I can start my Microsoft Picture it program and sometimes it will connect to the camera sometimes it will not It will tell me it cannot communicate with the camera. The times it does connect it will retrieve some of the pictures then freezes. Sometimes I can end task and go on to other things, then there are times I have to unplug from the wall in order to shut it down. When I start it back up, sometimes Windows will load all the way, sometimes it will quit responding and I have to shut down again. I just insatlled a new hard drive 1 month ago while still under warranty with Gateway. This and a new CD Rom is the only new things installed since I purchased it 3 years ago. I have cleaned, scanned, defraged, and ran Nortons Anti Virus. I have 127 MB of RAM and 56% of that is free I did have that up to 76% free and then I download some programs to scan for problems and spyware. I installed Hijackthis and ran it but now I do not know what to do with the information. Can any one offer any advice???

I'm assuming you have Windows 98 SE is that correct?

Computer Profile Summary
Computer Name: Computer (in WORKGROUP)
Profile Date: Saturday, September 18, 2004 7:31:21 PM
Advisor Version: 6.1f


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Operating System System Model
Windows 98 SE (build 4.10.2222) Gateway SANTORINI 4000729
System Serial Number: 0024341374
Chassis Serial Number: 0024341374
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
1000 megahertz Intel Pentium III
32 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache Board: Intel Corporation D810E2CB AAA42325-204
Serial Number: IUCB12001836
Bus Clock: 133 megahertz
BIOS: Intel Corp. CB81010A.15A.0020.P03.0102201650 02/20/2001
Drives Memory Modules c,d
20.01 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
17.44 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

_NEC NR-7700A [CD-ROM drive]
LG CD-ROM CRD-8483B
Generic floppy disk drive (3.5")

WDC WD200BB-53DEA0 [Hard drive] (20.02 GB) -- drive 0, s/n WD-WMAD1D460336, rev 05.03E05, SMART Status: Healthy 128 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'DIMM0' has 128 MB
Slot 'DIMM1' is Empty
Local Drive Volumes

c: (on drive 0) 20.01 GB 17.44 GB free

Network Drives
None detected
Users Printers
No details available hp psc 700 series printer on DOT4_001

Controllers Display
Standard Floppy Disk Controller
Intel(R) 82801BA Ultra ATA Storage Controller - 244B
Primary IDE controller (dual fifo)
Secondary IDE controller (dual fifo) Intel(R) 82810E Graphics Controller [Display adapter]
Default Monitor
Bus Adapters Multimedia
Intel(R) 82801BA/BAM USB Universal Host Controller - 2442 Crystal WDM Audio Codec
Wave Device for Voice Modem
Communications Other Devices
56K PCI Voice Modem SF-1156IV R9A
Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network Connection
Microsoft Virtual Private Networking Adapter
Network Card MAC Address: 00:03:47:95:03:1B
Network IP Address: 169.254.103.22 / 16 PCI Modem Enumerator
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
Microsoft PS/2 Port Mouse
Generic USB Hub
USB Root Hub
Virus Protection
Norton AntiVirus Version 8.00
Virus Definitions Version 9/17/04 Rev 4
Last Disk Scan on Friday, September 10, 2004 8:42:45 PM
Realtime File Scanning On

Installed Microsoft Hotfixes [Back to Top]
Internet Explorer
SP1 (SP1)
Win98.SE
UPD273017 (details...) Reinstall!



Click here to see all available Microsoft security hotfixes for this computer.

Marks a HotFix that verifies correctly
Marks a HotFix that fails verification
(note that failing hotfixes need to be reinstalled)
Unmarked HotFixes lack the data to allow verification

Software Licenses [Back to Top]

Belarc - Advisor deae99a6
Microsoft - Internet Explorer 52974-267-8707337-04677 (Key: R2D43-3DHG9-DQ79W-W3DXQ-929DY)
Microsoft - Picture It! Publishing 2001 22704-OEM-0000007-00000 (Key: TM66R-2Q86K-HXPBD-CQ9TR-9WTQY)e
Microsoft - Windows 98 SE 50578-030-1491526-44694 (Key: CJWBM-QK8RD-24XXR-FC766-687QY)
Microsoft - Word 2000 SR-1 24304-OEM-0096596-75026
Microsoft - Works 6.0 24304-OEM-0000007-00000 (Key: TM66R-2Q86K-HXPBD-CQ9TR-9WTQY)e
Microsoft - Works Suite 2001 22100-OEM-0000007-00000
Symantec Corporation - Norton AntiVirus 2002 1

