Can you help please?

[Emrys Davies]

My wife is using my 15 year old PC and it has a fault amongst many as you
will expect but can you help with this one?

It is a Win. 98 SE with a C Drive capacity of 19.1 GB of which 5.47 GB is
used. It has 384.0 MB of RAM and 65 per cent of this is free. It has
'Google' and 'IE' icons on its desktop which take one minute to open,
respectively, and when they do a little window shows: 'Iexplore with a solid
red circle which has a large white X therein and the window contains the
words 'Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher' and OK thereon. When clicked the latter
opens instantly to the Google 'Home' page, to which it is set.

All other icons on the desktop open instantly, including Outlook Express.

I ran it for viruses and found 12 'FunWebproducts' and 29 '/info: Cookie
information database'.

Any ideas please. I have a tip nearby, but my wife appears to manage with
this and does not want a new one.,

[98 Guy]

Emrys Davies wrote (in alt.windows98)

Post by Emrys Davies
My wife is using my 15 year old PC and it has a fault amongst many
as you will expect but can you help with this one?
It is a Win. 98 SE with a C Drive capacity of 19.1 GB of which 5.47
GB is used. It has 384.0 MB of RAM and 65 per cent of this is free.

I strongly suggest you obtain a new hard drive and at least clone
(duplicate) your current drive to the new drive. The components of your
old computer can operate for many years, except for the hard drive.
Your drive is living on borrowed time and it might even now have bad
sectors that are causing operational problems.

Boot / start the computer in DOS mode and run scandisk from the dos
prompt, correct any problems with the file system, and let scandisk
perform a surface test to find bad sectors.

And remember that drives don't last forever. My experience is that 20
gb drives in particular had a high failure rate compared to 40 and 80 gb
drives.

Post by Emrys Davies
It has 'Google' and 'IE' icons on its desktop which take one minute
to open, respectively,

There could be many reasons why it takes so long to start IE. You could
have many other programs running that are taking too much memory.

Turn off (or just un-install) any antivirus software you have. Windows
98 does not need antivirus software. I run windows 98 exclusively and
haven't used AV software for more than 7 years. Virus's and trojans do
not infect Windows 98 any more - they are designed to run on NT-based
windows (like XP, vista, 7, etc). AV software running on win-98 is a
waste of what little memory and CPU power you have.

Post by Emrys Davies
and when they do a little window shows: 'Iexplore with a solid
red circle which has a large white X therein and the window
contains the words 'Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher' and OK thereon.

I assume you are in Germany, and you have a German version of Windows
98.

Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher translates as "Enough Memory".

I'm assuming the actual message is that you don't have enough memory to
run the program.

On that computer, click the Start button, select Run, and type
"msconfig" and hit enter.

Select "Startup" (the tab on the far right) and remove the checkbox for
any programs that are not needed. If you don't know how to decide, post
the list of the names of those programs here and I can tell you.

Post by Emrys Davies
When clicked the latter opens instantly to the Google 'Home' page,
to which it is set.
All other icons on the desktop open instantly, including Outlook Express.
I ran it for viruses and found 12 'FunWebproducts'

That is not a virus. See here to remove:

http://help.funwebproducts.com/uninstall/uninstall.html

Post by Emrys Davies
and 29 '/info: Cookie information database'.

Those are not important.

Post by Emrys Davies
Any ideas please. I have a tip nearby, but my wife appears to
manage with this and does not want a new one.,

I very strongly suggest you install an old version of Firefox and use it
instead of IE. Firefox 2.0.0.20 is much better than Internet Explorer.
I can post a link where to download it if you want.

[RobertMacy]

Post by 98 Guy

...snip...

I very strongly suggest you install an old version of Firefox and use it
instead of IE. Firefox 2.0.0.20 is much better than Internet Explorer.
I can post a link where to download it if you want.

hear, hear!

Firefox can also work on many websites that otherwise will reject IE.

[Hot-Text]

Post by RobertMacy

Post by 98 Guy

...snip...

I very strongly suggest you install an old version of Firefox and use it
instead of IE. Firefox 2.0.0.20 is much better than Internet Explorer.
I can post a link where to download it if you want.

hear, hear!
Firefox can also work on many websites that otherwise will reject IE.

