31-08-2003 05:15									#1
	Computer Resources - help. Support Apolyton, buy Civilization 2

I have a serious resource problem with my PC and desperately need some techy help.

Within a very short time of logging on my PC the screen updates slow up by loads, e.g. when typing into the Poly thread box the text does not appear straight away and a 10 word sentence can take 10 secs before the text is there, all I see is a flashing cursor.

Everything was ok with my PC until a week ago. I don’t know what has happened, whether it has a virus or what?

About my PC: I have had it 5 years so it’s a little old. It’s a Gateway 2000, 600mhz Pentium3 with Windows 98, 256 MB RAM, 32 MB Nvidia TNT 2 Card, 20 GB HD (though its always around 200 – 500 off its limit and has been for a year or so), oh and I have ADSL connection at 576000 BPS and ZoneAlarm firewall.

When the problems started last week I also started getting 2 error messages just after Windows booted, the first one says “Cannot find the file “MSINFO.exe””.

What could be causing these problems, can someone suggest what I should go and investigate, what settings I need to check change etc.

Do you need any more info?

	31-08-2003 05:19									#2
	Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

Odd, I've only got a little better and I'm fine.

1. Free up space on your hard drive
If you're within 200-500mb of your limit all the time, maybe your swap file (hard drive based RAM--slow as the dickens but better than what you're experiencing right now ) isn't getting enough space. Clear out a lot of ****--burn it to a CD if it's largely just backups and old files or archives that are just taking up space on your hard drive.

2. Check for viruses
Viruses are usually the reason of sudden unexplained slow downs like this. Also, check for spyware as well.

I'll look up your msinfo.exe problem on Google later. For now, do these two things (in whatever order) and it should help at least a little

	31-08-2003 05:21									#3
	Increase the size of your Attachments

Only thing I can think of removing all your *.tmp files. Update your firewall in case someone is pinging you to death.

It might be a virus, I dont know, but definitely use some virus checking software if possible.

	31-08-2003 05:23									#4
	Increase Your PM Length

Thanks will do that for starters, I didnt get the second error wuick enough. I will post it tomorrow.

How do I detect spyware and where can I download a good virus checker?

Any other sugestions appreciated.

	31-08-2003 05:26									#5
	Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

AVG is the most popular free virus checker. http://www.grisoft.com

SpyBot is the most popular free spyware checker. http://security.kolla.de/

	31-08-2003 05:30									#6
	Support Apolyton, buy GURPS/ Alpha Centauri

while being all nerdy : ) how do I get a still pic from my (new) webcam to come up on 'poly?

	31-08-2003 06:54									#7
	Support Apolyton, buy Call to Power 2

Reds: what software are you using?

	31-08-2003 06:57									#8
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

quote: Originally posted by elijah Only thing I can think of removing all your *.tmp files. Update your firewall in case someone is pinging you to death. It might be a virus, I dont know, but definitely use some virus checking software if possible.

Is it safe to delete all of the .tmp files? I didn't want to because I wasn't sure if they were being used...

Asher?

	31-08-2003 07:07									#9
	Suffering from ads?

Yes could do with Ashers advise here. Ive already done what MrMitchel said (including deleting 1GB from my HD) and the problem still persists - going to do a disk clean up and stuff over night now.

I did find 91 instances of Worm/kbot on my machine - all gone now. Oh and a lot of Spyware to.

Thanks Mr Mitchel

I still need more advise though as the problem is still here.

	31-08-2003 07:14									#10
	Support Apolyton

Have you tried the Restore disk that came with your computer? I can't find anything in Microsoft KB.

Have you flipped through temp, cookies, history, etc.?

Does the problem persist with other sites or other browsers?

	31-08-2003 07:22									#11
	Increase the size of your Attachments

Yes I get the problem with other sites as well. Not sure about the restore disk? Do you mean the Start-up disk I had to make or are you suggesting I reformat and re-install wWindows etc.

If its the latter I am really loathe to do that as its really a last resort. I have to many files, MP3's etc to back up. I had to reformat about a year ago and it was a nightmare to get all the programs reloaded, not to mention spending a week backing up data etc.

Keep the suggestions coming guys, many thanks for all your help so far by the way.

Oh and re deleting temp files, can I delete them all? If not which ones do I need to keep?

	31-08-2003 08:02									#12
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

If it's a gateway, it might have came with a disk to repair the installation vs. a nuke and pave disk. Try a program like "HDvalet" (from pcmag.com). But "missing MSINFO.EXE" sounds bad.

	31-08-2003 11:47									#13
	Full PM-box? Change here!

You could always do a complete clean reinstall

	31-08-2003 12:30									#14
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

format c:/ -u

	31-08-2003 14:58									#15
	Support Apolyton, pre-order Civilization IV

Whats is a clean reinstall, I am guessing that just reinstalls key Windows programs?

	31-08-2003 15:20									#16
	Remove this text

A clean reinstall just installs windows.

After which, of course, it is recommended to install all the other programs that you use, plus any data that you need. I guess you already realise how much work this is.

	31-08-2003 20:43									#17
	Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

What work?

Just pop in Ghost, restore bit image of disk, and keep all your data on your OpenBSD fileserver.

Easy as pie

	31-08-2003 20:59									#18
	Support Apolyton, buy Call to Power 2

hi ,

wipe everything on the drives first with www.cyberscrub.com

have a nice day

	31-08-2003 21:06									#19
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

format c: generally works well enough

	31-08-2003 22:05									#20
	Support Apolyton or Terrorists Win

quote: Originally posted by Urban Ranger format c: generally works well enough

µ

hi ,

some ghosts can be still be missed , ........

have a nice day

	31-08-2003 23:15									#21
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

yeah, but format c: -u gives you an unconditional reformat.