Win98SE freezes while on internet

This problem only occurs while on the internet. After a web page has finished loading, the system is frozen. For example, if I try using the scroll bar, the cursor locks on the spot I selected and the system freezes. If I select a web address on the web page the same problem happens. Pressing ctrl/alt/del does nothing. If I hit it several times the screen will go blank. The only way to restart is to manually power off. Unfortunately I do not know if this is a Windows or Explorer problem. My internet connect speed is great and never have a problem connecting to a website. This is what I have done:

All spyware and adaware programs were run. No problems.
All temp file and cookies were deleted.
No errors in Device Manager.
At startup only scanreg and system tray are running. No additional programs are running in background.
Ran IE6 repair tool.
In MS-DOS ran scanreg \fix.

I have done everything I know how to do. This particular problem is a first for me. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

Suggesr you back up all important data off your computer (e.g. to CD or DVD or even an external HDD), as your next step. Then run microsoft memory tester and Everest to see what's in/on your computer if you don't already know. It will also look at your fan speeds and power supply voltages to allow you to see if the specs are normal. The problem could be anywhere at this point, since it's intermittant and that makes it next to impossible to track down. You may be heading for a re-install of windows.

The windows diagnostic memory checker

 

The bare minimum items in Win98SE Startup (msconfig).

ScanRegistry C:\WINDOWS\scanregw.exe/autorun
SystemTray SysTray.Exe
LoadPowerProfile Rundll32.exe powprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
LoadPowerProfile Rundll32.exe powprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme

Plus any necessary anti-virus program items needed during Startup.

 

you can turn off everything in msconfig.exe and windows will boot just fine. Try it and see (disconnecr from the web first of course).

Btw, there's a good page on stop debugging here.

 

Question for Whiskeyman.

Quote:
ScanRegistry C:\WINDOWS\scanregw.exe/autorun
SystemTray SysTray.Exe
LoadPowerProfile Rundll32.exe powprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
LoadPowerProfile Rundll32.exe powprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme

Why do the two PowerProfile lines have to be included at startup? What purpose do they serve on computers being used for home use only? Thanks.

 

Since it connected with the internet, I might wonder about something like the Java controls. Have you gotten all your Windows Updates?

When you scroll, I suggest to either use the Up or Down arrows or click on the "bar" and drag it to where you where you want to place it.

Have you tried another Browser, like Opera or FireFox? I always keep a spare Browser for when IE won't work

Matt

 

All your suggestions have been great. I truly appreciate your help. The bottom line is nothing worked. I found nothing out of the ordinary after performing the diagnostic testing. As a final result I decided to do a reinstall of Win98SE. I remember reading an article a few years back stating the kernel32.dll file can raise holy hell with the OS. In my case I never received an error message pertaining to this file. To be on the safe side I went into MS-DOS and renamed kernel32.dll to kernel32.old. At this point my system was really dead. I inserted the startup floppy and installation disk and did a reinstall. Much to my surprise the reinstall took only 35 minutes to complete. The reinstall created a new kernel32.dll. I then proceeded to test my system and everything was perfect. In fact, my system is actually running faster than before. I really don't know what caused the original problem. Right now, I don't care. All I know is my system is better now than it was before. Thanks again to all. I appreciate your time and effort. I believe we can put this thread to bed.

 

Because programs are stored on the HDD which is magnetic, we're supposed to keep it away from magnets. But we live on a magnet! So the program deteriorates in storage gradually until a re-install is called for. The CDs aren't subject to data loss, fortunately; that's why storage of backups should be done on optical media rather than external magnetic disks, IMHO.

 

I was thinking of another RunDll32.exe needed for dial-up. The ones I listed are for the power options on my PC.

 

Don't CDs and DVDs "rot "?

 

It's thought that commercial CDs will last 100 years and CDs that we write will last somewhat less. An IBM technician wrote recently that because of the dye being subject to deterioration in light, CDs might only last 3-5 yrs.; however, few agree with that. Have recently examined my backups going back to 1998 and they are perfect. Actually, any opinion about longevity of CDs is a guess; they've not been around longer.