Windows 98 wearing thin...

[Steve Cassani]

I'n running Windows 98 in a computer purchased eight years ago, maybe ten. It uses a Pentium III chip and I believe Version 5 of Internet Explorer came with the computer.

In the last couple of months I've lost the ability to navigate Amazon.com and the Speed channel web sites, among others. Attempting to move from a general view of the recordings available by Dave Brubeck to a specific listing triggers an error in Internet Explorer, with the options of sending an error report to Microsoft, restarting IE or cancelling the process. The Speed channel site freezes Internet Explorer, usually while the site loads.

There are no memory issues. IE and the support processes Windows drags along for the ride are all that are running and the problem began only a couple of months ago. Before then, the sites ran without a hitch. Word, Excel and others run fine.

Am I suffering the inevitable outcomes of owning an old computer with a system of the same vintage? I'm reluctant to buy a new one due to the need to transfer information, much of it personal. The hard drive is one-third full and most of that is system software.

[427 S/O]

Dang Steve, It took two new PC's for me to figure out there obsolete almost immediately after purchase.

[Ron61]

Steve,

Your hard drive probably has some old junk and maybe some corrupted files. If you can save your information to another drive and have the disks, I would suggest that you format the hard drive and reload it. That will get rid of everything that may be floating around in there. As for the I.E. errors, I get them with the newer versions once in a while especially when I get in a hurry and don't let something finish before I start something else.
Another thing you could try is going to run and type in msconfig and then open the start up page and see what you are loading at start up. Anything that you don't need uncheck so it doesn't load. You can always start those programs from the start menu if you need them. Also go to the running processes and see what and how many are running all the time. I have an old laptop here that Warren gave me with Windows 95 and after I got all of the turtle droppings cleaned off of it, the thing runs quite well.

Ron

[Excaliber]

Hmmmm, I've recently been getting similiar errors running Win 2000 on an old lap top. Pretty sure it's not the computer, I was just thinking Win 2000 may be wearing a little thin as well.

XP on my main backup, Vista on my primary.

[Ron61]

Ernie,

I have XP on all of my computers except the one with Windows 95. I have played with a couple that had Vista and I just don't trust it. Glad that it is working out for you. As for the IE Error, I have had those with every version of Windows and IE that I have used, mostly as I said from my own mistakes. Once I did have to format and re-load as all I was getting was the IE Error and it was great once I got everything reloaded. But what a pain, especially after 4 years of Windows updates that I hadn't backed up. Last time I forgot to back up my disk for sure.

Ron

[meat]

Originally Posted by Steve Cassani

I'n running Windows 98 in a computer purchased eight years ago, maybe ten. It uses a Pentium III chip and I believe Version 5 of Internet Explorer came with the computer.

Get Firefox. It's way better than any version of IE.

Your pal,
Meat.

[Steve Cassani]

Thanks, guys. I welcome an alternative to purchasing a new computer. A couple of weeks ago I spoke with a salesman at Best Buy. He presented what his job obliges him to say, then took a moment to convey his misgivings about Vista. His advice: Get on with what you have, change what you understand and let several months go buy in hope Microsoft updates Vista to correct what its customers have found to be a problem.

There is an outfit in town called 'Geek Squad.' A couple of folks here in the condos have had good luck turning thier computer over to the rent-a-geek. Can be pricey but I would like to restore the machine to its capability before replacing it.

[fsstnotch]

Steve, stay away from the geeks! being in the computer communication career, i've heard ALOT of bad about them! Anywhere from replacing stuff that didn't need replaced and charging for it, to stealing peoples personal information. granted, one bad apple spoils the bunch... i'd stay away.

My recommendation is this. If you aren't into buying a new computer (and if you only use it for word processing and internet, you don't need to), go into your local electronics store and buy yourself an external hard drive. You can get them online from places like www.newegg.com. Chances are, you don't need a huge one. new egg has a some nice ones under $150. Then back up all your data that you don't want to be lost (pictures, word documents, personal stuff, etc). Now check your system for processor speed, memory capacity, hard drive size, etc and see if you meet the minimum to upgrade to XP. you most likely will meet the minimum. Buy the software. Format your current drive and then install the new software. don't buy the upgrade, we want to start fresh! haha I'm confident that you could do all of this yourself. Now that your computer is back operating clean again, you can either copy the files from the external, back to your computer or do what i do which is keep ALL of your saved files on the external drive and you can access them anytime you want. i like to keep the files on both so that if one should fail, i haven't lost everything!!

