Hey are there any computer savvy Bullitheads out there that could give me some advise? I'm a computer "dummy" so if someone has an answer please give it in english! I followed a link from a post on this site to a goof site with a VW and a GTI. While I was checking out this site a small window popped up that said that my computer had performed an illegal operation and froze up. I had to shut down the computer and restart it. This happens at least once a day when I am surfing different sites. I have a IBM Aptiva with windows 95 in it. Any help would be appreciated so I don't have to throw this damn thing out the window. BlackBullitt#1768
I Hate This Damn Computer Sometimes
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I would at least upgrade to 98 SE, (second edition). 98 SE is pretty darn stable.
I'm a full fledged computer geek, so I guess I'm qualified to offer some suggestions. I agree with Mid Life Crisis that an upgrade is in order if you're still running Win95. Windows 98 SE (Second Edition) has been very stable, and has all the drivers you should need for whatever you have connected to your computer. I too have an Aptiva, and 98 has been great.
I never saw anything special in Windows ME to make me recommend it. I've been testing the new Windows XP which is due to release later this month, and it is incredibly stable and even seems to run a bit faster. If you wait a few weeks you could buy it, but I'll warn you that since it's so new (and not actually released yet) I have several things I can't find drivers for. If any of your equipment is more than a year old, I would recommend waiting before you move up to WinXP.
With all that said, there are some things you can check that may help your system now. Some things I've seen help stabilize the system include:
Closing things on the task bar. If when you turn on your computer, a lot of things load in the task bar automatically, look at removing some of the unnecessary ones.
Reduce the number of colors being displayed. You'll actually see little difference if any between using 16 thousand colors (16 bit) and higher settings. This will free up video memory, and tend to stabilize things. Fewer colors than that will look crappy.
And finally, check the windows update site for the latest patches and newer version of Explorer (assuming that's what you're using for browsing).
Hope this helps.
Good Luck.
I never saw anything special in Windows ME to make me recommend it. I've been testing the new Windows XP which is due to release later this month, and it is incredibly stable and even seems to run a bit faster. If you wait a few weeks you could buy it, but I'll warn you that since it's so new (and not actually released yet) I have several things I can't find drivers for. If any of your equipment is more than a year old, I would recommend waiting before you move up to WinXP.
With all that said, there are some things you can check that may help your system now. Some things I've seen help stabilize the system include:
Closing things on the task bar. If when you turn on your computer, a lot of things load in the task bar automatically, look at removing some of the unnecessary ones.
Reduce the number of colors being displayed. You'll actually see little difference if any between using 16 thousand colors (16 bit) and higher settings. This will free up video memory, and tend to stabilize things. Fewer colors than that will look crappy.
And finally, check the windows update site for the latest patches and newer version of Explorer (assuming that's what you're using for browsing).
Hope this helps.
Good Luck.
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You could do a 98 SE upgrade and 98 upgrade is VERY good and keeping all the old programs. BUT if your 95 install is giving you TONS of problems then the odds are you will just move the problems with you. You are far better doing a NEW install. BUT if 95 is working then you can always try the upgrade knowing that you might have to do a new install, go for it. DON'T do ME. YES some people are running it but I threw mine out the window. Also you need to match your hardware. Each adavance in OS requires more resources.
Another option is to apply all of MS patches to the Win95 system (they are free) and unprade your browser to IE 5.0 or IE 5.5. I am not sure if IE 6.0 will run on a Win95 system.
I agree with Mid Life - Stay away from Windows ME - Not worth the time or effort.
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<p style="line-height: 100%; word-spacing: 0" align="left"><font face="Broadway BT">Bullitt</font></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; word-spacing: 0; margin-top: -15" align="left"><font face="Broadway BT">00692</font></p>
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Lou6969 on 2001-10-14 16:46 ]</font>
I agree with Mid Life - Stay away from Windows ME - Not worth the time or effort.
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<p style="line-height: 100%; word-spacing: 0" align="left"><font face="Broadway BT">Bullitt</font></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; word-spacing: 0; margin-top: -15" align="left"><font face="Broadway BT">00692</font></p>
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Lou6969 on 2001-10-14 16:46 ]</font>
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jp: Have you tried the simple thing of defragmenting? Mine was freezing up a lot too and defragmenting helped......
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I used to get these all the time with my old 233 Pentium. I got sick of it and upgraded to something a little less dated last year.
I still get them every now and then, but I run Scan Disk and a defrag and that usually helps. If it still has issues, I'll reformat.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 01GTB on 2001-10-15 12:18 ]</font>
I still get them every now and then, but I run Scan Disk and a defrag and that usually helps. If it still has issues, I'll reformat.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 01GTB on 2001-10-15 12:18 ]</font>
Windows XP is going to be good, but I would recommend,like someone said earlier, that you wait for at least the second service pack to come out and then get it, that will have most of the bugs a "dummy, as u put it" would run into. Running Win 2000 now and happy with it, but XP is faster.
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I would recommend you go here http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/. Do all the recommended updates and upgrade IE. This was the last thing Warlon recommended, but try it first. My kids are using my old P166 running Win95, 2 meg video card, Voodoo1 3d card, 64megs ram. They aren’t having any problems. They are young 2nd and 4th grade, and just do simple web surfing to sites like cartoon network etc. You will probably have to do a number of reboots, but if it solves your problems, it will save you the hassle and expense of upgrading your OS and/or hardware.
Win 98 SE is the best "Consumer Level" version of windows out there. It's also the most user friendly. Win2K is stable as all get out but it does have some compatibility issues and does require a higher level of understanding to get it to work. Avoid Windows ME like the plague!! It is!!! If you find that you're having increased difficulties with your computer and no matter how many times your defrag or update it just doesn't get any better.. well it's time to bite the bullet and re-format. Just be absolutely certain you save all your important docs, pics, etc to another disk or get a CD burner to back it all up with.
I just wanted to thank all you Bullittheads out there in Bullittland that responded to my post.I will try some of your suggestions.I just hope that I don't screw up this computer. As I need my daily dose of Vitamin Bullitt to keep up my mental health.BlackBullitt#1768
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