I've an older Dell Pentium(r) II (98SE) with plenty of HD - 60 Gigs (for my purposes) but is short on RAM (256.0 Megs), and is lately giving me start up and shut down problems that have never happened before.
I've firewalls(SG/ZA), malware (AdAware/SpywareBlster),and Virus pgms (Avast!/AVG) and run them frequently (as well as running in the background).
It frequently shows me that I only have 32-45% of available resources (when I'm on-line) when I look at 'my computer/properties'.

Lately it just starts up and then shuts down all by itself.
It never gets to my desktop, just shuts off during the start up.
It also will , on occasion, start in safe mode instead of normal (and my desktop jumbles around and has to be re organized).
I often get a screen that tells me my display properties are wrong and need to be adjusted to the setting it chooses (no options to change it).
Yesterday, it gave me the blue screen of 'fatal error' when I hit 'print' for a Word file (I was on-line at the time).
It frequently does that randomly, too.
I can only run Scandisk in safe mode, because something is running that causes it to start over and over ("......10 times-do you wish to continue to receive this message?") and won't finish. I've shut down everything (except Explorer) in 'close program'- ctrl/alt/del, but it keeps happening, anyway.
I know I should just get another newer CPU with XP and plenty of RAM, but finances are tight right now. Is there anything I can do?

Make it a doorstop?

No seriously, the cost of fixing that one will really outweigh buying a new one. So save FAST cause that one is on death's door.

If the monitor is still in good shape, all you need is the tower anyway. Liz

Gee - thanks bunches, Liz.
Yup, the monitor, printer, keyboard, etc. are all about-or under, a year old.
I know I can get a rebuilt basic unit for about $175-$300 from my local geeks, but money is real tight with all the extra medical expenses for my son, right now. I'll just have to keep this one hobbling along, best as I can. Anybody got any band-aid suggestions?

Have you updated it with windows update site yet?? If that don't work maybe boot up in safe mode and uninstall all the adware programs or any not related to or a part of windows. Last resort (if you have the reinstall software) is to format and start from scratch!
HTH

are their any "running" programs that you don't use that you can remove?

do you run all the spyware and firewall programs in the background when you aren't online?

my old compaq had a tizzy when i tried to do anything online and other programs at the same time. i would have to same web info and print it later.

i know how tight things are bob. i follow your sons journey on care cure.

MSoft offers no updates for 98 anymore, the (S)econd (E)dition is the last update available.
Safe mode works fine, if I don't want all my programs to work ,
& without the malware it really accumulates a lot of garbage
that uses even more RAM.Don't have any reinstall software , either- the geeks have it, but then if I'm gonna send it out- the cost will be such that I'd be better off saving for another CPU with XP, (I'd have to have this HD installed in the newer one, as well, to run some pgms I've had here at work, since the age of the dinosaurs.)

nide, i did send you a pm...but i found the software for both 98 and 95. i should have just looked on my bookshelf with the rest of the software boxes.

i'll mail it to you if you want it. it is complete with the book.

Can you increase the size of the virtual ram?
I haven't used 98 for a long time.


What about!!!!
go to a library and pick up some of those Linux books with the CD in the back - there are quite a few to choose from if you use a modem or wired connection they should work fine as far as internet connecting.
Supposedly Linux OS program uses much less system resources and less virus problems.

FREEEEE!! too

Kbuntu, Ubuntu, Linspire are ones I that I have looked at
- have the first two installed on spare HD but wireless connect is not set up right yet.

Thank you for your concern.
He's doing better but we still have to watch over him like hawks. And the daily travel, gas, restaurant/cafeteria food, items he needs, etc- is draining the immediate cash flow lately. I'm also a bit weary, gotta take this weekend off and go out of town-and get some R&R. Six to 7 days/nites, a week at the hospital since Sept 3rd, has taken a little bit out of this 'ole man.

Haven't read the PM, yet. I've got 98 its the "SE" that has to be there, but I don't have it. Thanks. If its "SE" -I'd like it, for insurance.