Software Versions [Back to Top]
180solutions, Inc. - Search Assistant Version 5, 12, 0, 13 *
Adobe Acrobat Version 3.0.000 *
Adobe Systems AdobeDownloadManager Version 1.2 *
AdpBrowser Application Version 1, 0, 0, 21 *
America Online Version 9.00.000 *
Apple Computer, Inc. - QuickTime QuickTime 6.4 *
Belarc, Inc. - BelManage Client Version 6.1f *
Border Tool Resources Version 1.0.0000 *
Cendant Software Inc. - Sierra Utilities Version 2.00.0039 *
Companion Module Version 1, 5, 1, 2 *
Deer Avenger *
Deer Hunter 2 Application Version 1, 0, 0, 1 *
DH2Config Application Version 1, 0, 0, 1 *
Eastman Kodak Company - dc240 Application Version 1.0.0000 *
Eastman Software, Inc., A Kodak Business - Imaging for Windows® Version 1.01.1311 *
Ereg Application Version 1, 0, 0, 1 *
Gateway Resource Assistant Version 1.0.0.0 *
GTek Technologies Ltd. - GTCoach Version 3, 0, 0, 1 *
GTek Technologies Ltd. - TrainerCabLauncher Application Version 1, 0, 0, 1 *
Hewlett-Packard Co. - hp psc 700 series A.12.00.16 *
Hewlett-Packard Company - HP Printing System for Windows Version 1998.0227.1034 *
HPAIO_PrintFolderMgr *
Inno Setup Version 51.13.0.0 *
InstallShield unInstaller Version 2.20.917.0 *
Internet Optimizer *
Kontiki Inc. - Secure Delivery Plug-In Version 2.20.40120.0 *
kpgreader.exe * Microsoft Clip Gallery Version 5.2.01.0223 *
Microsoft Corporation - DirectShow Version 6.4.07.1112 *
Microsoft Corporation - Internet Explorer Version 6.00.2800.1106 *
Microsoft Corporation - MSN(tm) Messenger Service Version 2.2 *
Microsoft Corporation - Windows Installer Version 1.10.1029.1 *
Microsoft Corporation - Windows® NetMeeting® Version 3.01 *
Microsoft Corporation© - PMTShoot Version 1.30 *
Microsoft imgstart Version 1, 0, 0, 1 *
Microsoft Office 2000 Version 9.0.3822 *
Microsoft Windows Scripting Host Version 5.0.531.7 *
Microsoft® Plus! for Windows® 95 Version 4.40.500 *
Microsoft® Works 6.0 Version 6.00.1903.0 *
NoAdware Application Version 2.01 *
PhotoPrinter 2.0 *
RealNetworks, Inc. - RealPlayer (32-bit) Version 6.0.9.584 *
realtime Version 1.00 *
Seagate Software, Inc. - Microsoft Backup for Windows® 98 Version 1.0.0.1 *
Sierra On-Line - Hoyle Board Games Version 1, 0, 0, 0 *
Sierra, Inc. Print Artist PhotoExpert Version 2000 *
sjyx *
Sonbry Marketing International - PC MightyMax Version 1.00.0215 *
Symantec Corporation - LiveUpdate Version 1.64.3.0 *
Symantec Corporation - Norton AntiVirus Version 8.07.17 *
Symantec Corporation - Norton Core Technology Version 15.1.0.24 *
Symantec Corporation - Norton Integrator Version 5.01.01 *
Symantec ScriptBlocking Version 1, 1, 0, 126 *
WinGuides Software - Registry Mechanic Version 3.03.0044 *

If your Windows 98 SE computer goes below about 60-65% system resources (which is the figure you see when you right-click My Computer and go to Properties), it will get a bit flaky and start giving you intermittent problems.

First of all, I would suggest disconnecting from the Internet, then checking your system resources, then running a virus scan on all hard disks with your Norton Anti-Virus 2002. Allow it to remove anything that it finds. Then close and disable Norton Anti-Virus (right-click its icon in the system tray down by the clock). What's your system resources after that? It should be a bit better.

Re-enable Norton Anti-Virus and carry on doing whatever you would normally do. See how you get on with it and let us know. If it's still problematic, we can talk you through running HiJackThis. We'll need to know the results of the above test and virus scan.

