How to Any computer whizz-kids?

Ow sh*t. wish I'd have seen this yesterday. Yes Rye's advice is a good suggestion, spend a few bucks on a usb mouse or a wireless one if you don't have that. Would obviously have been much better trying that before doing a hard reset/reinstall though, to avoid loosing installed stuff.
Anyway, hope you get it running again.

 

Thank you for such a heartwarming response - it almost brought me to tears.

But I composed myself, mainly because I did not understand the bit about turning women off (and my new eyeliner (@cabb suggested this) is not waterproof).

 

Now that is a good idea! I was thinking the problem might be the trackpad hardware but because I had a message before the problem saying Windows had not loaded fully, I went down the Windows route. I will try a mouse now - but the laptop was dropped onto tiles 4 years ago and is very much held together with glue and tape, plus the sound does not work. I bought an external USB sound 'thing' and it is hopeless so not sure what my USBs are like!

And some people ask "What is the point of mods?" Well, now you know.

IF this works I come back and give you a Genius - if it fails, well wait and see!

 

It died 4 years ago but I kept it on life-support. IF I can access the HD again (going to try the mouse very soon) I will transfer important items to my asawa's laptop, which she has now generously donated to me. If I fail, then I will use the HD in an external caddy.

I am very poor at regular backups, but for important Word docs, containing codes to my passwords and financial information among other things, I often attach them to an email and so can access them from there on any device.

 

As for codes to passwords, something a lot safer than non-encrypted emails to yourself would be something like "Lastpass" (there's several similar services around, I just happen to like this one. https://www.lastpass.com
It takes a little effort to make a start (like figuring out how to install an extension in your browser of choice) but after that I promise you'll never look back. Only one password to remember (that's why it's called Lastpass), and no need to store passwords in your browser anymore (which isn't particularly safe).
In my experience you don't really need their "premium" service, a free account will do the trick.

 

Do you trust the Cloud? I am quite paranoid about security - I saw the evidence (without really intending to look) when some celebs were hacked (although I know they had poor security). I feel the same about password managers - giving all my passwords to one app.

I know the Pentagon gets hacked - I would have expected them to be hack-proof - but I read that many important organisations still run old versions of Windows!

Btw, re the mouse - BINGO! You get your Genius with my gratitude. My asawa very recently purchased a cordless mouse, works very well and she kept trying to get me to use it - so I am blaming her for this omission!

 

sounds like lenny needs something more like a ethernet faith healer, or maybe just a new owner. maybe a better diagnosis, perhaps digital progeria? or a short video post of you in costume with blond hair and lipstick trying to fix lenny. that would probably go viral, do it at the zoo and i will pop for your admission fee. title, "origin of planet of the apes--you are there", or, "guess who you are really talking to on filipina heart?" (apologies to the moderator--its a covid caused psychological prolapse)