I think I've blown it now, I have restored an old registry from last year, and it wouldn't boot up properly because of some file. I have installed the file it mentioned (phew) but when I reboot I get a 'user' prompt before it loads wimndows up fully. Now a tech guy from AOL told me how how to stop this from happening a year ago but can't remember what he said, any ideas?
Night for now.

I think uninstal.exe is the one that brings you back to Windows 95 if you got to 98 by upgrading from 95. That isn't necessary, if you need to reinstall Windows you can do that by just loading a new copy on top.

Not sure how restoring the registry is going to help you. As I say I think it's probable that the original problem is a hardware one and I don't think there is any point in trying to fix Windows until you establish what the problem was, since it will merely recur. Also, the registry is a complicated beast which contains the changes you have made by installing/removing programs, changing defaults, etc., so restoring one from last year may well cause more problems than it solves.

The answer to the prompt issue is to go to Control Panel/Network and in the drop-down list change Network Logon to Windows Logon.

You will do the bit about checking the memory and also trying the fan trick Optimist suggested? :-)

Hi again

My computer is still in DOS Scandisk from 8am this morning! I still have the same corrupt DLL files as before the registry back up. I have now been told today that I may have an Operating system error because of the corrupt files I have, and the way IE6 is playing up. Have been told to reformat and start again.
I right clicked on C drive and noticed that there is a format option. If I choose to format from there is that different from the usual DOS format (F5)?
Will I still need to load up my drivers etc?
Thanks again.

The DLLs are separate files to the registry and would not have been affected by restoring the registry.

It's obvious that you have an "operating system error" since you have corrupted files. That does not give you any indication of the cause. It is very rare for files to get randomly corrupted in this way unless it is a hardware error.

If you format the disk you will lose everything on it, programs and data, so make sure that you are in a position to reload all applications and data that are on your computer, e.g. by taking backups first. Use the DOS format.

However, there is no point in doing all of this until you have identified the cause of the problem, since it is likely to happen again, particularly if it's a hardware problem.

IT

If you format the disk you will lose ALL of the programs and data stored on it and will have to re-install Windows all of your programs and copy your data from your backup media. Do this only as a last resort.

If you have to reformat your disk you are best to boot from the installation CD and use the format option on that.

However, if your operating system is really un-recoverable, and bearing in mind that your hard disk may have a problem, a far better solution would be to buy a new hard disk (about 70) and mount your existing one as a second drive so that you can easily copy the data across. You should also consider upgrading to Win 2K or Win XP at the same time (if you do, make sure that you select the NTFS file system when you install).

Whenever I install a program I copy the CD contents to a directory called Setup on my hard disk and run the setup program from the hard disk. Not only is this a quicker way to install the programs but also if I ever have to start from scratch all I have to do is copy my setup directory instead of searching for all of the CD's.

Edit Kayak beat me to it but these comments are still relevant.

Yes, I agree with your comments Optimist.

Kayak and Optimist

You both have been very helpful and I really appreciate the time and effort you have given. I have restored the registry twice now as the first time I got a few blue screens again. So far so good (touch wood) I have had no IE6 errors. I have done the complete DOS scan disk which took approx 8.5 hrs (no errors) then defragged as well. My machine is running a lot faster now. I have one new SD RAM stick on order (256k) to replace the 128k stick nearest the processor. My machine will soon be running 384k as a pose to 256k which can only help things along. Also have bought a new surgemaster to be on the safe side. If I start getting the same errors all over again I will reformat and try again for the last time on 98 second edition, failing that it will used as a flying frisbee and will purchase 2000/XP and install, (who's the most stable?)also a bit worrying though at the moment with the MS blaster worm from hell doing it's dirty deeds on XP/2000.
So as for now, I will play it by ear and see what's in store for me next week. Reflecting back on missed trading opportunities it would have been more viable for me to have bought a new up to date computer, as a pose to trying to trade on the old Dell Pentium 2 back up (which has been the most reliable machine ever), whilst my usual AMD Duron 1300 has been out of action.
Can you two tell me your valued opinions on what Processer is the most reliable, Pentium or AMD Duron?
Thanks again.

