Hardware, software or power surge problem?

I have a 4-year old PC, Pentium III, Windows98.
Every so often as I am working, particularly when opening new window or
going down the page with 'Enter' the screen 'shudders'.

I have always ignored this but the other day (when Executive Software's Disk
Defragmenter which I have on free trial via PCmag was working in the
background) it did it to a frightening degree.

Could anyone advise me on this? Thanks

Sybil Fox

I conjecture that you have a hardware problem -- possibly the video
card.

Do you have this same problem when you run Windows in Safe Mode? Safe
Mode forces use of the generic VGA software for video rather than the
video driver. Safe Mode also blocks programs from running in the
background. Troubleshooting should follow this logic:

1. Start Win95/98 in Safe Mode.
If the trouble does not appear in Safe Mode, then the trouble is
caused by software conflicts or defects. Investigate each of the
functions that Safe Mode turns off.

2. If the trouble also occurs in Safe Mode, rename the current Windows
folder and reinstall Win95/98 into an empty folder.
If the trouble does not appear with a fresh installation, the trouble
is caused by something you have added to Win95/98 (but something that
is not turned off by Safe Mode).

3. If the trouble occurs even with a fresh install of Windows, the
trouble is arising in hardware.

Safe Mode does the following:
(a) bypasses config.sys and autoexec.bat
(b) prevents programs from starting automatically (from win.ini
or the startup folder)
(c) uses standard VGA video
(d) prevents a network from being started
(e) disables protected mode device drivers (those listed in
Device Manager)
(f) bypasses the [boot] and [386Enh] sections of system.ini
For more details, see document 122051 in the Microsoft KnowledgeBase.

If Safe Mode makes the problem go away, you can try tests from the
list below to pin down the cause of the problem. For more elaborate
instructions, see document 156126 in the KnowledgeBase, which explains
how to do troubleshooting in Safe Mode.

With Windows 98, you can use MSConfig to help you run the tests below.
With Windows 95, you can use Startup Control Panel. Startup Control
Panel is similar to the Msconfig utility that ships in Windows 98. It
can make troubleshooting easier by removing and restoring items from
the Windows startup. You can get Startup Control Panel as freeware
from:

http://home.ptd.net/~don5408/toolbox/startupcpl/

Startup Cop can also disable items loading at Windows startup and it
is freeware. You can download Startup Cop from:

http://www.zdnet.com/downloads/stori...0,,77594,.html

Yet another option is msconfig.exe as adapted to Win95:

http://www2.whidbey.net/djdenham/Msconfig.htm

1. Change the video driver to Microsoft's Standard Display Adapter
(VGA). Restart Windows and test.

2. Rename the Config.sys and Autoexec.bat to Config.sss and
Autoexec.bbb, or edit them so that the only things loading are
absolutely necessary for the computer to run. The latter items might
be a SCSI driver for the harddrive, or disk management software for an
EIDE drive. Deactivate EVERYTHING else by putting REM in front of
that line. Reboot the computer and test.

3. Remove EVERYTHING from the Start Menu/Startup folder by dragging
their icons onto the desktop. Also disable or uninstall all utilities
that are running TSR (such as Norton Navigator, SoftRam or Macafee
AV). Restart Windows and test.

4. Rename the Win.ini and System.ini to Win.iii and System.iii. Then
make a copy of System.cb and name it System.ini. Do not rename
System.cb itself. Edit the new System.ini as follows: Add
device=*vmd
to the [386Enh] section, and add
drivers=mmsystem.dll
mouse.drv=mouse.drv
to the [boot] section. Restart Windows. You probably will have no
mouse so you'll have to use keystrokes to do the following. Go into
Device Manager and select the mouse (which will have a yellow
exclamation point). Click "Remove." Again, restart Windows. Windows
should find the mouse and install software for it. Test.

5. With Windows 98, run the System File Checker. Go to Start/Run and
enter "sfc".

6. Rename the current Windows folder (directory). Then install
Win95/98 to a new, empty folder. Test. If problem does not occur, it
was caused by something in the old installation. I recommend that you
keep this new installation and reinstall your Windows applications.

When you reinstall applications, install Windows applications that
were written for Win95/98 or WinNT but do not install older
applications that were written for Windows 3.x. Install only one
application at a time and test the system thoroughly before installing
another application. Before you install and application, make a system
snapshot with a program such as ConfigSafe; this will allow you to
revert to the previous situation if (when) you install an application
that causes trouble. With Win98, it is also possible to run "ScanReg
/Backup" before you install an application, which allows you to
restore the Registry if (when) you install an application that causes
trouble. However, it is safer to make a complete system backup and
recovery with ConfigSafe or a similar product.

The following articles explain how to install into a new folder:

How to Reinstall Windows 95 to a New Folder [142096]
http://support.microsoft.com/support...s/142/0/96.asp

How to Install Windows 98 to a New Folder [193902]
http://support.microsoft.com/support...s/193/9/02.asp

Information about reinstalling is also on www.windowsreinstall.com.


Bill Starbuck (MVP)

Dear Bill Starbuck

Thanks for such a very prompt and informative reply. I am a senior (don't
like the term 'silver surfer') self-taught very non-technical user so
although on the whole I manage pretty well following instructions, I think I
might find it quite an effort to try all your suggestions. May try to get my
son over to assist.

