Gillys sick computer - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Gilly · #1 09-03-2003, 09:28 AM

If anyone would be willing to comment, here is a thread that I've posted some questions on regarding my computer:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/off-topic-discussion/73771-ie-problem-post464393.html#post464393

Thanks much

Gilly

DuckMuck · #2 09-03-2003, 10:15 AM

Hi Gilly,

Sorry to hear about the computer problems...please read the following link and tell me if the problems mentioned in this article is similar to yours...they present a solution at the end...while reading through your posts, it seems very similar...best of luck

slow scrolling/typing

Zeus · #3 09-03-2003, 10:46 AM

Hey Gilly,

I might be able to help, I know PCs far better than cars and you've helped me out before with my Benz...

What CPU is in your PC (make/speed)? e.g. Intel Celeron 800MHz, AMD Athlon 1.2 GHz, etc.

You're running 192 MB SDRAM - correct?

12 GB hard drive?

Windows 98SE? or Windows ME?

Gilly · #4 09-03-2003, 11:14 AM

DuckMuck
Thanks. I tried that link, I have Windows ME though, not Windows 98. The first "fix" that they mentioned on the link, I went ahead and followed that, where you delete that one memory. The second part of the "fix" doesn't seem to apply to my computer, couldn't follow the directions. Thanks for the effort though, still acts the same way, but not all the time, seems to change from good to bad maybe every 5-10 minutes, working fine right now, but the last posting I did it was slow. Weird.

Zeus:
Thanks much. I'll tell you what I know about it. It's a Compaq Pressario 5000. They also refer to it as "5BW220 Model 15.0G"
It's a Celeron processor, which the salesman said is a rough equivalent to an Intel II (I think I'm missing a brand-name word there). No idea on the Hz or whatever. Bought it Oct 1 2000.
I think that's what I wrote down on the RAM (192)
The hard drive says capacity is 11.2 gb, I've used 1.29 gb, so free space is 9.94 gb. No games installed or anything like that, just using it mostly here, and also EBay a little, and normal net-cruising. I'm having a super-hard time with EBay, like when I'm looking at a page on Ebay and want to scroll up or down, super slow-motion.
Even though right now the typing seems to catch up, it still is scrolling a little slowly right now though.

Gilly

Zeus · #5 09-03-2003, 11:30 AM

Hey Gilly,

That model of the Presario comes with a Celeron 633MHz CPU and a 15 GB HDD. While that is a slow processor by today's standards, it is sufficient processing power for what you are running.

It sounds like you definitely have an OS problem. I don't think your memory modules are the problem. They rarely fail and when they do, it almost always results in random system crashes. Same with your CPU and HDD.

The problem likely lies with either the software you have installed, drivers or the OS itself. I could spend hours troubleshooting your software, but unfortunately it looks like your best solution will be a hard drive re-format. I don't like Windows ME as an OS. Windows 2000 is much more stable and has better support and drivers from MS.

When you get a Windows problem like this, it is very difficult and frustrating to try and fix it. Best bet is a clean install. I would backup all data you have on disk or CD and then wipe the hard drive and re-load the OS and your programs. It sounds like a real hassle, but it is not too difficult. I can walk you through the process if you wish.

I would look into upgrading to Windows 2000 though.

As far as spyware goes, there is an excellent free software program available called "Ad Aware" made by Lavasoft. It is free and they periodically release updated reference files for it which you can download for free to keep it current. If you run it frequently, it will keep your PC free of spyware. A must for anyone who surfs the net. I think future versions of Norton Antivirus will also include this feature, however I really recommend Ad Aware.

Here's a link:

Download Ad Aware free

Zeus · #6 09-03-2003, 11:35 AM

Gilly -

One small test you can do right now is right-click on the "My Computer" icon on your desktop and select "Properties". Then click the "Performance" tab and see what the "System Resources" is set at. There should be a percentage reading. What is it?

Glen · #7 09-03-2003, 11:41 AM

Gilly,
Based on your specs, your machine would run WinXP just fine. If you go through the trouble of reformatting the drive, you really should consider upgrading the OS and I would skip Win2000 and go straight to XP.

