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Any computer experts

KnifecollectorKnifecollector Member Posts: 3,267 ✭✭✭
edited March 2002 in General Discussion
I need help with my computer. It hangs up or freezes. Sometimes it will run five minutes sometimes it will run two hours but it will always hang up. I an running Windows 98.I have all my mail delivered to a separate message center so I don't think it is a virus.I have went through all of the Windows online troubleshooting and nothing helps.I have done maintenance wizard and Dr. Watson.I have not added an programs recently or changed anything that could be causing this problem.It has been set up in it's current configaration for over a year and now this starts happening. I don't know what to do next. Any ideas?
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Comments

  • simonbssimonbs Member Posts: 994 ✭
    edited November -1
    When is the last time you purged, defraged, and ran a thorough scan disk?You should be purging weekly, defraging and running scandisk monthly.Also, be sure your tower has some space between it and the wall so it can breathe. You might want to slip the cover off and blow the dust out of the CPU's heat sink with a can of air. The dust acts as a layer of insulation.If you need help with any of this, shoot me an email. bsimon@sirote.com
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  • Gordian BladeGordian Blade Member Posts: 1,202 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ditto the check on your hard drive. Do a thorough surface scan. It sounds like your hard drive is developing bad sectors. If so, post again for more advice, but the short of it is that I would recommend replacing any drive that is starting to develop bad sectors, not simply mark them as bad and think you can just go on. I learned that lesson the hard way.If it isn't the hard drive, please give more details about what you are doing when it freezes and what programs are running.
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  • Big Sky RedneckBig Sky Redneck Member Posts: 19,752 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hardware will cause a freeze, go to device manager and do a check of the hardware and make sure everything is ok. Next thing I do and I do this frequently and I know alot of the guys on here think it is taboo to do it but it is good to do a format and reinstall windows from time to time. Files get corrupted and damaged and the time it takes to hunt them down and repair them is lengthy. Another thing I always do is to have a clean copy of windows. When you use a factory restore disk you get nothing but garbage and watered down software that to me is useless. A format is easy and takes no more than about an hour, a defrag will take several if not all day and night. Sure you will lose the software installed but it is easy to save certain files that you don't want to lose. One rule I follow is I NEVER save anything to C:, I have 3 hard drives and 7 drive letters and I save EVERTHING to the other drives. My email folders are not on C: so I never lose important mail. I can do a complete format and reinstall and have this thing looking like it does now in an hour. There are alot of things you can do but when it comes down to it you still have an OS with alot of miles on it and problems will persist. If you need to know in detail how to do a format and you need to save files post a reply and I can walk you thru it. You will not need to call two priests and a rabbi as some would have you believe, this is a simple fix and it will fix any problems that are not hardware related. I can have your machine back up and running in no time and the only difference you will see is a better and faster running machine. BTW I build computers as a hobby and I have seen many OS goofs and there are times where a format is about the only way to do it. Also if you have two or more physical drives I have a utility here that will restore your main drive to factory new condition but you need 2 pysical drives in order to save your files or a cdr drive will work. Let me know 7MM the geek!
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  • DruupyDruupy Member Posts: 9 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    7MM, nice way to fix a system. So when you reinstall 98 how hard is it to reinstall all the other software? The drivers are all on the seconary drives? Do you just save the config file from the last setup? Just install the other programs as you need them, or just setup using the information on the second harddrives? Because it took me 20 hours to recover from direct X 8.somthing (that was not compatible with my old video card).
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  • old single shotsold single shots Member Posts: 3,594
    edited November -1
    And i thought i was smart because i Finally learned how to post replies and bid on things.Now you've got me wondering. ???????????????????????????????????????
