Solutions that do not solve anything

[homeap5]

I register on this forum because I like Linus YT channel and assume that LinusTechTips is best possible computer forum ever.

And probably it is.

BUT - as on many forums, on this one some things amaze me.

 

When people asks for any Windows related problem, they receive lot of useless solutions. First of all - reinstalling Windows. If something works bad - reinstall Windows. Problem with keyboard? Reinstall Windows. Problem with anything? Try to reinstall Windows. Come on! Reinstalling Windows do not resolivng any problem. First of all - it's not even real solution, it's workaround. User who has problem still don't know what was wrong, he gets no useful information and if the same problem occurs in the future - he will reinstalling Windows again and again. He just spend some time to configure everything from scratch and problem will be still unknown. It's like building new home every time there is a problem with the tap, because the plumber does not know what happened and says that "maybe in the new house everything will be fine and the water will flow". As you see - it's not a solution. And what is most important - every user KNOWS that he can reinstall Windows whenenver he wants. He don't need permissions from forum users to reinstalling system, he needs a solution to problem described in post!

 

Second - a little better, but still annoying. Asking is every drivers up-to-date. First of all - most of people don't know if the new drivers resolves any problems, it's just magical solution that may helps or not. But wait a moment - if drivers are 2 years old, it means that they're bad? Two years earlier that was new, fresh, up-to-date, bug-free drivers that everone recommended! Their beard did not grow, they're not rusty, bits are the same like 2 years ago, so what happend in these two years that makes these drivers bad? Ok, someone may find bugs in old drivers and fix them - that's correct. But then if someone asks me if I have new, good drivers - I should say "no, because now they seems to be new and good, but after one year for sure someone find bugs in them". I mean - most of people don't know if new drivers fix any problem. Sometimes even new drivers may be worse (for example - for some time NVidia drivers 314.22 was last drivers for Win7 that works good with some GEForce 4xx and 5xx cards; new drivers can freeze whole system - that was years ago, but still - anyone who installs new drivers then and have NVidia 550Ti for example, ends with unstable system and all system logs pointed to... CPU!). And this situation is the same like in reinstalling Windows - we may assume that users that we spoke with here are smart enough that they know how to install Windows or drivers. Damn - they know even how to register on this forum, so they're really smart and have e-mails!

 

Also other advices like "sfc /scannow" are pointless - it's the same like reinstalling Windows (ok, a lot easier and takes less time, but still). We can fix sometimes something that way, but still we will not know where the problem was.

 

In my first post on this forum I give example of my discussion with some moderator on different forum. The same situation - he don't know where problem is, but really wants to know my whole configuration and tries to prove me that it was crucial for resolve my problem. After I give him whole config then, as I expected, his answers was completely unrelated to my hardware. So why people asks for configuration if they don't know where problem is? Probably they think that reveal configuration somehow automatically point to answer. Ok, sometimes is good to know what is type of motherboard or CPU, but only when someone suspect where problem may be. Otherwise is pointless to write that "my SSD is Samsung". If my computer freezes, then if someone knows that Samsung's SSD causes that, don't must ask for it and just write correct answer based on his experience. If someone has no experience with resolving any particular problem - then even lot of details doesn't help.

 

Why am I writing it? Just for discussion. I like to help people from time to time and like to know that someone can help me if I have a problem.

 

[Guest]

The first 2 pieces of advice are very valid.

Windows 10 is so crap that it corrupts it self all the time or causes random errors because of no reason.

So reinstalling windows or drivers fixes the problem 90% of the time.

6 minutes ago, homeap5 said:

but still we will not know where the problem was.

The problem is windows itself.

[homeap5]

I disagree. I never reinstall any version of Windows, includin win10. Instead I learn where the problem is and how to fix it. And later I'll know how to fix the same problem with few seconds, while you will be reinstalling your system again and again.

 

And there is something more important (and I wrote that) - EVERYONE here knows that reinstalling Windows is an option, so why recommend it? I don't believe that people asks for permission that they can reinstall operating system. They asks for solutions.

[Oshino Shinobu]

16 minutes ago, homeap5 said:

Second - a little better, but still annoying. Asking is every drivers up-to-date. First of all - most of people don't know if the new drivers resolves any problems, it's just magical solution that may helps or not. But wait a moment - if drivers are 2 years old, it means that they're bad? Two years earlier that was new, fresh, up-to-date, bug-free drivers that everone recommended! Their beard did not grow, they're not rusty, bits are the same like 2 years ago, so what happend in these two years that makes these drivers bad?

Not reading all of this, but I did skim through. 

