Is my computer knackered ?

intel

Dont forget on a Win 98 PC Defrag wont work if you have bad boot sectors
so you will want to run a Scandisk first to repair the sectors then run defrag.

Go to Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and click ScanDisk

Choose Thorough and "Automatically Fix Errors" is checked.

dinkie_2

Hi

If it's possible for you to have a look inside the computer, there may be leaking capacitors. I was having similar problems to the ones you are describing, and was advised to see if there were leaking capacitors ... they look like little batteries, grouped around the main bit (in my old machine) [sorry about the lack of technical terms!], and if you can see something like rust coming out of the top of any of these, that's the capacitors leaking. It's to do with the motherboard being on the way out, can affect the computer in lots of ways, cause overheating/part failures etc. Just an idea, as it sounded similar to the problems I had before getting my shiny new system. Does sound like you'll need to think about replacing the system.

Cat

albertross_2

This is a bit like Chinese whispers, the OP has posted very few facts for us to go on, and the resulting diagnosis has been impending doom.. more facts are needed before a correct diagnosis can be done.. what is the message about drive c, does it take three days in safe mode? A bit of noise is nothing to worry about.

pchelpman

albertross wrote:

.. more facts are needed before a correct diagnosis can be done.. what is the message about drive c...

Definitely agreed, albertross. That's why I asked the same thing much earlier on. Does the OP still need us to continue offering suggestions here or is it all fixed (or completely dead?)?

joffy

I really appreciate all the help everyone has suggested
sorry i have took so long to post back
I have tried a couple of things like going to pcpitstop.com this said i had major concerns with diskdrive c and memory.also tried running scan disk and ticking thorough and auotomatically fix items.gave up waiting for this .how long should it take.
Deleted all the stuff out of tempery files.
tried running defragg overnight but still only 10%
I have got loads more to check and will repost to update.
Thanks again.
I am going to start a new thread about buying a new computer just in case this one is on the way out but also as we could really use 2 computers in house.recently connected to broadband so would i need a (wireless router) to do this.?
Cheers JB

albertross_2

defrag .. safe mode..

before you ask about the new pc and wireless, have a scout around the board, cos the same question gets asked several times a week, and has probably been answered 100's of times.

joffy

When you say defrag in safemode .Does this mean when computer starting keep pressing f8.if so i have tried this.how long should it take to run scandisk and defragg ?
I am not very clever with computers.In 8 years never run scandisk or defragg.
Any advice is much appreciated
cheers JB

albertross_2

Yes hit F8 as it comes up "Starting windows 98", then select safemode

or save the following text to a file called defrag.inf

[version]
signature="$CHICAGO$"

[DefaultInstall]
AddReg=Add.Defrag

[Add.Defrag]
HKLM,SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce,Defrag,0,"DEFRAG.EXE /ALL"

then right click on the file, and select install..

it will then defrag on the next reboot..

if you have never run it before, it might take a while (an hour or so), but if you run it in normal windows, any use of the computer, or lack of ram, will cause it to constantly restart, which is why it is better to do it in safe mode, as there is less running



Edit, just read your post properly, you've already done it..


try this in safe mode

click start run

defrag c: /Q

this is a quick defrag!


have you tried downloading the drive fitness test software from the hd manufacturers site?



the first 10% of defrag is actually a mini-scandisk, it checks the disk to see if there are any logical corruptions, before doing a defrag. If it gets to 11% and beyond, then it is actually defragging, and your disk is logically ok. If anything writes to the disk after this point, then defrag will go back to the beginning again, so that may be why you didn't get past 10%, and why you need to do it in safemode.

have you tried https://www.ccleaner.com it will help clear up 8 years of tmp files etc., and do you have upto date antivirus, and antispyware software installed?

joffy

When i try and run programmes it often says you have run out of disk space on drive c.

albertross_2

that would be a problem! and that will slow defrag .. it needs space to work.

Try ccleaner, uninstall anything you don't need, and search for files >5000 kB, in explorer, you may just have one or two big files hogging the disk space..