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View Full Version : W98 keeps freezing up.

cmulvey
10-11-2002, 05:53 PM
I just reformatted the hard drive and reinstalled w98se (twice actually), and am trying to load various software packages back onto the pc, and it keeps freezing up on me an various times. I can install a couple programs, or simply be browsing then all the sudden it freezes. I have to manually shut off the power and restart it (hard boot). Initially, the hard drive had multiple bad clusters, I have since, been able to repair most of it. The segment that I couldn't repair with utilities, I set up as a non-Dos partition and de-activated it. Now when I run scandisk from Dos mode, it comes up clean. I don't know what the problem could be, any suggestions?
classicsoftware
10-11-2002, 09:33 PM
Scandisk is poor tool for disk health.

If scandisk finds major problems, it's probably already too late.

Get the diagnostic software from the website of the hard drive manufacturer and see what it reports.

If the drive is not old, it may have warranty left on it....
Whyzman
10-11-2002, 09:41 PM
I'm with Classic here, run the manufacturer's diagnostic software and see if it produces an error code...

Many manufacturers have a 3 year replacement warranty...though, soon to change. :(
cmulvey
10-14-2002, 05:52 PM
Problem still not solved. I purchased a new HD, thinking that was probably the problem, but it is still doing it. What else could be causing it to freeze up? I am running W98se.
Budfred
10-14-2002, 09:04 PM
The next most likely possibility is probably the RAM, but it could also be a heat problem or some other issue. To check the RAM, try running with only one stick and try the problem behavior. If it works ok, add another stick and test again. And so on. If you have only one stick, borrow some from someone else and try it. If the first stick doesn't work, try the second and so forth. You can also try the RAM in another machine to see if it runs ok.

If your CMOS has the feature, check the temperature after your system has been running for a while. If it is high, you may need to work on cooling. Power supply is another possibility and is tougher to test.

Budfred
cmulvey
10-15-2002, 10:27 AM
RAM was the problem, one of the sticks had gone bad. Thanks for the feedback, it really helps.