Windows 98SE lock-up problem

[per]

Hi all

I have a problem with Windows 98 SE running on a P3-450MHz, with 384MB RAM.

I have recently installed Win98SE on top of the old installation and everything runs fine except when I have 2-3 "My computer" windows open while I'm working in some program.

When I close that program Windows will hang in about 5-10% of the time. It's not related to any specific program and it can occur randomly with a rebooted computer or after 1,2 or 3 hours. It seem to help if I minimise the "My computer" windows.

When Windows has locked I have to power off and restart the computer to be able to continue.

This problem was the main reason why I re-installed Windows, but unfortunately it didn't help . I have also used Windows update to get all recommended updates.

Any suggestions why this occurs and what to do about it are highly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Per

[ski]

Hmmm....
I'm not able to open multiple 'My Computer' windows using Win 98.
Perhaps there is a problem with your Windows installation.
You may have to back up all critical files, reformat the hard drive, and do a 'clean' windows installation.

Did the problem start right after installing any hardware or software, or did it happen without making any changes?
If so, then revert back to the original hardware setup, or uninstall the software, and see if that helps.

Did you try doing a Ctrl-Alt-Del on the Desktop, and shutting down all programs except Explorer, Systray, and a firewall(if you use one)?

Did you try doing a clean boot?
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;Q192926

Did you try removing individual memory modules to see if the problem stops?

[shiva_42]

I'm with ski.

I can't open multiple instances of "My Computer" in Win98SE no matter what I do.

This sounds like a "buggy" install of the O/S itself.

[chorro]

might be a heat problem. Check the temperature inside your computer. You might have to add additional case fans or a pci/isa slot fan. If you go to this site, they have fans for your harddrives as well as your cd/dvdrom drives.

Your videocard could be overheating if you get pauses while trying to close those windows.

[per]

It has always been possible to open several “My computer windows” on my computer.
When Windows locks ctrl+alt+del doesn’t work, I have to power off and restart. I have had this problem for some time now and I can’t recall that it occured after an installation. I haven’t tried the clean-boot trouble shouting. Since this problem occures randomly and not that often I guess it can be hard to detect it using this method.

If the problem was related heat or to faulty RAM-modules wouldn’t that cause lock-ups in other situations as well?
Lock-ups only occurs as described earlier, if I work in programs or play games without having ”My computer” windows open at the same time no lock-ups.

Per

[ski]

Normally, a computer problem is hardware related if it occurs randomly, and it's software related if it occurs with a specific application.

Because your freezing problem happens only when multiple windows of 'My Computer' are opened, then it's probably software (Windows) related.
And since the application that's causing the problem is part of the Windows O/S, then consider doing a clean boot.
If that does not help, then you may be lloking at reformatting and doing a clean Windows installation.

[per]

Thanks for your help!

I'll start with the clean-boot trouble shouting.

Per