Retiree

Am running 98SE on my backup computer and it recently seemed
to slow down a lot. Takes a long time to load programs which before
loaded much faster. I ran disk scan,defrag,virus scan,spyware scan,
cleaned the registry and all other things I could check but to no avail.
Today I started it in SAFE mode and it seemed to run normally. Does
anyone have an idea what my next step should be? I would appreciate
any help. Thank you all in advance.

Geekgirl

Hello and Welcome to TSF

Use these programs to scan your computer to definately make sure you have no malware.

Scan your pc with 2 of these free online scanners:
Panda ActiveScan
RAV AntiVirus
Housecall Be sure to put a check the box beside AutoClean
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Download / Install / Update / and Run:
Adaware SE check for any updates before running it.
Get the plug-in for fixing VX2 variants. You can download it at this SITE
To run this tool, install to the hard drive, then open Ad-aware->Add-ons and select VX2 Cleaner. Then click Run Tool and OK to start it. If it's clean, it will say Status System Clean. Otherwise, you will have to click on the Clean button to remove the VX2 infection.
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Download and install Spybot S&D . Run Spybot and click on the 'Search for Updates' button. Install any updates that are available. Next click on the 'Check for Problems' button. Let it run the scan. If it finds something, check all those in RED and hit the Fix Selected Problems button. Exit Spybot. If you keep getting the DSO Exploit entries, even after you updated Windows and fixed them, then download the Spybot DSO Exploit Fix and install it over the current Spybot installation.

What do you have running at start up? Have you installed any new programs recently?

Retiree

Tried everything you suggested and still have problem. I have not
installed any new programs recently and the programs running on
start up is Webshots,Messenger,McAfee antivirus and Firewall. What
would be the effect by reloading the OS rather than doing a complete
reformat and reload? I'm open for more ideas. Thank you for responding.

Geekgirl

A repair install is more or less a dirty install. It installs over top the existing operating system and does not wipe out any programs or settings. The only thing you need to reinstall are the Windows Updates.


A fresh install wipes out the existing operating system and everything thing else on the hard drive. When using 98 I always feel you should do a fresh install every 2-3 years anyhow.

There is alot to consider when a computer starts running slow. Like in our previous replies, removing any malware/viruses/spyware is the first step.

Let me ask this, how much memory is installed, what is the size of the hard drive? Have you removed any unnecessary programs ?
How long has it been since the computer had a fresh install?

Retiree

I have 256K memory; 13M WD Hardrive; have only done a repair install one
time and never a fresh install; I recently installed the most recent OS
updates; the motherboard is a VIA and the cpu is an AMD K6 450. Everything
is functional but very slow. The unit has worked flawlessly for several years
and I hate to "retire" it as I am. The thing that I don't understand is why
it works OK in Safe Mode. That would seem to eliminate the motherboard
and hard drive but I'm not positive. Thanks for your help and any further
advice. Hope I have not been a drag on your time.

whodat

uninstall web shots, just for the heck of it, and use the default theme and backround..post back

Geekgirl

Booting into Safe Mode does not eliminate the motherboard or hard drive but it does eliminate some software and drivers that would be running.

Safe mode is the Windows diagnostics mode. When you start the computer in Safe mode, only the specific components that are needed to run the operating system are loaded. Safe mode does not allow some functions, such as a connection to the Internet specifically 98. Safe mode also loads a standard video driver at a low resolution. Due to the low resolution, your programs and the Windows desktop may look different than usual and the desktop icons may have moved to different locations on the desktop.

Did you update any drivers when you installed your Windows Updates?
For the heck of it, click Start | Run and type in msconfig
Click the Start up Tab and remove the check mark beside the KB891711 Windows Update entry | Reboot

Retiree

Tried unchecking the KB891711 Windows Update entry in the startup
but it didn't have any effect. I'm thinking about taking the memory
out to clean as a long shot. What is your best guess between the
hard drive or motherboard? Or do you recommend a fresh install?

Retiree

I uninstalled Webshots and it's still the same.

whodat

you need to make sure your hard drive didnt jump into pio mode instead of dma.
in xp the route would be
control panel-
system-
hardware-
device manager-
ide controllers-
primary ide channel-
right click to properties-
advanced settings-
transfer mode.....make sure its dma

i hope thats the route for 98se

Geekgirl

I feel if it zips around ok in Safe Mode you have a software issue