Slow opening folders in Win98

[hoekema]

I have Windows98 freshly installed on a new 40GB hard disk on a Dell 566 with 384mb memory. Everything is working fine, except that it takes a long time (2-3 seconds) to open a folder.

Any suggestions?

 

[mattjurado]

How fresh is fresh? Have you installed any applications yet? If so, disable background processes via MSCONFIG.

Also, make sure you have all the latest OS patches, and hardware drivers.

One test you might try, if problem persists...
Open folders in safe mode, any faster?

Matt J.

 

[hoekema]

Matt,

I guess it's not that fresh - I have installed my applications. I checked for Win98 patches but only found IE updates. I did disable a couple of the processes I could decipher, but no discernable change.

Could it be the result of running one large partition on the 40GB disk?

I also tried disabling CallSoft (answering system), but that didn't do it either.

Is they a way of making folders open in the same window in Win98 instead of a new window each time?

Is the problem likely to go away if I upgrade to Win2K and NTFS?

Thanks,
- Jim
(not sure why I'm an "instructor&quot

 

[mattjurado]

So what happens if you boot to safe mode, any faster?

Matt J.

 

[ski]

Also, update your antivirus program's files and do a virus search, and remove all spyware with either Ad-aware or Spybot.

 

[Jontmke]

And what is in the folders? How many files? If it is a huge amount even XP will be slow. I once had 18000 pictures in a folder and Explorer was dogged even when not looking in that folder.

Jon

There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge. (Bertrand Russell)

 

[hoekema]

mattjurado asked:
"So what happens if you boot to safe mode, any faster?"

Oddly enough, I can't seem to start in Safe Mode. When I follow the direction in Help and press CTRL when restarting, I get a couple of error messages. One says:
The fileC/SAMSUNG/SSCDROM.SYS file is missing.
Error in config.sys line 21.
(But the CD-ROM is working fine.)
Then I see:
c>REM
Bad command.

Then Windows starts normally.

By the way, the folders have 3-10 files in them, no large quantity. My virus defs are up to date.

 

[Jontmke]

OK, have you done a disk cleanup (temp files,etc.) then a scandisk and defrag? Those are the usual culprits. The FAT table is incorrect and Windows is trying to read files that are misreported or not there any more. Try that and see.

Jon

There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge. (Bertrand Russell)

 

[mattjurado]

You can't boot to safe mode, and windows is acting funny. If you've eliminated the possiblity of virus/spyware, I'd just format and reinstall. Something may have gone wrong. After you reload the os, make sure windows operates ok. As you reinstall programs, do so one at a time, and reboot. Then test windows and make sure its okay. If you make a change and see a problem, then at least you'll know what the problem is. If you format and reload and have problems out of the gate, then you might have a hardware problem.

Matt J.

 

[TekTippy4U]

Atleast two possibilities come to mind;
1) Your Virus Scanning software is set to constantly check any and all files/folders on your local HD.....and it doesn't need to.
2) Your "new" HD is not set up properly in the BIOS and Device Manangler.
3) Your AntiVirus was running when you installed applications.......bad move IMO....:>(.
4) When you formatted "new" HD, you forgot to disable AntiVirus checking in BIOS

Question....How old is a Dell 566?

TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions....I try very hard to impart correct info at all times.

 

[hoekema]

I've run scandisk. No problems found.

I've turned of "autocheck" in Norton AntiVirus. No discernable difference.

It IS possible that neglected to turn off antivirus while installing applications. I remember thinking it would be a good idea to install Norton as one of the first apps.

The computer is a DEll Dimension L566cx - it's about 2 years old.

I'm beginning to think starting over is the way to go...

 

[TekTippy4U]

Firstly;
To view each window in the same window.....go>
start/settings/folder options.....
"General" tab/custom/settings....."open each folder in same window".

Also click "View" Tab...choose "Show All Files"(this is for later, as you'll see)

Secondly;
Also the SSCDROM.SYS file is a DOS 16 bit driver for your CD-ROM and needs it to operate in DOS mode....your CD-ROM operates, once windows loads ,cause then, the Win 32bit protected mode driver is being used...along with CDFS..

You probably need the driver(once you find it) loaded this way in config.sys and dosstart.bat.....
Provided you have a ATAPI CDROM:
Edit your config.sys file using notepad and add the following line:
DEVICEHIGH=C:\Windows\Command\OAKCDROM.SYS /D:mscd001
Then create if not there or edit the Dosstart.bat located in the Windows folder with this line.
LH C:\Windows\Command\MSCDEX.EXE /D:MSCD001
You will need to reboot(CTRL+ALT+DEL)..... then once in windows again choose Start/Shutdown choose "Restart in MS-DOS Mode" and your drive should work.

Thirdly;
Although I don't think this is really the culprit....it's worth a shot....
Are you using "Client for MS Networks" in Network Neighborhood? as your "primary network logon"....right click NetNeigh and choose properties to see.....
I say this cause it also could be that your PC is trying to Map network drives every time you go searching for an item...
Choose "Client for MS Networks" ,if it's present only, and choose properties/Logon and restore network connections.....

Lastly;
If you repartition and reformat....
Make 3 partitions IMO..
C:\=Windows OS only.
D:\=Program Files and Applications only..
E:\=All data, storage and backup..
F:\and up= CD ROM and or DVD Drive

To find files on your drive......
First go to step one above to "Show All Files"
and Either press
"Windows LogoKey" + "F" key.....
or Start/Find/Files and Folders.
Make sure your C:\ drive is in the look in box...

TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions....I try very hard to impart correct info at all times.

 

[hoekema]

Dear TT4U,

On the theory of "better late than never"...

Thanks much for your detailed comments and suggestions.

As it happens, all the problems went away when I simply upgraded to Windows2000! What a difference!

- Jim

 

[TekTippy4U]

TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions....I try very hard to impart correct info at all times.