Subject: Computer slow down
Hi Rick, trying running that pc after removing it's tower/desktop casing, if
it is a heat issue this should temporarily relieve the problems that your
user is experiencing.  The specs for this unit suggests that it should be
able to run win98 and any applicable software with no problems.  I had a
similar problem with a friend of mine running a compaq presario desktop pc,
the unit was just running way too hot and removing the casing and running
the pc in a cooler environment like her basement fixed the problem.  In my
friends case, the pc's components are cramped into a tiny tower that doesn't
allow for another fan to be installed and running without it's case helped
alot. If you don't want to run without the casing, add some ventilation
openings to the casing using one of those rotary tools - depending on your
skill this could turn out really cool or blah!  If heat isn't the issue
here, I don't think adding more ram will fix the problem, 128mb is plenty
for win98 and adding more may even slow it down.  Look for software that has
recently been installed which might be causing win98 to run slow, run a
virus check, terminate/get rid of software that is populating the win98
system tray, defrag the harddrive - diskeeper lite is a free download and
now runs on win98 - I've used it and I think it's a great defrag tool, run
registry cleaner software to clean up the windows registry because when it
gets corrupted with junk entries, win98 will run with problems.  I would
even suggest backing up any important data and formatting the hd and
reinstalling win98 and any software your user needs, applying all the
critical updates new software available from the windows update site,etc.
and seeing how the computer runs after this.  This sounds labor intensive
but sometimes a computer needs to go through this "spring cleaning" process
to keep it running great.  I hope any of this info helps you out!

Date:    Sun, 1 Sep 2002 23:24:39 -0500
From:    Rick Thornton <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Computer slow down

A member of our seniors computing club has a Duron 900 with 128 meg Ram
running win 98 on a 40 Gig hdd.  She says that about three weeks ago it
began to run really slowly after about 20 minutes.  She shuts down and waits
and then boots up and it is ok but then slows down again. The guy who sold
it to her has done all sorts of diagnostics and wants to increase memory
(at a cost) but seems rather vague about what is actually wrong.
I think it might be a heat issue as I understand these Durons run hot.  I
had a look inside and the fan is running.  The heat sink feels warm to the
touch but not burning hot. I shut it off and the heatsink cooled of in a
minute or two. On restart it works really well.  I have removed the side
panel and told her to run it like that and see if it solves the problem.
Will installing another fan in the case help?  If so should it blow air into
or out of the case?   Alternatively, is there anything else I should
consider?
BTW we are a non profit club and share knowledge and assorted help with no
money exchange. So we could use some advice on this techy stuff.
Thanks
Rick Thornton
>

                         PCBUILD's List Owners:
                      Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]>
                       Drew Dunn<[log in to unmask]>