Carol,

Reformatting should be done only when there is no other solution. If you
have to do this frequently then something is defective with your
computer/hard disk.

You need to update to a 32 bit operating system. That may help your
problems. Windows 2000 and Windows XP are 32 bit operating systems. If you
go on-line and bring up the EBAY web site and search for Windows 2000 or
Windows XP you will find that they cost over $200 each and EBAY is your
cheapest source!

I found an interesting ad on EBAY that would allow you to get a 32 bit
operating system (XP or 2000) and other almost any other software legal &
free for the cost of a booklet. The booklet is 22 bucks. Here is the URL:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41885&item=3697106594&rd=1
(Copy and paste this into your browser.) Take a look. I haven't taken
advantage of this yet so can't vouch for it's authenticity and honesty, but
will soon.

Good Luck,

J. Dent



At 07:11 AM 8/31/2004, you wrote:
> > Some news accounts say you can become infected, hacked,
> > or compromised in as little as 15 minutes on the Internet.
> >
>
>I can attest to that!!  It happened to me in less than 15 minutes
>online.  I'd reformatted and had to go to Windows update before I could
>even re-download my firewall and virus protection.  In the time it took
>to do that, I was infected with a virus.  It was literally shocking.
>
>I don't know what I'm going to do the next time I reformat, which I need
>to do here shortly, since I have Windows 98SE.   It's not even enough to
>have CDs of your firewall and virus protection, if you have an outdated
>OS like Win 98, because you can't use those CDs without the Windows
>updates!   (Which takes hours to download.)  Any suggestions?  (Well,
>other than getting a new computer with a new OS, which I can't do,
>because I am disabled with Multiple Sclerosis and live on a meager
>disability income and can barely afford the computer and Internet
>service I have......don't know when I'll ever get a new computer.
>That's why I joined this group, hoping to update the one I've got, but a
>lot of that seems to be over my head, I hate to admit.)
>Carol Hanson
>
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