Now, I ALWAYS recommend having an external hard drive! They are life savers! i work at a computer all day, so I carry my external in my laptop all the time. if I need to copy a file from my work computer, no problem. I pull it out, plug the USB cable in and it's ready to go! i had my hard drive in my laptop go out a few months ago and I didn't lose anything!

Now about Vista. SOOOOO many uneducated people claim vista sucks!!! FALSE! The only major problems I've EVER seen with Vista are some programs not being compatible. That was old news! Vista has been out log enough now that MOST all of the more popular programs have patches that you can download. Alot of them will do it automatically when your computer does it's automatic updates. When i lost my hard drive a few months ago, i had Vista. i installed my new drives and inserted HP's fantastic restoral disk... it did nothing... Like there was nothing on it... So, being in iraq, i made due and installed XP on my computer. I HATED IT!!!! After a month of frustration i broke down and ordered a copy of Vista. I personally LOVE vista!!! But there is now way your old computer would have the resources to run it. At least not very efficiently. I would consider Vista the "BIG BLOCK" of operating systems. XP is your mild 351w and 98 is like oh... a stock 289! haha

NOW... in todays computer market... for the most part, there is no need for the Geek in most cases. Computers are disposable items. If a new computer costs me $500 and hte Geek is going to charge me $300 to fix a 2yr old computer... it's really simple. With that said, you don't NEED to go out and buy a whole new computer system. unless that's what you WANT.

If it were me, buy the external hard drive and get your file backed up... JUST IN CASE! then, if you've got the cash, buy yourself a new computer. But that is not necessary. i know a new updated computer will only run you maybe $500. If you want some help, PM me and I'd be more than happy to help you out. I can get some discounts from some of the major manufacturers.

Case in point $449 after $50 mail in rebate, and vista will already be loaded. the only thing you would need is the Office suite if you use it, and the external hard drive to transfer your files. Granted, this is not top of the line, but you don't need top of the line unless you are playing games on it or doing some serious work. Not necessary for MOST home computers.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883107493

[Excaliber]

Like I said, I'm running Vista and it's just 'OK' in my opinion, I'm not blown away by it nor do I think it's a big deal, good or bad. I'm just to lazy to dump it and hunt down compatible software drivers for running XP on my primary machine. I can't think of a single feature I prefer over XP and several things downright annoy me.

It's more difficult to access files and folders using Windows Explorer for one thing, it's NOT 'just getting used to it', Vista is inferior for file/folder maintenance, in my opinion. Vista boots slower than my XP machines, and it takes longer to load certain programs. 'Call of Duty' is noticably slower to 'hook' in multi player mode, and thats a HUGE problem because I loose certain advantages by not being near the 'first' on the battle field (man that pisses me off when someone beats me to the tanks or airplanes).

I LOVE the multi media/TV/record movies stuff, that part rocks! I suspect it would work even better with an XP multimedia feature. Vista is a Big Block? OK, a 460 in a pickup with granny gears and a two barrel carb, but it's a big block.

[fsstnotch]

Oh Ernie! haha

I have to ask, how much memory in your pc? What are your particular problems with Vista? All the "are you sure" popups? you know you can shut those off right?

I run Vista on my laptop which has a 2.08gb turion, 2048 ram, and 2 100GB 7200rpm hard drives. It runs as smooth as a baby's bottom! I have those ANNOYING popups blocked. Damnit!!! If i clicked on it, of course I'm sure!!!!! haha

[meat]

Originally Posted by fsstnotch

Oh Ernie! haha

I have to ask, how much memory in your pc? What are your particular problems with Vista? All the "are you sure" popups? you know you can shut those off right?

I run Vista on my laptop which has a 2.08gb turion, 2048 ram, and 2 100GB 7200rpm hard drives. It runs as smooth as a baby's bottom! I have those ANNOYING popups blocked. Damnit!!! If i clicked on it, of course I'm sure!!!!! haha

Meh.

I run Vista AND XP on my laptop, which has a 2.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM and a 200GB internal drive running at 7200 rpms.

It runs smooooth as a baby's bottom, too; it's a Mac.

Your pal,
Meat.

