Any computer experts here?
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 757
Likes: 0
From: Fredericton NB, Canada
Any computer experts here?
Im having some troubles with my PC. Im currently running Windows 98. (I know...)
Most of the time it will start in safe mode. If I leave it turned off for a while it will start normally. I get a number of promlems. Sometimes I will get the dreaded blue screen telling me that some sort os fatal error has occurred. Other times while online, it will say that Explorer has performed an illegal operation. Sometimes it will run fine, and then just completely shut off, the screen will go black, and ill get a message saying that here was a "windows protection error". Also, my monitor seems to be stuck in 16 color mode. Needless to say, my graphics suck.
I re-installed Win 98 and ran the setup. I also de-frag'd it, ran a sweep, and all of that other stuff, but to no avail. Someone today said that the fan on the motherboard may be gone. If so, can it be fixed/replaced, and for how much?
Thanks for any help guys.
-Matt
Most of the time it will start in safe mode. If I leave it turned off for a while it will start normally. I get a number of promlems. Sometimes I will get the dreaded blue screen telling me that some sort os fatal error has occurred. Other times while online, it will say that Explorer has performed an illegal operation. Sometimes it will run fine, and then just completely shut off, the screen will go black, and ill get a message saying that here was a "windows protection error". Also, my monitor seems to be stuck in 16 color mode. Needless to say, my graphics suck.
I re-installed Win 98 and ran the setup. I also de-frag'd it, ran a sweep, and all of that other stuff, but to no avail. Someone today said that the fan on the motherboard may be gone. If so, can it be fixed/replaced, and for how much?
Thanks for any help guys.
-Matt
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
Likes: 4
Define expert 
Not knowing your type of pc/motherboard, etc...
your fan is probably an intergral part of your power supply...
that can be replaced in ten minutes...
the fan itself can be replaced, but not worth the trouble...
if your pc is OLD... you might just consider biting the bullet and spend not much more than $300 for a brand new box with mouse and keyboard and Win xp...
go buy a used one (with a guarantee) for a LOT less...
I wouldn't put much time and effort into that one if that old...
just my unexpert opinion.... good luck...
Not knowing your type of pc/motherboard, etc...
your fan is probably an intergral part of your power supply...
that can be replaced in ten minutes...
the fan itself can be replaced, but not worth the trouble...
if your pc is OLD... you might just consider biting the bullet and spend not much more than $300 for a brand new box with mouse and keyboard and Win xp...
go buy a used one (with a guarantee) for a LOT less...
I wouldn't put much time and effort into that one if that old...
just my unexpert opinion.... good luck...
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 1
From: N. Mississippi
If the processor is over heating...the pc will as a rule...reboot itself. If the processor is very old...it's on it's last legs so to speak.
An illegal operation error means that that particular progam that's listed with that error needs more memory to run. Windows is a lousy house keeper and when you terminate a program....that doesn't mean that the ram that program was using is free. AnalogX.com has a program called max-mem that will clear unused memory.
I agree with jda about getting a newer machine.
An illegal operation error means that that particular progam that's listed with that error needs more memory to run. Windows is a lousy house keeper and when you terminate a program....that doesn't mean that the ram that program was using is free. AnalogX.com has a program called max-mem that will clear unused memory.
I agree with jda about getting a newer machine.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 479
Likes: 12
From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by MatthewC
Im having some troubles with my PC. Im currently running Windows 98. (I know...)
Most of the time it will start in safe mode. If I leave it turned off for a while it will start normally. I get a number of promlems. Sometimes I will get the dreaded blue screen telling me that some sort os fatal error has occurred. Other times while online, it will say that Explorer has performed an illegal operation. Sometimes it will run fine, and then just completely shut off, the screen will go black, and ill get a message saying that here was a "windows protection error". Also, my monitor seems to be stuck in 16 color mode. Needless to say, my graphics suck.
I re-installed Win 98 and ran the setup. I also de-frag'd it, ran a sweep, and all of that other stuff, but to no avail. Someone today said that the fan on the motherboard may be gone. If so, can it be fixed/replaced, and for how much?
Thanks for any help guys.
-Matt
Most of the time it will start in safe mode. If I leave it turned off for a while it will start normally. I get a number of promlems. Sometimes I will get the dreaded blue screen telling me that some sort os fatal error has occurred. Other times while online, it will say that Explorer has performed an illegal operation. Sometimes it will run fine, and then just completely shut off, the screen will go black, and ill get a message saying that here was a "windows protection error". Also, my monitor seems to be stuck in 16 color mode. Needless to say, my graphics suck.
