My computer is acting wierd all of a sudden HELP

[Guest_imported]

I have an HP (unfortunetly) Pentium II Intel 450Mhz Windows98 and whenever I go online my pointer starts flickering really bad and sometimes at a point were I cant even see it. And addition to that I have noticed an incredible change in speed performance (esp. when Im online) its running very slow. This weekend I bought a 56K modem because I have been getting an error message when I sign on that says " Port has been disconnected due to hardware failure" so I took it down and had them install it. But anyway does that have any effect on it, it was running fine this morning.

 

[Kento]

Well, download install and run Ad-aware which is free and see if you have any spyware that's slowing you down. It can do that.

http://www.lavasoft.nu/

Run a virus scan as well.

http://housecall.antivirus.com/

 

[Guest_imported]

My mouse pointer is really flickering esp. when a website is loading up. It gets to the point were it is not even visible. ITS REALLY ANOYING!!!!! I would like to get some assistance with that first. Thanks.

 

[Kento]

Run Ad-aware! Spyware or garbageware like some like to call it can cause all kinds of system problems. That's why I suggested it.

 

[Guest_imported]

Checked anti-virus and it was Negative.
I ran the Adware Scan too and here are the results:

What should I do at this point?

Scanning finished
==================
Suspicious modules found:0
Suspicious keys found :1
Suspicious folders found:0
Suspicious files found:6
=========================
Components ignored:0
Total components found:7

 

[AjIsCoool]

Hi

I have the same problem, my system is getting very slow
when i start my pc is fine but after a while ,15 minutes or so my system slows down big time, i move my mouse them after more than 20 seconds or more my mouse starts to react to my movement,
I checked the system properties and found that 95 % resources are free, because i close every thing that run on memory. So there is no problem with memory. I even face this problem when i don't have any thing is running, just explorer and the system performance is very slow

Sometimes when i am working with some application or on the web, suddenly my icons in my desktop changes to something different!!!!!!!!

PLZ help

i installed norton system works 2002 and ran monitor to check the performance, i noted that the cpu monitor is very high as if i am doing a lot of processing!!!! where there is nothing running but norton monitor

checked for torjan and viruses nothing is found in my system

thanks

 

[matofthemint]

After you have run AdAware, have it remove every thing it finds. I've used it for some time now and have had no problems.

 

[BradSQLGuy]

My friend has the same problem with his mouse. It sounds like a video issue since it happens when loading a webpage. My suggestion is to (keep in mind I'm doing this out of memory) right click My Computer/properties/Performance/Graphics/and turn the quality down a few knotches. I used to sell HP computers so I know they have TERRIBLE graphics cards in them especially if they are integrated (which most HP's have). Lowering your graphics quality should fix your problem.

 

[Guest_imported]

I need some opinions here. I have an HP system. Is it worth spending all the money on installing like a Pentium 4 chip and Memory all that other stuff or should I change to another brand like Micron. Im not a big fan of HP but my friend sold it to me and plus its a LITTLE bit faster than the one I used to have which was a CTX Pentium with MMX. So, should I swich to a different brand?

The mouse pointer problem subsided. Dont know why but it did. Thanks.

 

[BradSQLGuy]

Honestly it really depends on what you use your computer for. The P4 doesn't really have any huge advantages over the P3 other then more software coding that isn't even used yet. It definately is superior on DVD and MP3 encoding. If you are really into digital imaging upgrade to a P4 otherwise I'd stick with a P3. HP has really good products but computers are not one of them.

 

[Guest_imported]

The reason I wanted a P4 because when I go online its really slow. Its just the internet thats a bit slow. Im not really into graphics though and as far as games, music, and video goes I dont use at all.

