posted on July 25, 2004 05:40:20 PM new
I can't defragement or I can't do Disk repair. I called road runner and he said I probably have some program running. or a corrupted windows program. I have no idea, any suggestions? I would really appreciate some as I am going to give up soon. It is so frustrating. I also have a problem typing. I can type whole sentences before anything shows up. Does that mean anything. I have noticed that for about a week now. Then also when I go to delete a line with my back space, my backspace will go all the way to where I want it to end before it erases anything.. I hope this makes sense because none of it does to me. I will try anything.
Thanks in advance.
[ edited by Libra63 on Jul 25, 2004 05:41 PM ]
posted on July 25, 2004 06:22:21 PM new
1. Tools - Internet Options..Delete Cookies, then Delete Files (including offline) and then Clear History.
2. Then Start - Programs - Accessories - Clean Disk. (I can't quite remember where that is for 98.)
3. Then after you have done those - restart your computer. (your cookies don't really clear out until after you shut down) After it restarts do Ctrl Alt Delete and shut down all running processes except IE. Control Panel - Display and stop your screen saver from running. Then start your defrag.
4. If you still can't defrag - then download this http://www.raxco.com/products/perfectdisk2k/ I checked and it does work for windows 98. It's a super defrag but only has a 30 day trial. It defrags better than what Microsoft does, and faster.
I used to have that problem when I had 98. I always had to Ctrl Alt Delete to stop everything and I also had to disable my screen saver while running defrag.
In answer to your question: You shouldn't have to pull the plug but if you do that it shouldn't f* anything up. What you need to do is stop anything other than IE from running while you're trying to defrag.
posted on July 25, 2004 06:23:23 PM new
FGS, Libra, DO NOT depend on someone elses antivirus to protect you. Get Norton Security & you will eliminate alot of problems. It gives you firewall protection as well as antivirus. I am guessing you have a worm or trojan horse in your system.
Life Is Too Short To Drink Bad Wine
posted on July 25, 2004 07:02:49 PM new
I also need help. About 3 weeks ago I tried to do disc cleanup, and it has stuck a little way into to the search, and I can't delete it, or get it to finish. Does anyone have any idea. We have Window XP.
posted on July 25, 2004 07:35:23 PM new
Libra -- Install Spybot even if you don't think you need it. It's free. When you run it you will see whether anything bad is getting through.
amber - you need Spybot too. The disk cleanup program is getting interrupted constantly by spyware or something like it.
Spyassassin is an even better program, but you have to pay for it. There are some very nasty web sites that attach stuff to your PC. I found Spyassassin was the only program that could eliminiate them all.
I think I found the program that was lurking in the background. M S Messinger. I tried to defrag from that web site and it won't go. I did get disk repair to go. I did get defragement started but it won't run when I am connected to Road Runner so I will do that when I sleep and it should go. I have no grinding noise any more as I am sure MSM was doing that.
I did pull the road runner and did most of it not connected. When I rebooted MSM came up and then I knew the culpert. I feel a little better now. It seems to be running faster also.
Thanks to all you were great.
Happy ending...Now if I can remember my user names and passwords I will be fine.
Sanmar do you really think I need norton when I have road runners firewall and antivirus. It does update all the time. I will have to think that...
[ edited by Libra63 on Jul 25, 2004 09:45 PM ]
posted on July 25, 2004 10:25:12 PM new
Libra...Sanmar is correct. Roadrunner is probably scanning all your email, but a virus or trojan can enter from other sources as well. Zipped files, infected sites, Jpeg's that expand after they get on your hard drive are just a few examples. The only way to be 99% safe is to have an anti virus program on your hard drive that updates automatically within 15 minutes of a new update release. I prefer McAfee, but Norton or Trend Micro's P-Cillin will work just as well.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on July 26, 2004 12:09:31 AM new
They have EZ trust antivirus. It is boot sector monitoring, file monitoring and email monitoring with updates all the time. I think they have the whole thing covered. At least that is what the Installation person said. He is a computer person that also repairs them so he should know. This protection is from Computer Associates International. It's free when you sign up for rr and $50.00 a year after that.
It really seems to be running okay now. I hear no grinding like I did before and the typing is okay also. It just seems different. I can't imagine a program like MSM causing all that problem but it did.
Posters in here are so knowledgeable we are lucky to have them.
posted on July 26, 2004 03:56:13 AM new
When you say messenger do you mean MSN Messenger or that evil microsoft messenger? If its the messenger service you should probably go to services to disable it, and also make sure it wont come back on reboot. Hopefully somebody here knows what I'm talking about and can talk you through it if needed.
I have tons of passwords to many, many sites. What I did is create a folder on a floppy and password protected it (only password I have to remember). Each time I create a password I open word pad (or note pad) type it into there along with the url and save the file as the site name. I have two disks like this. One I keep in a safe place as my back up (without a password in case I forget the only one I have to remember, LOL) and one I keep nearby. I'd never be able to remember all the passwords I have if I didn't do this. You can also create a folder in My Docs and password protect that if you wish.