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  • Big Sky RedneckBig Sky Redneck Member Posts: 19,752 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    That all depends on the software you have. Do you have cd's with the software on it? I have all of my software on cd or saved as raw data on other drive letters. The software stored on my harddrives I just go in and click on the setup.exe and it installs. Cd software just put it in and go. If you have software on a factory restore cd that you wish to use just run the cd or you may use an ISO program to sneak in and grab the hidden startup files. As far as saved data from the software that again depends on the software used. Programs like MS office and Photshop and many others that request you to save your work, you just simply save them to another drive letter or to a cd. You need to be specific as to what you want to save. I do alot of tinkering with different software and from time to time I have been know to trash windows, time to put the floppy in! Email and addresses from outlook it simple to save, favorites is simple to save, saved game files are also easy. Documents and some .config and .ini can be saved to restore reinstalled software so you can pick up where you left off. It all depends on what you have and the source of the software. I run alot of beta software that can be had for cheap or free and then upgrade to full install for cheap. Most of my software is stored on another drive and all is needed to install the software is to open the folder and click. I have a Maxtor 80gig drive that is full of nothing but software, I have more software than some computer stores and only use 1/4 of it!
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  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you run defrag and there are no bad sectors your problem may still be a simple software thing, but it's hard to tell without being there and troubleshooting it in person. I'd suggest using FixIt or some similar utility suite to clean up the registry too. Also, something as simple as a screensaver can cause this, so check what you've got running in the background, in the system tray, etc., as possible culprits. MS has issued so many incompatible versions of Windows lately that a lot of us are going to be going through this sort of thing. If you're still running 98, make sure it's version 2, then go to windowsupdate.com and check for product updates. You may need a bunch of free fixes for your version of Windows 98 by now.
    "The 2nd Amendment is about defense, not hunting. Long live the gun shows, and reasonable access to FFLs. Join the NRA -- I'm a Life Member."
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  • KnifecollectorKnifecollector Member Posts: 3,267 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for all the replys.I will try again to get this problem solved. If I can't get it fixed I am going to look at some new models. Anyone have any ideas on a good brand or model. All I do is keep up with the gun auctions and -bay. I don't need anything fancy just something that will work. Thanks.
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  • s.guns.gun Member Posts: 3,245
    edited November -1
    Mine was acting the same.Was told by 3 people at work that I probably had too many things running in my task bar.Those are the icon's at the bottom of the screen in the Task Bar(which I have 11)and if I increased my RAM I should be O.K. Called Gateway and they said that should do it,so then I installed more for a total of 192 M.B. It is still locking up most days, but not as much.Hasn't froze in 2 days. Been told by a friend at work today(this guy is the one that everyone goes to for answers)that I probably have a problem with one of those little fans in there.There is a part mounted on a heat sink next to the Mother Board that is probably over-heating because the fan is not running. He then said to take the cover off the Tower to make certain the fan is running. s.gun
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  • thesupermonkeythesupermonkey Member Posts: 3,905 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    knifeusercollections,First you have to find out if its a software or hardware problem. Boot your computer into Safe Mode and leave it alone for a few hours. If it doesn't lock up its a software issue. If it does, you're probably overheating. If its a software problem, I know its drastic, but I'm with 7mm. Reload your OS. If its overheating, check your fans, open the case, put it up on a desk and place it under a circulating air source. If this fixes the problem, you might need a better ventilated case and/or more powerful fans(100$ Tops). Munkey
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  • KnifecollectorKnifecollector Member Posts: 3,267 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I want to thank everyone that posted a reply.I've never saw so many knowledgble people in one group.I am going to tear into it tonight and clean the fan and heatsink. I would like to think this will fix it but sometimes it shuts down after being on only 1 or 2 minutes. I don't know if this is enough time for it to overheat or not. Someone mentioned the icons at the bottom of the screen, I only have 3.Reprogamming the whole thing sounds like a big job but may be the only course of action.
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  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    You know, you don't have to re-format your hard drive to re-install Windows. If you actually do have a software problem causing crashes in under 2 minutes, it is probably because something you installed has "updated" (i.e., ruined) a file and created a conflict somewhere in Windows. Before I went to the trouble of re-formatting a drive, I would certainly run my Windows setup and let it re-install the existing OS. That might fix the bad file by overwriting it with the original compatible one. It has worked for me in the past. You might also consider upgrading to Windows Me or 2000, which might have an even better chance of overwriting the problem. I wouldn't go all the way up to XP at this point, though. Of course, it must be a software conflict for this message to be relevant.