 

Operating system and firmware updates can break drivers. New features of other devices or software can cause aspects of another driver stop working. 

 

18 minutes ago, homeap5 said:

n my first post on this forum I give example of my discussion with some moderator on different forum. The same situation - he don't know where problem is, but really wants to know my whole configuration and tries to prove me that it was crucial for resolve my problem. After I give him whole config then, as I expected, his answers was completely unrelated to my hardware. So why people asks for configuration if they don't know where problem is?

Because having a complete hardware spec can sometimes point out the source of problem right away. It's general rule of thumb here (and on most tech forums really) to give full system specs so people can see right away if something in there is likely to be an issue. 

 

20 minutes ago, homeap5 said:

Otherwise is pointless to write that "my SSD is Samsung"

Some brands have software that does has settings enabled by default. For example, Samsung's RAPID mode is often enabled by default, which can cause RAM usage issues. 

 

23 minutes ago, homeap5 said:

every user KNOWS that he can reinstall Windows whenenver he want

No they don't. There's plenty of people I've seen on the forum who don't know that you can freely reinstall it and use the same key.

 

Bear in mind that you're not paying for and the people who help here are not being paid for the support they provide. If you want someone to investigate and find a problem for you, buy a service that supports that kind of thing. Most of the advise you'll find on general troubleshooting on forums is aimed at getting the system working again, not specifically locating a problem. 

[Guest]

5 minutes ago, homeap5 said:

I disagree. I never reinstall any version of Windows, includin win10. Instead I learn where the problem is and how to fix it. And later I'll know how to fix the same problem with few seconds, while you will be reinstalling your system again and again.

 

And there is something more important (and I wrote that) - EVERYONE here knows that reinstalling Windows is an option, so why recommend it? I don't believe that people asks for permission that they can reinstall operating system. They asks for solutions.

I usually try to find the problem, but my time is worth more than the time of troubleshooting. It is more important to get my system working again, instead of finding the problem.

Sometimes troubleshooting for days isnt worth it, when you can reinstall windows in under an hour, and usually the problem doesn't repeat itself.

If the problem repeats itself, then yes i will find out where it is coming from.

[LogicalDrm]

1 hour ago, homeap5 said:

When people asks for any Windows related problem, they receive lot of useless solutions. First of all - reinstalling Windows. If something works bad - reinstall Windows. Problem with keyboard? Reinstall Windows. Problem with anything? Try to reinstall Windows. Come on! Reinstalling Windows do not resolivng any problem.

 

 

I could name member who does this constantly on every Windows issue. He doesn't even bother to find alternative, or root of issue. Most of the times issue is just trivial thing with reversing last update, cleaning some temp files or even undoing something user has done because they "think" it was good thing to do. Like disabling pagefile.

 

1 hour ago, homeap5 said:

First of all - it's not even real solution, it's workaround. User who has problem still don't know what was wrong, he gets no useful information and if the same problem occurs in the future - he will reinstalling Windows again and again. He just spend some time to configure everything from scratch and problem will be still unknown. It's like building new home every time there is a problem with the tap, because the plumber does not know what happened and says that "maybe in the new house everything will be fine and the water will flow".

 

This won't really matter. Most users who come here to solve problems look for quick fix. Its very rare to find someone who has googled their issue before posting. Or understand basic things like difference between crashing software and crashing windows. (Or rebooting PC vs black screen vs BSOD).

 

1 hour ago, homeap5 said:

As you see - it's not a solution. And what is most important - every user KNOWS that he can reinstall Windows whenenver he wants. He don't need permissions from forum users to reinstalling system, he needs a solution to problem described in post!

 

As pointed, no they don't. Have you looked at topics under Windows section? Daily questions include (besides asking where to buy grey market keys): Can I reinstall my Windows? Can I use my Windows with new CPU/drive/RAM/GPU? How do I reinstall Windows? etc.

 

1 hour ago, homeap5 said:

Second - a little better, but still annoying. Asking is every drivers up-to-date. First of all - most of people don't know if the new drivers resolves any problems, it's just magical solution that may helps or not.

 

Ofc they don't. But how can they even start helping if they don't know whats been done already? With GPU drivers and just released AAA games drivers are always good bet to improve things.

 

1 hour ago, homeap5 said:

But wait a moment - if drivers are 2 years old, it means that they're bad? Two years earlier that was new, fresh, up-to-date, bug-free drivers that everone recommended! Their beard did not grow, they're not rusty, bits are the same like 2 years ago, so what happend in these two years that makes these drivers bad?

