Is it the computer or is it the OS?

[DHRA]

Alright computer guys, I have a Dell Dimension XPS T450 w/ pent. 3. I bought it in early 1999, so it has windows 98 installed. First off, it never kept the time from day one. I would reset it and it would catch back up for a while. I have 16 GB of free space and very few programs downloaded. I use dial up (Earthlink) service.

Recently the TCP/IP protocol disappeared and when I called Dell, they said that I had to reload windows. I luckily had kept that disk. Once it was reloaded, now it keeps time, but is SSSSLLLLLLOOOOWwww.The screen is constantly flashing, the TDR logo up top is only moves between the flashes. Keep in mind the flashes are occuring in milli seconds, but it's driving me nuts. If I reset the computer it will stop, but only for a minute or two.



So, my question is, can I go spend $150 for a new windows program (XP?) or do I need to buy a new computer for the internet? Thanks in advance.

 

[gonehuntingagain]

It could be one of 2 things.



It could be the OS. doing a clean install (formatting the disk then reloading the os) plus applying the patches from Microsoft may take care of it. Patches can be very important - SQL server admins found that out the hard way.



If this doesn't fix it, it more than likely is the motherboard. Check the battery on the motherboard and replace if needed. This battery keeps the time on the system.



If these do not fix it, you may have a bad motherboard.



If you decide to get WinXP, go to www.pricewatch.com and find a vendor that has an OEM copy with CD ($85 and up). May need to buy a piece of hardware with it. Still beats $150!!

 

[Sticks]

All I can suggest is run a De-fragmentation program. If it has '98, it should have the old style defrag program on it that will show bad/damaged sectors on the hard drive. That is how I found out my old one was taking a header. You may want to make a backup of any and all your files soon just in case. When you reloaded windows, did you have to reload all the other programs that are not part of windows, or did it just do a repair?



Sticks

 

[DHRA]

It reloaded some programs, but I didn't loose anything. At least I don't think I did.

I will try the defragment. I have filled a few disks full of back up stuff.

 

[illflem]

My TCP/IP protocol also disappeared on '98. Instead of calling Dell I called Earthlink. The guy was very patent, it took about 45 minutes restarting the computer at least five times with control panel manipulations each time. It worked, he said the next step would have been to reinstall windows.

I know it's too late for you but maybe next time...



You may have to run Scandisk before defrag will work. Set your screen saver to none before you begin or defrag will have to start over every time the screen saver comes on or changes.

 

[CLorox]

You can just reinstall TCP/IP

Not sure what the flashing is, maybe your monitor's refresh rate is set too low after reloading windows. Check your display control panel and make sure your monitor is set higher than 60hz. . try bumping it up to 75hz and see if it helps the flashing (I cannot really tell the difference, but some people have eyesight more sensitive to it, maybe your one of them) Do flourecent lights give you a headache / Can you see them flashing?



reformatting and reinstalling isn't the easiest route to take if the pc is slow, but it will most likely fix it. If you do have to reinstall you might try and find a copy of win2k or XP. . It is quite a bit more stable to say the least.



Also. . if you want to avoid the reinstall route... try and find out why its slow. . sometimes drivers can slow things down especially if they have an IRQ conflict. . does your mouse ever stop moving while accessing the network? Do you have any other symptoms?

 

[Piston Slapper]

How much RAM?

You didn't mentioned how much RAM it has? Could be the culprit. I highly doubt you have a hardware problem. It's more likely software. After all it is Microsoft. I would guess something probably wacked up on the re-install that is affecting performance. It probably defaulted some settings, ie refresh rate for you display(the flickering).



What services are running? CTRL-ATL-DEL. How many services are listed?



Slowness is due to lack of resources. RAM(memory), Hard Drive free space, and processor power. The million dollar question is whats eating the resources up?



It'll probably be easier to solve if you have a computer geek buddy who can look at it. Anybody that works on computers much can usually "feel" what is going on by looking at it or working on it and solve it realitively quick.



Also get rid of any other protocols that are installed that you are not using. It'll automatically install IPX/SPX. Get rid of it. Have seen it cause slow response before.



Good Luck,

 

[DHRA]

I defragmented the C drive and that seemed to help. Everything seems fine right now. I am going to try installing Win 2000 and see if that's better. I'll let everyone know what happens from there. Thanks for the tips!

 

[Rman]

Don't tell anyone *wink* but my buddy has found a way to copy windows XP. We've successfully installed it on 7 computers and have run them for just about 2 years now. I didn't believe it at first but, well my eyes aren't lying. Just don't go crawling to winblows people for patches or your screwed.



Windows is a very complicated, very controlling OS. It very well could be whats wrong, but harware could also cause it. If you have some diagnostics routines with the motherboard software i would try that. I have a few extra's PC's so cannabilizing parts makes it easier. Ram could be an issue, Win 98SE isn't really known for eating it up like Win ME. Win2000 is really an office based OS but will help you out possibly. My opinion is harware, that time thing makes it sound like the motherboard. LINUX baby, its hands on, but it fun!

 

[Dane]

I am going to try installing Win 2000 and see if that's better

Do it, you'll never look back. Huge difference in stability because of the way win2000 OS allocates memory to application programs.



Getting the right drivers for your hardware is important too. I let win2000 use it's own drivers when it has them. Make sure before you start that all your hardware (video card, etc... ) can run with win2000.



I never try to "patch" in an upgrade OS over a previous OS (98->2000 for example) because it usually causes more trouble than the time it saves. Format the drive and do a clean install, you'll love it when you're done