This is the HiJack file, and I have removed everything from my computer almost, that I did not need.
Colud you explain RAM and what it would be listed as like if I need more what kind do I get, I took mine out and it has nothing on it telling me who made it.
What makes RAM resorces go low, I have looked everywhere trying to figure this out, no luck.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 7:59:33 AM, on 9/19/04
Platform: Windows 98 SE (Win9x 4.10.2222A)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SPOOL32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSTASK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\TASKMON.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\NORTON ANTIVIRUS\NAVAPW32.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTERNET OPTIMIZER\OPTIMIZE.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\HEWLETT-PACKARD\HP PSC 700 SERIES\BIN\HPODEV07.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\HEWLETT-PACKARD\HP PSC 700 SERIES\BIN\HPOEVM07.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\HPOIPM07.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\HEWLETT-PACKARD\HP PSC 700 SERIES\BIN\HPOSTS07.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\AOL\ACS\ACSD.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\TAPISRV.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\DDHELP.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\DESKTOP\HIJACKTHIS 1.98.2.EXE

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/cust...search/ie.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/cust.../www.yahoo.com
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by America Online
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/cust.../www.yahoo.com
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\YAHOO!\COMPANION\INSTALLS\CPN\YCOMP5_3_19_0. DLL
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Companion - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\YAHOO!\COMPANION\INSTALLS\CPN\YCOMP5_3_19_0. DLL
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {69135BDE-5FDC-4B61-98AA-82AD2091BCCC} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSDXM.OCX
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TaskMonitor] C:\WINDOWS\taskmon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ScanRegistry] C:\WINDOWS\scanregw.exe /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NAV Agent] C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\NAVAPW32.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Internet Optimizer] "C:\Program Files\Internet Optimizer\optimize.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [SchedulingAgent] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mstask.exe
O4 - Startup: HPAiODevice.lnk = C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\hp psc 700 series\bin\hpodev07.exe
O9 - Extra button: Related (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Show &Related Links (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: Real.com (HKLM)
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.aol.com
O16 - DPF: {EB387D2F-E27B-4D36-979E-847D1036C65D} (QDiagHUpdateObj Class) - http://h30043.www3.hp.com/aio/en/check/qdiagh.cab?322
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/s...sh/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B} (QuickTime Object) - http://www.apple.com/qtactivex/qtplugin.cab
O16 - DPF: {166B1BCA-3F9C-11CF-8075-444553540000} (Shockwave ActiveX Control) - http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get...irector/sw.cab
O16 - DPF: {9F1C11AA-197B-4942-BA54-47A8489BB47F} (Update Class) - http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.co...246.6829282407
O16 - DPF: {F2A84794-EE6D-447B-8C21-3BA1DC77C5B4} (SDKInstall Class) - http://activex.microsoft.com/activex...te/sdkinst.cab
O16 - DPF: {0E5F0222-96B9-11D3-8997-00104BD12D94} (PCPitstop Utility) - http://support.gateway.com/support/p.../PCPitStop.CAB
O16 - DPF: {93CEA8A4-6059-4E0B-ADDD-73848153DD5E} (CWebLaunchCtl Object) - http://gateway.cf1live.com/eSupport/.../weblaunch.cab
O16 - DPF: {4A3CF76B-EC7A-405D-A67D-8DC6B52AB35B} (QDiagAOLCCUpdateObj Class) - http://aolcc.aol.com/computercheckup/qdiagcc.cab

Unless you're running some major graphics software like AutoCAD or Photoshop, there's no benefit to having more than 128Mb RAM in a Windows 98 system. If you need more memory than that (which you shouldn't), then Windows 98 is not the right operating system for you - you'd need something more heavy-duty like Windows 2000 or XP.

I've identified two things on your system which could be stealing valuable resources which, incidentally, does not refer only to the RAM in the PC:

You are running "Internet Optimiser". Whilst I am not familiar with this specific program, I've seen similar utilities doing more harm than good.

You have installed one of the latest HP photo printers. These high-tech devices have drivers that automatically install a variety of background programs - your system is running FOUR printer-related programs silently in the background all the time, even when you are not printing.

Recommendation:

1. Check that you have the original installation files for Internet Optimiser and your HP printer so that we can uninstall them and you can still put them back on later if you choose to.
2. Reboot.
3. When Windows finishes loading, make a note of the available system resources (right-click My Computer and go to Proeprties).
4. Go to Start Menu > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs. Remove Internet Optimiser.
5. Reboot.
6. When Windows finishes loading, make a note of the available system resources. If it's 1% or 2% higher, then that program probably wasn't causing much of a problem. If it's more significantly higher, then you are better off without it.
7. Go to Start Menu > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs. Remove any HP printer items.
8. Reboot.
9. When Windows finishes loading, make a note of the available system resources.

Let us know the results from points 3, 6 and 9. Is the PC running better now?

P.S. Print off this page before you start so that you don't have to keep coming back on the Internet to check what to do next - that will mess up the resources tests!