Hi troopers.......

I think I am in serious trouble. Computer keeps freezing up sometimes when online and sometimes when working offline. Just started a couple of days ago. We didn't add any new programs or do any major deletions. Has gotten progressively worse.

Tried running SCANDISK earlier. Something kept writing to the disk and restarting scan. Went into active tasks and eliminated everything possible and still have it running. Then went into "safe mode" and tried again. When it got to the surface scan the following message came up:
"There is not enough free conventional memory to perform a surface scan.
You may need to remark (REM) some device drivers from your CONFIG.SYS file. Or, in your CONFIG.SYS, you may need to load the EMM386.EXE driver to load your other device drivers into Upper Memory Blocks using DEVICEHIGH= statements."

Went into CONFIG.SYS file and it says:
"Physical memory available to Windows 327,012 KB
System Resources 87% free"

In the CONFIG.SYS window itself, there are no entries to run or move.
Ran a "find" for *.drv and got 42 drivers.

Went to the EMM386.EXE and it said memory services unavailable, but that the MM386 is active.

Ran SpyBot and Adaware this afternoon (neg. results), also Avast virus yesterday.
Hubby said to include log below. Help please?????????

Beth


HiJack This log:
Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 9:52:39 PM, on 9/9/05
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\MPREXE.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\ALWIL SOFTWARE\AVAST4\ASHSERV.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\AGRSMMSG.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\AOL\ACS\AOLACSD.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSTASK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\RPCSS.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\ALWIL SOFTWARE\AVAST4\ASHWEBSV.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\BILLP STUDIOS\WINPATROL\WINPATROL.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ATICWD32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\TASKMON.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\ALWIL SOFTWARE\AVAST4\ASHMAISV.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\SPYBOT - SEARCH & DESTROY\TEATIMER.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\AMERICA ONLINE 9.0D\WAOL.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SPOOL32.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\AMERICA ONLINE 9.0D\SHELLMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\DDHELP.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\YAHOO!\BROWSER\YBROWSER.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\YAHOO!\BROWSER\YCOMMON.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\YAHOO!\BROWSER\YBRWICON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\PSTORES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\XXX-----DJP-UTILITIES\HI-JACK THIS\HIJACKTHIS.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
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://yahoo.sbc.com/dsl
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://yahoo.sbc.com/dsl
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/cust.../www.yahoo.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/cust...search/ie.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/cust.../www.yahoo.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://yahoo.sbc.com/dsl
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/cust.../www.yahoo.com
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by America Online
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\ADOBE\ACROBAT 6.0\READER\ACTIVEX\ACROIEHELPER.DLL
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: YahooTaggedBM Class - {65D886A2-7CA7-479B-BB95-14D1EFB7946A} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\YAHOO!\COMMON\YIETAGBM.DLL
O2 - BHO: SidebarAutoLaunch Class - {F2AA9440-6328-4933-B7C9-A6CCDF9CBF6D} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\YAHOO!\BROWSER\YSIDEBARIEBHO.DLL
O2 - BHO: UberButton Class - {5BAB4B5B-68BC-4B02-94D6-2FC0DE4A7897} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\YAHOO!\COMMON\YIESRVC.DLL
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHELPER.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSDXM.OCX
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [agrsmMSG] agrsmMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast! Web Scanner] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\AVAST4\ASHWEBSV.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinPatrol] "C:\PROGRA~1\BILLPS~1\WINPAT~1\WinPatrol.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AtiCwd32] Aticwd32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TaskMonitor] C:\WINDOWS\taskmon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ScanRegistry] C:\WINDOWS\scanregw.exe /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ashMaiSv] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\AVAST4\ashmaisv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [avast!] C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [AolAcsDaemon1] "C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\AOL\ACS\AOLACSD.EXE"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [SchedulingAgent] mstask.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpybotSD TeaTimer] C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AOL Fast Start] "C:\PROGRAM FILES\AMERICA ONLINE 9.0D\AOL.EXE" -b
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\Shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra button: AOL Toolbar - {4982D40A-C53B-4615-B15B-B5B5E98D167C} - (no file)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: AOL Toolbar - {4982D40A-C53B-4615-B15B-B5B5E98D167C} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: SBC Yahoo! Services - {5BAB4B5B-68BC-4B02-94D6-2FC0DE4A7897} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\YAHOO!\COMMON\YIESRVC.DLL
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\AIM\AIM.EXE
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_04\bin\npjpi150_04.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_04\bin\npjpi150_04.dll
O9 - Extra button: Wallpaper - {c23dd370-cb79-11d2-898a-00c04f80a47f} - C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~1\Toolbar\toolbar.hta
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &Toolbar Wallpaper - {c23dd370-cb79-11d2-898a-00c04f80a47f} - C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~1\Toolbar\toolbar.hta
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.aol.com
