Jack (or anyone else) what do you make of this ?

The machines we love to hate

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Bill Myrick
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Jack (or anyone else) what do you make of this ?

Post by Bill Myrick »

When online only--sometimes my screen freezes and the cursor arrow won't move but when I move my mouse around I can see it highlighting in the back ground behind the tool bar windows and etc. All I can do is "control-alt-delete and start all over.
I have had it do it when explorer and express were both closed and it will do it on any internet application I happen to be viewing. I have upgraded explorer from 5.5 to 6.0 I have tried a new mouse--My computer is resonably new with 128 memory and 30 gig hard drive and certainly not crowded in any way. I run windows 98. It might go two or three days without doing it and maybe one and sometimes twice a day--no pattern at all. I have norton 2000 and I run defrag and scan disk regularly. Any ideas ? Thanks Bill Myrick
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Ernie Renn
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Post by Ernie Renn »

It could be as simple as your RAM is full. I'm guessing you have a software modem and it uses RAM, as well as any applications you have running or recently had running. Mine also bumps me off line from time to time. Windows has a habit of holding onto recent applications in the RAM. Just in case you might need it again. Try re-starting the computer and see if the problem goes away. Good luck!

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Jack Stoner
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Post by Jack Stoner »

That's generally associated with a video problem. Check around and see if there is an update for the video card in your PC. Go to the PC vendor and check there, unless you have a generic PC and then go to the video card manufacturer to check for an update.

However, the PC can "freeze" for many reasons. You have too many windows open, your system resources get very low, etc.

Bill Myrick
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Post by Bill Myrick »

Thanks guys-- My computer was built by a local tech so he'll have to come by and check the video card, etc-- as far as ram full, too many windows and programs running, etc no because I always have to totally shut down and reboot from scratch when it happens and once when I re-logged back online it immediately did it again. And it always does it with only one or at the most two windows open. I was wondering if any others have had this problem ? My tech said he was checking into a "kit" of some kind for "98" -- maybe when he gets around we'll be able to correct it. I was thinking it would be cool to show him how the guys on the forum beat him to it. Image
Tom Diemer
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Post by Tom Diemer »


Bill,

When you hit Ctrl-Alt-Del the first time, do you get Windows Task Manager? If so, do you see an application that says 'not responding' behind it in that box?

Since you can reset your way out of it, the computer isnt locking up. If it was, you would have no option but to power off. You likely have an application or a driver that is hanging. Would be very helpful, if we knew what application that is. These problems are hard to fix. Usually have to remove all the startup applications, then add them back one at a time, to find the misbehaving one.

Few things to try,

When it's running correctly (before it crashes) open task manager, and see what all is running, when no programs are loaded.You mentioned Norton. Others? Perhaps removing / reinstalling one of those applications would fix it.

Also, check device manager (right click on 'My Computer',then 'properties', go to second tab in.) Look for yellow or red flags on any devices listed.

There are more things to try: If you want to email me, I will try to step you through a few tests like system file checker, msconfig, etc...

Good luck Bill.

Tom
Bill Myrick
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Post by Bill Myrick »

Tom--Thanks for that wonderfully helpful response--- please check your mail--Bill
John Hawkins
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Post by John Hawkins »

Bill,
First let me say that I want to assure you that most everyone on the computer topic has tons more knowledge about computers than I do but I'll pass on what helped me about getting rid of a lot of freeze ups and other problems .
I also installed Norton System 2000 . The minute I started their total program /s in that system , I begin to have a lot of freeze ups and other problems . I unchecked everything in the system EXCEPT Live Update and the anti-virus program . All my problems came to a stop . Some people later told me that their whole company uninstalled that system because it was so strong that it was over-riding a lot of the Windows maintaince and other programs causing a lot of problems .

Bill , Jack Stoner knows so much more about these computers than I do it is scary so don't do anything about uninstalling anything until you get better advise from Jack or someone else . I just wanted to pass on my personal experience with that Norton System 2000 program .

Hope you can overcome the problems you are having they can be very frustrating .

John
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Jack Stoner
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Post by Jack Stoner »

John, thanks for the vote of confidence. I go along with system works. Those types of programs do more harm than good a lot of times. I do like Norton Antivirus but I wouldn't consider installing the entire suite of programs.

When I upgraded to WinME, from Win98, I had McAfee antivirus installed and started to get a particular dll error. I contacted Microsoft and they advised it was a known problem caused by McAfee and I needed the upgraded program. I dumped McAfee as the 1 year free upgrade period had expired and installed Norton Antivirus 2000 and the particular dll problem went away. I was also surprised that Microsoft got one right for a change (on the McAfee causing the problem).
Bill Myrick
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Post by Bill Myrick »

Thanks guys---but see--- I've had this problem for maybe two to three months and I installed Norton 2000 hoping it would help it but no differance .
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Jack Stoner
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Post by Jack Stoner »

I still think it's a video problem. There's a multitude of things that can go wrong but the video keeps popping up as my main suspect. Whether it's a driver, or something on the video board or a s/w update for the video board.

However, it could be a system conflict, (IRQ, etc) or it could even be a problem in the Operating System and you may ultimately have to completely reload the PC.

Another possibility is the system BIOS. check for updates for the BIOS.

Those "system repair" type of programs claim they fix all sorts of system conflicts and problems but I've seen them do more harm than good to some systems. I put those programs in the advertising hype category.
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