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Question : HELP!! Computer gone nuts!!
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OK Here goes....
I'm running Windows 98. I tried to connect to the internet after having left my computer on overnight to run maintenance programs. (I had disconnected from the net.) It brought up the "connect" screen, but when I clicked on connect, my computer just died. The blue header across the top of the Connect window turned grey, and I couldn't close the window. I tried to reboot from the Start button, but it wouldn't work either. I did the Cntrl/Alt/Dlt thing to reboot. I had to do this twice because the same thing happened on the reboot. On the third try, everything seemed to be working fine. I was able to connect to the net with no problem, everything on the desktop worked, as well as the start button. Thirty minutes later I noticed that my screensaver hadn't kicked on. I waited for a few hours, but still no screensaver.
I tried to run Scandisk, but there was a program running in the background that kept restarting the scan that I wasn't aware of. When I got the error message, I cancelled the Scandisk only to get an "Illegal Operation" window which shut down my computer. It took 6 tries this time to get a working desktop. I finally got in and ran a complete check, to include Norton Anti-Virus, Scandisk and Defrag. All of these came back with a clean slate. No viruses, errors, corrupt files, etc. I cleaned out the Temp Internet Files Folder, Recycle Bin, the email program, and any unneeded cookies. (Still no screensaver.)
Again I restarted, (Shut Down) only to have the same problems. Several attempts later I got what I thought was a good load up. Upon opening Microsoft Excel, I noticed an error that would not allow me to enter data into an existing document. A second try got me the same results. Again, I restarted. A few reboots later, everything is working fine, (as far as I know.)
Of the various restarts, some being a restart from Cntrl/Alt/Dlt, others being a full shut down from the start button, different things happened on each restart. Sometimes the start button would work, but the desktop was "dead". Other times it was the complete opposite. A few times I had the original problem of being able to bring up a window from the desktop only to have the corresponding window go grey. Some programs run fine, while others are down.
Another problem I have encountered is getting into any of my Windows files. When starting for the My Computer icon on the desktop, entering the C drive, clicking on the Windows folder and trying to access any of the files from this window I get a scripting error. This only happens occasionally, same as the other things that have been going wrong, and only lately have I had any kind of problems with this OS.
If you have any suggestions or referrals, I would be extremely grateful. I don't really know much about computers, and I'm terrified of trying to re-install Windows after reading some of the questions and answers on this site. Please give complete, step-by-step instructions with any comments for a fix. Thanks ahead of time!
Kope
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Answer : HELP!! Computer gone nuts!!
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Though these programs you are using can allow a virus to enter your compute I do not think it is that from what you described. I think it is low resources! I would do a housecleaning and see where you are at. Here is some of what I recommend.
1. Take as much stuff as you can from running in systray. Light off each app and disable them from running in systray.
2. Run msconfig and take checkmarks out of all you don't need running in start-up. Experiment with different apps etc.
Note: You can right-click my computer and go to properties and click on the performance tab and see what your free system resources are and check as you eliminate some items to see how you are doing!
3. Search your "C" drive for *.tmp and delete them.
4. Clear your browser cache!
5. Run hwinfo /ui (don't forget the space between the o and the /) and this will identify any device or driver problems in red text.
6. Empty the recycle bin!
7. You can run SFC (system file checker) be careful and back up and files you may want to restore! This utility can replace files that will cause you to have to reinstall some applications. I wouldnt run this unless everything fails to fix the problem.
8. Click on control-alt-delete and highlight an item and end task then look at system resources and it will give you an idea on how much an app is robbing from your resources.
9. If you are running any Norton stuff (it likes to use resources!) Be careful, a very powerful program and you might try disabling this while you determine what the culprit is.
10. If you see findfast when you hit control-alt-delete then highlight it and end task and get rid of the program per this url:
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q158/7/05.asp
Note: It is installed by Office 97 and was a bad dream from Microsoft that will cause major resource problems.
11. Update your IE5 to either 5.01 or 5.5.
12. Run scandisk and defrag!
This should be a good start. Dave
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