Dell Laptop numerous issues, not sure where to start

[PEANUT5]

Hello, I just joined EightForums. I am somewhat of a novice, and I am having many issues with my laptop. My service provider is not the best either, so that adds to the problems.
I have been researching for a long time, and attempting to try many of the fixes I have found, but I continue to have problems.
I wondered if there was one place to start that could provide me with possible diagnostics of what is happening, and possibly move forward from there, if necessary.
Can anyone suggest a first step forward? Any information would be very helpful.
Thank you

 

[Bat 1]

Posting the Model number and what kind of problems you're having would be the way to start

 

[PEANUT5]

Model is Inspiron M731R. I have had endless problems with Windows Update not receiving updates, checking for updates for hours, not being able to open at all, etc. I am not able to play videos/audio except on rare occasions, constant warnings that internet explorer is not responding, long running scripts, pages will jump around while I am on them. Slow start up, slow moving from one page to another, once on a page it takes forever to load.
I have trend micro antivirus and malwarebytes free installed and I run them regularly with normally no results, except for an Amazon app I quarantined. I also have adblock installed.
I have had this laptop for about 2.5 years and have always had issues. I am not a heavy user, just some emails and some web usage.

 

[wiganken]

With regard to Windows Update problems see the following link: - Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution. From here download the correct KBs for your OS version (x86 for 32 bit or x64 for 64 bit). Hopefully these will sort out that one problem.

 

[wiganken]

Also have you tried a free online scanner to check for viruses? Try Free Virus Scan | Online Virus Scan from ESET | ESET which allows a single scan and fix for free.

 

[fireberd]

I have had this laptop for about 2.5 years and have always had issues.

I do a lot of support on the Dell forums. Exactly what has been an issue from the start? Have you ever done a factory restore (reload back to the original factory disc image)? There have been a very small few that the initial Dell software load was corrupted and doing the factory restore fixed the problems. Also, to rule out hardware, there are Dell diagnostics on the hard drive accessed by F12 at power on and suggest running full diagnostic to eliminate any potential hardware issues.

 

[PEANUT5]

I do not have any of the updates listed at that link. Each time I have had to troubleshoot Windows update, I am taken back to the place where no updates show in the update history, only the installed updates, and none of them are there. Should I download all of them?

I have not used online scanners. I have so much trouble just trying to get around, I do not download anything that is not absolutely necessary. I will give the scanner you recommended a try though.

I have not been able to move around without having issues from the start, from one page to another, opening new tabs, etc. I have had windows update problems I do believe, from the beginning too. I will try your suggestion as well.

Thank you so much....I sure hope these things bring me some relief.

 

[PEANUT5]

Also, I have not done a factory restore. I have done a reset twice I believe, and I have went back to restore points, but no factory restore. I do not want to do that unless there is no other option.

 

[fireberd]

A Factory restore is or can be a hassle, but sometimes is needed. You need to back up your user data to some other media before doing a factory restore as all user data will be lost. However, you should be periodically backing up your user data at a minimum and doing full hard drive disc image backups regularly anyway. Its not for IF you will ever need it, but for WHEN.

Another option would have been to do the free upgrade to Windows 10 and that would install new OS (and an upgrade keeps all your user data). I see at the Dell downloads that Windows 10 is supported for this model. I've seen several reports on the tenforums.com that users can still get the free Win 10 upgrade. If you do that, first make a full disc "image" (backup) to a separate USB connected drive. The free Macrium Reflect will do that for you. Many do not like Win 10, but I upgraded and seemed like Win 10 is what Win 8.1 should have been.

Macrium Reflect

Windows 10 free upgrade for "Adaptive Technologies" users.

 

[Bat 1]

Delete. Wrong thread

Download the KB3021910 update. To run it WUS can't be running. Easiest way is to set to WUS to never check for updates then restart your PC. Run the update and I think it'll prompt you to restart. Download and run the KB3021910 update then run and restart if prompted. Lastly do the same with Access Denied. After a restart you can set WUS to check for updates and either auto install or let you chose. Updates should work ?

Now time for a nap

 

[PEANUT5]

I tried the Dell diagnostics but at start up, F12 did nothing. I tried a couple of times, but my laptop just started up as usual.

I ran the ESET scan, and after 5 hours - 2 items were found. I wasn't sure exactly what to do with them, so I did the "clean" them. Hopefully, that is what I needed to do.

The first update I tried was the monthly rollup from 10-2016. The end result was "not applicable to your computer". I installed the security update successfully, from 10-2016. I tried the next monthly roll up from 11-2016 - same thing. I installed the security update from 11-2016. The next roll-up was the "not applicable" message again. I stopped there. Evidently I do not have the required updates prior to those monthly updates that are necessary. At least, I believe that is the case.

Any additional information would be helpful. Thank you

 

[wiganken]

To fix the Windows Update problem for Windows 8.1 (whether 32-bit or 64-bit) you should try to install in the correct order: -
1st - KB3173424 and this fails then try
2nd - KB3172614 and if this fails it seems that they may not be applicable because you have later files installed already in which case I am at a loss to help you on this matter. Sorry.

 

[PEANUT5]

Both KB3173424 and KB3172614 are already installed on my computer. That is where I started with the October 2016 updates to try and download them, and where the "not applicable to your computer" started for the rollups. What would be missing/happening that would point them to the not applicable message? I have been trying to research this but I am coming up empty.

 

[Bat 1]

Only time I've seen the not applicable message was when trying to use the 32 bit version on a 64 bit OS or vice-versa.

 

[Bat 1]

Wondering if you've ever got the problem sorted out ?? I've just been through the exact same problems you had after a refresh, reset, and even a fresh install. I downloaded the update troubleshooter straight to desktop so I could run it over and over and never could get WUS to work right. Microsoft seems to have done something to the way updates are installed that I'm just not smart enough to figure out. I'm also too lazy to integrate so I had to get an up-to-date "Homebrew" ISO from a mate to solve the problem. What a pain !!!!! I'll do some experimenting prolly next week in VM and see if I can figure out what's going on. I just Needed my laptop running ASAP.

 

[PEANUT5]

No, I did not get the update problem sorted out. I tried loading all of the rollup updates from 10/2016 to 11/2017 forward, and all of them said they were not applicable to my computer, I was able to download all of the security only updates. I did receive the monthly rollup for December, and was able to install that one. I ran Belarc a day or so ago, and it said I was missing 2 updates from 2014. I checked them both out, then downloaded them, then re-checked for updates and nothing came up.
I was able to install the security update from January 3 concerning the new security issue. I have been on vacation, and have been trying to troubleshoot the issues I have been having. I changed my power plan and I switched over to open DNS. Those 2 things were the only solutions I could find related to issues I was having.