Windows Explorer is getting slow ?!

How to speed up Windows Explorer?

Little field of view on left side, click on PLUS sign expands the
listing. FAST.
Click again, and ever so slowly the listings slide back up to collapse.
This is new. Why so slow?

Also, Field of view in left side: Up and Down slider bar moves the
display as fast as you can move it. BUT! the slider bar at the bottom
is molasses moves from side to side *very* slowly. Why?

Sometimes even the slider bar at the furthest right side to go up and
down the listings starts going like molasses. Why?

How do I speed this up? To make it like it used to be....
move the bar move the listings
click plus expands, click minus collapses
....all fast.

- Robert -

While off the net.
Turn off you r AV program and see if it makes a difference.
You could have "Scan on closing" attribute checked in your AV program.
Another is delete all you TIFs. There are some bugs that are attached to
cookies that will not let Windows Explorer to even open.

"Robert A. Macy" wrote:

How to speed up Windows Explorer?

Little field of view on left side, click on PLUS sign expands the
listing. FAST.
Click again, and ever so slowly the listings slide back up to collapse.
This is new. Why so slow?

Also, Field of view in left side: Up and Down slider bar moves the
display as fast as you can move it. BUT! the slider bar at the bottom
is molasses moves from side to side *very* slowly. Why?

Sometimes even the slider bar at the furthest right side to go up and
down the listings starts going like molasses. Why?

How do I speed this up? To make it like it used to be....
move the bar move the listings
click plus expands, click minus collapses
....all fast.

- Robert -

At ALL times, there is purposely NO antivirus program. They all cause
too many problems. I simply use a "sacrificial" system. If it gets a
virus, wipe the drive, and start over.

No anti spyware programs, same.

Nothing runs but...
explorer
osa
Kb891711
and then the Windows Explorer

The temporary internet files are stripped bare every time I exit
internet
The cookies are stripped to absolute minimum necessary ones, some 15
everytime I exit internet

I thought .tif's were image files?
Where do I find them to delete them?

- Robert -

To answer your last:
Windows Explorer C: + Windows + Temporary Internet Files + ContentIE5.
In the right window should be Folders named with letters and numbers.
Right click each one and while holding the shift key select delete.
The only item in the TIF that should give you a popup,that you can't delete
it,is the "Index.dat" file.
If you get the popup on any of the files you probly have a virus attached.
I can't believe you are on the net without a AntiVirus program running.
There are some very nasty viruses out there that target hardware and
MotherBoard periphials.
And by what you have listed you probly do not have all the Windows updates.
Critical Security Patches. Plus all the Win98 updates that WOULD make your
PC faster.
You do not need to come here and ask for help if you are not willing to
help yourself.
Or at least defend your system and at the same time defend others from
viruses.
Most viruses are designed to screw up a system. Making it slow,eratic and
possibly a total crash.
Get the protection...clean your system...get all the updates and come back.


"Robert A. Macy" wrote:

At ALL times, there is purposely NO antivirus program. They all cause
too many problems. I simply use a "sacrificial" system. If it gets a
virus, wipe the drive, and start over.

No anti spyware programs, same.

Nothing runs but...
explorer
osa
Kb891711
and then the Windows Explorer

The temporary internet files are stripped bare every time I exit
internet
The cookies are stripped to absolute minimum necessary ones, some 15
everytime I exit internet

I thought .tif's were image files?
Where do I find them to delete them?

- Robert -

Yep, those are the folders that are stripped to empty after every
internet session. Usually they're empty after I use the Internet
Explorer's Options delete files, anyway. But sometimes something gets
left behind, but not for long.

As I said before, then I go up to the temporary internet files and
delete every cookie that's not necessary, only some 15 are valid.

If you get the popup on any of the files you probly have a virus attached.

I don't quite understand this statement.


Just got back from 3 hours at McAfee's website. McAfee's site scanned
through 32,651 files and didn't find any virus on the 40GB drive.
Earlier, I went through a lot of the spyware and they only found
spyware from Microsoft and the usual "doubleclick" cookies that seem to
proliferate on the net.