O16 - DPF: Mah Jong Garden by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.0.4...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Tri-Peaks by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.2.5.4...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Multiline Slots by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.0.5...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Phlinx by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.2.2...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: World Class Solitaire by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.2.3...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Sweet Tooth TM by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.0.4...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Jungle Gin by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.3.2...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Poppit TM by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.1.3.2...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Pinochle by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.0.4...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Fortune Bingo by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.3.2...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Payday FreeCell by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.1.3...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Cribbage by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.1.3.2...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Spades by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.1.2...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Euchre by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.0.5...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: High Stakes Pool by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.1.3.2...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Pai Gow by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.2.1.3...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Aces Up! by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.3.2...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Pop Fu by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.2.5.2...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: WordJong by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.2.3.3...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Spider Solitaire by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.2.1.2...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Lottso by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.0.4...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Blackjack by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.0.4...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Poppit by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.2.2...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: High Stakes Poker by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.2.3...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Harvest Mania by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.2.5.2...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Squelchies by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.2.3.3...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} (McAfee.com Operating System Class) - http://download.av.aol.com/molbin/sh...3/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {BCC0FF27-31D9-4614-A68E-C18E1ADA4389} (DwnldGroupMgr Class) - http://download.av.aol.com/molbin/sh...20/mcgdmgr.cab
O16 - DPF: Canasta by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.1.3...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: First Class Solitaire by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.0.4...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Texas Hold'em Poker by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.3.2...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: {0E5F0222-96B9-11D3-8997-00104BD12D94} (PCPitstop Utility) - http://www.pcpitstop.com/pcpitstop/pcpitstop.cab
O16 - DPF: Dice Derby by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.2.0.3...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: {1F2F4C9E-6F09-47BC-970D-3C54734667FE} (LSSupCtl Class) - http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/asa/LSSupCtl.cab
O16 - DPF: {CE28D5D2-60CF-4C7D-9FE8-0F47A3308078} (ActiveDataInfo Class) - http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/asa/SymAData.cab
O16 - DPF: Pebble Beach Golf by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.2.3.3...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Pebble Beach 3 Hole Challenge by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.2.1.3...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Sawgrass Golf by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.2.1.4...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Word Whomp by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.3.2...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Dominoes by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.2.2...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Backgammon by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.2.2.6...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Turbo 21 TM by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.2.2...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: PoppaZoppa by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.0.4...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: 6th Street Omaha Poker by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.2.4.2...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: {9732FB42-C321-11D1-836F-00A0C993F125} (mhLabel Class) - http://www.pcpitstop.com/mhLbl.cab
O16 - DPF: Hearts by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.2.5.2...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: {644E432F-49D3-41A1-8DD5-E099162EEEC5} (Symantec RuFSI Utility Class) - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/S.../bin/cabsa.cab
O16 - DPF: {2BC66F54-93A8-11D3-BEB6-00105AA9B6AE} (Symantec AntiVirus scanner) - http://security.symantec.com/SSC/Sha...in/AvSniff.cab
O16 - DPF: Perfect Pair Solitaire by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.2.5.4...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Checkers by pogo -
O16 - DPF: Pirate's Gold by pogo -
O16 - DPF: Chess by pogo -
O16 - DPF: Tumble Bees by pogo -
O16 - DPF: Showbiz Slots by pogo -
O16 - DPF: SciFi Slots by pogo -
O16 - DPF: Buckaroo Blackjack TM by pogo -
O16 - DPF: Showbiz Slots 2 by pogo -
O16 - DPF: Word Whomp Whackdown by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.0.4...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: Ali Baba Slots TM by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.0.5...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) -
O16 - DPF: Battle Phlinx by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.3.2...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: {30528230-99f7-4bb4-88d8-fa1d4f56a2ab} (YInstStarter Class) - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\common\yinsthelper.dll
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Pinochle - http://download.games.yahoo.com/game...ts/y/ut2_x.cab
O16 - DPF: {231B1C6E-F934-42A2-92B6-C2FEFEC24276} (yucsetreg Class) - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\common\yucconfig.dll
O16 - DPF: Penguin Blocks by pogo - http://game1.pogo.com/applet-6.3.3.2...-ob-assets.cab
O16 - DPF: PCPitstop-Tracks-Checker - http://pcpitstop.com/privacy/PCPTracks.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\VxD\MSTCP: Domain = aoldsl.net

Do you have 98 First Edition or 98 Second Edition? (Check the date of your C:\COMMAND.COM or C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM file and post it if you're not sure.)

