computer problems

[Big Dave2]

I am having computer problems at home and at work. Both computers are relitively old and both use windows '98 as the operating program.

My home computer(I use dial-up for internet)does not always display pictures and graphics on certain sites. FM always works fine but certain other sites always display the pictures all screwed up and mostly black. If I am on one of thhese sites and I go from there directly to another site like FM it will display my pictures and graphics in black like that until I go up to file and open a new page.

My work computer, mostly when I am using internet explorer will give an error message that says the program has performed an illegal operation and must be shut down. Some times it will just shut down the browser but other times it is froze up and becomes unstable and I have to shut the computer down and re-start to get it to work. Sometimes I have to do this 4 or 5 times a day.

Are there any updates I can download to eliminate these problems?

[Scott26]

BD,

On your work computer, there are 2 things that might be causing your issues. If I remember right in 98. Find the location that your IE stores it's temp files. Delete all of them from Windows Explorer or if you just open your C drive but DON'T do it from IE.

Second thing, (if I also remember right) you can also uninstall IE and reinstall it by gong to add remove programs and select windows components.

Not too sure on your home PC, it could be that some IE security settings but it also could be be the graphics that it's trying to display too. I take it, it worked before right?

[Whoaru99]

If the computers are that old, it's probably time for upgrades. With all the bloatware around these days lots of stuff just bogs down older machines too much.

Or, if new computers aren't in the immediate future, I'd recommend two things...

1. Do a complete cleanup on the computers (includes deleting temp files, virus/spyware scans, defrag, etc.).

You can find excellent instructions on the "Major Geeks" HSOforum "Forums" in the "Malware Removal" sticky thread.

One problem you may encounter is that many of the newer (and better) anti-virus and spyware scanners don't work on Win98.

If that doesn't fix, then,

2. Burn all important files to CD/DVD, reformat the harddrives, and do clean reinstall of the OS and other programs.

[eurolarva]

I would not attemt the delete IE unless you are ready to reinstall your operating system. When you remove it it will tell you you need to do a restart. When it trys to restart it wont be able to because Internet Explorer will no longer be there. The best thing to do is to get a newer system either that or back up your computers onto disc then do a complete reformat and reinstal Win 98. The internet requires newer verisions of software that you may not be able to run with Win 98

[upnorth]

A quick fix may be downloading and installing Mozilla Firefox. Problems with Internet Explorer can be tricky to over come it is pretty hard to remove and install. You may have to format and re-install Windows to really fix this issue if IE is really hosed and Firefox won't work.

[Shawnny B]

I agree with Upnorth, Mozilla is a great program, the other thing you have to remember is that Microsoft stopped supporting alot of older versions of Windows, I know they stopped 95, 95, 95se I believe they stopped on NT and 2000. If we see one of those machines at work, we do not touch it.

SHawnnyB

[Whoaru99]

I know I've given my .02 already, but here is my .03...

For the price of a new basic computer these days (assuming your biggest tasks are internet, e-mail, and occasionally downloading some camera pictures), one can hardly justify fixing or updating an old one.

Assuming that most people really don't like to fix computers, ya gotta ask yourself what is your time worth to keep messing with them? Especially one in a business/work environment.

[upnorth]

I work on the dang things(+servers and networks) for a living and there does come a point where I just won't bother either at home or at the office. If your PC is over 4 years old it ain't worth spending any real $$$ to upgrade or fix.