Windows frustations compounded by other software titles

[snafuone]

hello all. I have Windows 98SE, and a lot of problems going on with my system. I have an AMD Duron 850 mhz. I have 256megs.

Ok, I have been using my computer for about 5 months or so. I had another one that was a baby AT and it ran great! Somehow a power surge fried the mb, and so i just got this one and it ran fine for a month or so. Now it's totally screwed. It's made by MSI (Micro-star). It's got the VIA chipset in it.

I have been getting a lot of errors. It's been over a month since i've been having problems. I purchased both Vcom system suite and Norton system works utilities. I downloaded other software from the web. They all point at different problems. After i let it do a scan, Norton says theres nothing wrong with Windows. (cough!) Vcom says theres a lot of stuff going on in the registry and everytime i run the registry fixer in Vcom utilities it shows me about 20 registry errors. There is another title that i downloaded from the net. It's called PC Doctor On-Call and it shows me errors in the registry, but it says that certain system files are not found in the Windows\System folder. I check and they are physically there! I also downloaded something called RJ System File Checker and it says that some of my system files are out of date and they are causing conflicts with software and crashing. Unfortunately, the software is either buggy, or my computer is so messed up that it won't run right. It supposedly has a function that deletes the old versions of .dll and other files automatically, and keeping the newer versions. It says it's fully functional for 30 days.

I wish there was a software title that would check windows in GREAT DETAIL, where other software would surely miss a problem. I'm sure it would cost an arm and a leg, but it would be worth it!

Does anyone have any ideas? I've installed Win98SE 2 or 3 times and still have problems. I've also downloaded and installed a spyware/adware checker/remover and got a lot of that crud off my system. I understand that stuff can sometimes cause problems.

later!

Rick
snafu1@yahoo.com

[deanrantala]

Personally, when I get machines like this in my shop, I just save the documents and re-install. 99.9% of the time a re-install is the quickest and most practical way to fix it.

But you ay you might be worried about hardware problems? If you got a high speed line and a CD burner - goto linuxiso.org and download the latest version of knoppix - it is an entire operating system that runs totally from the CD - never even touches your HD. I sugest this because if you download it, and boot the machine up fine with knoppix, that it comes to show that there is nothing wrong with your hardware and that is IS issues with the software.

[Play_The_0dds]

system fixers are not very good at fixing real problems, if you have a windows 98 install cd, drop it in, reboot the machine, if the system does not boot from the cd, enter the bios, msi should use the delete key, just tap it when you power the machine on. find the boot device priority, then set the cdrom as the first. when you get the machine booted from the cd. just install 98 again. as long as you dont try to format, or allow the install to do it, you will not loose anything, drivers,files, even programs.should not even have to re-enter the cd key. once this is done, make sure you have a good spyware removal program like spybot or adaware, and keep a updated anti virus program, firewalls are truely needed, but this is up to you. check the items that start up with windows, many things do not need to auto start, for example, realone player, quicktime player, printer supply monitors, microsoft office and works startup items can be disabled, if you dont use the toolbars and reminder features. you can look up startup tweaks for 98 on google for a more detailed list. basically what deanrantala is correct, if you took your pc to a shop, they will just reinstall anyway, most will format and stick the os back on, install the drivers and say "here you go, $100 please" some charge more to loose your stuff. some good shops will back up your files. anyway, let me stop preaching, and get to the point. if the install does not resolve your issues, a online virus scan may find something onboard anti virus programs miss. trend(housecall), panda, rav, or symantec are all good, use what you like.

[Play_The_0dds]

one more thing, you have a via chipset, if you are running the latest 4in1 driver, you may want to consider rolling back to v4.33 or earlier, these later releases are designed for the nt environment, v4.49 does not work well, in my opinion on xp, i currently install v4.48 on xp and 2k and v4.33 on ME and 9x.
http://www.viaarena.com/?PageID=344
that link is to via's backdated driver list.