My home pc keeps crashing ... all the bl**dy time. It won't run a scandisc or defrag. or virus scan.

What should I do ... please bear in mind that I am pretty pc illiterate!!

I was wondering if I should re-install Windows ... but how do I do this when Windows is already running?

I need my pc for work etc. urgently.

It is a 3 yr old Dell Dimension T500 PIII - if this helps in any way.

Please don't tell me to scrap it and buy a new one ... 'cause I can't afford to do that until the new year at the earliest.

Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - It seems that most bods on hear are IT bods so seemed a good place to start with this.

BB

Install a decent OS. W2K, XP, even linux. Just get rid of that POS Win98. ;)

I was hoping to sort this ... at least temporarily with incurring any costs.

Someone has suggested to me that my MacAfee Virus Scan could be the problem. Downloaded it from MacAfee the other week.

BB

If its started crashing after u installed mcafee, then thats probably the cause. Mcafee in early versions is pretty buggy. U need the service pack for version 4.5.1 for example. Anyway simply de-install it from control panel/add remove programs, and see how your PC performs then. If it still crashes then you need to ask someone over the phone how to reinstall windows :)

I downloaded MacAfee from their website a couple of weeks ago and it does seem to have been since then that I have had my problems. If I uninstall it, should I re-install to a diferent location or just write off the £21 as a bad mistake and buy a Virus Scanner off the shelf?

If the latter, which one should I get?

Also how much is XP likely to cost me and will it write over the top of Win98? - I told you I am fairly IT illiterate!

BB

I didnt realise u had bought it. Thought u had some trial package running or something. Anyway Mcafee should support any problems you have with it. ie updates/patches/problems. Mcafee is a decent product. Im using it here and at work. Another alternative would be Norton Antivirus. £35 for full program.

In the meantime yeh deinstall it n see if it helps. If ok, try reinstalling it again to the same place, that wont make any difference installing elsewhere. Make sure you restart your PC if it asks you to.

XP home is about £80 and XP Pro is £125. Yes u can overwrite windows98. Best option is to format your harddrive, ie wipe it clean and install Windows XP. But as youre new to PC's I would suggest you get the XP Home upgrade. Then you wont need to format your harddisc. The upgrade sbe cheaper by the way, dunno the price for that.

HTH

Everythings on the net somewhere ;)
just depends on the limitation of the access. ie modem or broadband!

I bought "MacAfee online" - all software is downloaded from the MacAfee website, including upgrades etc. so it should in theory be up to date.

I've had pc's for quite a few years but it is something that I have not had the time to properly get to grips with ... it is a tool for work and surfing ScoobyNet!!!

Will try to uninstall tonight - cheers!

BB

Oops - double posted

BB

[Edited by Baby Blue - 10/23/2002 2:57:27 PM]

You haven't used up all your disk space have you?

Open My Computer and have a look to see how much free space you have on your C drive.

Phil

No only used about 1/3 of the disc space - that's one of the things I checked last night but thanks for replying.

BB

Unplug the pc and chuck it out of the window.

Fullonloon

Have seriously considered this option m8.

BB

Try running the bugbear removal tool, the bugbear virus disables Virus checkers and slows down PC's.

Here is the link

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.bugbear@mm.html

[Edited by Jer - 10/23/2002 8:49:08 PM]

Hi, If your uninstall/reinstall of the virus checker doesnt
work. Can you describe the problem in a little more detail.
If you dont wanna spend money, or have problems reinstalling windows , plus all the drivers; whoever helps will need more to go on.
cheers

One solution to this problem is to just do a 'dirty' install of windows 98. Assuming you have the origial installation disks, boot into windows as normal, and run the setup program on the win98 disk. This will let you reinstall the operating system without removing/losing any of your currently installed software.

It may be worth backing up and sensitve files (ie any work) before you do this just in case, but it is something that I've always done when my os gets unstable and I haven't got the time to do a complete wipe and restore on my machine.

Thanks guys - as you can see we are now back on line!

Thanks for all the replies & help though.

BB

Go on then, I can't wait.

What did you do?

Uninstalled MacAfee, ran full scandisk & defrag, then reinstalled MacAfee!

The better half is now happy as she has managed to do all her job applications & print off some CVs.

Thanks again all!