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Archive through November 22, 2004

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2004 Nov. - 2005 Jan.: All Things Technical: The Help Desk (ARCHIVES): Computer Problems? Ask Here (ARCHIVES): Archive through November 22, 2004 users admin

Author Message
Crossfire
Member

08-07-2001

Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 10:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Got my new XP install mostly done, still have to install some apps. Installed the new AVG 7, looks good, installed Ad-Aware SE, also looks good (it was stalling out on my old stale install), grabbed XP SP2 finally which also seems fine, broke down and also grabbed media player 10, seems to work, and finally, somewhat related to previous posts, Yahoo! LAUNCHcast Radio is also working again, but I expected as much, great tool I might add. All in all, not bad, my previous XP install was over two years old which is by far the longest an install of anything has survived on my box.

Now to move on the the real point of my install...installing SimplyMepis 2004.04, a fairly new Linux distro that I just may be able to live with full time following a plesant trial experience on one of my beater boxes.

Draheid
Moderator

09-09-2001

Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 11:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Vee: I don't have an answer to why you can't keep the settings as you have entered them for your virtual memory off hand. Some possibilities could be a virus, some type of 'System Restore' program, or some other system utility setup to prevent problems by protecting settings like this from being changed.

Have you run a virus scan recently? Do you know of any utilities that are installed like these? Windows/98 does not include the system restore that was introduced with Windows/ME but there are several add-on packages available such as "Go Back" which do the same thing, save the system settings to restore in case of problems. Do you have anything like this installed that you know of?

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 7:53 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Morning, have been fighting my way to get back here for over an hour this morning. One error message after the next. Both Ad-aware and SpyBot (running in Safe Mode) are now giving error messages similar to the ones I get from IE, and often from Netscape also. Basically, they are invalid page fault messages...one right after the next...Kernel32.DLL, MSHTML.DLL, and Spool errors. I have two pages worth of error messages noted.

I downloaded the Stinger program as suggested and it has been run daily and again this morning, but never shows a problem. Everything ran very well right after the Ad-aware and SpyBot update downloads and then went right back downhill.

So, the fact is that I have no idea where the problem lies...thanks for all your help, Dra, I really appreciate it!

Looks as if it is time to take the hard drive to the shop. I am at my wit's end.

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 4:34 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Evening!

This probably is going to sound weird, but I have discovered that when I am unable to use IE because of all the restarts and then I switch to Netscape until NS starts to present all the invalid page fault messages, too, and THEN switch back to IE that I can maneuver about quite easily. What in the world does that mean or do I need to know?

Draheid
Moderator

09-09-2001

Thursday, November 18, 2004 - 12:23 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Vee: Have you run Norton WinDoctor on your system to see if there are any problems it can find and hopefully fix for you? Most times when I run this, I only find bad shortcuts and 'dead' registry entries, but maybe letting this cleanup your system could help. Then try running Windows Update to see if any patches or upgrades need to be installed on your system.

I don't have an explanation for the latest behavior you posted either. Also, have you considered any of the newer browsers such as Firefox to use instead of NS or IE? Firefox is getting great reviews from many people who have switched to that and seems to require less system 'resources' when running which might help too. You can find a copy of the latest firefox at www.mozilla.org

Let me know what you discover.

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Thursday, November 18, 2004 - 7:18 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Good morning, sorry to keep bugging you, but in answer to some of your questions, I'll attempt to make a post. I do have to cut and paste from Notepad or I'd never be able to complete this.

Have been scanning with everything that I have, which includes Ad-aware, SpyBot, Norton SystemWorks, Stinger, and AVG bootup scanner (also updated). Just last evening, Norton discovered three "lost or corrupted files." I received a message stating that I could delete them or recover them so I chose recover. Scanned immediately after that and nothing turned up.

This morning is the first time that I have ever scanned with Ad-aware without turning up something. SpyBot continues to find five or six problems each time it is used...that would be as often as the computer acts fritzy...up to five times a day. Is scanning itself problematic?
Stinger has never turned up anything.

Firefox was downloaded back when you first began to mention it several months ago. I found that it was not as stable on my computer as IE. I prefer IE when it is working, Netscape next, etc. I will try Firefox again today if Netscape doesn't hold up. (edited: using Firefox now because both NS and IE have fritzed out...)

I continue to check on the Virtual Memory settings as they have reverted back to the original settings twice. I just make that a step every time I log on.

This is the most boring saga I have ever told, but I hope that it answers your questions. Have a great day!

Edited to add: Firefox has given me the same error messages that both IE and NS give, but without booting me completely off. Still here...can hardly believe it!