Make
http://www.oldapps.com/
IE Home Page First

I use (Opera 10.10)

[Emrys Davies]

Post by 98 Guy
Emrys Davies wrote (in alt.windows98)

Post by Emrys Davies
My wife is using my 15 year old PC and it has a fault amongst many
as you will expect but can you help with this one?
It is a Win. 98 SE with a C Drive capacity of 19.1 GB of which 5.47
GB is used. It has 384.0 MB of RAM and 65 per cent of this is free.

I strongly suggest you obtain a new hard drive and at least clone
(duplicate) your current drive to the new drive. The components of your
old computer can operate for many years, except for the hard drive.
Your drive is living on borrowed time and it might even now have bad
sectors that are causing operational problems.
Boot / start the computer in DOS mode and run scandisk from the dos
prompt, correct any problems with the file system, and let scandisk
perform a surface test to find bad sectors.
And remember that drives don't last forever. My experience is that 20
gb drives in particular had a high failure rate compared to 40 and 80 gb
drives.

Post by Emrys Davies
It has 'Google' and 'IE' icons on its desktop which take one minute
to open, respectively,

There could be many reasons why it takes so long to start IE. You could
have many other programs running that are taking too much memory.
Turn off (or just un-install) any antivirus software you have. Windows
98 does not need antivirus software. I run windows 98 exclusively and
haven't used AV software for more than 7 years. Virus's and trojans do
not infect Windows 98 any more - they are designed to run on NT-based
windows (like XP, vista, 7, etc). AV software running on win-98 is a
waste of what little memory and CPU power you have.

Post by Emrys Davies
and when they do a little window shows: 'Iexplore with a solid
red circle which has a large white X therein and the window
contains the words 'Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher' and OK thereon.

I assume you are in Germany, and you have a German version of Windows
98.
Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher translates as "Enough Memory".
I'm assuming the actual message is that you don't have enough memory to
run the program.
On that computer, click the Start button, select Run, and type
"msconfig" and hit enter.
Select "Startup" (the tab on the far right) and remove the checkbox for
any programs that are not needed. If you don't know how to decide, post
the list of the names of those programs here and I can tell you.

Post by Emrys Davies
When clicked the latter opens instantly to the Google 'Home' page,
to which it is set.
All other icons on the desktop open instantly, including Outlook Express.
I ran it for viruses and found 12 'FunWebproducts'

http://help.funwebproducts.com/uninstall/uninstall.html

Post by Emrys Davies
and 29 '/info: Cookie information database'.

Those are not important.

Post by Emrys Davies
Any ideas please. I have a tip nearby, but my wife appears to
manage with this and does not want a new one.,

I very strongly suggest you install an old version of Firefox and use it
instead of IE. Firefox 2.0.0.20 is much better than Internet Explorer.
I can post a link where to download it if you want.

I would much appreciate your Firefox link while I will consider your other
suggestions.

[Bill in Co]

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
Emrys Davies wrote (in alt.windows98)

Post by Emrys Davies
My wife is using my 15 year old PC and it has a fault amongst many
as you will expect but can you help with this one?
It is a Win. 98 SE with a C Drive capacity of 19.1 GB of which 5.47
GB is used. It has 384.0 MB of RAM and 65 per cent of this is free.

I strongly suggest you obtain a new hard drive and at least clone
(duplicate) your current drive to the new drive. The components of your
old computer can operate for many years, except for the hard drive.
Your drive is living on borrowed time and it might even now have bad
sectors that are causing operational problems.
Boot / start the computer in DOS mode and run scandisk from the dos
prompt, correct any problems with the file system, and let scandisk
perform a surface test to find bad sectors.
And remember that drives don't last forever. My experience is that 20
gb drives in particular had a high failure rate compared to 40 and 80 gb
drives.

Post by Emrys Davies
It has 'Google' and 'IE' icons on its desktop which take one minute
to open, respectively,

There could be many reasons why it takes so long to start IE. You could
have many other programs running that are taking too much memory.
Turn off (or just un-install) any antivirus software you have. Windows
98 does not need antivirus software. I run windows 98 exclusively and
haven't used AV software for more than 7 years. Virus's and trojans do
not infect Windows 98 any more - they are designed to run on NT-based
windows (like XP, vista, 7, etc). AV software running on win-98 is a
waste of what little memory and CPU power you have.

