Computer Locks Up and needs to be Powered Down

Hi,
I have an old Windows 98 desktop that I still use now and then for my backup computer and I would like to figure out why it is locking up after doing numerous things with different programs.

I am running Windows 98 on a Gateway computer and I have tried to delete programs but nothing helps. I have run Super AntiSpyware and they said they found no malacious programs.

I have posted this problem in the Removing Spyware & Viruses and after doing numerous things they have advised me to post it in this department because someone here may have an idea. Please see the following post to see what we have tried so far.

http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=68972

I would appreciate any help.

Jean

Thank you.

 

The first question to ask is how much ram do you have onboard
Wiht Windows 98 SE 64 is sort of standard
128 - 256 are nicer
Depends on speed on the computer as to what is max - more is not always better
Check your startup
You can go start > run > msconfig
or use this free utility

http://www.download.com/Startup-Inspector-for-Windows/3000-2086_4-10452094.html?tag=lst-7

go through the list
google the term if you do not know
the tray us not necessary

if you have some current programs - say adobe acrobat 8 for example
you may want to go to a less demanding version of acrobat reader as an example
4 or 5
you can download at www.oldversion.com
You might want to update the drivers at gateway or driverguide.com

there are additional tips to tweak windows 98se
If you have the original windows 98 ( rare) try to upgrade to windows 98 se
First steps would be the msconfig tree and more ram

One other thing - not sure what you mean by "locks up and needs to be powered down "
If your computer locks up on shutdown - and just hangs - this is an inherent flaw in windows 98 se
Causes no end of concern with nubes

Microsoft offers ( or did) a shutdown patch or fix for this

http://www.windowsitpro.com/Article/ArticleID/18852/18852.html

can be found at: http://www.mrtech.com/news/messages/541.html

 

I am so sorry I haven't responded sooner to your informative posting. I have been working with the other section (http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=68972) trying to find the problem but with no luck.

Here are some answers to your questions:
I have 384 RAM on this computer. It is not Windows 98 SE. It is Windows 98 Version 4.10.1998.

I did check startup and seems as though nothing out of the ordinary is running at Startup.

I don't have any programs that are demanding on the computer. As a matter of fact, | have Adobe 5.0. The most recent one is Office 2000 but haven't ever had any problem with that.

I don't have a Windows 98 SE to upgrade to this computer. Can you still get the Second Edition. I guess I couldn't put XP on this computer, could I.

This computer hangs up at startup, shutdown, or whenever it takes a notion to during some program or being on the internet.

I'm using it right now but not sure if it will stop working before I'm done with it.

Thanks for any additional help you can provide.

Jean

 

Hi Jean,

"Enough memory" in 9X is complicated by 9X's resource bottleneck:
Windows 9.x System Resources
http://www.helpwithwindows.com/techfiles/win-resources.html

Hated it - I was so glad when XP came along, if only to do away with this stupid 9X "feature ".


EDIT: Read your other thread in the Removal section - yes I think you can clean install XP Home on this system - 384MB's of RAM is enough, certainly not going to be a speed demon, but will be an improvement. The only issue may be drivers, you would have to possibley update those.

BTW, if you do get XP - get the XP labeled "upgrade ", about half the cost of "full ". Upgrade versions are the full OS, what's different is that when installing, the install process asks you to insert a previous windows version - 98, looks at it and then continues to install.

And while you're at it, when XP formats - there is an option to create multiple partitions. Create one for the OS only (C), another for your data.

 

I would troubleshoot for hardware problems before upgrading that PC to XP. This could be caused by a poor connection, failing power supply, hard drive on it's way out, bad capacitor on motherboard, processor starting to go bad and etc.

 

I think Whiskeyman just put forth two solid jiggers of finely aged wisdom and I'll certainly drink to that.

It might also be a good idea for someone to take a "shot" at merging the two threads if a staff member feels its warranted.

 

Hi Everyone,

Thank you so much for helping me.

I decided just to donate the computer to a school or someone that can fix it. It is my old spare computer and I really don't need it anymore.

I was told the processor speed was not good enough to handle XP, that's why I made the decision.

Thanks again for all the help.

Jean

 

Hi Jean,

FYI: The minimum processor:

PC with 233MHz processor clock speed required; 300-MHz - Intel Pentium/Celeron family

Fom here: http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/setup.html


Good luck with the new Laptop