What is the proper procedure when an old answer no longer works?

Question

The following scenario;

• You have the same problem as a previous asker, or a highly similar one.
• The previous answer has a working, accepted solution... 8 years ago.
• Things have changed (software updates breaking configuration, for example), and the solution is now different.
• You don't know the new solution yourself.

Attempting to ask the same question will in all likelyhood get quickly closed as a duplicate.

Trying to comment on the answer relies on the user that first answered still being active on the site.

Answer 1

Generally the same applies as with any other problem, you ask a good question that includes:

• What are you trying to do?
• What have you tried in order to make it happen?
• What results did you expect?
• What actually happened?

Where in step 2 you add something along the lines :

I found [link to this old Q&A] that describes a similar problem but that solution there is not applicable (anymore) because of [reasons].

That generally prevents people from closing your question as a duplicate and shows that you're a professional that has done some research and/or tried a solution before asking the internet for help.

Adding the link to the old Q&A in your own question has the added benefit that your question will (usually) also appear reciprocally in the "Linked" column of that old Q&A , directing people that found the old Q&A to your newer question. A good title for your own new question helps in that regard.

An example of this in practice is this Q&A about the reliability of SSD drives (from 2009) where the top Linked Q&A is Are SSD drives as reliable as mechanical drives (2013)?

Answer 2

In addition to what's explained HBrujin's excellent answer, it's worth mentioning bounties.

Bounties allows you to give an explanation for why you're setting the bounty - and up to date answers is a legit reason for bountying a question.

Answer 3

A question should not be closed merely because someone else has asked it.

Questions should be closed when an answer on another question provides a working solution to your question. (This also includes posted questions different from your question that have an answer which answers your question.)