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Archive through January 08, 2004

The TVClubHouse: Archives: 2004 January - Arpil: Computer Problems? Ask here... (ARCHIVES): Archive through January 08, 2004 users admin

Author Message
Draheid

Monday, December 29, 2003 - 3:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Cassie: I completely understand the issue of getting to 10% and restarting, that's usually due to disk activity such as a screen save or another program running in the background. You worry me with the comment '97% and then crashing' though.

In consideration of your previous experiences, and to better your chances of success, I recommend a little more preparation just before running the defragment program.

First make sure you do not have any other programs running that you can 'see' (open with icons on the toolbar, etc.).

Next, make sure you turn off your screen saver by right-click on the desktop (away from any icons) then left-click on 'Properties'. Then click on 'Screensaver' and select '(none)'. While you are there, check to see if there are any power management settings on that screen. If there are, open that panel and make note of the current settings, then turn everything OFF in that section (options should be something similar to 'Turn monitor off:'. You would select 'Never' for all of the options here.)

Next check to see if there is anything running that you cannot see by typying 'Ctrl-Alt-Del' only once and looking at the list of running tasks for anything that isn't necessary to be running. In fact, the only things really required to be there are 'Explorer' and 'Systray' with a couple of other minor programs which won't make any difference either way. If you are concerned about what is running, you can either provide me a list here and I will suggest what can be turned off, or you could just simply end task on everything there except explorer and then proceed with defrag.

Since all the computer will be doing at that point is the defrag anyway, nothing else should be necessary and it will allow the defrag to run more efficiently and should allow it to complete for you.

Again, don't hesitate to ask questions if you have any. Hope this makes more sense.

Mygetaway

Monday, December 29, 2003 - 3:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I just wanted to thank you guys for all you do in this thread.. I always seem to learn something new.. :)

Juju2bigdog

Monday, December 29, 2003 - 4:17 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Yay, Cassie! Looks like you are in good hands and well on your way.

Yep, getting a bigger hard drive might be a good way to go for you. It sure helped me. I had 6 Gig which was almost full, and replaced it with a 70 Gig. If I recall, I think I got it at Office Max, and it had a couple rebates, ended up costing me about $80 Smaller hard drives cost less. My husband, with no prior computer building knowledge put the new hard drive in, just following the directions that came with it. I probably could have done it. If you don't want to try it, I bet your friend who put in the RAM could do it.

If you have an Office Max near you, they are all the time having good rebate offers. I got a CD burner free after rebates. You just have to be vigilant about submitting and following up on the rebates. Make sure you send it in within about a week of purchase, keep copies of everything you send in, check to make sure you actually get the check. If you can't be vigilant about the rebates, then you are better off watching for good outright sales.

Cassie

Monday, December 29, 2003 - 4:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Dra: Since I last posted, I followed your directions in your 12:59 post. But before defrag, I turned off Screensaver as well as ZoneAlarm and also C+A+D and left only explorer and systray running (I knew to do that before going into defrag from previous experience with defrag!) Here's what happened: Defrag started and on the screen it gives, it went to 1% complete, then back to 0%, then to 1%, then to 0% (this was with Virtual Memory disabled). It went on doing this 0% to 1% and back again for about 20 minutes. Also, during this time when I tried to see the legend screen (with all the colored bits being repositioned) it came up blank. Nothing on it at all. Then It froze and I crashed. It took forever after the blue screen to reload, but when it did, it crashed again. Eventually it reloaded so I went back and enabled Virtual Memory. I then ran a program I have called Mijenix 'Fixit' 99 and defragged using that (with virtual member activated). When it finished (about 40 minutes later) I went back and deactivated virtual memory again and tried to defrag again using 'Fixit'. I got a message saying there wasn't enough memory to run this program! So back again to enable virtual memory and here I am. Oh, I did try to defrag again with the system's defragger and virtual memory enabled, and again it did the 0% to 1% to 0%thing again. I have had nothing but trouble whenever I previously tried to defrag with the system's tool which is why I have the 'Fixit' program. So...here I am...back where I started and unable to follow your instructions to reset the virtual memory, unless I can do that without using the system defrag? <phew--what a day>

Cassie

Monday, December 29, 2003 - 5:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Since posting the above, I have crashed twice while using TVCH. Think I'm turning off now and will try again tomorrow (if there's anything left to try). I think I may have to take Juju's advice and get a bigger hard drive. We don't have any Office Max in this area--only Best Buy. Anyway, I'll do nothing else with this 'puter for now until I hear from Dra about the virtual memory (w/o) running system defrag first. BTW, Dra or Juju, what settings would you recommend on screensaver for "Turn off the Hard Discs", "System Standby" and "Monitor". I forgot to take note of what they were set at before I set them at never. Just call me Ms. Techie, why dontcha? LOL Thanks again for all your time and trouble.