HELP required.....

wives pc stopped working all the case fans etc are working but no power up beep or any video signal to the monitor or even hardrive spinning....

does this sound like power supply or motherboard????

Fans working suggest it could possibly not be power supply unless you now different..

Looks like the the MoBo are there any test that i can carry out???

Trouble with pc,s it is a matter of isolating the problem the repair is pretty cheap these days.

Hope someone can help..

Rick...

IT

Don't format your existing disk get a new one it will always be useful.

If you are going tobuy a new computer then my personal predudice is always go for Intel (I had a bad experience with a K5 many years ago) but many people seem to get away with AMD these days.

More important than the processor is what goes with it. Make sure you get DDR memory (512MB min), a fast hard disk and that the motherboard has an up to date chipset. Go for a mid range processor in terms of speed your money is far better spent on extra RAM than a faster processor. Also avoid cut down processor's such as Celoron

Mega Bucks

I would not like to call this one it could be either.

Check the easy things first. Disconnect all disk drives etc and remove any PCI cards to see if that makes a difference.

Power supplies are cheaper than motherboards so I would go for that next. I have been known to stand 2 computers together and plug the power leads from one into the other.

Optimist

Thanks for the reply, bought a brand new power supply from a computer fair today for a grand total of 6 and it is still the same.
Ordered a brand new motherboard from ebuyer for 25 will be delievered tuesday so will be up and running again for a grand total of 31 what a bargain.

Thanks for your help but it was my day for bargains :-)

A very happy camper...

Mega...

HI, can anybody help me with the thread that I've created called Fundraising Ball at the Savoy -

am I able to put the webpage http://www.justgiving.com/celebrationball and my e-mail address in there as a hyperlink so people can go directly to the web address?
thanks

Yes, cut and paste into your post:

&lta href="http://www.justgiving.com/celebrationball"&gthttp://www.justgiving.com/celebrationball&lt/a&gt

and this after putting in your address

&lta href="mailto:a@a.com"&gtmail me&lt/a&gt

Also, enable your emails via MoneyAM by clicking on User Settings in the top right hand corner on each BB separately. Then people can send you emails by clicking on your username.

Thank Kayak - it worked great

I have been through my *task manger* (a right click on the task bar brings up the option to display the tast manager) systematically and dumped over 25% of the tasks running on my machine with no ill effects. i compared the tasks running with this handy link and noted each one that I couldn't find on this list. I then temporarily removed them to see the impact on my PC.

http://www.answersthatwork.com/

Web site blurb
==============
Through our support service we often come across problems caused primarily by programs running in the background, programs which in most cases start at the same time as Windows. Sometimes these programs are useful and need to be there; quite often, however, they are not needed, and in too many cases they cause severe problems.

The pages below are from our in-house database and provide guidance on the usefulness or not of these programs, and removal procedures when recommended.

In Windows 95/98/ME you can bring up the Task List by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del. In Windows NT4/2000/XP you bring up the Task List by right-clicking on the Task Bar and choosing "Task Manager"

Not for the uninitiated.

Jeroo, usefull link that thanks for posting.

Can anybody help me with this problem - I trade with GNI Touch - for some reason I recently have not been able to access this when using BT broadband although it hasn't been a problem before. This is the case even when I use a different PC, however I can connect to Touch through a different ISP (not broadband) - any suggestions?

Balmoral - I had this problem, using 128K ISDN perfect, 2MB broadband - nothing. After tearing my hair out I deleted the network driver (I'm using a small wifi network) but my pc is hardwired; loaded the latest driver and perfect!

Pls don't ask me why but it worked for me.

thanks Captain Scarlet - will try it

I remember someone posting (could have been here or on the other side) that their new notebook was overheating. It turned out that the Celeron processor is known to run quite hot. I've noticed the same with my HP (Celeron) notebook - the fan is working a lot of the time.

I'm going to buy a new notebook soon... and I wouldn't want to get another one with a Celeron chip. The two alternatives at the moment seem to be Pentium 4 and Athlon. Are there any known issues with these? Athlon notebooks are quite a lot cheaper than the equivalent Pentiums - are they as good? I've also seen Centrino mentioned - is that a separate chip or a version of Pentium?

Thanks for any answers and advice that help to clear the fog!