"Went into CONFIG.SYS file and it says:
"Physical memory available to Windows 327,012 KB System Resources 87% free""

I've never seen the above in, or affiliated with, config.sys. Please clarify.

How much RAM (MB) does the system have? I mean raw RAM, not virtual. More than 512MB?

What is the size of the hard disk?

"There is not enough free conventional memory to perform a surface scan.
You may need to remark (REM) some device drivers from your CONFIG.SYS file. Or, in your CONFIG.SYS, you may need to load the EMM386.EXE driver to load your other device drivers into Upper Memory Blocks using DEVICEHIGH= statements."

Reboot to MS- DOS mode and run scandisk/all/surface. This will take a while depending on the size of your hard disk(s).

Or, for now, try this; Using a text editor (such as Notepad), add the following lines to the Config.sys file and then restart:

device=c:\windows\himem.sys
device=c:\windows\emm386.exe noems
dos=high,umb

Post back with the requested info and any results.

HiJackThis logs should be posted in the Spyware/Security forum. There's specialized people there who can help you with this. (Frankly, I've never installed/run this. No need thus far.) If the above (or next post or two) doesn't fix the problem, and it's determined that HijackThis should come into play for the problem resolution, I'll move this posting there so they can see what's been tried already. You will be cautioned to perform several tasks before posting a log.

Hi Dan...
it's Windows 98 SE. 320 MB installed RAM (128+128+64). 6.3 GB HD. Only one drive, no partitions.
Did try to run SCANDISK, both in normal and then safe modes. That's when it said there was not enough memory to run surface test.

54% free space on HD.

Ran all the specifics suggested prior to running the Hijack This Log.

Will let Darrell run the suggested changes to the CONFIG.SYS file, I don't mess with that and will let you know what I come up with.

As far as the message in the CONFIG.SYS file, it was in a little window which suggested clicking on a member of the list to run, but there was nothing listed, other than the message about available memory.

Doubt if any of the above helps. Will post back later this evening after Darrell does what you suggested in the config.sys. file changes. Will also try running scandissk/all/surface in MS DOS.

Thank you very much. Beth

Good day-Dan, Beth is trying to learn how to do this stuff, and I forgot to tell her, that the automatically fix errors has to be checked, or at least that's the only way that I can get it to work LoL
She also said Safe Mode, it was not, it was raw DoS, that the scan disk error came from.
I added the line you suggested to the config.sys-c:/windows command file, and I am not sure what it does, but it still won't work in DoS, was able to manage a scan disk in safe mode by checking the fix errors box.
This situation really bites, because with your help, and alot of research, we have had some considerable peformance improvements
No errors found,except the frequent firewall log errors and lost clusters.
The mystery is still present though LoL
Sincerest Blessings.
Ps: what's your secret to running multiple computers LoL

"I added the line you suggested to the config.sys-c:/windows command file, and I am not sure what it does, but it still won't work in DoS,..."

Does the above mean that you've created (or modified) a config.sys file in the C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND directory? (ie; c:\windows\command\config.sys)

Those three lines should be in C:\CONFIG.SYS as this is the file utilized for the system boot.

Lets go a bit farther. Using Notepad or any text only editor, add the following lines to the appropriate files;

(Everything below this line to c:\config.sys)
SWITCHES=/F
break=on
SHELL=c:\COMMAND.COM c:\ /E:512 /p
DEVICE=c:\windows\HIMEM.SYS /q
device=c:\windows\emm386.exe noems frame=none I=B000-B7FF
dos=high,umb
FILEShigh=40
stackshigh=9,256
BUFFERShigh=40

(Everything below this line to c:\autoexec.bat)
@ECHO OFF
PATH \;C:\WINDOWS;C:\windows\command;C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM;
SET TEMP=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP
SET TMP=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP
c:\windows\SMARTDRV 4096 16
SET COMSPEC=c:\COMMAND.COM
SET DIRCMD=/A/O/P/V
SET COPYCMD=/V/-Y
EXIT

Then go to Start, Run, msconfig. Click the Advanced tab near the bottom right of the General screen. Place a check mark in the Enable Startup Menu box.

