wall socket. If there’s no light on the power supply, then that may be faulty rather than the Xbox.
Fix A PlayStation 4
A problem that some people have had with the PlayStation is that it switches off when playing a game. You might see a blinking blue or red light when this happens. It may be a hardware fault that requires repair, but before you send it off to be fixed, turn it off by holding down the power button for at least seven seconds until two beeps are heard. Unplug everything and leave it for a minute. Then plug everything back in and power it up. Make sure there’s plenty of ventilation around the box, and don’t cover it with anything.
Another problem you might encounter is either video or audio not playing. Usually one works but the doesn’t, but it could be both. Go to the Settings and make sure the audio and video options are correct. Do you hear audio through headphones? They don’t fix an audio problem, but it is an alternative you can use. Inspect the HDMI cable at both ends and make sure it’s not damaged and that it’s plugged in properly. Try a different HDMI cable and see if it makes a difference.
If the PlayStation freezes when it’s being used, go to the home screen and check for updates. They might fix the problem. Try unplugging it and increasing ventilation too. iFixit (ifixit.com/Device/PlayStation_4) has guides for replacing the optical drive, hard drive, power supply and other components.