Question:
Hi everyone
Well unfortunately I ain't that computer literate and am having a few problems.
My PC is running really slow, times it takes ages to download and freezes at times. I have also noticed that its become a bit noisy lately.
I have free programs installed, AVG, Zonealarm, Spybot, AdawareSE, CCleaner - all these have been updated and scanned. Do I need all these and is there anymore I should have?
I've read somewhere to back up, but don't know what that means does it mean to copy files unto floppy? (sorry guys am unsure)
I'm beginning to get abit worried incase it crashes and I must save more of my stuff unto floppy. Just thinking how can I save the websites in my 'Favorites'?
I really appreciate any help and I am using Windows98SE. Thanks alot.
Answers:
The noise may be a problem with one of the fans such as a the one on the processor. If it's not working properly the processor will go haywire and not work properly and if the fan fails it could burn out.
Backing up - copying important files to a disk - floppy, cd, dvd or another hard drive. If you don't do this and the hard drive fails your lose everything on your drive. Some people copy the whole hard drive (called an image) to another drive so if things go wrong they don't have to reinstall all the programs. See the backup thread near the top of the page.
Answers:
If it's becoming noisy it could be that the fan which sits on the heatsink for the processor is failing. That would also cause the system to freeze as the processor would be overheating.
The noise could also be the hard drive working overtime which can also make the system slow down and freeze.
To copy your favoritesall you need to do is find the favorites folder and then right mouse button click on ith and on the drop down menu choose send to floppy (remember to put a floppy in the drive)
With regard to spyware, firewall and anti-virus, I'd say your doing a bit of over kill. All of these programs will auto load on boot and there is a possibility that they are auto scanning when your using your computer....this again can slow thngs down and also cause the hard drive to work overtime.
I'd suggest trying some fix it software which might sort out some problems there are many free trials on the net...here's one which may help.
Answers:
First of all - to back up your IE Favourites, assuming you are using IE version 6:
Go to File > Import and Export and follow the Wizard to export to the destination you want.
When you say your PC is running slowly, what is it taking a long time to do exactly?
If it is running noisily, this could be due to your cooling fans causing noise, or possibly the hard drive. Is it noisy all the time or usually when the hard drive is being accessed? You may have a light on the front of your machine that flickers on and off when the drive is being accessed so you can watch this to see if it ties up.
If you are running Windows 98 SE you are most likely using an older machine? If this is the case and the hard drive is especially noisy it could be on the way out. On the other hand it may simply be 'fragmented'. This happens after a time due to the way information is stored on the hard drive - it is sometimes split up over different sectors or areas of the drive. A process called defragmentation is a way to help re-arrange this data to basically neaten up your drive and it should normally access more quickly.
First of all I would do a Disc Cleanup which can be found as follows:
Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools
Check all the boxes and let it do it's stuff.
To defragment I would recommend doing it in 'safe mode'. This is a mode that runs a minimal set of drivers.
To start Windows 98 in Safe mode, (re)start your computer, press and hold down the CTRL key until the Windows 98 Startup menu appears, and then choose Safe Mode.
The desktop will look a little odd but don't worry about that. Disc Defragmenter can be found as follows:
Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools
Select your drive and let it work away. Please note that you should NOT use your computer when it is defragmenting - any info saved on your hard drive will cause it to start again. Also make sure your screensavers are turned off if you have any. The larger the drive and more fragmented it is, the longer it will take, and it can take a few hours sometimes.
That's a very quick, top level way to speed things up. There are other things that can be done, but I'd start there and see how you get on.
Answers:
Is the noise it makes worse when the PC is first switched on, then quietens down after a few minutes of running? If so could be a worn cooler/fan, depending on which fan it is could be causing parts of the PC to overheat, which will cause instability/crashes, as grahawk mentioned.
Personally I would recommend against running any unnecessary software, especially anything that deals with the disk contents/data files or registry until you have the PC checked out by a qualified technician, quite simply if it fails/crashes in the middle of running say defrag it could cause more issues than you have now.
If your favorites are important to you then do create a backup of them asap.
Answers:
WOW, thanks for the response, didn't think I'd get so many replies
The noise may be a problem with one of the fans such as a the one on the processor. If it's not working properly the processor will go haywire and not work properly and if the fan fails it could burn out.
Backing up - copying important files to a disk - floppy, cd, dvd or another hard drive. If you don't do this and the hard drive fails your lose everything on your drive. Some people copy the whole hard drive (called an image) to another drive so if things go wrong they don't have to reinstall all the programs. See the backup thread near the top of the page.