The next time you start the system, choose Command Prompt Only. You should end up at the C:\> prompt. Type in scandisk/all/surface. Hopefully it should run properly.

Post back with the results.

I am not sure what happened here, as I posted a reply days ago. and came back and thought you had replied, and I checked for the most part to make sure that I didn't put it some where else, but have not located it as of yet-LoL
So, again, I will tell you that I must have had that command thing in my mind from reading over the post where you mentioned it in regards to finding the Os specs, anyways, I discovered the most amazing thing after you pointed out the error of my ways (just glad I mentioned it) IT WORKS-LoL
You people here are Awesome-Bless You.........
I like the graphics in the 98Se utilities, as I have not seen them in the Xp.
Came up clean on the scan, so the mystery rages on, and we are talking about just upgrading it, although I do not think we will go dell if I get my way,not after all the blues they have been giving me with this one, but she says she wants one so that will probably be what we get LoL
Unless you have any more ideas, as it will be a little while before another big purchase is in the cards, and I have to admit that there are not any ideas beating on the door ways to my skull here LoL
Sincerest Blessings

"Came up clean on the scan, so the mystery rages on,...."

So, scandisk runs, completes, and finds no problems. So, back to the original "mystery"; "Computer keeps freezing up sometimes when online and sometimes when working offline."

OK, firstly, is this a desktop system or a laptop?

How much RAM is in this system?

Have you made any changes to the Virtual Memory settings?

What size (MB or GB) is your hard disk? ( C: )

When did you last clean the system of junk? (Temp files, cookies, history files, etc.) *

When was your last defrag?

There are a few things which are running on startup which "absorb" memory and can be eliminated from the startup process, but I'd like to see the above answers before delving into that.


* To clear your system of junk files, you can grab my Purge file here which will clean things up. Please read the included README file before using. Don't let it scare you off if you don't understand some elements. You are given choices for what is to be cleared from the system. If you have any questions about it, post them here, or, there's contact information in the README file.

Hi Dan...first, see post # 3, this thread, memory amounts listed there. This is a desktop, Dell optiplex GX110 (old, bought used).
Defragged last on 9-17 and before that on +/- 9-12. Clean out junk files at least twice a week. Have made no changes to VM since owning this computer. It is still freezing, with no pattern.

Thanks Beth

"...first, see post # 3,..."
Heh, sorry, I didn't reread enough, I just went back to the original post. ;>}

Let's eliminate bad memory as a problem contributer. Download, and create a boot floppy with MemTest86. (When you create the floppy bootdisk, you won't "see" any files on it, but they're there.)

Boot the machine with the MemTest86 floppy and let it run, preferably overnite. If any bad memory is found, test each stick individually to narrow down the problem piece. (If, you're not timid about opening the system. Bought used, I take it that it's not Warranty Covered anyway.)

From what I've read (so far) the system comes stock from Dell with 256MB of RAM. If there has been added memory, I'd like to verify it's either a Dell product, or it conforms to the specs of the motherboard for supported memory. (DIMMs must be non-error checking and correction [ECC] - System Users Guide)

I've just been searching the Dell specs and found that this system can come in at least three or four flavours. Different motherboard form factors etc. So, please download/install/run Everest Home Edition (clean Freeware). Use the Report Wizard to save ALL PAGES in text format and attach it to a posting. This report will provide pretty well all we need to know about what hardware you have in this system. Hopefully it will run/complete without the system freezing.

Do you have a 98SE CD?

Or, do you have a Dell Recovery CD? There's a difference.

This could be anything from bad memory to a dirty system causing heat related problems. It could be a bad VMM driver. The more info I have the quicker we should reach resolution.

