Netscape.Hst Question

I am having constant errors and freezes on Netscape. Will deleting the Netscape.hst file as well as the cache help with this problem?

I have even had to use my IE3 in order to access some favorite web pages. I can't go there with NS. I use NS 4.61 on a Pentium 133 with W95a.

It is odd but NS runs well for a while and then starts acting up.

Is there an upgrade that you can recommend for my oldie but goodie computer.

Thanks and hope you are well,

Ann

 

I use Communicator 4.7 and have been pretty happy with it. Due to an occasional "ghost" problem, I will probably upgrade to 4.79 soon. You may want to try that version to see if it will work for you. Another option would be to just reinstall your current version. Sometimes a file becomes corrupt and that will fix it.

Netscape Products

 

Ann, I upgraded my 2176c33 to 80 ram, second hard drive, cable modem, win98se, NS Communicator 4.78. Runs very well. Use Norton Systemwork 2001 to keep everything clean.
Probably less expensive to buy new at todays prices. The EDO ram is still very expensive. Post again if you need more detail.
ps also put in new sound card and modem (before cable).
Ken

 

Hi Ann,

Definitely, deleting the netscape.hst several times a week is good preventive maintenance. See this:

Preventive Browser Maintenance for Netscape 4.7x

Version 4.79 is the most stable, to date. If you don't wish to update, rebuilding the Netscape Registry often clears up those constant crashes.

With Netscape closed:
Go to C:\Windows
Delete nsreg.dat or rename to nsreg.bak
The Profile Manager will prompt you for a new Profile
Give the exact user name you are currently using

Let us know if this helps.

Ramona

 

Thanks Ramona
Occasionally I get a message about my Netscape updating reg. It's nice to know how to get this on demand.

 

Hi rcerrato,

When Netscape automatically updates your nsreg.dat, this is what happens:

What does "Updating Client Registry" mean
Question:

Sometimes Commmunicator says "Updating Client Registry" as I close the program. What does this mean?

Answer:

The client registry is a long-term storage warehouse of information on the computer's hard drive. In Windows it is located in C:\Windows\nsreg.dat. It can contain software product information (e.g. plugin version number), user preferences (e.g. colors, background) and anything else that needs to be stored on a permanent basis.

There are several occasions when Communicator will update the Client Registry. The most common is when roaming access is enabled or SmartUpdate activated; other occasions include creating new profiles or adding plug-ins.
--------

So, it's a little different than what I suggested for Ann.

If you want to disable that auto update from Netscape, you can add this line in your prefs.js file, or if it is already there, change the "true" to "false ":

user_pref( "autoupdate.enabled ", false);

Ramona

 

Thanks to all for the information.

I deleted the netscape.hst files on all my profiles last night. Today NS is behaving great.

I will keep the other alternatives on file just in case I need to do something else.

Just want to take a moment to say what a wonderful board this is and how neat the new look is.

When I found that the board was gone, I felt awful. It's a relief to have it back up and running.

PS Can I run 4.79 on my Pentiumn 133 RAM 72 megs with 95a?

 

Hi Ann,

I hear you! I was sick for Arie, when I first learned his BBS had been hacked. It certainly makes us more appreciative to him than ever, to have this terrific place to learn, and solve our PC problems!

Netscape 4.79 is compatible, per Netscape, with the following OS':

Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, XP

Windows 95 Plus! will upgrade you to 95b.

I'm running 4.79 on my 133 MHz processor, Windows 95b PC, with a 2 GB HD.

Glad to see you back!

Ramona

 

Ramona

Where can I find Windows 95 Plus. Is this something I can D/L from the Internet or is this for sale.

A long while ago, I D/L NS 4.71 and found that my system slowed down terribly. Because of this I went back to 4.61 with which I have been happy until recently.

I recently added TPF which may or may not be effecting my surfing. The mainproblem is that NS no longer allows me to get to a couple of my favorite sites and that is not an option for me. I am willing to upgrade my NS....and see what happens.