Cass

Draheid

Monday, December 29, 2003 - 6:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Cassie: At this point, I would recommend that you disable virtual memory and restart the computer in 'Safe Mode'. This will keep all unnecessary programs from loading. Once in safe mode, try running the system's defrag program and that should allow you to complete the process using the system tool. Once you have defragmented, then reboot the computer into 'Normal Mode' and setup the fixed virtual memory size from there.

As for your power management settings, I personally never use any of them on my computer. If you do want to use any, I do not recommend turning off the hard drive at any time or allowing the system to go into 'System Standby'. The monitor, I would probably suggest 30 minutes but only if your monitor is compatible with power-save mode and turns off and back on properly with this feature. If not, then I would leave that disabled as well. It shouldn't hurt anything and probably never activates anyway so it wouldn't make much difference.

If your program, 'Fixit', is actually defragmenting the computer properly, once it has completed, then by going into safe mode and running the system defrag should be very quick since all that should need defragmenting at this point is what was being used for virtual memory anyway.

If all else fails, and you are still not able to defragment using the system tools, it would still be helpful to set a fixed virtual memory file size anyway. Just follow the last part of the instructions for that and that should work fine.

I'm sorry you're having so much trouble with this, it shouldn't be this difficult, IMO. Also, Best Buy does have a selection of hard drives available at very reasonable prices as well. For example, they recently had a Western Digital 60GB for only $59.99 but shows it to be sold out online, or a Maxtor 40GB for $79.99 is still available. Either of these would give you lots of additional space for files and programs and should work with your computer. You might check with the local store to see if they have either of these in stock and see if that's an option for you.

Let me know what you end up doing and how it goes.

Cassie

Monday, December 29, 2003 - 6:37 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Dra: <At this point, I would recommend that you disable virtual memory and restart the computer in 'Safe Mode'. >

I'll give this a try if you tell me how to start in safe mode, Dra.

Juju2bigdog

Monday, December 29, 2003 - 7:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Cassie, $60 for 60 GB sounds like a very good price. Western Digital is what I got. It is running fine.

Hey, Cassie, guess what? Our local newspaper runs a Q&A techie column on Mondays. One of today's questions was how to uninstall programs that don't show up on the Add/Remove list. Whenever you get up and running, let me know if you want the information.

Juju2bigdog

Monday, December 29, 2003 - 8:21 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
To everybody: The Q&A column is from Kim Komando who apparently has a popular radio show. I went to www.komando.com just to see if that would be her website and to see if her Q&A from today might be somewhere over there so I would not have to retype it if anybody wants it. It was her website, but I couldn't find it the Q&A. However, this looks to be a pretty interesting website for us garden variety computer users.

Cassie

Monday, December 29, 2003 - 9:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hey, hey, hey!! I did the defrag on 'Safe Mode' and changed the virtual memory--YAY! Yes please, Juju, I'll take that info on uninstalling progs now please. :) And to Draheid--Thanks so much for all your great help. You have the patience of a Saint {{{Dra}}}

Juju2bigdog

Monday, December 29, 2003 - 11:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
For Cassie:

From Komando's Q&A


Quote:

Q. My wife's laptop (Windows 98 Second Edition) has many old programs not listed in the Add/Remove Programs list. I cannot find a way to completely eliminate them. What do you suggest?

A. You may find an uninstall option elsewhere. Browse through the program's folder using Windows Explorer. Look for something that says remove or uninstall. Also click Start and Programs. Find the program in the list. It may have an uninstall option there. If that doesn't work, try a free uninstall program such as Add/Remove Pro (www.superwin.com/ffreewar.htm)




Fanny

Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 1:33 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Alright, I can't stand this anymore. The bar at the top of the page is gone. The one that says topics and new messages and chat, etc. When I type in www.tvclubhouse.com it goes to tvclubhouse.bomis and I don't know if that's why my bar has disappeared. It's putting a crimp in my activities and making me crabby. Can anyone help??? Oh yeah, I'm having this crisis at work (sshhhhhhh) and it does not happen on my computer at home. Thanks and smoochies in advance.

