Windows 10: VERY tricky one

I got help here recently, and I hope the kind people on this site can help me again.


I bought a used computer with Windows 10 a couple of months ago. It's an HP 8100 Elite SFF. The HDD is 320 GB. It only had 4 GB RAM, so I added another 8.


Well. The computer - and I have no idea why - suddenly started hanging up every 10 or 15 seconds. This happened in all programs. Generally, when working, I only use Word and three browser windows (Firefox). I have a 4 TB external drive, and the HDD has very little on it, so it's not a matter of memory.


I did discover that although the computer now has 12 GB RAM, it was only using about 3 GB. After searching, I found this site with suggestions on how to increase RAM usage:


https://www.easeus.com/partition-manager-software/fix-windows-10-100-disk-usage-in-task-manager.html


I used the fourth "fix". BIG mistake. The computer is now stuck in an endless cycle of restarting. Today, I tried doing a clean install of Windows 10. Not even THAT worked. I haven't the slightest idea how to get the thing to work again - I can't get into Safe Mode from BIOS, and changing the boot order from HDD to USB didn't work either. I'm completely baffled.

:)

 

BSOD while using bittorrent

I will do it this evening or tomorrow! I have read that it is a little bit tricky to update your BIOS. Any recommendations? Should I back-up my files, my register and my systemfiles on an external drive before I start? I this a good step-by-step manual? How to Update Your BIOS | PCWorld

 

Windows 10 replaced Recent Folders with Quick Access. how to change 10 to 20?

For anyone still struggling with this, here is a step by step guide to

• Adding Recent Folders back to Quick Access (easy)
• Getting Recent Folders to appear in Save As dialogs (tricky, needs registry modifactions, not to attempted unless you are comfortable modifying the Registry)

Restoring Recent Folders (Dragonblogger.com)

 

Shift key doesn't always work


Thanks.

No USB keyboard. the onscreen one works okay. that's what i use in a pinch if i really need a questionmark or an 2222222222222222222222222222222222 at symbol.

I tried the drivers already. No go. I agree that taking it apart and checking connections is the logical next step. I've done it before with past laptops. I do what you suggested in watching someone else on youtube do it first so I know where the tricky screws and cables are first. Blah