motherboard = new pc

Hello

I have done all I can think of to solve why the mouse is erratic at times and the desktop hangs for 20 seconds at times.

I tried the mouse with another PC and it was OK. I pressed the connect on both mouse and USB which worked for a while.

I changed mouse pads.

Mother board wise I have read all the steps to eliminate causes like RAM, PSU, CMOS batt., but it seems that a 5 year old Dell which has been left on every day and used a lot, may be going.

I may be able to build another easier than going through all the steps provided.

I ran the diagnostics check F12 which is not always right but it said all is OK. It does not however check the board,etc.

It tested all the hardware like RAM, CPU, Video card etc so to do so myself seems redundant.

 I know it is up to me but I am not sure how reliable the test is. Maybe removing the video card or switching ram could turn something up - it depend upon the reliability of that test.

Would you try to eliminate each part or would you be looking for a replacement?

Peter, here are some thoughts for you:

1 There are a number of folks who have had great success with installing Win 10 on older computers  (5 years old or older) however there can be problems in putting "new wine in old bottles"

2 Many folks believe that Win 10 works better when installed on a new machine

3 Win 7 works well on older machines…and is supported by Microsoft with security patches up til 2020

4 Ubuntu or Mint work well on older machines as well as new ones (if you prefer Linux to Windows)

5 To check if the mouse problem is operating system/driver related, try these two steps, first use a wired mouse not a wireless one, reboot and see if there is any improvement. Secondly, download  Linux Puppy, burn a bootable CD, and boot from it, if your mouse now works Ok then it's pointing towards your Windows operating system/drivers as the potential fault.

6 The economic decision on repair or replace is a common one and depends to a certain extent on the contents of your wallet!!!

Many of my customers just don't have any spare cash to spend on new equipment, and repair therefore is their only realistic option, however I have quite a few (usually younger) customers who are quite happy to consign a perfectly satisfactorily working computer to the recycling utility on the basis that their computer is 12 months old and last years colour! and they demand a new one!

7 Bearing in mind that a new desktop computer can be purchased (here in the UK) for around £150 (GBP) or so, with "laptops" running at similar prices then many folks are happy to buy new and regard their new computer as practically disposable…. The prices in the USA, I believe are considerably less expensive than over here, so this may make the decision easier for you.

8 It's my personal view that modern computers are not designed or built to last for a great many years ( or at least with longevity as their primary design objective) or to be constantly upgraded or repaired….. it's a throw away world I'm afraid!

I hope these "disconnected jottings" will help you in arriving at the correct decision for you.

Regards

paws

Hi Paws

I was just looking the thread over and noticed the reply I sent you does not appear here. I want to thank you for you advice. I am going to buy a new mouse as I need one for a new PC (some time soon $) and also will check my RAM. It acts as though the 6 B's not doing its job. Anyway thanks again and I sill wonder where my first reply went.