Post by Emrys Davies
and when they do a little window shows: 'Iexplore with a solid
red circle which has a large white X therein and the window
contains the words 'Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher' and OK thereon.

I assume you are in Germany, and you have a German version of Windows
98.
Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher translates as "Enough Memory".
I'm assuming the actual message is that you don't have enough memory to
run the program.
On that computer, click the Start button, select Run, and type
"msconfig" and hit enter.
Select "Startup" (the tab on the far right) and remove the checkbox for
any programs that are not needed. If you don't know how to decide, post
the list of the names of those programs here and I can tell you.

Post by Emrys Davies
When clicked the latter opens instantly to the Google 'Home' page,
to which it is set.
All other icons on the desktop open instantly, including Outlook Express.
I ran it for viruses and found 12 'FunWebproducts'

http://help.funwebproducts.com/uninstall/uninstall.html

Post by Emrys Davies
and 29 '/info: Cookie information database'.

Those are not important.

Post by Emrys Davies
Any ideas please. I have a tip nearby, but my wife appears to
manage with this and does not want a new one.,

I very strongly suggest you install an old version of Firefox and use it
instead of IE. Firefox 2.0.0.20 is much better than Internet Explorer.
I can post a link where to download it if you want.

I would much appreciate your Firefox link while I will consider your other
suggestions.

Try oldapps.com and/or oldversion.com. Both have it.
In general, these are two good sites for old versions of software.

[98 Guy]

Post by Emrys Davies
I would much appreciate your Firefox link while I will consider
your other suggestions.

Here is where you can download the suggested version of Firefox:

https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/

The German language version is here:

https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/de/Firefox%20Setup%202.0.0.20.exe

The English (US) version is here:

https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/en-US/Firefox%20Setup%202.0.0.20.exe

[Emrys Davies]

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies
I would much appreciate your Firefox link while I will consider
your other suggestions.

https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/
https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/de/Firefox%20Setup%202.0.0.20.exe
https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/en-US/Firefox%20Setup%202.0.0.20.exe

Cannot install Firefox as the PC is far too sluggish. I did install it on
my PC to see what it was like.

[Emrys Davies]

Post by 98 Guy
Emrys Davies wrote (in alt.windows98)

Post by Emrys Davies
My wife is using my 15 year old PC and it has a fault amongst many
as you will expect but can you help with this one?
It is a Win. 98 SE with a C Drive capacity of 19.1 GB of which 5.47
GB is used. It has 384.0 MB of RAM and 65 per cent of this is free.

I strongly suggest you obtain a new hard drive and at least clone
(duplicate) your current drive to the new drive. The components of your
old computer can operate for many years, except for the hard drive.
Your drive is living on borrowed time and it might even now have bad
sectors that are causing operational problems.
Boot / start the computer in DOS mode and run scandisk from the dos
prompt, correct any problems with the file system, and let scandisk
perform a surface test to find bad sectors.
And remember that drives don't last forever. My experience is that 20
gb drives in particular had a high failure rate compared to 40 and 80 gb
drives.

Post by Emrys Davies
It has 'Google' and 'IE' icons on its desktop which take one minute
to open, respectively,

There could be many reasons why it takes so long to start IE. You could
have many other programs running that are taking too much memory.
Turn off (or just un-install) any antivirus software you have. Windows
98 does not need antivirus software. I run windows 98 exclusively and
haven't used AV software for more than 7 years. Virus's and trojans do
not infect Windows 98 any more - they are designed to run on NT-based
windows (like XP, vista, 7, etc). AV software running on win-98 is a
waste of what little memory and CPU power you have.

Post by Emrys Davies
and when they do a little window shows: 'Iexplore with a solid
red circle which has a large white X therein and the window
contains the words 'Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher' and OK thereon.

I assume you are in Germany, and you have a German version of Windows
98.
Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher translates as "Enough Memory".
I'm assuming the actual message is that you don't have enough memory to
run the program.
On that computer, click the Start button, select Run, and type
"msconfig" and hit enter.
Select "Startup" (the tab on the far right) and remove the checkbox for
any programs that are not needed. If you don't know how to decide, post
the list of the names of those programs here and I can tell you.