Years ago, I really had nasty experiences with antivirus software.
Can't remember if McAfee, or Symantec, but it got in the way of way too
much I was doing, so I followed instructions to uninstall it, but it
left stuff, worse than a virus behind. I had to do a telco and walk
through the step by step to manually remove all their software. Just
hesitant to go through that again.

I think I have all the critical updates. I opted out of the ones that
appeared to be "frosting", programs that would enahnce my internet
surfing experience, just didn't care. Especially leery since the way
the critical updates screwed up Win98. The system kept putting My
Documents folder in arbitrary locations, had trouble finding it. I now
have three sets of C:\Windows type folders, which makes no sense to me,
and worst of all, Internet Explorer hangs and takes down other
software, which it didn't do [at least seem to do] before.

Weighing the tradoff - install update of questionable value, that may
or may not screw up my system and cannot be uninstalled versus living
with a perfectly good opearting system. The choice to NOT INSTALL
seemed like a slam/dunk decision

Google provides decent firewall to the Usenet and my ISP provides an
excellent firewall to emails. Even use their reader, don't use MS
Outlook Explorer.

The system is clean, hate to install unnecessary protection that *****
up my system, and with the history of the critical updates causing so
many problems, not likely to install "optional" updates.

But still curious as to why Windows Explorer is getting weird. May be
time to wipe the drive and install Win98 again.

- Robert -

I now
have three sets of C:\Windows type folders, which makes no sense to me,
and worst of all............
Sounds like you have loaded Windows over itself.
When you reinstall the OS.
Do you do a full format followed by ,at least, a quick scandisk useing a
bootdisk floppy?

Years ago, I really had nasty experiences with antivirus software.
Can't remember if McAfee, or Symantec,...........
Your bad experience with AV programs are due to the two companies you tried.
Both companies you mentioned are notorious for screwing up Win98.
download AVG free from Grisoft. It is a good program and works well with 98.
But an AV program is only good if you keep it updated.

I don't quite understand this statement......
When you delete a TIF folder... With a number/letter name ie; 4t6rwd23
(Highlight/rightclick/hold down shift key/delete)
It should just go away... No more there. If you get a popup stating that it
is in use or windows can't delete it? There is something in there that is
preventing the delete.
Which probly is a virus that is tagged as "Read Only" or "System" or both.
And if you try to open properties to change it's attributes to delete it? It
will launch itself. Sneaky ...huh?
Something like this will also cause a defrag to repeat until it times out.
Back to the AV... I do not like or trust McAfee nor Norton.
They are poor excuses for AV programs and they are resource hogs.
Plus OS want-a-be's. They get their roots so deep into the system that they
are impossable to uninstall without trashing the system.
I tried McAfee years ago. The uninstall instructions were 27 pages long
when I printed them out. ANYTHING that needs 27 pages of uninstall is pure
B**LS**T.
AVG uninstalls with simply going to it's uninstall Two clicks. It may leave
one or two update folders that can be deleted manually. But leaving them
there will not cause any problems with the system. They will be just invalid
files that the OS will ignore.
A good on-line virus scan is from PandaSoft. Also Computer Associates has
one.
Heck... Grisoft has one.
Note: If you do a complete format of the HD/OS partition and then install
the OS. You sould not have but 1 (one) C:Windows. There is something there
causing a replication of files that souldn't be there.
A boot virus could possibly cause a bad OS install. And may be ,possibly,
still present after a format of the drive. AVG has a boot scanner.
Post back.

"Robert A. Macy" wrote:

Yep, those are the folders that are stripped to empty after every
internet session. Usually they're empty after I use the Internet
Explorer's Options delete files, anyway. But sometimes something gets
left behind, but not for long.

As I said before, then I go up to the temporary internet files and
delete every cookie that's not necessary, only some 15 are valid.

If you get the popup on any of the files you probly have a virus attached.

I don't quite understand this statement.


Just got back from 3 hours at McAfee's website. McAfee's site scanned
through 32,651 files and didn't find any virus on the 40GB drive.
Earlier, I went through a lot of the spyware and they only found
spyware from Microsoft and the usual "doubleclick" cookies that seem to
proliferate on the net.

Years ago, I really had nasty experiences with antivirus software.
Can't remember if McAfee, or Symantec, but it got in the way of way too
much I was doing, so I followed instructions to uninstall it, but it
left stuff, worse than a virus behind. I had to do a telco and walk
through the step by step to manually remove all their software. Just
hesitant to go through that again.