Hypermom
Member

08-13-2001

Thursday, November 18, 2004 - 5:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
My computer is networked through my hubbys using Linksys. He brought home a new wireless laptop tonight. When I go to Linksys, it says it needs the key code. Where do I find that? TIA

Draheid
Moderator

09-09-2001

Thursday, November 18, 2004 - 6:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hypermom: From a computer already connected and working with the router you'll need to discover what the IP address of the router is. (usually it will be something like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) Then open that IP in your browser (start Internet Explorer and type in http://192.168.0.1 and press Enter) and log into the router. Somewhere in the router menus you will find the key you are looking for to setup your laptop.

Hope that helps.

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Thursday, November 18, 2004 - 9:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Dra, as you can see, I have been able to do a lot of posting using Firefox today. Things are not as good as they used to be, but improving. Thanks!

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Sunday, November 21, 2004 - 10:53 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Gee, and things were going so well...Ad-aware is now giving error messages all the time either invalid page faults in registers unknown or exceptions in registers unknown. Is this a matter of uninstalling and reinstalling?

Bob2112
Member

06-12-2002

Sunday, November 21, 2004 - 11:11 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Vee: If you are starting to get page faults in many other programs, it may be time to start looking at hardware causes for your problems. The 2 most likely hardware components that would cause these more random types of failure would be RAM memory and the power supply.

Have you added any additional memory recently?
How much RAM do you have?
Is it one memory module or multiple modules?
Do the problems get worse the longer the computer is turned on?
Have you added any new components like an additional hard drive, CD/DVD burner, etc...?

If you don't have RAM or power supply issues, then it could be a heat problem. Make sure the exhaust fan is blowing out of the power supply and that you have enough open space around the computer. In fact, you should probably to this first.


Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Sunday, November 21, 2004 - 11:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Memory says that I have 256MB with 74% utilized; the pie chart says there is 2018MB of free memory and 103MB of used space. System properties says there is 48% free space. The Drive information says that there is 57.24GB on the Hard Drive: 51.67GB free and 5.56GB used.

Have you added any additional memory recently? NO
How much RAM do you have? DID ABOVE ANSWER THAT QUESTION?
Is it one memory module or multiple modules? UH? I THINK ONE
Do the problems get worse the longer the computer is turned on? YES
Have you added any new components like an additional hard drive, CD/DVD burner, etc...? NO

Have cleaned out all vents and there is nothing blocking area around the hard drive...fan seems to be working okay. The vents are never very dirty as I am a neatnik and always checking that kind of thing. Have been told by the person who sold me the computer that it probably is an "internal heat problem just peculiar to this computer." I wasn't one bit impressed with that comment, but maybe it is true.

Freckledgrl
Member

08-27-2003

Sunday, November 21, 2004 - 12:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
This may be totally silly and could just be a wives tale but....

Have you tried to reset the modem by unplugging the ethernet cord for 30 seconds and then plugging back in?

Yesterday, nothing would load for me after about a minute it all just froze in a continual "finding" loop. I ran all my virus and spyware checks, dumped temp files, everything I could think of and nothing. I even went back to an old system restore point. Still nothing.

Finally after hours of running those programs, I did the ethernet cord unplug a couple times and then all was well. I don't know if that might work for you and I'd wait until someone here that knows more chimes in on it ;)

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Sunday, November 21, 2004 - 12:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
This is going to sound weirder...once I substituted in a computer lab classroom...yes...me! The kids taught me far more than I ever taught them...for three long months until the poor things got a real teacher. Anyway, the last thing the former computer lab teacher said to do if all else failed was just what you just said, Freckledgrl. Maybe I can give it a try right here at home! Thanks for reminding me!!

Draheid, Bob, what do you say about this option? Any problems with it?

Jmm
Member

08-16-2002

Sunday, November 21, 2004 - 12:47 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Vee, Dra says it may not help, but it definitely can't hurt anything so I'd say go for it. :-)

Freckledgrl
Member

08-27-2003

Sunday, November 21, 2004 - 1:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Vee, I'll be crossing my fingers for you! I was pulling my hair out last night because there was no reason for the problems. But it was 2 in the morning and no one to call for help so I figured I'd just keep unplugging that cord over and over until I got tired...lol. I did it for different amounts of time each time and at different start points. I tried it with the pc turned off, on the start page, on my page. The time that did it was when my user page was open and then unplugged for about 30 seconds. Best of luck :-)

Amchess
Member

08-27-2002

Sunday, November 21, 2004 - 1:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I had a problem solved by taking hard drive in for cleaning. It had dog hairs, dust, yucky yuck inside. So I don't keep the hard drive down low any more. The fan was drawing the dog hairs in as fast as the dog could shed!

Bob2112
Member

06-12-2002

Sunday, November 21, 2004 - 1:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
If the computer is getting more unstable the longer it is turned on, then internal heat becomes the more likely problem. Diagnosing what might be getting too hot is not easy to do over the internet or for the casual user.
If it's the CPU, you'd be looking at a better heatsink and/or CPU fan.
If it's the internal temperature of the case, then adding an addition exhaust fan to the case could help.
If the hard drive is getting too hot, then a fan blowing across the hard drive could help.