 

Other drivers, other hardware, Windows updates, new software/games. At this point of your rant I'm starting wonder how new this whole PC thing is to you. Besides GPU related stuff, I've fixed slow internet speeds and USB disconnect issue just by installing newer drivers. Plus some fan control things with updating BIOS.

 

1 hour ago, homeap5 said:

And this situation is the same like in reinstalling Windows - we may assume that users that we spoke with here are smart enough that they know how to install Windows or drivers. Damn - they know even how to register on this forum, so they're really smart and have e-mails!

 

You do realize that you are conflicting with yourself at this point?

 

1 hour ago, homeap5 said:

So why people asks for configuration if they don't know where problem is? Probably they think that reveal configuration somehow automatically point to answer. Ok, sometimes is good to know what is type of motherboard or CPU, but only when someone suspect where problem may be.

 

Ehm, thats IS the reason why specs are asked. For example crashing of pretty much everything is more often hardware related than software related. We aren't mindreaders and so far you've complained more about things where we ask about more information than giving odd suggestions. You *may* be professional or work as support tech. But most of us are just enthusiasts who relay own experiences to help others. I might ask "what PSU" if problem is PC rebooting. Because that would be easy check. Or I may ask CPU, cooling or motherboard when question is about overheating. Again, because thats most obvious. What would you recommend, apart from asking specs and what user has tried before?

 

 

1 hour ago, Some Random Member said:

The first 2 pieces of advice are very valid.

Windows 10 is so crap that it corrupts it self all the time or causes random errors because of no reason.

So reinstalling windows or drivers fixes the problem 90% of the time.

The problem is windows itself.

 

Maybe. But suggesting that as first thing without even trying to troubleshoot first makes you sound like douche/elitist who doesn't want new members to their forum asking questions which they could have just googled.

[Jtalk4456]

1 hour ago, homeap5 said:

1. When people asks for any Windows related problem, they receive lot of useless solutions. First of all - reinstalling Windows. If something works bad - reinstall Windows. Problem with keyboard? Reinstall Windows. Problem with anything? Try to reinstall Windows.

2. Come on! Reinstalling Windows do not resolving any problem. First of all - it's not even real solution, it's workaround. User who has problem still don't know what was wrong, he gets no useful information and if the same problem occurs in the future

3. And what is most important - every user KNOWS that he can reinstall Windows whenenver he wants. He don't need permissions from forum users to reinstalling system, he needs a solution to problem described in post!

4. Second - a little better, but still annoying. Asking is every drivers up-to-date. First of all - most of people don't know if the new drivers resolves any problems, it's just magical solution that may helps or not. But wait a moment - if drivers are 2 years old, it means that they're bad?

5. Sometimes even new drivers may be worse (for example - for some time NVidia drivers 314.22 was last drivers for Win7 that works good with some GEForce 4xx and 5xx cards; new drivers can freeze whole system - that was years ago, but stil

6.And this situation is the same like in reinstalling Windows - we may assume that users that we spoke with here are smart enough that they know how to install Windows or drivers. Damn - they know even how to register on this forum, so they're really smart and have e-mails!

7. Also other advices like "sfc /scannow" are pointless - it's the same like reinstalling Windows (ok, a lot easier and takes less time, but still). We can fix sometimes something that way, but still we will not know where the problem was.

8. So why people asks for configuration if they don't know where problem is? Probably they think that reveal configuration somehow automatically point to answer. Ok, sometimes is good to know what is type of motherboard or CPU, but only when someone suspect where problem may be.

9. Otherwise is pointless to write that "my SSD is Samsung". If my computer freezes, then if someone knows that Samsung's SSD causes that, don't must ask for it and just write correct answer based on his experience. If someone has no experience with resolving any particular problem - then even lot of details doesn't help.

1. I don't usually see that proposed as a solution. This is a last ditch effort or a fix when the OS is corrupted

2. It certainly resolves a corrupted OS. And it might very well prevent the issue in the future

3. Just NO, this is false and an incredibly ridiculous assumption. There are people who don't understand what an OS is, let alone to reinstall it

4. it CAN mean they're bad f they're incompatible with newer versions of operating systems and other software/hardware

5. Very true, which is precisely why we want to know what drivers you have. We might know that your driver has a bug and recommend a better one. You might have the newest one and we recommend going back to an older one. Knowledge is important

6. I've met many people who have never heard of a driver. Registering on a forum is easy compared to diagnosing computer errors

7. So if we know what fixes the problem, it's pointless to fix it if we don't know the EXACT source of the problem? If that's what you're saying, I highly disagree. If you know what each and every registry entry affects, more power to you. Most of us, though don't. And if something tells us there's a registry error, I'm not going to learn every registry entry, i'm gonna open CCleaner and scan the registry and fix the problem. I don't have to know everything about the problem to solve it and move on with my life.