Windows 95B would definitely be a plus for me as I have heard it is very stable.

Please let me know where I can find it. Also I could use a link to NS 4.79. I only find NS 6x.

Thanks

PS I found NS 4.79 and have d/l to my computer. Any suggestions regarding the new install?

Ann

 

Ann,

Microsoft Plus for Win95 will add certain features like font smoothing, desktop themes. a pinball game, drivespace3 and System Agent. You may still be able to find it for sale but it won't upgrade a win95A system to Win95B aka OSR2. Here's a page I found on MS Plus:
http://www.computerhope.com/software/plus.htm

OSR2 is a complete OEM version of Windows that comes with hardware such as a new PC - see the Microsoft KB article Q155003
Q155003

Here's a recent newsgroup post from a Microsoft MVP that explains it well:

From: Ron Martell
Subject: Re: Windows 95 version?
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.win95.setup
Date: 2001-12-03 12:15:30 PST

"cynthia" wrote:

>Hi I am trying to find out if the version of Windows 95
>that I have is 95A or 95B for purposes of installing an
>antivirus program.
>The information I have is that my system is Windows 4.
>00950.
>
>Can anyone tell me if this is 95a or 95b?
>
>

If your Windows version number is 4.00.950 then you have the original release version of Windows 95, which actually predates 95a.

You should download and install the Windows 95 Service Pack 1 updates from the Windows Update section at www.microsoft.com and when you do
this your Windows version number will change to 4.00.950a

The 95b version, which is also called OSR2, shows a version number of 4.00.950B

That version of Windows was only ever available as an OEM release, sold bundled with new computers or major hardware components, and there is no upgrade available for your version that will update it to
4.00.950B

Hope this explains the situation.

Good luck
Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP

 

Alice,

Thanks for the correction on Windows 95b.!

 

Hi Ramona,

I did come across some newsgroup posts suggesting Win95a users install Microsoft Plus to get closer to Win95B which is probably what you remember.

 

Hi Ann,

You'll have to tell me what TPF refers to, and what web sites are you unable to access.

Windows 95B can be found on DirectDeals.com It may be available elsewhere, on the Internet, but I doubt you will find it in a retail store.

If you install 4.79, be sure to back up your 4.61 Users folder first. Look here for Clean Install notes:

Ramona

 

Ramona -

I never installed 95B because I was told it requires a brand new
install of Windows. I have never done that and I know my Compaq has a lot of proprietory software....which I may mess up if I remove W95 original.

TPF is Tiny Personal Firewall.

The big question is if 4.79 will work with 95a. If so, I may have to try it.

Can I leave the Registry alone and just remove from Add/Remove and look for folders and delete?

I have had trouble getting to various boards like this one and inlcuding this one.

Right now, I am on my old IE3

As always I appreciate your help.

PS - Alice - thanks for your post regarding MS Plus.

Ann

 

Hi Ann,

I do remember now, what a terrible time you had when upgrading 4.61 to 4.7x. Maybe you should stick with 4.61, and see if you can repair it. It's your call.

Try deleting your nsreg.dat file, then when prompted for a new Profile name, use the existing name. I think you've done this before. Could be that your Netscape Registry is corrupt.

Remember to back up your Users folder first.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Ramona

 

Hi Ramona,

I must have a gremlin somewhere in the computer.
Today, I logged on and surfed like a wiz.

I think I would like to try the update, if my old original W95a can support it. Netscape says W95 supports 4.79 but doesn'tspecify the versions.

If W95a does support 4.79, it is just a question of uninstalling, installing and if I must uninstalling and reinstalling one more time.

Do you have any information that covers how to do this step by step? I know there was a thread about this prior to the problems that brought the board down.

Take care,

Ann

 

Hi Ann,

The link for uninstalling/installing is the one I posted in this thread:

If you install 4.79, be sure to back up your 4.61 Users folder first. Look here for "Clean" Install notes.

Good luck!

Ramona