Post by Emrys Davies
When clicked the latter opens instantly to the Google 'Home' page,
to which it is set.
All other icons on the desktop open instantly, including Outlook Express.
I ran it for viruses and found 12 'FunWebproducts'

http://help.funwebproducts.com/uninstall/uninstall.html

Post by Emrys Davies
and 29 '/info: Cookie information database'.

Those are not important.

Post by Emrys Davies
Any ideas please. I have a tip nearby, but my wife appears to
manage with this and does not want a new one.,

I very strongly suggest you install an old version of Firefox and use it
instead of IE. Firefox 2.0.0.20 is much better than Internet Explorer.
I can post a link where to download it if you want.

I live in the UK and I have no idea why a German window should appear on my
PC.

My Strartup contains:

Window Washer.
System Tray which only has Resource Meter and Screen Shots.
KB918547 C:\Windows\System.
KB891711 C:\Windows\System.
Resource Meter.
Webshots.Ink - ScreenSaver

Thanks so far.

[98 Guy]

Post by Emrys Davies
I live in the UK and I have no idea why a German window should
appear on my PC.

Click start, find, files or folders, and search your C drive for the
file "winver.exe".

It should be in the C:\Windows directory.

When found, do not start it, but instead right-click on it and select
Properties.

Click the Version tab, then select Language in the list below. In the
box to the right it will display what language your Windows 98 system
has installed.

Post by Emrys Davies
Window Washer.

Is this what you have:

http://www.amazon.com/Webroot-10202-Window-Washer/dp/B000070MQZ

Or is it this:

http://download.cnet.com/Free-Internet-Window-Washer/3000-2144_4-10436825.html

Or something else?

What-ever it is, you don't need it. Go to control panel, add-remove
programs, find Window Washer in the list and uninstall it.

Do that before installing Firefox.

Post by Emrys Davies
System Tray which only has Resource Meter and Screen Shots.
KB918547 C:\Windows\System.

That one is ok.

Post by Emrys Davies
KB891711 C:\Windows\System.

That one is questionable. Many people have had problems with that and
don't use it. I don't use it. It can be deactivated from msconfig.

What version of Windows 98 do you have? First Edition, or Second
edition? (right click on the "My Computer" screen icon and select
Properties).

Post by Emrys Davies
Resource Meter.
Webshots.Ink - ScreenSaver

From reading what webshots is, the functionality of old versions might
be questionable. I would temporarily deactivate it to see if it speeds
up computer performance and reduces memory usage.

Post by Emrys Davies
Thanks so far.

No problem.

[Emrys Davies]

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies
I live in the UK and I have no idea why a German window should
appear on my PC.

Click start, find, files or folders, and search your C drive for the
file "winver.exe".
It should be in the C:\Windows directory.
When found, do not start it, but instead right-click on it and select
Properties.
Click the Version tab, then select Language in the list below. In the
box to the right it will display what language your Windows 98 system
has installed.

My PC is in English.

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies
Window Washer.

http://www.amazon.com/Webroot-10202-Window-Washer/dp/B000070MQZ
http://download.cnet.com/Free-Internet-Window-Washer/3000-2144_4-10436825.html
Or something else?
What-ever it is, you don't need it. Go to control panel, add-remove
programs, find Window Washer in the list and uninstall it.
Do that before installing Firefox.

Window Washer now uninstalled

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies
System Tray which only has Resource Meter and Screen Shots.
KB918547 C:\Windows\System.

That one is ok.

Post by Emrys Davies
KB891711 C:\Windows\System.

That one is questionable. Many people have had problems with that and
don't use it. I don't use it. It can be deactivated from msconfig.

Now deactivated

Post by 98 Guy
What version of Windows 98 do you have? First Edition, or Second
edition? (right click on the "My Computer" screen icon and select
Properties).

Win. 98 SE

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies
Resource Meter.
Webshots.Ink - ScreenSaver

From reading what webshots is, the functionality of old versions might
be questionable. I would temporarily deactivate it to see if it speeds
up computer performance and reduces memory usage.