Cheryl
. . .if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist- I really believe he is Antichrist- I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend.. . - War and Peace, Tolstoy
I don't know what the problem is with your computer, but since I've installed eZ Trust Firewall (Computer Associates), I've not had one bit of trouble with spyware. It has a built in privacy feature. I got a free one-year trial and it works fantastically with the spyware. You really have to set it up correctly or you'll have problems with some sites. I finally figured out how to allow pop-ups on some sites and how to block out the spyware. It probably would have helped had I taken the time to read the on-line manual.
Cheryl
. . .if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist- I really believe he is Antichrist- I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend.. . - War and Peace, Tolstoy
posted on July 26, 2004 07:35:18 AM new
Libra, if you have your original windows disk and your printer disk, software etc.
- My suggestion to you is reformat the whole friggin drive. It takes up time to reload everything...but whatever it is/was will be gone. Clean slate.
Did you at least go in control panel/add remove programs and remove MSN Messenger if you dont use it?
[ edited by neroter12 on Jul 26, 2004 07:39 AM ]
posted on July 26, 2004 07:44:52 AM new
Thanks for the help. I have downloaded Spyware, and found a few things which I deleted, but the disc clean-up is still stuck. I can still de-frag, and delete my temp. files from the control panel. Is it alright to just leave it? If I try to click on it, then my computer slows down because it's working at 100% to finish the task, but if I re-boot, it goes back to normal.
Another question. I also have Adaware, do I need that and Spyware?
posted on July 26, 2004 08:23:37 AM new
I recently installed AdAware and all heck broke loose. Long story short, it was simpler and cheaper to buy a new computer and start over. I have read some horror stories about AdAware.
posted on July 26, 2004 08:28:27 AM new
I have had the same problem with win 98. Couldn't finish defrag because another program was running. I did control alt delete to see what was running and it came up with a list. I closed everything possible and then it ran fine. WHen I first started doing that, I made a mistake and closed the wrong ones like systray (you need that one) No problem, I just rebooted the computer, pressed control alt delete and started closing programs again, remembering NOT to close that specific program
I have found that it helps to use Spybot search & destroy along with adaware. What one doesn't catch, the other does.
posted on July 26, 2004 09:17:57 AM new
I'm going to go out on a limb here. I think that the Windows operating system is one of the worst if not the worst operating system in use today. The sad thing is that 99% of PC users are stuck with it and to change would either require a fairly large cash out lay and or limit the software available.
I notice that many here are still using WIN98. If I still had to use 98 I think I would no longer be using a PC.
Libra,
There may be other issues such as hardware involved here but I encourage you to upgrade to at least WIN2000 or XP if possible. both are very stable (for a windows based software) and many of the problems you are having would be alleviated.
If your computer is fairly ancient you may want to make it a priority to get a new machine. WIN2000 is a great upgrade to the OS and I think it will run on a fairly low end older machine. I am running it on an old P- 233 machine and it runs fine. WIN98 on this machine was stalling, crashing and running poorly continuously.
Others here have suggested re-formatting your hard drive. If you are not very computer savvy, as may be detected by the fact that OS stumped you, don’t feel intimidated. Seek the help of a person in you circle who knows computers well and see what you can learn. Most of us here only have the knowledge out of survival. I could care less how a computer operates but I build my own out of necessity. I have learned the basics and have the number of friends that get me through the rough spots. If you have children or Grandchildren, ask them. I bet they either know a lot of this stuff or have a friend who does. If you attend church, find out who does the churches computer stuff. They can at times be a resource. Of course use caution. Just because someone says they know about computers doesn’t mean they do. It just rankles me to no end that computer repair folks get $60 - $100 per hour or more and Health Care Professionals who are daily saving lives get half that.
Most computers need a good housecleaning in the form a reformat about every year to eighteen months. Daily use of a windows OS results in lost and corrupt files that eventually result in programs running poorly or not at all. It’s a little work but it is usually worth it. Reformatting gets all these files restored and at the same time it eliminates files that have been added for various reasons that only take up space and slow the computer. And, again, if you choose this avenue, consider upgrading to 2000 or XP at the same time.
posted on July 26, 2004 09:51:12 AM new
Don, I am sorry but I disagree. I have used this same old computer for years with 98. I very rarely need to defrag (Maybe once a year if that)Still running strong. I agree that Win 2000 is a more stable operating system but you also need a computer with more "horse power" than what I currently have. I have not needed to reinstall the operating system either.
I think starting out simple by just trying to get through the defrag first is the best thing and then if needed, reinstall the operating system later. One more thing, reinstalling the operating system will probably not fix the problem since there are programs hanging up the defrag. They will still be there after the OS is reinstalled and the programs that are used are put back on the computer.
posted on July 26, 2004 11:49:07 AM new
My computer is 4 yrs. old & came with 98SE. I had all kinds of problems with it freezing up. I put in Win/2000 about 2 yrs ago I never have a problem. I have Spy Sweeper & get updates all of the time. My computer Guru who has helped out doesn't like McAfee a/v. says they don't keep up like Norton. There is another one that is better, but it costs an arm & a leg ($200+) he uses it as part of his care package.
