computer help

bmkindig · #1 01/07/2004, 10:25 PM

hey you computer guys
can anyone help me my computer is running really slow,it's an antique but it's getting worse i thought maybe it was the battery i replaced it and it's still slowing down the clock loses like an hour per day i've tried defragging and running scandiskand shutting it down for like an hour and then turning it back on.
now the last time i tried rebooting i got a "fatal error"that is causing windows to be unstable i'm thinking it might be time for a new tower!i know 1 big problem is that i'm running windows 98 the 1st edition which i just found out a few months ago when i bought a new printer and a digital camera that i can't either of i have read alot of you guys know alot about computers and even built the famos bytor a new system!! i can't afford i new system right now but some advise may help i have down some of my own upgrades so i have some tech support experince.
thanks
brad

GarSrtn · #2 01/07/2004, 10:44 PM

There's lots of reasons a computer can start running slow. Barring any big hardware things (funky ram or things), it's usually software. Things like spyware, anti-virus, or any new installs can eat up cpu time if they require background processes. If you replaced the cmos battery, and your BIOS allows it, you may need to reset the cpu/ram speed.

bmkindig · #3 01/07/2004, 10:55 PM

hey chris
is that in the startup menu like setting up a hard drive or changing other settings?
another thing recentlly bought was a new virus scan but can't use because theres one of the same kind already installed, can i delete that from there also.
thanks
brad

Tagamet · #4 01/08/2004, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bmkindig
hey chris
is that in the startup menu like setting up a hard drive or changing other settings?
another thing recentlly bought was a new virus scan but can't use because theres one of the same kind already installed, can i delete that from there also.
thanks
brad

Brad,
You've done some of the good stuff already. especaillly defragging the hard drive, which can cause a major slow down. Do you know what programs are loading autoimatically when you boot up? That's another way to eat up cpu cycles without seeing it going on in the background. Some programs don't even put a little icon in the lower right system tray to show that they are active. Try booting up and holding down the shift key as soon as you see the windows flash screen. Keep holding it down until it's totally booted. This should give you a "clean boot" without background programs going on. If you still see a lot of icons in the tray, you didn't hold the shift key at the right time, or released it too soon. Try again.
You have to uninstall the first virus scan before installing a new one. Just go into control panel and use "add/remove" programs. reboot, and install the new one. On an old machine you might not be able to run it full time in the background without hurting your speed. These are the simple things to try. If they don't help, we can delve into the mysteries of the system BIOS.
HTH,
Tagamet

sixpackrt · #5 01/08/2004, 01:37 AM

get a program like adware or spybot to look for spy ware
also did you clean out your cache in internet explorer?
also cookies take up alot of space i delete them when i see my computer is running slow

i also got windows 98 second edition if you need it put on your computer and also norton system works
pm me and let me know

list your computers specs

Ron

bmkindig · #6 01/08/2004, 02:29 AM

tag
i have 3 icons on my lower right toolbar,i've disabled that kind of stuff b-4 thanks

sixpackrt
cookies is a great possibilty and cleaning out cache i've heard those terms b-4 but have never played with them althought i was looking though my programs 1 time not that long ago and i did ask a friend at work about cookies because theres a alot of them in there. how can i delete that stuff?
i have i cyrix 166mzh with mmx processor 80 mag ram simms and dimms mixed,a 5.1 gig hard drive formatted into 3 drives due to the age of the machine and it couldn't handle 1 large drive,48x cd drive,4x cdburner,an actiontec 56kcallwaiting modem,soundblaster 16 audio card,intel eye laser mouse,my keyboard is still the origanal ibm,a dual usb port and a 4plug hub(not working)hope this info helps i can't think of what else you might need.
the whole system needs a tuneup half the stuff i have doesn't work right but i deal with it.
thanks
brad

sixpackrt · #7 01/08/2004, 03:23 AM

in internet explorer go to tools then internet options then
you will see where to delete the cookies and will see delete files
a pop up will open up i also delete the stuff stored on the computer hit ok all done

also you might be having problems with your harddrive because of the 3 partions
whens the last time you formated your hardrive?
and reinstalled windows 98?
i do it on my computer 1 a year
Ron

bmkindig · #8 01/08/2004, 03:59 AM

i formatted the hard drive when i installed it that was like 5 years ago and i guess something is wrong with window that i would be getting a fatal error messagebut it only does it at the bootup.

i just deleted the cookies still no luck and cleaned up some temperory files bye using disk cleanup. another thing that i'm noticed is that i'm loseing my cursor when i type it like stops flashing and hides.
thanks
brad

sixpackrt · #9 01/08/2004, 04:46 AM

press ctrl alt del and count how many programs are running in the back ground

Ron

GarSrtn · #10 01/08/2004, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bmkindig
hey chris
is that in the startup menu like setting up a hard drive or changing other settings?
another thing recentlly bought was a new virus scan but can't use because theres one of the same kind already installed, can i delete that from there also.
thanks
brad

Yes, that should be what I'm talking about. It would be a text-only menu (dos-like) that would allow you to alter features of your computer. Different computers allow different settings changes. Yours may allow little or none. Be cautious when mucking around in this area.