Post by Emrys Davies
Thanks so far.

No problem.

[Axel Berger]

Post by 98 Guy
I strongly suggest you obtain a new hard drive

Generally this is good advice. But how do you fit the error message of
too little RAM in there?

Axel

[98 Guy]

Post by Axel Berger

Post by 98 Guy
I strongly suggest you obtain a new hard drive

Generally this is good advice. But how do you fit the error message
of too little RAM in there?

Clearly there's a lot of thrashing going on with his swap file.

We need to know how badly fragged his drive is, see if there are
problems with file structures, FAT, etc, bad sectors.

He could have actual faults in his system RAM (so booting and running
MEMtest would probably be a good idea at some point).

Most likely needs to replace motherboard battery and set BIOS variables
to correct values.

I could offer a location to download Norton Utilies 2002 System
Information (SI32.exe) which will show detailed memory usage and allow a
report to be saved to file that could be posted here.

[Axel Berger]

Post by 98 Guy
Firefox 2.0.0.20 is much better than Internet Explorer.

True. Still I tried it a long time ago and did not like it. I prefer the
1.5.0.12 which I'm still using. I made it declare itself as 2.5.0.12 to
circumvent some completely brain-dead browser detections.

[Emrys Davies]

Post by 98 Guy
Emrys Davies wrote (in alt.windows98)

Post by Emrys Davies
My wife is using my 15 year old PC and it has a fault amongst many
as you will expect but can you help with this one?
It is a Win. 98 SE with a C Drive capacity of 19.1 GB of which 5.47
GB is used. It has 384.0 MB of RAM and 65 per cent of this is free.

I strongly suggest you obtain a new hard drive and at least clone
(duplicate) your current drive to the new drive. The components of your
old computer can operate for many years, except for the hard drive.
Your drive is living on borrowed time and it might even now have bad
sectors that are causing operational problems.
Boot / start the computer in DOS mode and run scandisk from the dos
prompt, correct any problems with the file system, and let scandisk
perform a surface test to find bad sectors.

I have run Scandisk on 'Standard and everything was fine. It is on
'Thorough' now and will take a long while by the look of it.

Post by 98 Guy
And remember that drives don't last forever. My experience is that 20
gb drives in particular had a high failure rate compared to 40 and 80 gb
drives.

Post by Emrys Davies
It has 'Google' and 'IE' icons on its desktop which take one minute
to open, respectively,

There could be many reasons why it takes so long to start IE. You could
have many other programs running that are taking too much memory.
Turn off (or just un-install) any antivirus software you have. Windows
98 does not need antivirus software. I run windows 98 exclusively and
haven't used AV software for more than 7 years. Virus's and trojans do
not infect Windows 98 any more - they are designed to run on NT-based
windows (like XP, vista, 7, etc). AV software running on win-98 is a
waste of what little memory and CPU power you have.

I have uninstalled the antivirus, Window Washer and the like.

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies
and when they do a little window shows: 'Iexplore with a solid
red circle which has a large white X therein and the window
contains the words 'Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher' and OK thereon.

I assume you are in Germany, and you have a German version of Windows
98.

I live in the UK and it is Win. 98 SE

Post by 98 Guy
Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher translates as "Enough Memory".
I'm assuming the actual message is that you don't have enough memory to
run the program.
On that computer, click the Start button, select Run, and type
"msconfig" and hit enter.
Select "Startup" (the tab on the far right) and remove the checkbox for
any programs that are not needed. If you don't know how to decide, post
the list of the names of those programs here and I can tell you.

Done that and discussed the Startup programmes with you elsewhere.

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies
When clicked the latter opens instantly to the Google 'Home' page,
to which it is set.
All other icons on the desktop open instantly, including Outlook Express.
I ran it for viruses and found 12 'FunWebproducts'

http://help.funwebproducts.com/uninstall/uninstall.html

Post by Emrys Davies
and 29 '/info: Cookie information database'.

Those are not important.

Post by Emrys Davies
Any ideas please. I have a tip nearby, but my wife appears to
manage with this and does not want a new one.,

I very strongly suggest you install an old version of Firefox and use it
instead of IE. Firefox 2.0.0.20 is much better than Internet Explorer.
I can post a link where to download it if you want.

