dj_clark
asked on
Windows 98 Constantly Crashes
I have installed Windows 98, on a Dell Dimension XPS D300.
I have a scanner, zip drive & printer connected via the parallel port, an IDE CD-R, CD-Rom, (both share the same IDE cable), internal modem,network card, 2 HDD's,(both share the same IDE cable), onboard Yamaha soundcard, AGP 4mb graphics adapter. According to the diagnostics disk supplied by Dell, there are no problems or conflicts in any areas.
PROBLEM:
Windows explorer frequently comes up with an explorer error upon boot-up. This requires rebooting to gain back any icons on the taskbar, even though they are still running inn the background. Also, whenever operations that are intensive to the processor are undertaken, this explorer error comes up frequently, such as running several different applications at the same time.
The BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH also come up frequently, requiring a reboot to force the computer to operate correctly.
I have installed the Win98 operating system from different CD's, to see if it was a problem with the original I recieved on purchase of the computer.
No matter what I have tried to fix the problem, including removal of all periphrals & testing the system, total reformat of the HDD's & re-installing windows, the problem seems to be getting worse & increasing in frequency. I have asked many people, & they all seem to say they have no idea what it could be... Could someone please help me with this, because the amount of time & data I have wasted & lost is affecting my work. Even Dell seem to have no idea
:(
Thanks
I have a scanner, zip drive & printer connected via the parallel port, an IDE CD-R, CD-Rom, (both share the same IDE cable), internal modem,network card, 2 HDD's,(both share the same IDE cable), onboard Yamaha soundcard, AGP 4mb graphics adapter. According to the diagnostics disk supplied by Dell, there are no problems or conflicts in any areas.
PROBLEM:
Windows explorer frequently comes up with an explorer error upon boot-up. This requires rebooting to gain back any icons on the taskbar, even though they are still running inn the background. Also, whenever operations that are intensive to the processor are undertaken, this explorer error comes up frequently, such as running several different applications at the same time.
The BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH also come up frequently, requiring a reboot to force the computer to operate correctly.
I have installed the Win98 operating system from different CD's, to see if it was a problem with the original I recieved on purchase of the computer.
No matter what I have tried to fix the problem, including removal of all periphrals & testing the system, total reformat of the HDD's & re-installing windows, the problem seems to be getting worse & increasing in frequency. I have asked many people, & they all seem to say they have no idea what it could be... Could someone please help me with this, because the amount of time & data I have wasted & lost is affecting my work. Even Dell seem to have no idea
:(
Thanks
This is just a suggestion but some bios settings have mass effects on hardware and on Windows. Try going into your bios and setting up Default Settings instead of Turbo or something of the rather. R U overclocking your system?
Another comment, check for Viruses use a DOs virus scanner and scan your master boot record. That's the only other things i can think of.
ASKER
TO: infiniteloop
Thanks for the advice. I think DELL have preprogrammed the EPROM in the motherboard, therefore it is not possible to overclock the system. The only other change I have made to the BIOS is changing the parallel port mode from EPP to ECP. Other than that, upon purchase, DELL had already configured the system to its maximum capability
Thanks for the advice anyway
Thanks for the advice. I think DELL have preprogrammed the EPROM in the motherboard, therefore it is not possible to overclock the system. The only other change I have made to the BIOS is changing the parallel port mode from EPP to ECP. Other than that, upon purchase, DELL had already configured the system to its maximum capability
Thanks for the advice anyway
clark, please tell us the details of your computer-CPU and RAM. When error message appear, any details please specify.
----------------
For the time being suggesting try the following tune-up of the system:-
(1) Do registry repair/fixing:-
Restart the computer, press <CTRL> or <F8> key before win98 logo appears,
At the boot menu, go to the command mode,
At C:\ prompt, type "SCANDISK /ALL" (without quotation), <ENTER> , it will scan the disk and repair, if any.
At C:\ prompt, type "SCANREG /FIX" (without quotation), <ENTER> , it will update and fix the registry of system.dat and user.dat.
Following the instruction.
Restart Pc and go into safe mode, if run OK.