What is the specific error message?

If it's been 5 years since you've wiped and reinstalled, it may be time to do just that. Be sure to backup your data first.

Snookie · #11 01/08/2004, 08:35 AM

Bmkindig, holy cow! By the looks of your specs, you got your money's worth!

71goalie · #12 01/08/2004, 10:16 AM

Brad,

I also have Windows 98 second edition if you need it. We're a little closer to each other than sixpackrt. Let me know if I can help.

Doug

JonK · #13 01/08/2004, 04:40 PM

Brad,

you can try using msconfig. Click on the run button, type in msconfig, and it will bring up a menu. Click on startup and it should list everything that boots up when your computer is turned on. Just uncheck things you don't need and click apply.

Could it be the ram that is causing your issues. I always thought you need the same type of ram in all slots???? maybe someone with more computer experience can chime in. I'm running XP so I don't remember if that msconfig thing works in 98 but I'm pretty sure it does.

Jon

71goalie · #14 01/08/2004, 05:45 PM

yeah, msconfig is in windows 98, but you could really mess things up with it....

Tagamet · #15 01/08/2004, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 71goalie
yeah, msconfig is in windows 98, but you could really mess things up with it....

I think you're thinking of regedit. That goes into the regestry where you really CAN mess things up. msconfig is relatively safe.
HTH,
Tagamet

71goalie · #16 01/08/2004, 05:53 PM

that's right.... sorry about that. i work on windows 98 at work and my two computers have windows 2000 and xp on them. i confuse things sometimes.

for those of you who care, i fixed my problem from the other computer problem post - it was a corrupt dll file - mfc421loc.dll to be more specific. i just found it. thank god!!!!

71goalie · #17 01/08/2004, 05:55 PM

brad,

if you are still having trouble next week, maybe we can do a two-for --> you can show me how to frag and i can see if i can find what's wrong with your computer.

Tagamet · #18 01/08/2004, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 71goalie

for those of you who care, i fixed my problem from the other computer problem post - it was a corrupt dll file - mfc421loc.dll to be more specific. i just found it. thank god!!!!

Those dll's will get you every time. Tough to track down, too. Glad you got it straightened out.
Tagamet

bmkindig · #19 01/08/2004, 09:40 PM

wow guys i guess i was at work to long today!!!!!!!!
sixpack= i count 10 and i know of 2 that should be open
chris=i'll have to write it down next time it happens if at all i just noticed it because i had to reboot
snookie=yeah i think so i bought this system in 1992 and upgraded a few times.i started with windows 3.1
goalie=that might be cool we will see what happens next
jon=yeah i was confused when i took my old ram and added it to this system this motherboard takes simms and dimms ram
thanks guys i got some checking into things to do
later
brad

Tagamet · #20 01/08/2004, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bmkindig
wow guys i guess i was at work to long today!!!!!!!!
sixpack= i count 10 and i know of 2 that should be open
chris=i'll have to write it down next time it happens if at all i just noticed it because i had to reboot
snookie=yeah i think so i bought this system in 1992 and upgraded a few times.i started with windows 3.1
goalie=that might be cool we will see what happens next
jon=yeah i was confused when i took my old ram and added it to this system this motherboard takes simms and dimms ram
thanks guys i got some checking into things to do
later
brad

Boy, everyone gets thanked but me. The guy steals my corals and then ignores me to boot. Harumph.
Tagamet

sixpackrt · #21 01/08/2004, 09:53 PM

also if you use spybot the have a regestry editor you can uncheck
the stuff you dont use and it also deletes it if you want it to
when you use msconfig once you uncheck the stuff it doesnt load normal it loads in selective mode

Ron

bmkindig · #22 01/08/2004, 10:06 PM

sorry larry
from the sounds of your post the were to others but your help is apreaicted!!!!
sixpack
whats a spybot?that's the 2nd time you mentioned it.

sixpackrt · #23 01/08/2004, 10:33 PM

spy bot is a program that checks your computer for spyware
companys put cookies on your computer and tracks your every move you run spy bot and it looks for it and then you can remove it

heres a link SPYBOT

Ron

bmkindig · #24 01/08/2004, 10:52 PM

well i tried some of these things my system is still messed up but it's seems to be loading programs quicker it's 10:45ish i'm going to try to reboot my system and see if it becomes more stable and i'll try to get the fatal error message i don't know y i didn't in the 1st place. hope to be back online bye like 11:00-11:15
lets keep your fingers crossed!!!
thanks guys
brad

bmkindig · #25 01/08/2004, 11:22 PM

i'm back and heres the deal so far
the 1st error i get is: enfpxluk this program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.
i don't even know what this program iswhen i close that down the computer seems fine then when i go to sign on to the internet it gets about 1/2 way connected a then this message shows up : fatal exception oe has occurred at 0028:coo1f44a making windows unstable it a blue screen and says hit an button to continue or hit ctrl alt delete to restart
if i hit a button the modem continues and then gives a aol error messege shows up and locks my computer up completely thats when i started running defrag,scan disk....
thanks
brad