I re-installed Win 98 and ran the setup. I also de-frag'd it, ran a sweep, and all of that other stuff, but to no avail. Someone today said that the fan on the motherboard may be gone. If so, can it be fixed/replaced, and for how much?
Thanks for any help guys.
-Matt
Before you touch anything inside the computer touch the metal case to discharge and static that you may have built up.
First, vacuum out the dust from the CPU heat sink and the vents of the power supply.
If it's your fan you should be able to watch it running with the cover off of the case. If it starts up then slows down or stops replace it. If it's a Dell then they have a shroud over the processor with the fan is on the back of the case. Best buy or Radio Shack might have a replacement.
As far as your video card goes the video chip needs the proper driver for it to display properly. Reinstall the drivers if you have them. Go to the computers manufactures site (Dell, HP ,Compaq, etc.) and get the drivers according to the model number of the computer. You might have to remove the video card and look on the chip itself to find out what it is and search for a driver.
Now sometimes the contact surfaces get dirty just sitting there and it causes problems. Take the RAM out and wipe the contacts with a clean cotton cloth and do the same with the other cards.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
My fan got all clogged with dust from having it in a couple dorm rooms and it caused all kinds of problems... such as my clock slowing down so I was late to class ALL TERM! I didn't figure it out for a long time and didn't have a watch... It's better now that I cleaned that fan part out, but it still is old and losing touch with the real world... sometimes it just doesn't want to shut off, other times it just doesn't want to open anything... it's a real squirrely machine.
I just decided it was time for a lap top since I'm starting my senior thesis soon and I have wireless on campus, so I don't need to pay for internet access (saving at least $50/month!). Mine set me back about $900, but if you don't want to pay that kind of money for a new computer, consider that new tiny mac... it's the size of a Kleenex box, I think, and costs around $400. Contrary to popular belief, Macs are great to use and most programs available to PCs (even Microsoft Office applications!) are available to Macs as well. Plus, not a lot of malicious software is written for macs since not a lot of people have them, so for a few more years you've got the added benefit of not-as-many-viruses. But of course, your computer may still have a bit of life left in it!
I just decided it was time for a lap top since I'm starting my senior thesis soon and I have wireless on campus, so I don't need to pay for internet access (saving at least $50/month!). Mine set me back about $900, but if you don't want to pay that kind of money for a new computer, consider that new tiny mac... it's the size of a Kleenex box, I think, and costs around $400. Contrary to popular belief, Macs are great to use and most programs available to PCs (even Microsoft Office applications!) are available to Macs as well. Plus, not a lot of malicious software is written for macs since not a lot of people have them, so for a few more years you've got the added benefit of not-as-many-viruses. But of course, your computer may still have a bit of life left in it!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
Here's a couple of steps that should make it better
1. Run anti-virus software
2. Run Ad-Aware, Spybot, or Spysweeper
3. Re-install Internet Explorer
4. Update the video drivers, or replace the video card
5. Check if the fan is still running. If not, replace it.
That should give you a couple steps in the right direction.
1. Run anti-virus software
2. Run Ad-Aware, Spybot, or Spysweeper
3. Re-install Internet Explorer
4. Update the video drivers, or replace the video card
5. Check if the fan is still running. If not, replace it.
That should give you a couple steps in the right direction.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
Likes: 46
From: Drummonds, TN USA
Here's an inexpensive option (especially since it looks like it doesn't save your monitor settings)
Some of these gripes can be caused by the small battery for your BIOS running down - that could render the settings saved in the bios to revert to default when you boot, and other fun games. Your screen and other settings are normally saved in the BIOS memory, which is kept alive by a small watch battery sized cell that is physically located on your main board.
The batteries are usually around two bucks, and well worth it to change once a year on general principles.
Hey! It beats shelling out for the whole nine, and it might work for ya...
FWIW
~Wolf
Some of these gripes can be caused by the small battery for your BIOS running down - that could render the settings saved in the bios to revert to default when you boot, and other fun games. Your screen and other settings are normally saved in the BIOS memory, which is kept alive by a small watch battery sized cell that is physically located on your main board.
The batteries are usually around two bucks, and well worth it to change once a year on general principles.
Hey! It beats shelling out for the whole nine, and it might work for ya...
FWIW
~Wolf
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