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Windows 98/Compaq computer performance

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by johnsonhw

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We have a Compaq Presario 5465 running Windows 4.10.2222A with a AMD K6 3D Processor and 184 MB RAM. The computer is a little over a year old. Compaq, under warranty, has recently replaced the mother board and the monitor because of the following problem. The performance of the computer rapidly degrades after it is turned on. Degradation is measured by the clock losing time, the mouse becomes sluggish and finally the computer stops responding to both mouse and keyboard commands. Once the unit is rebooted performance is acceptable for an hour to two and then the above sluggishness returns and we have to reboot the unit.

Has anyone else experienced a similar problem? What remedies would you suggest? This problem has persisted sincethe day the unit was first turned on.

Any help is welcome. Please e-mail me in person at johnsonhw@attglobal.net.

Thank you

10 replies

by charley

I would check the power supply. It sounds like there *may* be a low-voltage condition. Try installing a new power supply (any standard ATX part should suffice for testing purposes) and try it again. If that fixes it, then have compaq send you a replacement power supply. Just don't tell them that you used a power supply other than compaq or they will probably terminate your warranty.

by charley

To Clarify:

Yes, Compaq is amazingly proprietary. However, in most models, the power connector on the motherboard is standard ATX, even though a standard power supply is unlikely to fit in the compaq case.

by tbradley

Ooooh, answers like caller 1 scare me. Compaq is so proprietary, that a third party PS would most likely not fit.

To me, you have 1 of 2 problems. Either the unit is developing heat problems, or you are suffering from memory leaks from badly written software.

To check for heat problems, do the cold room test. Although uncomfortable, operate the unit in a room as cold as you can stand it. You don't have to stay there all the time... just put a real busy screen saver on it with sound etc,and check it every hour or so. If after several hours, it seems ok, then bring the room up to normal temperature, and repeat. If it locks, then it is a heat problem.

Check the ventilation, clean out dust from the machine interior, power supply, and ventilation hole. Make sure there is adequate airflow around the cpu.

to check and tweak memory performance, read the following from Tech REpublic
https://www.techrepublic.com/article.jhtml?id=r00320001206det03.htm&page=1

hope it helps

by tuqan

I would have first thought the problem to be the CMOS MB battery, but you say the Board has recently been replaced without remedy.

By way of advise I offer the following:

Check to see what TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident) programs you have running in Startup. Go to Start > Run > type msconfig. At this panel you can safely uncheck Autoexec.bat and Config.sys because Windows does not need them to run anyway and there could be something in there that is draining your resources. ThoseCompaqs come preloaded with all sorts of assorted goodies (crap) that you very well may be able to do without. Click on the Startup Tab and see for yourself. You'd be amazed at what's in there. Look at the file that is being loaded and its associated program directory to the right of it. You don't want to uncheck something that is vital to Windows so be careful. But if you see something that you can just as well activate manually when needed from Start > Programs then uncheck it and all references to it. This should free up much of your system resources and help to narrow down considerably the source of your Memory leak...and it is a memory leak. I stress here that this unchecking of program items in Startup should be done one at a time if you are not sure what the result will be followed by a reboot of the system. If all is well, i.e. no errors, then go on to uncheck the next program. I would then run my Virus program to assure that there are no bugs effecting the system as well.

I would then remove the DIMMS chips out of the unit and take them to be tested. There may be a leaky one in the bunch. And finally, though this would personally be my first course of action, I would send this warrantied unit back to its Warrantor with the demand that it not be returned to me in its present state.

by moethecrow

Most likely this is one of four problems: memory, power supply, CPU/heat distribution, or another bad system board. I am a Compaq certified tech (do not work for Compaq) and to be quite honest with you(not sure if I am allowed to bash a particular vendor)a Presario would not be my first choice for a home PC. (Nor would a Pavilion). These PCs do not have the time and effort put into them like the business PCs they make. Some of the cheapest parts on the market are used. I would reccomend if the unit is still under warranty (usually a 3 year warranty for Compaq)do like the previous answer indicated, take it back and demand it come back to you in working condition. If you would like a my personal view on a good PC to purchase email me directly and I will give you my opinion. For future buying knowledge stay away from the PCs with internet packages attached.

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