Help With Laptop

[wrayperson]

First I 've lost the curser from the screen..now user is locked. am on windows 8....can anyone help solve this problem?

[Chinajan]

Long press on the on/off button to switch off completely. Wait 20 seconds and turn on again.

[wrayperson]

Seems to be unlocked now, but still no curser on screen.

[Chinajan]

Are you using the touchpad or a mouse?

[wrayperson]

Touchpad

[Buenchico]

Assuming that you're using the touchpad, get hold of a USB mouse from somewhere. (If you're like me, you'll have several of them in drawers somewhere. Otherwise nip down to Asda for one: https://groceries.asda.com/product/computing-accessories/onn-black-wired-optical-mouse/1000033144335 ).

Then follow these instructions:

[Chinajan]

Suggested elsewhere that you hold down the Fn key and press F7 and see if that works. Otherwise what buenchico said. :0)

[wrayperson]

Thanks buenchico, have got mouse & that's ok, but still can't find out to get touchpad working again

[wrayperson]

help on laptop says go to mouse and touchpad in settings, but when I click on this there is only mouse showing, nothing to click on for touchpad..can't find anything in settings etc.for anything about touchpad..

[Togo]

Have you checked whether there are any patches or updates for w8 pending? You could also check whether there are any driver updates for graphics/touchpad in optional updates and lastly are there any manufacturers(your laptop maker) driver updates available.

[TonyV]

Think Microsoft stopped surporting windows 8 years ago, I preferred windows 7

[Buenchico]

This might give you a few clues as to where the relevant settings can be found:
https://support.dynabook.com/support/viewContentDetail?contentId=4010179

If you only ever use your laptop at home, it would make sense to just use a mouse anyway. (I'm typing this on a laptop but, unless I'm out and about, it would never even occur to me to use the touchpad; a mouse is a lot easier!).

While Windows 7 was wonderful, and Windows 10 is quite good too, Windows 8 was a total disaster. It might be worth considering an upgrade to Windows 10. (You can still do it for free. I've done it myself on several machines; it's a very easy process):
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/you-can-still-upgrade-to-windows-10-for-free-heres-how/

[wrayperson]

Thanks for all the help☺.I've realised my laptop is old,so am thinking of new one..I only need it for internet browsing, banking ,buying on the internet,email, Open Office, just basic things..can anyone suggest a laptop which would suit me ( preferably not too expensive) thank you.

[emmie]

i bought a Dell laptop last year, its quite expensive, but has Windows ten and lots of doo dads to be going on with. roughly 450 quid

[aelmpvw]

the most cost effective route would be to upgrade your win 8 laptop to win 10

[emmie]

if you didn't want to buy a new laptop, yes upgrade it to Window 10.

[brainiac]

wray - Chris (buenchico) if he sees this will give you a link to a good second-hand site for reliable, inexpensive laptops

[Chinajan]

I wouldn't buy a second hand or refurbished one but that's just me.

Here's a search on laptops under £300. You need to decide what size screen you want and there are other filters at the top of the columns.

https://pricespy.co.uk/c/laptops?r_lowestPrice=12-300

[Buenchico]

>>> Chris (buenchico) if he sees this will give you a link to a good second-hand site for reliable, inexpensive laptops

He will indeed!

This is where I buy most of my own PCs and laptops from, as well as where I purchase them on behalf of friends. I've also recommended the site countless times here on AB, receiving very positive feedback from people who've made purchases from the company:
https://accomputerwarehouse.com/product-category/cheap-refurbished-laptops-uk

Out of the models currently shown there, I'd definitely recommend this one for your needs:
https://accomputerwarehouse.com/product/15-6-laptop-8gb-ram-120gb-ssd/
as it's got a solid state drive, which I'd regard as essential these days. (I wouldn't consider any laptop, even brand new, that only had a conventional hard drive in it. SSDs are so much faster!). The processor isn't exactly the fastest in the world but, as you wouldn't be playing advanced video games or doing high-end video-editing with it, that doesn't really matter anyway. There's plenty of RAM, so no problem there either.

It might also be worth looking at what this eBay seller has to offer:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/PC-Laptops-Netbooks/177/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=&_ssn=kelsus-tm
The laptop I'm typing on at the moment came from there (simply because AC Computer Warehouse didn't have anything that met my needs when I wanted one). The seller is totally honest about any minor problems with the machines that he offers for sale (even mentioning things like missing Windows stickers), so it's important to read the 'condition' part of any description very carefully. However there are loads of outstanding reviews (including one from me!).

[wrayperson]

Thank you for your help. .I will keep details of laptops..I have however solved the problem of the touchpad not working..IMMEDIATELY after you press button to start you press F2, this brings up a page, go to second page & scroll down to touchpad & click on..this was on you tube.