Is it time to buy a new computer?

Well, I reversed all the tweaks that I made to my computer: back to
normal startup; selected home computer instead of network server; back
to the default virtual memory. I also download Ad-aware and SpyBot
and ran both and did discover some stuff from both, which I deleted.

Based on your comments startup list there really wasn't much to
delete. I didn't remove the mdac_runonce because I don't want to
inadvertantly screw up the Registry and since you said it wasn't any
big deal to leave it, I decided to leave it.

After scandisk/defrag my computer is still exhibiting the intermittent
slowness/hesitation. Mouse goes along then stalls then starts;
sometimes I type text and it doesn't appear for a few seconds;
sometimes computer won't shut down (gets stuck at "windows is shutting
down") - this happens on average about once a week. Could the hard
drive be failing? How would I know?

Also I've noticed that when I start my computer the system resources
are generally between 70-78% and now in IE it's at 64%. Does this mean
anything?

"Mary" wrote in message
oups.com...
Well, I reversed all the tweaks that I made to my computer: back to
normal startup; selected home computer instead of network server; back
to the default virtual memory. I also download Ad-aware and SpyBot
and ran both and did discover some stuff from both, which I deleted.

Did you also run CWShredder? You should also run HijackThis and post the log to
an appropriate forum (NOT here!) to see if anything else shows up. See here for
suggestions
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

Based on your comments startup list there really wasn't much to
delete. I didn't remove the mdac_runonce because I don't want to
inadvertantly screw up the Registry and since you said it wasn't any
big deal to leave it, I decided to leave it.

Really, what it suggests is that McAfee is a big suspect, simply because so
little else remains. But there's that Logitech software to consider, also. Have
you tried Glens suggestion to run without AV started? Remember to stay
disconected from the interent for this test (pull the phone of LAN cord).

After scandisk/defrag my computer is still exhibiting the intermittent
slowness/hesitation. Mouse goes along then stalls then starts;
sometimes I type text and it doesn't appear for a few seconds;
sometimes computer won't shut down (gets stuck at "windows is shutting
down") - this happens on average about once a week. Could the hard
drive be failing? How would I know?

None of that indicates hard drive problems to me. None of wht you describe
indicates and problem with hardware at all.

Also I've noticed that when I start my computer the system resources
are generally between 70-78% and now in IE it's at 64%. Does this mean
anything?

Just that it's fairly normal--*if* you are looking at the right figures. Where
are you getting those figures? The term "System Resources" is unfortunately used
to mean different things. You're using Resource Meter to measure this? You
phrase "now in IE it's 64%" makes me wonder what you're looking at.

Really, Mary, while it *might* be general sludge that would be eliminated by
reformatting and reinstalling Windows, I think you need to proceed with the more
in-depth trials we've suggested before giving up. I'm assuming you've at least
tried a Clean Boot? While everything is disabled, try wandering around Windows
Explorer and running a few apps like Word, to see how the system reacts (you
don't want to go online without an antivirus, and most AV apps don't play well
together, so at least a trial uninstall of McAfee and the use of some other less
imposing AV should be considered..

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User

"Mary" wrote in message
oups.com...
Well, I reversed all the tweaks that I made to my computer: back to
normal startup; selected home computer instead of network server; back
to the default virtual memory. I also download Ad-aware and SpyBot
and ran both and did discover some stuff from both, which I deleted.

Did you also run CWShredder? You should also run HijackThis and post the log to
an appropriate forum (NOT here!) to see if anything else shows up. See here for
suggestions
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

Based on your comments startup list there really wasn't much to
delete. I didn't remove the mdac_runonce because I don't want to
inadvertantly screw up the Registry and since you said it wasn't any
big deal to leave it, I decided to leave it.

Really, what it suggests is that McAfee is a big suspect, simply because so
little else remains. But there's that Logitech software to consider, also. Have
you tried Glens suggestion to run without AV started? Remember to stay
disconected from the interent for this test (pull the phone of LAN cord).

After scandisk/defrag my computer is still exhibiting the intermittent
slowness/hesitation. Mouse goes along then stalls then starts;
sometimes I type text and it doesn't appear for a few seconds;
sometimes computer won't shut down (gets stuck at "windows is shutting
down") - this happens on average about once a week. Could the hard
drive be failing? How would I know?