Then restart and go into the normal desktop. Check any conflict.
(2) Go to the control panel, display icon, settings ,
Set the display resolution using 16bit high color.
Don't select to use 24bit or 32bit true color.
(3) Go to the Start-settings-Active desktop- untick "view as web page"
Further check if you have previously setup any active channel and
these will synchronise at the background while on-line.
Disable active desktop will help the appearance of Blue Death screen.
(4) Go to the Start- Programs-Accessories-syste
Click to select the Dr.Watson, an icon of Dr.Watson will appear at the systray (just next to the clock at the right bottom of the screen). Click the Dr.Watson icon. It will diagnosis your system - the graphic card and other dll. See any specific error reported.
(5) Use <CTRL-ALT-DEL> to open the close program box , see the listed tasks, post them here to see any conflicting program is running.
Moreover, please specify what other third parties software in your computer that you have installed and running which programs will cause the crashes of the explorer.
(6) When you received the computer, Dell has installed win98 for you and problem got from that time onwards. Or you installed the win98 by yourself?
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let me know your testing status. pslh
----------------
For the time being suggesting try the following tune-up of the system:-
(1) Do registry repair/fixing:-
Restart the computer, press <CTRL> or <F8> key before win98 logo appears,
At the boot menu, go to the command mode,
At C:\ prompt, type "SCANDISK /ALL" (without quotation), <ENTER> , it will scan the disk and repair, if any.
At C:\ prompt, type "SCANREG /FIX" (without quotation), <ENTER> , it will update and fix the registry of system.dat and user.dat.
Following the instruction.
Restart Pc and go into safe mode, if run OK.
Then restart and go into the normal desktop. Check any conflict.
(2) Go to the control panel, display icon, settings ,
Set the display resolution using 16bit high color.
Don't select to use 24bit or 32bit true color.
(3) Go to the Start-settings-Active desktop- untick "view as web page"
Further check if you have previously setup any active channel and
these will synchronise at the background while on-line.
Disable active desktop will help the appearance of Blue Death screen.
(4) Go to the Start- Programs-Accessories-syste
Click to select the Dr.Watson, an icon of Dr.Watson will appear at the systray (just next to the clock at the right bottom of the screen). Click the Dr.Watson icon. It will diagnosis your system - the graphic card and other dll. See any specific error reported.
(5) Use <CTRL-ALT-DEL> to open the close program box , see the listed tasks, post them here to see any conflicting program is running.
Moreover, please specify what other third parties software in your computer that you have installed and running which programs will cause the crashes of the explorer.
(6) When you received the computer, Dell has installed win98 for you and problem got from that time onwards. Or you installed the win98 by yourself?
-------
let me know your testing status. pslh
Did the system operate normally with the previous OS? What OS was it?
Have you searched DELL's site for possible BIOS upgrades or system patches required for Win98?
Have you searched DELL's site for possible BIOS upgrades or system patches required for Win98?
Bad memory could be a cause. If you have several, try removing one at a time and see if that improves stuff. Or "borrow" the memory from a friend's computer that doesn't crash and try it.
DJ, how about recreating the error and writing down the error message(s) and post them here. Accuracy counts!
Dennis
Dennis
i agree with bad memory.
or the processor is not running on the right bus clock.
try reseating the processor also.
kj
or the processor is not running on the right bus clock.
try reseating the processor also.
kj
ditto kayton and kjanx
bill
bill
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I am also running a Dell XPS D300. Yours probably shipped with a BIOS version A03 or A04. I have flashed mine to version A09 (or A10, I forget - but the latest version) and have no problems running Windows 98 (and also Win98 SE).
You should try this too and see if it helps. I think it might be the key.
You should try this too and see if it helps. I think it might be the key.
dj_clark - if the proposed answer worked give him the points.If not,reject it.In any case please get back to us.
ASKER
Thanks for the help mauzey, much appreciated. Sorry ive taken my time ive been fdisking etc and watching dawsons creek. Ta.
No problem dj_clark, I know that one is a real pain.
Good Luck,
Jeff
Good Luck,
Jeff
ASKER