8. It often DOES HELP alot. Many times we can stop and say, hey that part is known for this issue, check this. Or maybe you have a low wattage psu and we see that and tell you you need a new psu to handle the GPU you got. You are undervaluing information in the diagnostic process. More information makes for a better solution. There's no reason to get offended because someone tries to help.

9. So in your example, if I know that a specific SSD causes crashes, but you don't even tell me you're using an SSD, why would I assume it's a problem with one specific part you have? This example is WHY we ask for details. There are MANY things that can cause crashes, slow downs, and a myriad of other issues. With nothing to frame the problem around, all we've got is "My PC is broke" and that's not much to work with. If you tell us my custom water cooled i7 8700 with a 5 yr old gpu and a few other parts is having stuttering issues, I'm gonna ask about the gpu, it's drivers, see if maybe it's starting to die since it's 5 yrs old. I have info to make reasonable guesses from. If you tell us your computer is broken, There are millions of potential problems, we're GOING to ask for more details. Anyone who says they can solve a puzzle without any puzzle pieces is lying. I hope it's more a lack of understanding on how diagnostics works, but it really sounds like a severe impatience where you want to say my pc is broke and someone magically spit you a specific answer and tell you exactly what caused it and make so it never happens again. That's just not how it works

[Guest]

7 minutes ago, LoGiCalDrm said:

 

Maybe. But suggesting that as first thing without even trying to troubleshoot first makes you sound like douche/elitist who doesn't want new members to their forum asking questions which they could have just googled.

Maybe. I also don't touch the OS queries, because im not that good at it. And yes reinstalling windows is the last ditch effort to fix the problem.

[bjd223]

Reinstalling Windows will fix almost any software issue you are having. And since this is an enthusiast forum, many here are probably more willing to reinstall Windows over more casual users. People here are probably (hopefully) more inclined to make regular backups so reinstalling is not as big of a deal.

 

Also I wouldn't recommend reinstalling Windows unless a DISM + SFC won't fix it. This checks every single OS file's CRC and file version and replaces it. Even if your local store is corrupted you can set the DISM source to physical media or online. If you do a DISM + SFC scan and it passes, you can safely restore W10 back to factory (and delete personal files) and it is the same as a reinstall but faster.

 

At my work we have 20k+ Windows clients, and W10 fares as well as W7 did as far as corrupted files and unbootable PCs. So I personally don't think there is any fundamental corruption issue with W10 compared to any other Windows OS.

[homeap5]

Some people spend weeks configuring all their installed software and polished their os. Suggestion that reinstall windows resolves any problems is bad. It may creates more problems and if problem was with hardware, not software, will be just waste of time.

 

Good that we debate, but I'm always trying to be more open minded and not using typical solutions. This is technical forum, I don't believe that people register on this forum for asking "how to reinstall Windows".

 

I understand your point of view, but still - I'm talking about something different. Of course that sometimes hardware details are important - but you should asking for them if you're at least suspect where problem may be. I saw so many questions about config, logs from Hijack etc. that point to nowhere. After all that detailed information, user don't get any information or just "I don't know where problem is". I give you an example - if someone ask that his hard drive is slowing down, I don't ask about brand. Is it different that he has "WD" or "Seagate"? If I would know that Toshiba drives makes problem, I'll answer "hey man, you probably has Toshiba HDD and it's known problem, you must...". Otherwise plain info "I have HDD 2TB" is enough. If I ask for solution for not working Fast Boot in MSI Bios and admin asks me about all detailed configuration (even if I say that I check this on two different configurations, so problem is not with hardware but in BIOS settings) and then gives me universal "solution" (unplug all your HDD/SSD, remove RAM etc.) then why it was so important that my main SSD is Samsung? If it was ADATA then he would answer me "oh, no, ADATA doesn't need to be unplug"?

 

I'm not talking about not giving informations at all. I'm talking about requesting TOO MANY unnecessary informations. Like my old math teacher says years ago "you have all data required to resolve this math problem, you don't need more informations, believe me".

 

And ok - I know that people may don't know that reinstalling Windows is an option. But people who wants to help should know a little more that "reinstall Windows is universal solution, do it!". Few times I found that solution was easy even if someone else says that reinstalling Windows is the only option. No, is not! We should know how OS works if we want to help anyone. It's like car mechanic who wants to help everyone, but all he know is how to replace tires - would you trust that guy? I don't think so.