Draheid

Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 1:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Fanny: I would suggest you check your javascript settings either on your browser or perhaps your firewall settings. The header information is based on a javascript which is used consistently throughout the board which is why I am suggesting this.

As for the URL, tvclubhouse.bomis.com is correct. Both www.tvclubhouse.com and www.bigbrotherfanclub.com are redirected by DNS services to tvclubhouse.bomis.com

Hope this helps.

Bob2112

Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 2:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Best Buy has a 40 GB Western Digital hard drive for $40 after rebate. Initial cost is $80.
Offer runs until 1/3/2004, I think.

I saw it in the store, but you can order it from here with free shipping

Juju2bigdog

Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 6:32 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Cassie, you still with us? That is a good deal too.

Hey, Bob, could you please find me a Fuju Finepix 601 Zoom digital camera for $300 or less to replace the one Bigdog lost in Cyprus? He bought it online from Beach Camera for $300 in September, and they have gone WAY up since then. What is THAT all about? Oh, and none of those refurbished jobbies. Thanks. (just kidding; I check most of the price comparison websites daily looking for them to go back down in price)

Fanny

Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 9:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Dra, I "checked" my javascript settings but I don't think I can check the firewall. The problem with "checking" my javascript is I have no earthly idea what to look for, lol. On the one hand, it's not something I feel "comfortable" asking my IS people to look into for me, if you catch my drift, but on the other hand it makes playing on this board so difficult it might not be a bad move career-wise to just leave it alone. LOL. Thanks, though!

Oh...one of the gals I work with checks this board periodically and she wasn't having the same problem I am so I know it's my puter. Oh well.

Babyruth

Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 9:47 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Something called "People on Page" (some dating site, I think) has hijacked my toolbar, and I can't get rid of it! Has anyone had this happen to them?

Draheid

Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 10:33 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Fanny: If you're using Internet Explorer, first you should try clearing your cach (temporary internet files) and see if that helps. If not, check under 'Tools - Internet Options' then 'Advanced' to see if the 'Microsoft VM' has any options enabled. Let me know if that helps.

Babyruth: I suggest you run Ad-aware 6.0 on your computer to see if that will take care of your new toolbar problem. If you do not have this program, go to lavasoftusa.com and download the latest version, install, and run the program. This should take care of this and any other adware you may have on your computer. Please let me know if this helps.

Juju2bigdog

Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 11:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Babyruth, I had Lycos hijack my toolbar last week. Ad-Aware got rid of it.

Babyruth

Wednesday, December 31, 2003 - 9:13 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Dra and Juju-thanks!!! I have a date with Ad-aware this AM. I will download it, run it, and let ya know! Yep, Juju, it's Lycos.

Cassie

Wednesday, December 31, 2003 - 9:54 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks Bob 2112. I'll go and check that out right now!

Juju2bigdog

Wednesday, December 31, 2003 - 1:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Okay, Babyruth, that is interesting. Before I thought to run Ad-aware, I went to Start>Settings>Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs and found something there with the Lycos name and uninstalled it. Then I did a search on my computer for anything named Lycos and deleted every file I found with that name. Neither of those actions got rid of the toolbar. It took Ad-aware to totally get rid of it. Oh, and I also googled how to get rid of it and got back advice on editing registers, which I am not about to do. So I was very happy that Adaware solved it.

BR, that is a very cute pun there about having a date with Adaware this morning.

Babyruth

Wednesday, December 31, 2003 - 2:21 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
JUJU!! Same thing here. When my attempts to remove all the files with Lycos didn't restore my toolbar, I came here and hollered for Dra. :)

Had a great date with ad-aware this AM...so quick yet thoroughly gratifying. I accidentally removed my ability to access the internet and had to do it again, but the second time around was even better.

Happy New Year, and Thanks to you and Dr. Draheid.

Lumbele

Thursday, January 08, 2004 - 2:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
My Yahoo mail box is getting pretty full. There are quite a few emails I'd like to save to disk but have no clue whether that's possible or how to do it.

ed. N/M DH googled and informed me there was a link at the bottom right of every email called "Save Message Text". Never looked that far down.LOL
DH is sitting here ribbing me about my consistent refusal to read instructions on anything.

Costacat

Thursday, January 08, 2004 - 5:31 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Costacat reaches thru the 'net lines and smacks Lumbele upside the head! Costacat writes that kinda stuff for a living -- that and user assistance such as online help and manuals. There's a REASON why I have a job, silly!!!! (Some stuff is just plain NOT intuitive!) <grin>