    "The 2nd Amendment is about defense, not hunting. Long live the gun shows, and reasonable access to FFLs. Join the NRA -- I'm a Life Member."
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  • daddodaddo Member Posts: 3,408
    edited November -1
    You can free up some space by right clicking on the items in the task bar and get rid of them (on the bar) and closing them. Do a thorough scandisk- not a standard and have it correct errors. I always have the computer print out the system files when it is new, so I can find any file which has changed which could cause problems and edit them back to original. You may need a new harddrive.
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  • Big Sky RedneckBig Sky Redneck Member Posts: 19,752 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Doing a simple overtop install of windows 9 times out of 10 the problrem is still there, during a reformat there is one command that fixes something that is NEVER fixed during an overtop install. The is one thing in the drive that survives when done like that and if it isnt fixed the problem comes back as soon as windows boots. even doing the famous right click format does not fix it. Trivia question, what data survives the reinstall and what is the command given during a format to clear it? 1st person with the right answer gets a chocolate bunny.
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  • DarkStar11DarkStar11 Member Posts: 1,557 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think that's a trick question, depending on OS. With NT, one of the things to survive would be the BOOT.INI. And the famous "right-click format" won't work on the partition where the OS is installed. You need to boot from floppy and run fdisk or DELPART, or boot to floppy and then run diag tools on your harddrive where you can rewrite it with all 0's. The question is too broad as phrased. If Disk0 has a Partition C and a Partition D, and I reinstall Windows 2000, and I elect to install it on C, overwriting the existing installation on C, D will still remain, and I can access the data on it after first boot (that is why folks partition disks). If I elect to delete the C & D partition during setup, and specify a new partition (or the whole disk) as C, nothing will remain. There are many permutations from here. The one thing that fixes all ailments -- reformat and reinstall the OS.
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  • Big Sky RedneckBig Sky Redneck Member Posts: 19,752 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ok darkstar, where do you want the easter bunnie to put your chocolate.LOL Yes the Boot.ini or also refered to as the MBR (master boot record) will survive anything less than an fdisk partition, low level format or a simple line called "fdisk mbr" when doing a format c:. If the drive is not partitioned now is the time to do it, if you do alot of downloads or save alot of data files from software that allows you to save work a partition is the best thing to do. I don't know why people are so scared to enter dos and fix the problem right and take the time to learn a few simple fixes that save headaches down the road. Adding software to fix software is scary, windows is unstable like a blonde woman and when you confuse it you never get it back to normal. I reformat this thing every couple of weeks to insure it runs smooth all the time. It is so easy to learn how to manage folders and save things the right way so they are out of harms way and when it comes time to "nuke" it putting it back is easy. Once windows is trashed it is time to clean it up.knifeusercollections, if you want to try something that will help evaluate your machine I have a small piece of software I can upload and you then download and install it to your machine. With it I can access you computer and see what the problem is. All you need to do is be connected to the internet, no it's not an ftp but is is a neat program that allows me to run your machine as if I was sitting in front of it. If you wish to try a reformat I can email you easy directions along with a great boot utility that will allow you to boot to dos and fix that thing. Tell me if you have partitions or wish to create them. Making partitions with fdisk can get a little confusing but you only need to do it once, unless you get a bad virus then you may need to low level it. Let me know if you want to do it right. Darkstar, one question, what is the FAT for XP? IS it ntfs? Do I have it right? And if it is an XP machine when using fdisk to partition how do you get the ntfs FAT? I know XP will run under a 32 but it is slow as crap. The only experiance I have with that piece of garbage is to completey do away with it and put WINME or some other OS in place of it. My father for some reason bought a handgrenade(compaq) and complained right off the bat about it being slow, he brought it to me and 45 min later we had a FAT 32 WINME machine that ran rings around XP. LOL I have an old machine running 95 on my little network that was faster than his 1.4 ghz XP powered bomb!