It could be an "internal heat problem just peculiar to this computer." , in which case your options could be limited due to the design of the case and the components used.

You could try moving the computer to a cooler location or perhaps placing a small fan in front of the input vents (typically at the front, bottom of a tower case) and see if that helps. Most other diagnosing would require equipment you mostly don't have access to.

Sorry this isn't more helpful. Since you have done so much tweaking and cleaning of the software and OS, it just seems to point more and more at a hardware problem.


Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Sunday, November 21, 2004 - 1:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks, everybody, for all your help and suggestions. I truly appreciate it.

Kellirippa
Member

07-10-2002

Monday, November 22, 2004 - 1:52 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Can anybody tell me what I should do? I have an old computer that I want to set up for the kids. We bought a new one because the old one is far gone with ad ware, spy ware, etc. It's also messed up by years of Kazaa use, and many missing or corrupted files...anyway, I want to reformat but don't know how to wipe it. There's nothing on it I need to keep and I have my old windows 98 disk and boot disk. What do I need to do?

Jed245
Member

11-01-2002

Monday, November 22, 2004 - 2:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
you should be able to just put in your win 98 disk and restart the computer then use the option to reinstall windows /factory restore.

By the way I've always wanted to meet you. Is Regis really as hammy as he acts on the show?

Kellirippa
Member

07-10-2002

Monday, November 22, 2004 - 4:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I've had to reinstall windows before and never noticed a factory restore option before, but then again, I've never looked for it... I'll check it out..

as for Reeg, he's kind of a cross between Martha Stewart and Carrot Top.

Bob2112
Member

06-12-2002

Monday, November 22, 2004 - 6:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
If you are looking for a clean install of Windows 98, then you probably want to boot from a floppy, reformat the C: drive and then do a fresh install. You can make a boot floppy that will recognize your CD-ROM drive using your current Windows 98, assuming that it is functional enough to boot up.

I think Jed may be referring to a restore option that might come with a system disk from someone like Dell or Gateway. If you just have a stand-alone Windows 98 CD, then you may not see this option.

I would not reinstall over the top of your existing install, since that will not get rid of all the junk that is currently there.


Crossfire
Member

08-07-2001

Monday, November 22, 2004 - 10:54 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I'm also going to take a crack at this nut, laying out the specifics of drive wipeage in black and white. Once the ball gets rolling, it sounds like you will be fine.

Boot Disk
To start, you mention you have a boot floppy, boot floppies come in varying degrees of usefulness, some have more goodies than others. For this task, we want the thick crust one with all the toppings, the various disk utilities all the way to CD-Rom drivers so you can use your CD to install windows from.

So do a dry run, and test that boot floppy to make sure that it is still alive, and also that it has the drivers necessary to access the CD-Rom from DOS. If you've got a good one, you will get a menu that asks about starting with CD-Rom support among other things. If you have a lightweight floppy, you will get no menu, and no CD-Rom drivers, just an A:\ prompt.

If you need to make a boot floppy with all the fixings, windows 98 is up to the task. Just open Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs -> Startup Disk and click the Create Disk button.

Once you have the floppy boot with it. (Of course your BIOS has to be set to boot from the floppy, hopefully it is, if not change it, or ask how to change it.)

Format HD
Once you boot from the floppy, you should be left at an A:\ prompt in DOS. From here, we will wipe the drive, be certain that you really, really don't want anything on there, it will be permanently gone real soon. To wipe the drive, issue this command:

A:\format c: [press enter]

It will bug you about being certain and all that, answer the questions affirmatively. This will take a little while, when you are done, your drive will be wiped, nothing on it, ready for the new Windows install.

I don't recall what drive letter your CD-Rom will be from the boot floppy, lets assume it is D:. The next step is to launch the Windows installation. Put the CD-Rom in the drive, and from the A:\ prompt, type:

A:\d: [press enter]
D:\setup [press enter]

From here on in, it should be familiar ground if you've installed windows in the past. Once you are done installing windows, I'd head straight for all the necessary goodies, Windows Update, Personal Firewall, Virus Scanner, Adware blocker etc.

Bob2112
Member

06-12-2002

Monday, November 22, 2004 - 11:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Crossfire: Nice job filling in all the detail that I was too lazy to do! :-)
I think you nailed it. The worst is always trying to see the CD-ROM from the boot floppy. Hopefully it just does, otherwise we have to deal with DOS drivers and other stuff I never want to remember.

Any chance I can get you to come down to Chicago and document all of my code for me? It's probably warmer down here than at your home, if that helps!