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Tech help please

dioxide45

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Take a look at this. Jump ahead to the 0:57 mark to get to the point.

 

hintok

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Thanks dioxide45, I tried that and it was OK for a several hours, then went out again.
 

Passepartout

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If the old PC has sufficient resources (memory and the like), you might consider upgrading to Windows 10. I wonder how it escaped that fate anyway. I remember there was a free upgrade to Win 8.1, then another to Win 10 a year or two later. iirc, it takes about 4 GB of RAM to run Win 10, but today memory is cheap. It might also be hindered by it's graphics card. The Geek Squad at Best Buy can run a couple of tests to see if yours is a candidate to upgrade. Have you considered a new PC- or if your needs are fairly modest- surfing, email, and you're usually on wi-fi, a shiny new Chromebook for a couple hundred $$ might be the best choice.

Jim
 
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easyrider

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My Toshiba didn't upgrade or run windows 10 very well. I had to switch to the Opera operating system which worked fine. Even so, after messing with it until Black Friday a few years back I replaced it. It still works like the other three old laptops I have in a box somewhere. I should get rid of them now that I'm thinking about it.

Bill
 

dioxide45

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If the old PC has sufficient resources (memory and the like), you might consider upgrading to Windows 10. I wonder how it escaped that fate anyway. I remember there was a free upgrade to Win 8.5, then another to Win 10 a year or two later. iirc, it takes about 4 GB of RAM to run Win 10, but today memory is cheap. It might also be hindered by it's graphics card. The Geek Squad at Best Buy can run a couple of tests to see if yours is a candidate to upgrade. Have you considered a new PC- or if your needs are fairly modest- surfing, email, and you're usually on wi-fi, a shiny new Chromebook for a couple hundred $$ might be the best choice.

Jim
There was an upgrade from Windows 8.0 to 8.1 then they offered free upgrades to Windows 10. Alas, the free option to upgrade is long gone. One would likely need to just buy a new PC at this point since it wouldn't cost much more to buy a new one over buying and upgrading the OS.
 

BagsArePacked

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How do I fix DPC Watchdog Violation errors in Windows 8?

Answer: A major system error in Windows is often called a "blue screen of death" (BSOD). This is because the error message is displayed with a blue background and says your PC needs to be restarted.


In Windows 8, the blue screen of death is displayed with a more friendly blue color, but the result is no more favorable than in other versions of Windows. The only fix is restarting your computer. That means your programs will automatically close and you will lose any unsaved work.
So why does the infamous BSOD appear? It is actually a precautionary alert that halts system processes to avoid corrupting data or damaging your computer. For example, if an unknown hardware device appears to pose a threat to your computer, it may trigger a "stop code," which will abruptly stop the current processes.
While multiple stop codes can cause Windows to shut down, the most common is the "DPC Watchdog Violation." This error, often displayed as "DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION," has a bug check value of 0x00000133, which may also appear in the error message. DPC stands for "Deferred Procedure Call." The violation happens when the bug checker, called a "watchdog," detects a DPC that is running too long. This typically happens when the DPC is stuck at an interrupt request level (IRQL) of DISPATCH_LEVEL or above.

What causes DPC Watchdog Violations?

Several things can cause a DPC Watchdog Violation to be triggered in Windows 8. One of the most common is an SSD drive that has old firmware not supported by Windows 8. Another likely cause is an outdated driver for one of your hardware components. For example, if your sound card driver does not support Windows 8, simply plugging in a set of headphones could produce a DPC Watchdog Violation error. While not as common, software installations that affect your system software could also lead to DPC Watchdog Violations and the corresponding blue screen of death.

How do I fix DPC Watchdog Violations?

If the errors are hardware related, the best thing to do is update the firmware of your components and the associated drivers. Firmware and driver updates are usually available in either the Support or Downloads section of most hardware manufacturers websites. If the errors are software related, you can either reinstall the program(s) you may think may have started producing the errors or use Windows' "System Restore" function to fix potential system software issues.
If you have tried the above options and you still are experiencing DPC Watchdog Violation errors, you can use "Action Center," a control panel available in both Windows 7 and Windows 8. This panel displays important system messages and provides recommendations on how to resolve problems. If you still have errors after using Action Center, they may be caused by faulty hardware. If this is the case, you may need to have your PC examined by a technician who can diagnose what component needs to be replaced.


Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk
 
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Big Matt

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Just based on the assumed age of your computer, I would buy a new one. Yours will continue to have problems until it just won't work any longer.
 

Blues

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There was an upgrade from Windows 8.0 to 8.1 then they offered free upgrades to Windows 10. Alas, the free option to upgrade is long gone. One would likely need to just buy a new PC at this point since it wouldn't cost much more to buy a new one over buying and upgrading the OS.

Actually, it's well hidden, but still available.

 

artringwald

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You can still do a free update from Windows 8 to 10, but you need to download the Microsoft Media Tool to create a bootable USB drive that will install the update. You don't need the Microsoft Key if Windows 8 was installed with a valid license. Check with the Toshiba support web site to see if you model is Windows 10 compatible, but most Windows 8 PC's should be. Windows 10 includes drivers for older PC's.

Here's the Microsoft download site to create a bootable Windows 10 USB drive.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
 

Talent312

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I concur with get a new one.,. while you can still access your old one.
Geek Squad or any local computer shop and move your programs+data.
,
 

hintok

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Thank you all for your advise. I removed the program malware ?? which I had downloaded just before the problem started. It sems to be working OK for now. I did purchase a new MacBook Air in Jan of 2019, but could not get used to it, so gave it to my son. I think I should start searching for a new, simple, lightweight PC.
 

Big Matt

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If you are a Costco member, you can get one from there for a good deal most of the time
 
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