I'm working on what can be stopped from loading at system startup based upon your hijack log. Could be a bad virtual driver for one of these programs.

hi Dan.......here is part of the Everest report I ran on 8-31-05, right around the time the troubles got worse. I had to cut it short as the forum would only let me post 20,000 characters and the report was 62, 000+. if you need more, just let me know. Beth


Version EVEREST v2.01.347
Homepage http://www.lavalys.com/
Report Type Quick Report
Computer BETHPERRY (PC)
Generator ENDUSER
Operating System Microsoft Windows 98 SE 4.10.2222A (Win98 SE)
Date 2005-08-31
Time 04:50


Summary

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Computer:
Operating System Microsoft Windows 98 SE
OS Service Pack -
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)
Computer Name BETHPERRY (PC)
User Name ENDUSER

Motherboard:
CPU Type Intel Pentium III, 500 MHz (5 x 100)
Motherboard Name Dell OptiPlex GX1 500M+
Motherboard Chipset Intel 82440BX/ZX
System Memory 320 MB (SDRAM)
BIOS Type Phoenix (01/06/00)

Display:
Video Adapter ATI 3D-Rage Pro
3D Accelerator ATI 3D-Rage Pro
SMART Hard Disks Status Unknown

Partitions:
C: (FAT32) 6130 MB (3344 MB free)

Peripherals:
Printer HP DeskJet 720C Series
USB1 Controller Intel 82371AB/EB PIIX4 - USB Host Controller


DMI

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[ BIOS ]

BIOS Properties:
Vendor Dell Computer Corporation
Version A08
Release Date 01/06/00
Size 256 KB
Boot Devices Floppy Disk, Hard Disk, CD-ROM, ATAPI ZIP, LS-120
Capabilities Flash BIOS, Shadow BIOS, Selectable Boot, EDD
Supported Standards DMI, APM, ESCD, PnP
Expansion Capabilities ISA, PCI, AGP

[ System ]

System Properties:
Manufacturer Dell Computer Corporation
Product OptiPlex GX1 500M+
Universal Unique ID 44454C4C-00821033-804580C0-4F534D39
Wake-Up Type Power Switch

[ Motherboard ]

Motherboard Properties:
Manufacturer Dell Computer Corporation
Product OptiPlex GX1 500M+

[ Chassis ]

Chassis Properties:
Manufacturer Dell Computer Corporation
Serial Number 3ESM9
Chassis Type Desktop Case

[ Processors / Processor #1 ]

Processor Properties:
Manufacturer Intel
External Clock 100 MHz
Maximum Clock 800 MHz
Current Clock 500 MHz
Type Central Processor
Voltage 3.3 V
Status Enabled
Upgrade Slot 1
Socket Designation Microprocessor

[ Caches / Cache #1 ]

Cache Properties:
Type Internal
Status Enabled
Operational Mode Varies with Memory Address
Maximum Size 32 KB
Installed Size 32 KB
Error Correction Single-bit ECC

[ Caches / Cache #2 ]

Cache Properties:
Type Internal
Status Enabled
Operational Mode Varies with Memory Address
Associativity 4-way Set-Associative
Maximum Size 512 KB
Installed Size 512 KB
Supported SRAM Type Synchronous, Pipeline Burst
Current SRAM Type Synchronous, Pipeline Burst
Error Correction Single-bit ECC

[ Memory Devices / DIMM_A ]

Memory Device Properties:
Form Factor DIMM
Type DRAM
Type Detail Synchronous
Size 128 MB
Total Width 64-bit
Data Width 64-bit
Device Locator DIMM_A

[ Memory Devices / DIMM_B ]

Memory Device Properties:
Form Factor DIMM
Type DRAM
Type Detail Synchronous
Size 128 MB
Total Width 64-bit
Data Width 64-bit
Device Locator DIMM_B

[ Memory Devices / DIMM_C ]

Memory Device Properties:
Form Factor DIMM
Type DRAM
Type Detail Synchronous
Size 64 MB
Total Width 64-bit
Data Width 64-bit
Device Locator DIMM_C

[ System Slots / PCI1 ]

System Slot Properties:
Slot Designation PCI1
Type PCI
Usage Empty
Data Bus Width 32-bit
Length Long

[ System Slots / PCI2 ]

System Slot Properties:
Slot Designation PCI2
Type PCI
Usage In Use
Data Bus Width 32-bit
Length Long

[ System Slots / PCI3 ]

System Slot Properties:
Slot Designation PCI3
Type PCI
Usage Empty
Data Bus Width 32-bit
Length Long

[ System Slots / ISA1 ]

System Slot Properties:
Slot Designation ISA1
Type ISA
Data Bus Width 16-bit
Length Long

[ System Slots / ISA2 ]

System Slot Properties:
Slot Designation ISA2
Type ISA
Data Bus Width 16-bit
Length Long

[ System Slots / ISA3 ]

System Slot Properties:
Slot Designation ISA3
Type ISA
Data Bus Width 16-bit
Length Long