None of that indicates hard drive problems to me. None of wht you describe
indicates and problem with hardware at all.

Also I've noticed that when I start my computer the system resources
are generally between 70-78% and now in IE it's at 64%. Does this mean
anything?

Just that it's fairly normal--*if* you are looking at the right figures. Where
are you getting those figures? The term "System Resources" is unfortunately used
to mean different things. You're using Resource Meter to measure this? You
phrase "now in IE it's 64%" makes me wonder what you're looking at.

Really, Mary, while it *might* be general sludge that would be eliminated by
reformatting and reinstalling Windows, I think you need to proceed with the more
in-depth trials we've suggested before giving up. I'm assuming you've at least
tried a Clean Boot? While everything is disabled, try wandering around Windows
Explorer and running a few apps like Word, to see how the system reacts (you
don't want to go online without an antivirus, and most AV apps don't play well
together, so at least a trial uninstall of McAfee and the use of some other less
imposing AV should be considered..

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User

"Mary" wrote in message
oups.com...
Well, I reversed all the tweaks that I made to my computer: back to
normal startup; selected home computer instead of network server; back
to the default virtual memory. I also download Ad-aware and SpyBot
and ran both and did discover some stuff from both, which I deleted.

Based on your comments startup list there really wasn't much to
delete. I didn't remove the mdac_runonce because I don't want to
inadvertantly screw up the Registry and since you said it wasn't any
big deal to leave it, I decided to leave it.

After scandisk/defrag my computer is still exhibiting the intermittent
slowness/hesitation. Mouse goes along then stalls then starts;
sometimes I type text and it doesn't appear for a few seconds;
sometimes computer won't shut down (gets stuck at "windows is shutting
down") - this happens on average about once a week. Could the hard
drive be failing? How would I know?

Also I've noticed that when I start my computer the system resources
are generally between 70-78% and now in IE it's at 64%. Does this mean
anything?

Mary, if you have a lot of folders in My Computer, move them to another folder
(make one) and see if it helps. If it doesn't, then you can always move them
back. Sometimes when there are too many folders (usually around +100) the system
slows down.

"Mary" wrote in message
oups.com...
Well, I reversed all the tweaks that I made to my computer: back to
normal startup; selected home computer instead of network server; back
to the default virtual memory. I also download Ad-aware and SpyBot
and ran both and did discover some stuff from both, which I deleted.

Based on your comments startup list there really wasn't much to
delete. I didn't remove the mdac_runonce because I don't want to
inadvertantly screw up the Registry and since you said it wasn't any
big deal to leave it, I decided to leave it.

After scandisk/defrag my computer is still exhibiting the intermittent
slowness/hesitation. Mouse goes along then stalls then starts;
sometimes I type text and it doesn't appear for a few seconds;
sometimes computer won't shut down (gets stuck at "windows is shutting
down") - this happens on average about once a week. Could the hard
drive be failing? How would I know?

Also I've noticed that when I start my computer the system resources
are generally between 70-78% and now in IE it's at 64%. Does this mean
anything?

Mary, if you have a lot of folders in My Computer, move them to another folder
(make one) and see if it helps. If it doesn't, then you can always move them
back. Sometimes when there are too many folders (usually around +100) the system
slows down.

"Buffalo" wrote in message
...

"Mary" wrote in message
oups.com...
Well, I reversed all the tweaks that I made to my computer: back to
normal startup; selected home computer instead of network server; back
to the default virtual memory. I also download Ad-aware and SpyBot
and ran both and did discover some stuff from both, which I deleted.

Based on your comments startup list there really wasn't much to
delete. I didn't remove the mdac_runonce because I don't want to
inadvertantly screw up the Registry and since you said it wasn't any
big deal to leave it, I decided to leave it.

After scandisk/defrag my computer is still exhibiting the intermittent
slowness/hesitation. Mouse goes along then stalls then starts;
sometimes I type text and it doesn't appear for a few seconds;
sometimes computer won't shut down (gets stuck at "windows is shutting
down") - this happens on average about once a week. Could the hard
drive be failing? How would I know?