[767Jockey]

I needed a laptop and after much input from al I know I took the leap and bought a Mac. BEST decision I've made regarding computers. Once you go Mac, you'll NEVER go back! Get an external drive, save your data files on it, buy a Mac and dump them on it. You're days of the dreaded blue screen from hell, viruses, lockups, etc.... wil be over.

[fsstnotch]

Originally Posted by meat

Meh.

it's a Mac.

Your pal,
Meat.

So it just randomly turns off anywyas.. not becuase any operating system or operator tells it to.... just because it feels like randomly restarting! haha

look on youtube for PC vs. MAC video. it is hilarious!!!!!

[Ron61]

Not to get a big argument going but I don't care much for Vista at this time even with the first update already out. It is still slow and still will not run all so called Vista Compatible programs. Some it will run parts of and other parts won't work. Microsoft has already been working on the replacement for Vista for sometime now. I do agree with Fsstnotch about the external hard drive and backups. And before you start about my memory, I have 2G of fast RAM, 3.2G dual Pentium processor, 1 T hard drive, and all unused and not needed crap cleaned out of my computers. Every maker seems to stick in a bunch of trial versions of stuff that is not needed. I normally run my computers at 95 to 98% free disk space and the usage on my processors never exceeds around 47%. Understand Fsstnotch I am not arguing with you and I am happy that you are having good luck with Vista. Also I couldn't agree more about staying away from Geek Squad. I tried to talk to one of their techs here once about Raid 0 and he didn't even know what I was talking about. He told me there was only Raid 5 & 6. On everything else, I pretty much agree with Fsstnotch except the Vista. I will take XP over it in a heartbeat. So far there are only a few places around here that are using Vista except at home and even some of them are having it changed over to XP. Remember, just because an application program says Vista compatible, that doesn't mean it will work well. And I have also seen some of the patches that were downloaded come with a Trojan attached. If your computer does what you want and you don't need a new one then forget abut wasting money to try and keep up with all the rest. But as a wise person once said, What do I know.

Ron

[meat]

Originally Posted by fsstnotch

So it just randomly turns off anywyas.. not becuase any operating system or operator tells it to.... just because it feels like randomly restarting!

Naah. It's a Mac, not a PC. It does what I tell it to do, when I tell it to do it.

Best part? It loads Vista FASTER than my Alienware Area51.

Your pal,
Meat.

[Ron61]

Ok Meat, since you are a Vista fan I guess I am in the minority, but I just have to ask this in a joking way. When your Mac Computer loads Vista fast, do you time it with a watch or hour glass?

And just so you don't think I have a total dislike of Vista I plan to get a cheap computer from a guy who is getting rid of his unless he changes his mind because he can't get it to work right and it does have Vista. Maybe after I have more time to play with it I can come to like it a little better. From what I have seen of Service Patch 1 it really didn't do much but take up more space.

Ron

[fsstnotch]

What are you guys having trouble running? I don't play computer games so maybe that's why i have no problems with it? Although i have played Tiger Woods 2007or8 and command and conquer 3 without problems. i run office 2003 Pro with the patch for vista, haven't had a problem. I have my webcam, blackberry, MSN messenger, VLC media player. My #2 hard drive is at about 98% with over 100 DVD quality movies on it. What programs is it exactly that you are having trouble with?

[meat]

Originally Posted by Ron61

Ok Meat, since you are a Vista fan I guess I am in the minority, but I just have to ask this in a joking way. When your Mac Computer loads Vista fast, do you time it with a watch or hour glass?

Oh, don't get me wrong: I do not - DO NOT - care for Vista at all.

Unfortunately, MicroShaft - in their infinite wisdom - has made (unannounced) changes to .NET which effectively hamstrung our software products when they updated IE to the latest iteration. So I have been forced to upgrade to Vista and rework who portions of the code to get it to work with Vista ... even though all but two of my customers are using XP.

From all of my conversations with other developers, it's becoming more and more apparent that they, too are dissatisfied with the knuckleheaded changes to the Windows OS. More and more of them are moving to a completely web-based (or browser-based) platform that isn't subject to the bloating or changes that is required more and more often with Windows. The constant upgrades unannounced changes which renders swaths of code obsolete is annoying. .NET isn't cheap.

Mac, on the other hand, gives away their development stuff for free.

Your pal,
Meat.

[meat]

Originally Posted by fsstnotch

What are you guys having trouble running?

Vista.

Your pal,
Meat.

[fsstnotch]

Operator error!