A Computer Gone Mad!

[rickmiles85 10]

I would recommend defragging the hardrive(s) this will arrange the files in the correct order so it knows roughly where to look for the data first. You may also have bad sectors within the hardrive. Scan Disk (found in the same area) should correct this if it is a minor sector. thought sometimes even formatting the computer fails to remove some bad sectors. as for the printer. well its probably just old age. I had an old old Canon 4200 and that suffered from the same fatigue. took 5mins to print 1 a4 page.

[rickmiles85 10]

Originally posted by RPG

*seems* normal at the moment, running 2K mind so its quite tough

 

Yea I agree, Windows 2000 Pro is a very good system. Probably one of the best Microsofrt have made (for the home market, low end server market). even in comparison to windows xp. though I was always having LAN problems. loosing packets constantly. gave up trying to fix it and installed xp pro. not problems as yet. no format since february and its pretty caked up at that! very impressed (touch wood) watch it now, blue screen of death! arrgghh! hehe! sods law!

[alchresearch 213]

1) Run Windows 2000. It is a very stable operating system, doesn't crash as often as previous versions and doesn't suffer from the 'XP slow down'.

 

2) Keep your anti virus up to date on an almost daily basis. Don't have or can't afford one? Get AVG FREE from www.grisoft.com

 

3) Protect yourself from hackers with free firewall software from

www.zonelabs.com

 

4) If you need to check if you are vulnerable to hackers, run the tests at www.grc.com

 

5) Invest in WINDOW WASHER, an excellent program to check your system and delete unwanted internet and temporary files. Find this at www.webroot.com

 

6) Use the Windows DEFRAG tool at least once a month.

 

7) BACKUP!

 

8: BACKUP AGAIN! CD Writers are only £30 and are an ideal solution to back up your work.

 

9) Re-install once every six months or so. It can be a bit of a pain but there are ways to minimise the disruption:

 

Partition (split) your hard drive. It allows you to keep just Windows on one drive and all your documents on another.

 

Install Windows then install all the service packs and updates from Microsoft. Ensure your drivers are all the latest versions and then use a program like Drive Image or Norton Ghost to make an 'image file' of the drive. Then, when you need to re-install, just use this file and it will restore your computer to how you set it up.

[rickmiles85 10]

Originally posted by alchresearch

 

9) Re-install once every six months or so. It can be a bit of a pain but there are ways to minimise the disruption:

 

 

LOL Thats if u you can get it to last that long! hehe! Im usually on an 4 Week cycle.

[Mike 10]

When you re-format and re-install all your programs, take an image of the new, "cleaned up" hard drive using a utility like Norton Ghost or Acronis Backup.

 

If you do this, on subsequent re-installs, the process is completely automated. All you need to back up then is your data.

[George 10]

re-format the hard drive and re-install your windows 98 i think you said its easy 20 mins tops if you got your master windows disc and licence number there are ways to clear your hard drive FAST,but what you had on your pc will be wiped off completly so you need drivers for your /printer/scanner etc.the printer whats the model cus it sounds like it may need to be taken off and reinstalled .if any body wishes to know how to reformat with windows 98/98 se them shout out ill print you a step by step quide etc dummies guide instead of taking to thepc shop and paying out from £ 30 .

[kittykat 10]

I decided to take the easy option and get a new computer instead. I think my old one was just too messed up to fix. Anyway now ive got a lovely new laptop, so another Q:

 

Has anyone got a laptop that plays DVDs?

 

The one i just got does and i havent got any DVDs for it yet. Can you actually watch them ok on a laptop? Is it worth me buying any or is the pic all blurred and the motion all slow?

 

Does it depend on the speed of the laptop as to how well it plays them cos mine isnt really that fast, i had to sacrifice one thing to get it so cheap and that was the processor which i understand to be quite crap (1.7GHz Intel Celeron) but RAM is apparently OK AT 256 ddr

 

 

So with all that in mind is it worth me buying Kes or other such films on DVD or will it be a waste of time. (i dont want to buy a proper DVD player as i think videos are good enough)