I would like to have a shot first at testing it in safe mode, which I do
know how to get into or use Start-up Cop which I have recently acquired, but
as I won't then be able to use my mouse, would I then be able to work
entirely using keystrokes? Otherwise how can I test it? How do I launch a
program?

Thanks again.

Sybil Fox

but
as I won't then be able to use my mouse, would I then be able to work
entirely using keystrokes? Otherwise how can I test it? How do I launch a
program?

I have no trouble using the mouse when I run Windows 98 in Safe Mode.


Bill Starbuck (MVP)

Sybil
You can use your mouse in Safe mode.


"Sybil Fox" wrote in message
...
Dear Bill Starbuck

Thanks for such a very prompt and informative reply. I am a senior
(don't
like the term 'silver surfer') self-taught very non-technical user
so
although on the whole I manage pretty well following instructions, I
think I
might find it quite an effort to try all your suggestions. May try
to get my
son over to assist.

I would like to have a shot first at testing it in safe mode, which
I do
know how to get into or use Start-up Cop which I have recently
acquired, but
as I won't then be able to use my mouse, would I then be able to
work
entirely using keystrokes? Otherwise how can I test it? How do I
launch a
program?

Thanks again.

Sybil Fox

You can run a serial, PS/2, or a USB mouse (only if you utilize a special
configuration in the bios setup for it) in Windows safe mode. For the
latter without this bios setup selection, you won't be able to use the USB
mouse as USB won't be available.
"Sybil Fox" wrote in message
...
Dear Bill Starbuck

Thanks for such a very prompt and informative reply. I am a senior (don't
like the term 'silver surfer') self-taught very non-technical user so
although on the whole I manage pretty well following instructions, I think
I
might find it quite an effort to try all your suggestions. May try to get
my
son over to assist.

I would like to have a shot first at testing it in safe mode, which I do
know how to get into or use Start-up Cop which I have recently acquired,
but
as I won't then be able to use my mouse, would I then be able to work
entirely using keystrokes? Otherwise how can I test it? How do I launch a
program?

Thanks again.

Sybil Fox

You do not have a hardware problem regarding use of Windows, its
applications etc. when Diskeeper is active. You should schedule Diskeeper
to run when you don't normally use the PC.
My experience is that Diskeeper will utilize any available physical memory
while defragmenting the partition its addressing at the time. It will not
give up this memory until finished. But, it will defragment the partition
when Windows defrag could not even be considered an option considering all
you've opened or loaded from startup. Your video driver has absolutely
nothing to do with it. Diskeeper will run in safe mode, check under
help/how do I/run diskeeper from the command prompt. Am not suggesting it,
because its not needed. Check your right-hand side taskbar (lower RH
corner), if Diskeeper is running, refrain as much as possible from opening
any other programs using a minimal amount of memory. Surfing is okay.
Expect IE to run slower.

Some PCs have a cumulative problem with USB communication talk when the PC
is left on for a period of time. Usually 12-24 hours. This interferes with
ide, and physical memory data movement. This is one of two reasons I
recommend Firewire vs USB, the other is actual speed of Firewire. Some call
it it freezes, some call it hesitation or some other synonym (shudders).
Only solution is a reboot. There is no fix, its a hardware problem. A
simple verification is to not access the internet during the intial install
of Windows 98, you will probably notice the "shudder" in that time frame
previously mentioned. This will eliminate any internet sourced causes such
as viruses, trojans, keyloggers and other various bugs. Have found this in
three different PCs with totally different motherboards, USB chips etc.

You may consider ignoring the youngsters as they only know what they've been
told or read, little real world experience.
"Sybil Fox" wrote in message
...
I have a 4-year old PC, Pentium III, Windows98.
Every so often as I am working, particularly when opening new window or
going down the page with 'Enter' the screen 'shudders'.

I have always ignored this but the other day (when Executive Software's
Disk
Defragmenter which I have on free trial via PCmag was working in the
background) it did it to a frightening degree.

Could anyone advise me on this? Thanks

Sybil Fox

Dear Lil' Dave
Thanks. As you now assure me it is really nothing to do with Diskeeper, I
will concentrate on testing using the computer in 'safe mode'. Luckily I
have 2 mice, so if the USB one I usually use doesn't work, I will be able to
use the other.
Some PCs have a cumulative problem with USB communication talk when the
PC
is left on for a period of time. Usually 12-24 hours:
As I said originally I am absolutely non-technical so I don't know what 'USB
communication talk' means. I certainly never have the computer for as long
as 12 hours.
Only solution is a reboot: What use is that as it seems to happen each
time I use the computer? Or do you mean "re-install"?
There is no fix, its a hardware problem. A
simple verification is to not access the internet during the intial
install
of Windows 98, you will probably notice the "shudder" in that time frame
previously mentioned. This will eliminate any internet sourced causes
such
as viruses, trojans, keyloggers and other various bugs. etc.
I don't understand this at all. This time do you mean "initial boot" and not
"install". Which "time frame".
Sorry to be so dim. When you have the time to reply to this could you at the
same time tell me how to stop OE giving my genuine e-mail address. Many
thanks.
Sybil Fox

Dear Lil' Dave
I would be very grateful for your reply to my last message to you in this
thread seeking clarification of some of your suggestions, if you could
manage it.
Sybil Fox