I think I have all the critical updates. I opted out of the ones that
appeared to be "frosting", programs that would enahnce my internet
surfing experience, just didn't care. Especially leery since the way
the critical updates screwed up Win98. The system kept putting My
Documents folder in arbitrary locations, had trouble finding it. I now
have three sets of C:\Windows type folders, which makes no sense to me,
and worst of all, Internet Explorer hangs and takes down other
software, which it didn't do [at least seem to do] before.

Weighing the tradoff - install update of questionable value, that may
or may not screw up my system and cannot be uninstalled versus living
with a perfectly good opearting system. The choice to NOT INSTALL
seemed like a slam/dunk decision

Google provides decent firewall to the Usenet and my ISP provides an
excellent firewall to emails. Even use their reader, don't use MS
Outlook Explorer.

The system is clean, hate to install unnecessary protection that *****
up my system, and with the history of the critical updates causing so
many problems, not likely to install "optional" updates.

But still curious as to why Windows Explorer is getting weird. May be
time to wipe the drive and install Win98 again.

- Robert -

poatt wrote:
I now
have three sets of C:\Windows type folders, which makes no sense to me,
and worst of all............
Sounds like you have loaded Windows over itself.
When you reinstall the OS.
Do you do a full format followed by ,at least, a quick scandisk useing a
bootdisk floppy?

Sorry, not clear here. I was reinstalling Win98 over and over onto a
reformatted HD. After worrying about the importance of those
"critical" updates, the last time I reinstalled Windows after
formattting the drive; I then went to MS and downloaded updates,
critical ones. It was the installation of those updates that
"splattered" my Windows into three segments. I haven't reinstalled
since then, because I would have to go back and download all those
stupid updates and just didn't have the time. Plus, limping is better
than nothing.

Which probly is a virus that is tagged as "Read Only" or "System" or both.
And if you try to open properties to change it's attributes to delete it? It
will launch itself. Sneaky ...huh?

Yes, but wouldn't the virus scan at McAfee have picked up *if*
something was in there?
I also, have my Windows Explorer set up to see alll files. hidden,
system, all files. I checked for dates to see if anything gets
modified, or touched. I guess if a virus writer is smart enough to
have a file "squirt" out from under deletion, they would be smart
enough to check dates in adjacent files and set up their virus files
accordingly.

They are poor excuses for AV programs and they are resource hogs.
....snip...
when I printed them out. ANYTHING that needs 27 pages of uninstall is pure
B**LS**T.

Then it wasn't just me. Good.

AVG uninstalls with simply going to it's uninstall Two clicks. It may leave
one or two update folders that can be deleted manually. But leaving them
there will not cause any problems with the system. They will be just invalid
files that the OS will ignore.

Thank you for the recommendation.

the OS. You sould not have but 1 (one) C:Windows. There is something there
causing a replication of files that souldn't be there.

Again, when I was doing just Win98, no problems. But this last time by
adding Microsoft downloads caused the segmentation.

A boot virus could possibly cause a bad OS install. And may be ,possibly,
still present after a format of the drive. AVG has a boot scanner.

Didn't the McAfee website scan look through that file, too? You'd
think it would after spending over 3 hours to look at 32,651 files!

- Robert -

Ok...
Do you have any partitions on your hard drive other then C:?
I've got a plan.
Post Back.

"Robert A. Macy" wrote:

poatt wrote:
I now
have three sets of C:\Windows type folders, which makes no sense to me,
and worst of all............
Sounds like you have loaded Windows over itself.
When you reinstall the OS.
Do you do a full format followed by ,at least, a quick scandisk useing a
bootdisk floppy?

Sorry, not clear here. I was reinstalling Win98 over and over onto a
reformatted HD. After worrying about the importance of those
"critical" updates, the last time I reinstalled Windows after
formattting the drive; I then went to MS and downloaded updates,
critical ones. It was the installation of those updates that
"splattered" my Windows into three segments. I haven't reinstalled
since then, because I would have to go back and download all those
stupid updates and just didn't have the time. Plus, limping is better
than nothing.