Also I've noticed that when I start my computer the system resources
are generally between 70-78% and now in IE it's at 64%. Does this mean
anything?

Mary, if you have a lot of folders in My Computer, move them to another folder
(make one) and see if it helps. If it doesn't, then you can always move them
back. Sometimes when there are too many folders (usually around +100) the
system
slows down.

My mistake, I meant My Documents, not My Computer.

"Buffalo" wrote in message
...

"Mary" wrote in message
oups.com...
Well, I reversed all the tweaks that I made to my computer: back to
normal startup; selected home computer instead of network server; back
to the default virtual memory. I also download Ad-aware and SpyBot
and ran both and did discover some stuff from both, which I deleted.

Based on your comments startup list there really wasn't much to
delete. I didn't remove the mdac_runonce because I don't want to
inadvertantly screw up the Registry and since you said it wasn't any
big deal to leave it, I decided to leave it.

After scandisk/defrag my computer is still exhibiting the intermittent
slowness/hesitation. Mouse goes along then stalls then starts;
sometimes I type text and it doesn't appear for a few seconds;
sometimes computer won't shut down (gets stuck at "windows is shutting
down") - this happens on average about once a week. Could the hard
drive be failing? How would I know?

Also I've noticed that when I start my computer the system resources
are generally between 70-78% and now in IE it's at 64%. Does this mean
anything?

Mary, if you have a lot of folders in My Computer, move them to another folder
(make one) and see if it helps. If it doesn't, then you can always move them
back. Sometimes when there are too many folders (usually around +100) the
system
slows down.

My mistake, I meant My Documents, not My Computer.

I followed Glen's suggestion and disabled McAfee (and stayed offline!)
and ran Word, Excel and some other programs. Lo and behold my computer
ran MUCH better - faster and with no hesitation. Mr. Martel was right
- with McAfee running, it's like driving a car with both feet on the
brake. Seems like the people at McAfee would be sensitive to the speed
issue. I think when my McAfee subscription runs out, I will check out
alternate AV software. Although all AV software is going to result in
computer slowdown, yes?

And yes, Gary, I did do a clean boot and followed the instructions at
auhma.org site (lots of info there). I've learned alot of stuff from
all of you - thanks.

I followed Glen's suggestion and disabled McAfee (and stayed offline!)
and ran Word, Excel and some other programs. Lo and behold my computer
ran MUCH better - faster and with no hesitation. Mr. Martel was right
- with McAfee running, it's like driving a car with both feet on the
brake. Seems like the people at McAfee would be sensitive to the speed
issue. I think when my McAfee subscription runs out, I will check out
alternate AV software. Although all AV software is going to result in
computer slowdown, yes?

And yes, Gary, I did do a clean boot and followed the instructions at
auhma.org site (lots of info there). I've learned alot of stuff from
all of you - thanks.

"Mary" wrote in message
oups.com...
I followed Glen's suggestion and disabled McAfee (and stayed offline!)
and ran Word, Excel and some other programs. Lo and behold my computer
ran MUCH better - faster and with no hesitation. Mr. Martel was right
- with McAfee running, it's like driving a car with both feet on the
brake. Seems like the people at McAfee would be sensitive to the speed
issue. I think when my McAfee subscription runs out, I will check out
alternate AV software. Although all AV software is going to result in
computer slowdown, yes?

Thought so!

Why would you wait until the McAfee sub runs out? I'd want to cut my losses
immediately. No, many other AV solutions do *not* cause this kind of problem,
particularly not the ones we've recommended (AVAST, AVG and ETrust). Avoid
McAfee, & Norton (worst offenders, though there are others almost as bad.) I'd
like to be able to say that the main problem is that you were running a huge
modern *suite* of protective apps that was not intended, really, to run very
well on obsolete systems like Windows 98, but that's only part of the story--the
fact is that these apps from Norton and McAfee have been horrible, whether on
Win98 or WinXP, for years. My own favoriate analogy is to a giant, cast-iron
chastity belt that covers your entire body--Safe, yes, but how can you possibly
get anything done when wearing it?

And yes, Gary, I did do a clean boot and followed the instructions at
auhma.org site (lots of info there). I've learned alot of stuff from
all of you - thanks.

You're welcome, Mary.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User