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  • gunnutgunnut Member Posts: 724 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Well just look at all the pro's Advice, Take the machine to someone you trust.CCNA,CCDA,CCNP,CCDP,MCP,MCSA,MCSE,CNE,OCPDBA,......well you get the pictureThe Nut,
    ~Secret Select Society Of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~
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  • Big Sky RedneckBig Sky Redneck Member Posts: 19,752 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ok, I'll send an email to you later on today, I was up all night thanks to my neighbors cute little loveable MUTT! LOL, I'm gonna take a nap here soon so if you could tell me two things, is your drive partitioned and do you want it partitioned? Do you have a straight copy of windows or do you have a factory restore disk? Let me know if you have a win 98 boot disk, if not I'll email one to you , you will need to copy it to a floppy so you can boot the comp into the death zone. If you want to partition it I will need to type directions to do that for you. If you have a boot disk and you want to it the simplest way with out partitioning follow these directions, this is easy; Place the boot disk in the floppy drive and restart the comp. It will go thru the motions and a screen will come up giving you three choices, choose #1 to start with cd rom support and hit enter. After it finishes booting to the A: prompt you will need to stwitch to the virtual drive letter, it will be the letter of the cdrom and the cdrom will move 1 letter ahead.Example, if the cd rom is drive d, it will now be drive e. this is temporary and will go back to normal once windows starts. Pay attention to the screen as it will tell you the virtual letter. if it is d, type d: then enter. You will now be at the d: prompt. typ this exactly,, format c: and hit enterIt will ask you if you are sure, type Y and hit enter. Go get a cup of coffee, it will be done in about 10 minutes. When it's done it will ask for volume label, name it what you wish or you can leave it blank. Out of habit I name mine SYSTEM. Next step, at the d: type this exactly,, fdisk mbr and hit enter. This will be done in a matter of seconds. Now rememberthe drive letter swap? If your cd rom was d it is now E, this is temporary. Type the appropriate letter like this,, e: and hit enter. Make sure your windows cd is in the cdrom type setup and hit enter. Follow the instructions on the screen and this will take about a half hour to finish. If you need the boot disk let me know and I will email it to you, if you want to partition let me know so I can email instructions before you start. If you need help saving files to another drive letter, cdr or floppy let me know because anything you do not save will be lost.
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  • HUNTER30HUNTER30 Member Posts: 116 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I had the same problem.I took off the side panel on the computer & ran it with it off.Problem solved!So i added more fans to keep it cool but it still froze up.Take off the side panel again it works.So i just run the computer minus the side panel & keep it very clean inside.
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  • s.guns.gun Member Posts: 3,245
    edited November -1
    Please let us know the fix.*=
    I am confused at times.We park on driveways anddrive on parkways.
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  • dheffleydheffley Member Posts: 25,000 ✭
    edited November -1
    99% of the time, a defrag and more memory will cure the problem. Also, do a "ctrl", "alt", "delete" and see what all is running in background. That eats up memory resources. Run "msconfig" and kill anything you don't need running. Should cure the problem.
    Save, research, then buy the best.Join the NRA, NOW!Teach them young, teach them safe, teach them forever, but most of all, teach them to VOTE!
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  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Since 9 times out of 10 advice has now been offered twice, we now have info that is applicable 18 times out of 10, but two different solutions.
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  • VarmintmistVarmintmist Member Posts: 1,074 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    thats because 18 out of 10 times something is the real fix Try the canned air approach to clean any dust from the cpu fan and any fans before you do the reformat. takes 3 min, very little stress, and it might work
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  • KnifecollectorKnifecollector Member Posts: 3,267 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    So far I have defragmented,complete scan disk,cleaned the fan,took the case off, increased the memory,delete all unnessary files,ran complete maintence wizard,and a lot of other stuff. My machine is running much faster but still locks up quite frequently. I think reformat is the only hope. 7MM mag nut is suppose to help me do this as it is out of my league. I will have to transfer my files to a different location while I reformat.
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  • HUNTER30HUNTER30 Member Posts: 116 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Also if you have any anti-virus programs installed that will sometimes freeze your computer.
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  • gunnutgunnut Member Posts: 724 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hint, might want to reinstall your video card driver. And turn off your screensavers and power management.
    ~Secret Select Society Of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~
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  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The only thing left to try is an Exorcism.
    Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
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