 

[BradSQLGuy]

Well since you don't use graphic intensive programs my suggestion is to stick with what you have and buy more RAM. If you're on a dial up connection it will always be slow and it mostly depends on your ISP and phone lines to get better speeds. There is a very small difference between (for example) 1.4 Pentuim 4 and a 500Mhz Pentium III. If you want to get a high speed connection such as cable or dsl yes there will be a noticable difference. Personally it sounds like money is somewhat of an issue for you so I'd wait until the prices come down and just buy more RAM for your current PC. Also the bench marks on the P4 aren't very staggering. Infact it will barely out perform a P3 except on DVD and MP3 it well exceeds. If you really really want a good processor I'd consider buying an Athlon. Those can perform as good if not better then P4 on just about every application out there except DVD and MP3 and considering it runs at 400Mhz lower then P4 its a great processor. (That costs MUCH less). Anyway with that said...I hope it helps.

 

[AjIsCoool]

Hi guys

No one has commented on my complaints, i hope you have a work around for me

PLZ let me know soon

 

[matofthemint]

AjIsCool: suggest you also use AdAware. See second reply for address.

 

[Overdoos]

AjIsCoool,

How is your HD doing. Is it near capacity or very fragmented. Maybe damaged...

Your problem looks like a problem for windows to swap to disk.

I would suggest you check your RAM memory to see if there are broken part there, then check your disk surface and quota. And as a last part, the fragmentation of the disk (defrag when necessary).

Also it wouldn't harm to run ad-aware on your system and remove everything it finds (P2P programs my stop working after that, because they often contain quiet some spyware) and run an external virus-check.

Virusses like klez 'eat' the scanners installed on your machine, so to detect these babies you need an external application.

http://housecall.antivirus.com

works like a charm...

 

[Cindy1]

AJiscoool,
Have you checked your fans to make sure it isn't running too hot that would slow the cpu down. How much memory do you have? You might consider upgrading where as memory is so cheap. You can get a good price at memory4less.com that's where I get mine. I hate to tell you to backup and reformat the drive cuz that is such a pain, but doing a little house cleaning wouldn't hurt.
Keep us posted.
Cindy

 

[AjIsCoool]

Thanks for your responses

I did a norton antivirus check, nothing was found
i did a surface scan on my both hard disks c: d: esch has 20 GB capacity
I ran trojan remover, found none
T ran Ad Aware on my system foun 225 New components, i deleted everything then restart my computer, still the system slows down in speed just by opening explorer and browsing my file, not even openning any app or file

Whwn i start my system it acts normally, but after 15 minutes or so it starts to act funny(very slow, i even can not move the mouse cursor a round the desk top, it takes ages to response)
I will check my fan,today
My memory is 768 MB
My hard disks has more than 6 GB free on each
When i am faced with this problem i always checks the MyComputer properties to read Memory, and it is always 90 + free resource( as you see i have a lot of free memory, because there is nothing opened)

thanks again

 

[hchman]

Have you looked at all of the processes that are running? Press CTRL-ALT-DEL once and see what processes are running. Let us know how many you have open. Also check your startup by going into MSCONFIG and check your startup to see what you have there.

 

[AjIsCoool]

Yes i always press CTL-ALT-DEL to check the running process
usually i have few applications running on startup, but because i always have a heavy graphics to work with , i intend to close all running tasks before statring to work, by end task everything running

so answering your question, i think there is nothing running on my system when this problem occurs, and my memory resoucres is 97% free windows resource. Yet my system dies on me, it never stops but it become sooooooooo slooooooooooooow by just pressing on start button then going to program

What do you mean by going into MSCONFIC, is this a ini file? can you plz tell how to check it?

 

[Cindy1]

AjIsCoool,
To go into msconfig you need to go to Start> Run> Type in the command line msconfig >then you will see the General tab, go to the Startup tab> All the check marks on the left are programs that are running even though you can't see them. Uncheck the programs you don't need if you are not sure keep it checked. If you uncheck something that you need just go back and check it. If you are familiar with the insides of the computer I would also put a test hard drive if you have one on the computer, that would tell you if the hard drive is going. If that doesn't work strip the system down to the cpu/ motherboard/ memory/ power supply/ video card (if needed)/ hard drive, then one by one put the rest of the cards back in. I hope that you have backed up all your data just in case. Make sure both memory sticks are good. I'm running out of suggestions.
Keep us posted,
Cindy