Windows Forum

Ask something
Discussion Locked

System lock upon start up, please help!

0 helpful
10 replies

by abelnguyen 1 view

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

My PC is HP Pavilion 8490, Windows 98 first version.
Most of the time, my machine hangs upon logging on and the task list says Explorer (not responding). Then I get a blue screen saying the system is busy. Then I have to physically shut off the machine. When it comes up, it does a Scan Disk or hangs and comes up in Safe Mode. It has to be rebooted again and comes up fine. Why is this happening so often?
I get into Windows successfully and all my icons come up. Then
when I try to run anything, it just hangs. When I bring up the task list, it says "Explorer not responding" and I try to end the task which just sits there so I have to do a cool boot and shut off the power. When I bring it back up, it either puts me into SAFE mode or runs Scan disk or just sits at the WINDOWS screen doing nothing until I do another cool boot. Eventually, it does come up successfully, but it as annoying to have to go thru this over 50% of the time.Please help!

Thanks a lot,
Abel Nguyen

10 replies

by tbradley

Well, you answered your own question when you stated that you had windows98 First Edition.

It was bug ridden, flaky, and full of holes, and Microsoft had to rush out so many fixes that 98 Second edition was put on the street almost immediately.

You need to get to Microsoft's web site, and download all the updates for 98 FE that you can.

Failing that, there is not much you can do except step back and punt, and do a fresh install.... but eventually, you'll be back in the same boat.

by poettone

I agree with the first reply, but only to a point. I do agree with getting the second edition updated win98 for it increased networking and compatability. The point I disagree with is that Win98 upon market arrival had some hardware and driver issues to deal with, but had very sound core components, hence win95 was/still is used today using the similar structure for the core modules as win98. So I would try to save as much of my info and do a complete format/reinstall of the operating system. Typical explorer crashes are due to invalid/corrupt system files. Good Luck

by kgosnell

I agree with both assertions , but don't disable Explorer , as that is how you open or navigate the platform and it WILL wait forever, before you reinstall over the platform which is easy with 98 , check the device manager and make sure there is no issue there (A yellow icon beside the hardware) , now run C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SFC.EXE (System File checker) , it will prompt you if there are bad or broken files , and the easy reinstall will resolve it likely, once stable , THEN get the updates . Also NEVER do a "pull the plug" shutdown, rather a hotboot (Reset), other wise you will scrub the drive with the reader heads and that is permanant damage. Luck

by kgosnell

Another thought . If you are not able to run such as sys file checker , likely you have a bunch of stuff in the C:\Windows\Temp file , check to see if there are any files you want to keep , then delete the rest of the contents, if Windows needs something , it will tell you , just tell it ok on each item it decides to keep, then do a restart, after it boots ,do a Virus scan , as the Temp file if full ,would have crippled your virus scanner , or made it squirley. Now find a tiny AVI file and select properties , then run the view option, this clears out any risidual looped material in the cache and Vid memory by using the back door, now run Disk Cleanup, at this point if everything is functioning , do a defrag. I susoect it is a combinationalproblem , now you should be able to download those updates. Luck on it , I will be watching to see how this is resolved. Kyle

by abelnguyen

Thanks. The problem is because of low system resources (42%). I use MSCONFIG to close some program run on startup and bring the system resources to 60% free. It sloves the problem.

by gasx

That first response just sounded like MS bassing to me, however i agree that you sould be sure to download the security patches and fixes. From a troubleshooting and support point of view, it sounds like something may be starting at bootup that is causing a problem with explorer. Try running your PC with a little less to see if something is causing the problem, click start/ run, type "msconfig" and press enter. In the system configuration window click the startup tab (you can maximize the window to get a better view of what is starting when your PC starts), scroll through the list and remove the checks from items that are not needed (ie. aim, office bar...) leave checked your virus scan, taskmonitor, systemtray, and any needed drivers like for a special keyboard or mouse. Click OK then yes to reboot. Before you try this though check your system resources and compair the difference after you make the changes. Right click the My Computer icon and click properties, click the performance tam to see the resources. Hope this was at least a little helpful. Good Luck

This discussion is closed to new replies.