Windows 98 Slow

Search for and delete all of the following files:
~*.*
*.tmp

If you run Internet Explorer, find your Temporary Internet Files and delete everything within that folder.

If you run Netscape, find your Cache folder and delete everything within it.

Then empty your Recycle Bin and run a defrag. Your system response should be better.

Another thing to check would be the "available space" on the hdd. How near capacity is the hdd getting? If it's near full, then programs will not run efficiently.

If scandisk did not report any errors, then your hdd should be fine.

There are many posts in many newsgroups regarding an issue like this. Let's start with some simple fixes first. Some of these fixes worked for some users and some did not (no rhyme or reason).

1). You might have picked up a BHO (Browser Helper Object). Some of these add-ons can be usueful but most are various spyware apps. You can pick up a copy of BHOCop (it's free) and it will show you if any BHO's are installed and let's you either remove them or delete them. Here's a link:

http://www.extremecroquet.org/about/rants-raves.html

2). Some users have found that by moving all of the files and folders out of their My Documents forlder and rebooting their machines have rectified the problem. Don't ask me why. I have never heard of an explanation as to why this works. If, after rebooting, your machine performs normally then try moving the files and folders back and see what happens.

3). You can download a program like atm3 (Another Task Manager - it's free too) and see if there are any processes monopolizing your cpu. It works on Win98 and acts just like the process manager in w2k. Here's a link:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/article.php?sid=417

If none of these simple fixes work then we can move to the next step.

Enjoy,

DrBob:>)

How much RAM is in your system? What percentage is available after normal boot-up of your system? Generally, if the system resources percentage is lower than roughly 70%, you should look at getting more memory.

To check, Right-Click the My Computer Icon on your desktop, select Properties, then click the Performace Tab. It should list the amount of Memory you have and what percentage of your system resources is available.

Also, check to see if the programs that start automatically with Windows are what you NEED running in the background. 99% of programs on the market that run at system startup can function just as easily if they didn't load with the system.

How much RAM is in your system? What percentage is available after normal boot-up of your system? Generally, if the system resources percentage is lower than roughly 70%, you should look at getting more memory.

To check, Right-Click the My Computer Icon on your desktop, select Properties, then click the Performace Tab. It should list the amount of Memory you have and what percentage of your system resources is available.

Also, check to see if the programs that start automatically with Windows are what you NEED running in the background. 99% of programs on the market that run at system startup can function just as easily if they didn't load with the system.

How much RAM is in your system? What percentage is available after normal boot-up of your system? Generally, if the system resources percentage is lower than roughly 70%, you should look at getting more memory.

To check, Right-Click the My Computer Icon on your desktop, select Properties, then click the Performace Tab. It should list the amount of Memory you have and what percentage of your system resources is available.

Also, check to see if the programs that start automatically with Windows are what you NEED running in the background. 99% of programs on the market that run at system startup can function just as easily if they didn't load with the system.

1.Try deleteing you Temporary Internet Files and cookies. Clear your history files.
2. Check and make sure your hard drive is not full thus restricting the virtual memory, also if you have more then 64 MB of ram, set your file system from a desktopcomputer to a network server. Both of these are set by right clicking on my computer/properties and then on the performance tab
3.try oliminating all these new cool backgrounds and themes, also try setting your display settings to 16 bit instead of32 bit. Truthfully there is not much of a noticable change other then performance speed wise
4.depending on how serious the problem is and what size the Hard Drive is, if you do go the route of formating and redoing the entire system fresh, try setting up a smaller [about 2GB] partition just for windows. All other files and or downloads are stored on the other partition, thus enabling windows to run in it's own partion noticably speeds up over all windows performance.

Good luck, Ozzbat.
ozzbat2@yahoo.com

depending on how serious the problem is and what size the Hard Drive is, if you do go the route of formating and redoing the entire system fresh, try setting up a smaller [about 2GB] partition just for windows. All other files and or downloads are stored on the other partition, thus enabling windows to run in it's own partion noticably speeds up over all windows performance.

Good luck, vivek
yourbetu@indiatimes.com