Which probly is a virus that is tagged as "Read Only" or "System" or both.
And if you try to open properties to change it's attributes to delete it? It
will launch itself. Sneaky ...huh?

Yes, but wouldn't the virus scan at McAfee have picked up *if*
something was in there?
I also, have my Windows Explorer set up to see alll files. hidden,
system, all files. I checked for dates to see if anything gets
modified, or touched. I guess if a virus writer is smart enough to
have a file "squirt" out from under deletion, they would be smart
enough to check dates in adjacent files and set up their virus files
accordingly.

They are poor excuses for AV programs and they are resource hogs.
....snip...
when I printed them out. ANYTHING that needs 27 pages of uninstall is pure
B**LS**T.

Then it wasn't just me. Good.

AVG uninstalls with simply going to it's uninstall Two clicks. It may leave
one or two update folders that can be deleted manually. But leaving them
there will not cause any problems with the system. They will be just invalid
files that the OS will ignore.

Thank you for the recommendation.

the OS. You sould not have but 1 (one) C:Windows. There is something there
causing a replication of files that souldn't be there.

Again, when I was doing just Win98, no problems. But this last time by
adding Microsoft downloads caused the segmentation.

A boot virus could possibly cause a bad OS install. And may be ,possibly,
still present after a format of the drive. AVG has a boot scanner.

Didn't the McAfee website scan look through that file, too? You'd
think it would after spending over 3 hours to look at 32,651 files!

- Robert -

None.

Just have C:\
as a master hard drive
and D:\
as a slave hard drive
both identical units, same manufacturer

- Robert -

well my plan is:
If D: is another HD?
Get on the net and download ZoneAlarm(Free) Firewall from "Zone Labs" to
its own folder.Leave it intact as an execute file.
Do the same for AVG from Grisoft.
Would not hurt to get "HijackThis" also.
Once that is done. Format and reinstall Windows on C:
You need to load your MB drivers first after OS install. Then your Video
drivers.
Modem drivers if it was not installed at first boot of OS.
If you downloaded "HijackThis" Install it and run it.
This should give you the initial BOOT menu of what is necessary to boot
windows.
Check all the entries and put them in the "Ignore" list.
That's the way if you do later scans... what shows up would not be a
necessary boot item to launch windows. Unless it belonged to a program you
know you installed and want it to start at boot.
After that do a scandisk and defrag.
Now...
Install the firewall.
Then install the AV program.
After the reboot from AV install do another scandisk and defrag.
Why I am telling you to do multiple scans and defrags because when
installing a system everything gets loaded here and there on the drive. and
defrag will,kind of, put them all in their right places. At a system
install,you should stop and do a scandisk and defrag after any big data
download. It just helps the system do the next downloads smoother and faster.
Now...once the firewall and AV program is in place connect to the internet.
Do your AV update. This may take awhile and possibly a reboot. If it does
require a reboot on AVG update. Do it. And then connect again to the net and
do another AV update. The second one should be the signature files for the
program to identify the viruses. Oh yeah...set the AV update to Manual. Not
automatic. As with any program that needs updates. DO NOT depend on the
"Auto-Update" to work for your needs. And they may very well decide to
auto-update when you don't want them to.
Once the AV is updated....
Go to windows update site and do the scan. Answer yes to the pop-up that
states you need to load something to make the scan work. This is important to
do.
If you don't? The update site will not work.
The critical updates will be listed as ready to be downloaded. You will
have to go through the list and select remove on all. then start with
IE6,select add and install.
There will be a reboot needed. Then you will have to go back to the update
site and do this all again and select the next IE6 update. Get your IE
updates first. This will help in the following updates. At this stage of time
it will take a lot of your time and effort to get ALL the updates. And when
you get the list of needed updates remember somewhere around 80 of them will
be for foriegn languages that you will not need. So don't get discouraged.
Once you get all the critical updates. The windows updates can be installed
starting with the largest and then bundle the smaller ones.
I believe why you are having problems at Windows update is because you do
not have a firewall. Or at least you have'nt mentioned one.
To be on the net at least have a firewall installed.
Is all this possible to do?
Post back.


"Robert A. Macy" wrote:

None.

Just have C:\
as a master hard drive
and D:\
as a slave hard drive
both identical units, same manufacturer

- Robert -