Zeus · #8 09-03-2003, 11:46 AM

Windows XP takes a little more processor "umph" to run than Windows 2000 though...that's my only caveat given the Celeron Gilly's running right now. Other than that, I'd agree with XP as well - an excellent OS. It's just that XP has a lot more running in the background and on a slower PC, you would notice this as a drop in performance. On higher-end PCs (1 GHz+) it's not a problem. Win2K is really just as good, IMHO.

Gilly · #9 09-03-2003, 11:59 AM

Right now the system resources is at 61%.

Would it make sense to change OS at this point, on a 3 yr old machine? I'm hoping within a year I can talk my wife at least into a new cpu.
What kind of codt are we talking about.
Being a computer dummy, I always thought ME was the same as 2000 (millenium, 2000).
I might try doing the disc rewrite thing. Scarry. I'll get that spyware thing installed too.

Gilly

Glen · #10 09-03-2003, 11:59 AM

Chris,
You're right about XP needing a bit more horsepower, but all things considered I think it's negligable...and if he has to spend money buying a new OS, he may as well buy the latest.

Zeus · #11 09-03-2003, 12:13 PM

Gilly - based on your last post in the "IE" thread - your system resources are 60% free. This is pretty low and could account for some of the slowness you are experiencing. If your system is configured correctly, and there's not too much crap running in the background, then this should be as high as 85-95%. System resources are a fixed amount of memory and aren't affected by the amount of RAM you have. If you have a lot of background applications running, then this could account for your low number. Spyware can contribute to this, as can downloaded internet programs.

Windows ME is not the same as Windows 2000 or XP. Windows ME looks slick, but it's really based on Windows 9X code. Windows 2000 and XP are very, very similar and are based on 32-bit code. Basically, XP has a "slicker", more icon-based interface and it has more built-in multimedia features than 2000. It also has a lot more hassles and reporting to Microsoft - grrrr.

That's what I don't like about it - it "talks" too much to Microsoft and it requires a lot of user-end tweaking to get it to "shut up".

If you are getting a new PC within the year, and plan on buying one that comes bundled with an OS like Windows 2000, then I would definitely not upgrade your OS right now. I would simply reformat your drive and re-load your Windows ME.

Before you do that, try installing and running Ad Aware and see if it cleans anything up and improves your performance.

autozen · #12 09-03-2003, 12:25 PM

I got so sick of windows 98 crashing and freezing up everytime I turned around. I now have XP Pro, and it never crashes. I'm even running on a minimum processor at 400 mh and having no problem.

Peter

Larry Delor · #13 09-03-2003, 12:39 PM

I'm wondering what kind of processes are running in the background.
Press Ctrl-Alt-Del at the same time (but only once, or you'll restart your machine) and look at what the task manager says you have running.

Also, I have seen applets go bad. Look in your windows folder for the "downloaded program files" folder. In there, see if you have any corrupt or damaged files. The ones that do not ring a bell, you can right click on them, and look at their properties...if the manufacturer is not listed, I myself would not hesitate to delete that file.

good luck...these things can be frusterating...

-Larry

btw.. I have XP and I like it ALOT

Gilly · #14 09-03-2003, 02:21 PM

Thanks for all the answers. Hopefully tonight I can try checking some things mentioned here and at the other thread. BTW I was hoping for responses over at the other thread when i posted this, but again I really appreciate the help.

Here's what I have running, per Larrys request (a ton of them it looks like):
Shop forum-Gillys sick computer-Microsoft Internet Explorer
Yahoo! Mail-dangillitzer@yahoo.com-Microsoft Internet explorer
Inbox-Outlook Express
Explorer
Sccenter
cpqeadm
Mshta (not responding)
bttnserv
qttask
wkcalrem
hidserv
systray
printray

The first time I wrote these down, Mshta did not say (not responding). I went back to double check the spelling of one of these and noticed it now says not responding.

Gilly

Gilly · #15 09-03-2003, 02:26 PM

Larry
Where do I find my Windows folder?

Gilly