windows 98 1

[wherestheanykey]

Running windows 98, boot up process ok, but when the o/s loads it takes a while for applications to load and finally be displayed.
Once my desktop is displayed, everything is ok for up to an hour tops, than the light on my hdd goes mental and win98 becomes slow and any applications loaded takes forever to load.
during this period any games being played also become sluggish and slow. Also happens when connected to the internet.
New programs ive installed is an pc-cillin 2000, just to check for virus's, this installed ok but once activated, 10-20 seconds later shutsdown automatically, no errors displayed.But this problem was there before i installed this!!
Any information on possible causes would be great. thanks

 

[wolluf]

Your problem could originate almost anywhere (eg, might be a virus) - I'm sure you'll get suggestions. Also, win98 has a habit of developing behaviour like this after its bee installed for a while.

Have you considered upgrading to 2000 or XP?

 

[Crustyoldbloke]

I think you need to know what is running in the background that may be responsible for this behaviour. Goto SRAT-RUNtype in MSCONFIG-hit ENTER-STARTUP tab, have a look at all of the programmes that are running. Can you identify all of them? Uncheck all of them except SystemTray & ScanRegistry - APPLY-REBOOT. Try your system in a couple of hours time and see if it's any better.

Please note that your virus scanner will be disabled whilst you conduct this test, so no surfing, e-mailing or introducing any new software to the system via any port. Regards

Phil

Please tell me if the answer I gave was helpful or a bus ride out. Without your feedback I won't know.

 

[wherestheanykey]

Spot on crustyoldbloke, there was a world of trouble in the msconfig did as you said and at present seems to be running a lot smoother.
I managed to find out what error was occuring as well when some of my applicatons crashed apparently----Rnaapp had performed an illegal operation, dont suppose you could shed any light on this. thanks once again.

 

[Crustyoldbloke]

Only that its a modem file, and if it's causing you problems, then you can probably put money on it being the source.

Since we're in the Win98 forum, you might want to try this little ditty. It normally works. You'll probably need your modem installation disc/CD.

Firstly, backup your registry. Then got to START, RUN, and type REGEDIT. Double click HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, below it you will see a subsection called Enum, double click it to expand it. Do the same to the one marked PCI, you should now see some keys marked VEN_*******, expand each one and below it you will see another key marked BUS_******. Expand that key and each one will show you a name and data in the right-hand pane. One of those is your modem and the name will be clear. Now delete the key marked BUS_*******. Reboot, and Win98 will install your modem correctly and hopefully, cure the problem.

Remember to enable your antivirus software (I guess you have already unless you posted from another machine). DOS Tip #1701: Add DEVICE=FNGRCROS.SYS to CONFIG.SYS
Regards
Phil
Please tell me if the answer I gave was helpful or a bus ride out. Without your feedback I won't know.

 

[gcw1]

On a side note, heres a good resource for determining what files should be left to run at start-up.

http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_pages/startup_full.htm

 

[Luckyfour]

Here's a great page I found that will tell you what all the executing files are on start-up and whether or not they're safe to stop:

http://www.lafn.org/webconnect/mentor/startup/PENINDEX.HTM

 

[Ladygnome]

Don't forget to clean out temp files too!
Run Ad-aware to get rid of internet junk.

Thanks for those great links guys!