OS 98SE frequent errors requiring reboot (multiple time per day)

[brit54]

Good day.

On my primary PC (of 4 on my LAN) which is a 2000 PIII Dell 700Mhz Dimension XPS with 768mg ram, I have W98SE installed since new in 2000.

I am increasing getting more and more errors and/or lock-ups requiring reboot (multiple times per day). The errors default to a blue screen with the option to press control alt delete once to return or twice to reboot. Frequently it will simply return another blue screen with the same instruction time after time, and I must press the reset button to reboot.

These errors are triggered in many ifferent programs, or even while the machine is idle at the desktop when it freezes while in a suspend (black screen) mode, again only able to press the reset button.

I have a number of programs that load at boot up including zone alarm, pccillin and ad-aware (from lavasoft).

I am considering re-installing the OS system in an attempt to clear out these problems, but don't remember how to do it, or whether it should be a clean instal or re-instal.Can you advise me please?

Thanks in advance.
Peter Earnshaw

 

[Crustyoldbloke]

Hello Peter

It sounds as though a clean install is what you need. The problem with attempting to correct the errant way of your PC is it could take forever and never be achieved. I know that some people will not agree with me, but for the downtime it takes, a fresh install is the best method.

Only thing I'd criticise is you having AdAware and not SpyBot S&D.

The commands you're looking for are Fdisk and Format.

Often these lockups/freezes are not software related, so if you still jave problems after a fresh install, at least you'll know it's your hardware and can then ask a question on the hardware forum.

Have fun.

Regards

Phil

 

[WheeDoggy]

i would say that your problem is hardware.

it is not common for win98 to function properly with 768MB of ram and with the random freezes, regardless of the 768MB, the ram may be the culprit.

if you have another ram stick handy, i would say to try swapping some known good ram first as this is not nearly as time consuming as a clean install.

 

[BuckeyeComputers]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;253912

98Se does not support more than 512 megs of ram...probally 90% of your problems

 

[greyted]

Hello brit54,
To follow on from BuckeyeComputers comments, there is an FAQ with regard to the vcache problem that could be worth a try before a clean install.
FAQ615-2438 written by ~cdodd.

Good luck

Ted

 

[davidelnormal]

I agree, take out a couple of sticks of Ram. 384MB is plenty, anything over that gives no discernable benefit.You may have to juggle a bit to find reliable Ram but London to a Brick, that's your problem. If all the Ram is Ok, sell some to a mate. How about that. You fix the problem and make a couple of dollars at the same time......Dave

 

[WheeDoggy]

i believe that ram is the issue but in the aspect of mem failure.
the quantity, although problematic in itself with win98, is not the issue here.

Brit54 had said,
"I am increasing getting more and more errors and/or lock-ups requiring reboot"

simply removing a couple of sticks of ram will work provided he the possibly failing stick is removed.