Thanks grahawk, it may well be one of the fans but I think it may be the hard drive but you could be right!
If it's becoming noisy it could be that the fan which sits on the heatsink for the processor is failing. That would also cause the system to freeze as the processor would be overheating.
The noise could also be the hard drive working overtime which can also make the system slow down and freeze.
To copy your favorites all you need to do is find the favorites folder and then right mouse button click on ith and on the drop down menu choose send to floppy (remember to put a floppy in the drive)
With regard to spyware, firewall and anti-virus, I'd say your doing a bit of over kill. All of these programs will auto load on boot and there is a possibility that they are auto scanning when your using your computer....this again can slow thngs down and also cause the hard drive to work overtime.
I'd suggest trying some fix it software which might sort out some problems there are many free trials on the net...here's one which may help.
Thanks rogerramjet. I must back up my files and get those in my favourites saved. I downloaded the software you recommended and it found 480 problems! It couldn't correct them all as I needed to register and this costs about £19.95, not sure what to do and have to say I'm slightly worried at all those problems it found??
First of all - to back up your IE Favourites, assuming you are using IE version 6:
Go to File > Import and Export and follow the Wizard to export to the destination you want.
When you say your PC is running slowly, what is it taking a long time to do exactly?
If it is running noisily, this could be due to your cooling fans causing noise, or possibly the hard drive. Is it noisy all the time or usually when the hard drive is being accessed? You may have a light on the front of your machine that flickers on and off when the drive is being accessed so you can watch this to see if it ties up.
If you are running Windows 98 SE you are most likely using an older machine? If this is the case and the hard drive is especially noisy it could be on the way out. On the other hand it may simply be 'fragmented'. This happens after a time due to the way information is stored on the hard drive - it is sometimes split up over different sectors or areas of the drive. A process called defragmentation is a way to help re-arrange this data to basically neaten up your drive and it should normally access more quickly.
First of all I would do a Disc Cleanup which can be found as follows:
Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools
Check all the boxes and let it do it's stuff.
To defragment I would recommend doing it in 'safe mode'. This is a mode that runs a minimal set of drivers.
To start Windows 98 in Safe mode, (re)start your computer, press and hold down the CTRL key until the Windows 98 Startup menu appears, and then choose Safe Mode.
The desktop will look a little odd but don't worry about that. Disc Defragmenter can be found as follows:
Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools
Select your drive and let it work away. Please note that you should NOT use your computer when it is defragmenting - any info saved on your hard drive will cause it to start again. Also make sure your screensavers are turned off if you have any. The larger the drive and more fragmented it is, the longer it will take, and it can take a few hours sometimes.
That's a very quick, top level way to speed things up. There are other things that can be done, but I'd start there and see how you get on.
Thanks orainsear. That seems a handy way of backing up my favourites, must try it out soon. I notice that it runs slower when I'm downloading, can take ages to download a page? I believe it's noisier when I'm accessing the hard drive - I previously noticed that the red light flickered alot when accessing the drive. Will do those other suggestions as well.
Is the noise it makes worse when the PC is first switched on, then quietens down after a few minutes of running? If so could be a worn cooler/fan, depending on which fan it is could be causing parts of the PC to overheat, which will cause instability/crashes, as grahawk mentioned.
Personally I would recommend against running any unnecessary software, especially anything that deals with the disk contents/data files or registry until you have the PC checked out by a qualified technician, quite simply if it fails/crashes in the middle of running say defrag it could cause more issues than you have now.
If your favorites are important to you then do create a backup of them asap.
Vultura, I was saying to orainsear I noticed its noiser when I'm accessing the hard drive! Away to back up my favorites.
Answers:
Hi Orainsear
Would the above instructions for degragmenting be the same for Windows XP version?
I may need to carry that out on my pc as sometimes it goes so slow. despite buying a speed up programme, having cc cleaner, anti-virus stuff etc. etc.
Also can you explain how to do above in safe mode for xp. Ta very much.
Answers:
Hi Orainsear
Would the above instructions for degragmenting be the same for Windows XP version?
I may need to carry that out on my pc as sometimes it goes so slow. despite buying a speed up programme, having cc cleaner, anti-virus stuff etc. etc.
Also can you explain how to do above in safe mode for xp. Ta very much.
To boot into safe mode in XP:
As the computer is booting press and hold the "F8 Key" which should bring up the "Windows Advanced Options Menu". Use the arrow keys to move to Safe Mode and press enter.
To access Disc Defragmenter you will find it here:
Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools
Answers:
Good info on how to restore that lost Windows XP Performance.