Since getting windows 8.1 restored on my laptop, audacity edit functions not working correctly
Trying to sync up to two track tapes.
have two tracks loaded
add a stereo track
try to paste a new wave form in the new tracks
first two tracks shift down to the end point of the new tracks
can’t delete the dead scpace with deleting the same block in tracks 3/4
can never sync up
cant isolate a track to delete
Since getting windows 8.1 restored on my laptop,
Why did it need to be restored?
It’s not the worst idea to do everything on separate tracks. You can use the Time Shift Tool to push things sooner or later (left to right) to match up existing tracks. Audacity will smoosh everything into one show when you export (unless you stop it). It will play everything unless you stop it with the MUTE and SOLO buttons.
Yes, it’s true. Once you start managing sounds and clips all on one timeline, you can get some really odd boundaries and spacing issues. I think there’s ways to force that to work, but I never got very good at it.
Koz
Thanks for providing this detail, but somehow I am still confused on exactly what you are trying to do and what is happening. 
You can download Audacity 2.4.2 from this link: Audacity ® | Downloads
When recording, if you want to record on a new separate track, press SHIFT-RECORD.
I hope this help. 
Adding to the end of the existing track and starting a new track is the difference between R and SHIFT+R. They’re reversible in Audacity Preferences. The default used to be R would add a new track under the others. In the face of massive objection, the default was changed to adding to the end of the existing track. You can change it back the old way if that works for you.
It’s natural to think that everything needs to be on one single track, but you can get into some interesting boundary and territory conflicts if you insist on doing that with Audacity. Audacity doesn’t have the concept of sending one track “behind” another like some other editors. Much better to construct your show on multiple timelines and let Audacity make the finished sound file on Export.
Koz
To Fix Audacity Not Working follow these steps
Enable All Disconnected and Disabled Recording Devices
Another way to fix Audacity that cannot record sound on Windows is to enable all disabled or disconnected devices as to ensure all sounds will be input on the computer.
Right-click the speaker icon in the system tray and click “Recording devices” (Or click Windows Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound ).
Under the Recording devices tab, right-click anywhere and select both “Show Disabled Devices” and “Show Disconnected Devices”.
Then you will see multiple devices, just enable them all.
Switch to A Simpler Audio Recorder
If you find none of the above solutions is helpful, the only solution may be just switching to a professional and simple audio recording software.
Hope this information was helpful