Life Is Too Short To Drink Bad Wine
posted on July 26, 2004 11:51:03 AM new
pelorus-thanks, I was advised to put AdAware on my computer about 18 months ago by our server, so far I have had no problems because of it.
posted on July 26, 2004 11:57:35 AM new
glassgirl-I called tech support and he said somewhere I have spyware. Now he told me to down load Adware and syp bot. I did that and ran adware found 103 removable objects. I haven't done it yet until I talk with you.
He said remove everything. Would you do that? I won't do anything until I hear from you to confirm that. I haven't run spy bot yet.
posted on July 26, 2004 01:37:42 PM new
ok, let's walk through this.
Open your ad aware. At the top right you will see 5 icons that aren't lit up. If you hold your mouse over each they will turn color and show you what they are. The first one which is Ad Watch is only for paid subscribers. It shows a magnifying glass.
The second one, which looks like a sprocket or cog is settings. Open that one by clicking on it. You will see four boxes under start up and safety. Click all but Run at Windows startup, leave that one with a red X, all the others should have green check marks. Click Proceed.
Open that one back up - the cog. Now click to your left on Scanning. I have all of mine under Memory and Registry with a green check box. Nothing under the top box which is Drives and Folders. Click Proceed.
Same thing again. Sorry this is tedious but you want to make sure each gets it's settings saved. Cog - to your left Advanced. First two under LOG File are green. Click Proceed.
Again...cog....Start up settings - customize. You've already set that (all the boxes should be green checks under Memory and registry but this time underneath the top box is Select Drives and Folders. Check whatever drive you use, normally C drive. Leave off your floppy and or cd drives. Click Proceed.
Last one on this one, Cog...open Tweaks. Scanning Engine, first one is Green...unload recognized processes during scanning. The 6th one ...include basic AdAware settings is green check. All the others should be grey or red X. Drop down to the next Level which is Cleaning Engine. Two Green here - Let Windows remove files at next reboot and the one under it I have checked Delete quarentined objects after restoring. Everything else..grey or red X please. Drop down and skip the next two but open Web Update settings. ALWAYS backup reference file before updating GREEN check mark. Everything else red or grey X. Click Proceed.
Always make sure you UPDATE before scanning. Please make sure you have the same configuration, scan again and then you are safe to delete. Make sure when you start to scan that you have green check on "activate in depth scan" and that you are scanning under custom scan.
If you see anything that looks like you might want to hang onto, just don't check that one to be deleted. You can come back and ask and always delete it later. What you are looking for is Adware.
Sometimes Spybot hangs while scanning. Just go find something else to do and let it keep working away, it will eventually unstick and keep scanning until finish.
posted on July 26, 2004 02:05:55 PM new
Now we'll walk you through Spybot. It's a little harder to configure than AdAware. Under Help in the title bar, About, see if you do indeed have version 1.3. Under MODE in the title bar, check Advanced. (I can only tell you how mine is set!) Now click UPDATE in the left hand column. Ignore anything that says TeaTimers. I haven't figured that one out yet. Click on anything else that says detection rules. If it says !!bad checksum!! after you download, ignore it and click update again. Now click on Malware Bytes which are mirrors and you can try to download under any of those. No harm.
click on Immunize left hand column. I really like this feature. It will say you are either protected or unprotected. You rarely have to update this but always check it when you run Spybot. Once you update it, check the Green cross at the top of the page that says Immunize. PLEASE click the box that's at the bottom that says Enable Permanent Blocking of Bad addressses. Every now and then if you're cruising google or the net, they will hide programs and Adult sites under innocuous websites. If you try to open a known bad page, it will show you the black and white page that says this cannot be reached. Thank your lucky stars and move onto to another website. I also want you to download JAVACOOLS Spyware blaster and it will also be on this page once you download and open it. It is another level of protection and a GOOD one. You will see a blue underlined link that says You Have JavaCools spyware blaster click here to run it. Always click it, I do that even before I run Spybot check. It is frequently updated and protects you against Active X. Here is the link http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html
Settings. Files sets. All are checked.
Cookies. Save or not, I like to clean all mine.
Tools. View Report Checked. Resident is checked (open that SDHELPER is check Tea Timer is not). click on tools to get back to the picture sceen.
Active X is checked.
IE tweaks is checked but none of my boxes are checked when I open that.
Hosts Files. Open that one, click the green X to scan and protect.
System Internals NO NO NO. You'll be messing with the registry.
Ok, you CAN just choose the DEFAULT mode. I think they made it easy for beginners. Please DO download and install JavaCools. It will automatically install inside of Spybot for you, how cool is that?
Always check for updates before running. I have always always clicked Select ALL and Fix ALL and I have never had a problem.
posted on July 26, 2004 03:39:17 PM new
glassgirl-I am babysitting at my daughters and I won't be home for about another hour. I need to still run spybot so I will checkwhen that is through. Adware has been run so I could check to see what there was but I didn't do anything. I'll be back later and thanks
posted on July 26, 2004 08:40:21 PM new
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sproing.....same kind of problems. Instant replay,,,,,,,,AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!! sproing...As I go over,,,,,,,,,,,the edge........
