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I want to fix an old Windows 98 computer that takes FOREVER (30-60minutes if lucky) for startup. It also crashes constantly once it's running. Started yesterday in Safe Mode only.
I'm going to try a registry cleaner once I get in, but while using KNOPPIX I took a look at the "bootlog.prv" file which shows loading failures for about 200 fonts, specifically:
"LoadFail - c:\windows\fonts\COMIC.TTF Failure code is 0016"
Can anyone guide me to get around this somehow by altering a file or fixing it some way, please? (Looked at Autoexec.bat and didn't see anything there to fix)
Check the RAM
Memtest has an ISO for creating a CD
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/memtest86.html
or
Docmem
http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/3001-2094-1534814.html
and
Boot from a startup floppy and run scandiskDo yourself a favor BACKUP!
Sorry, I do not check for private messages
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Great, I'll try that and thanks for your quick help. If anyone else reads this, the direct site for memtest follows which has a newer version than at the other site:
http://memtest86.com/
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If the computer was working fine with the same ram, it is extremely unlikely there is anything wrong with the ram, unless it has been damaged by something such as a bad power supply that puts out too much voltage, or it has been exposed to a power surge or spike and you have no protection from that.
If you're going to check hardware, you should check your hard drive. Download a free diagnostic utility from the maker of your hard drive's web site, make a bootable floppy, and run the Diagnostics from the floppy. If your hard drive doesn't pass all the diagnostics, that's where your real problem is.Lots of things can cause Win 98 to run slowly. You have enough ram Win 98 should run as fast as is possible on your computer. Usually it's software on the hard drive that is causing the problem. You should run a FULL anti-virus scan, of ALL your files, and a least a couple of anti-adware/anti-trojan programs to rule out malware.
If it's Windows itself that is corrupted, one thing you can try is to run Setup "overtop" the existing installation. That will repair any Windows files Windows finds are corrupted, replace Windows files Windows finds are missing, and correct most other Windows problems. It cannot fix things caused by software other than that on the original Win98 CD.
With your Windows CD in a CD drive, boot your computer with a Win 98 Startup Disk floppy (or Win98SE if that's what you have). Run Setup from the CD (type: Setup at the A: prompt) , and install Windows in the SAME directory it is now in - usually that's C:\Windows.
Running Setup "overtop" like that will not delete anything you have added to your Windows installation, or change any Windows settings you have made - it will repair only what Windows knows how to repair.
It takes about the same amount of time to run as the original Setup did, less than an hour, and proceeds pretty well the same way except it will not ask you as many questions, and the Product Key is not required.
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Thanks Tubesandwires, appreciate the thorough advice. It does look like the RAM is a problem, maybe a power surge or PNY stinks. I'm going to try the original 64MB it came with and see if things go back to normal. When I do this I'll try to see who manufactured the hard drive and try that diagnostic test just in case. Unfortunately, I can't find the Windows CD, but that's a great tip.
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If you get memory errors with a memory test with the ram you are trying to use, you should remove the power from the mboard by unplugging the computer or otherwise severing the power to the case, open up the case, remove the ram, clean the contacts on the ram with something such as a tissue or a cloth, or better yet methyl or isopropyl alcohol, insert the ram again making sure it is in the proper direction, making sure it is seated properly and the latches latch easily, then power up the computer and try the memory test again.
If the ram still fails a memory test, it is much more likely it is failing because you are trying to use the wrong type of module(s) than it it is for the ram to actually be defective.
The ram modules must be compatible with the mboard.
See Response 5 in this:
http://www.computing.net/hardware/wwwboard/forum/42718.html
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first run the anti-virus,second try to check your hard drive for error the file system and bad sector, 3rd check your hadrware that are all properly working, if not try to reinstall the driver or update,
remember the minimum mem requirements in win98 is 64mb, most of all check your system if theirs is a corrupted files in os last option format your hard drive but before you do that back up all your importants documents because it will erase... see yahthanks for sharing
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"remember the minimum mem requirements in win98 is 64mb"
Who told you that? The minimum requirements are considerably lower - 64Mb would fall in the range of recommended
We've heard that a million monkeys at a million keyboards could produce the complete works of Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know that is not true
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Win 98/98SE will work with less than 64mb, but poorly.
I did some tests a while back, with Sisoft Sandra, on Win 98SE.
With 64mb of ram or less, it can take a long while to boot into Windows, there is a lot of disk thrashing, and the hard drives can't actually achieve their maximum data transfer rates.
With 96mb, there is minimal disk thrashing, and the hard drives can achieve their maximum data transfer rates, but your boot and some things in Windows may still be a little slow, especially on a slower computer. That would be my recommended minimum.With 128mb, even a slow computer boots into Windows in a reasonable amount of time, and Windows works well for most uses for most people. That would be my recommended minimum for Windows to run as it should.
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I think this rests with just what programs you have on board (particularly background processes). In fact mine ran quite well with 64M RAM but I can well imagine machines with a different software mix not doing so well. Anything less than this will probably be rather slow - minimum requirements from MS are always rather optimistic.
128M ran very well, to the extent that I didn't really notice a gigantic change when I increased mine further.
DerekW
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My dispute was over the use of the term "minimum" - which is, of course, incorrect
Mercifully, that poster seems to have returned to the mothership
At least this was one of "tubey's" shorter theses (pedantry abounds)
We've heard that a million monkeys at a million keyboards could produce the complete works of Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know that is not true
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