Cannot install Firefox as the PC is too sluggish.

[Computer Nerd Kev]

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
I very strongly suggest you install an old version of
Firefox and use it instead of IE. Firefox 2.0.0.20 is
much better than Internet Explorer. I can post a link
where to download it if you want.

Cannot install Firefox as the PC is too sluggish.

If Firefox is too slow, perhaps try K-Meleon:
http://kmeleon.sourceforge.net

Or failing that, OffByOne (depending on what sort of websites
you want to view):
http://www.OffByOne.com

What's your RAM use now with the antivirus and other
background tasks stopped? Win98 runs alright with 32MB RAM, so
65% of 384MB is very high just after booting up.

[98 Guy]

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
I very strongly suggest you install an old version of
Firefox and use it instead of IE. Firefox 2.0.0.20 is
much better than Internet Explorer. I can post a link
where to download it if you want.

Cannot install Firefox as the PC is too sluggish.

Firefox 2 is _not_ too sluggish, even for an old computer with an intel
P2 or P3 CPU.

The OP is just ignorant as to how the early versions of Firefox ran very
well on older machines.

If he wants to remain ignorant and obstinate, he (or whom ever uses the
computer) can continue to suffer with IE6 (or possibly IE 5 or 5.5).

[Emrys Davies]

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
I very strongly suggest you install an old version of
Firefox and use it instead of IE. Firefox 2.0.0.20 is
much better than Internet Explorer. I can post a link
where to download it if you want.

Cannot install Firefox as the PC is too sluggish.

Firefox 2 is _not_ too sluggish, even for an old computer with an intel
P2 or P3 CPU.
The OP is just ignorant as to how the early versions of Firefox ran very
well on older machines.
If he wants to remain ignorant and obstinate, he (or whom ever uses the
computer) can continue to suffer with IE6 (or possibly IE 5 or 5.5).

Well, you sadly misread my remark: ' Cannot install Firefox as the PC is
too sluggish' i.e. that I cannot download Firefox on the 'poorly' machine.
Main errors being 'Cannot find server' or 'This page cannot be displayed'.
I tried for ages. I tried 'your' firefox on my machine and I am pleased with
it. Certainly does the job.

I ran Scandisk in Safe Mode and it almost completed the job after about
eight hours into the task and then it froze. Whilst in Safe Mode I found
that IE and Google opened instantly whereas in Normal Mode they take about
a minute to open.

[98 Guy]

Post by Emrys Davies
Well, you sadly misread my remark: ' Cannot install Firefox as
the PC is too sluggish' i.e. that I cannot download Firefox on the
'poorly' machine.

You have an internet connectivity problem. If you described things
correctly, we wouldn'd have this confusion.

Post by Emrys Davies
Main errors being 'Cannot find server' or 'This page cannot be
displayed'.

Do you know how to check and set the network settings on Windows 98?

Follow these instructions:

Right click on network neighborhood icon on the desktop and select
Properties.

There is a list of installed network components.

There will be one, or more, items that start with "TCP/IP ->"

Some might say "Dial-up Adapter". Ignore them.

There should be at least one that says ethernet adapter. Select it, and
click properties.

If you don't have one that says ethernet adapter, stop reading and tell
us.

A new window will open named "TCP/IP properties" with a number of tabs.

Click Bindings. There should be a checkbox for "client for Microsoft
Networks". If it is not set, then set it, click Apply or OK, and let
the system reboot, and come back to this point and continue reading.

Click Gateway. There should be an IP address in the box under
"Installed gateways". If there is, do this:

Click start, run, type command.com and hit enter. A DOS window will
open. Type "Ping a.b.c.d" where a.b.c.d is the IP address you see in
the Installed gateways. You should see 4 lines saying:

"Reply from a.b.c.d: Bytes 32, time= 1ms, TTL=something".

If you get something like "Request timed out" then you have the wrong IP
address in the Installed Gateways setting. If so, then you need to find
out what the IP is of the gateway router of your network. You can get
that info from the network properties of some other PC on your network.

If you can ping the gateway IP, next thing is to check for general
internet connectivity.

First, does your PC have an IP address. Click on the "IP Address" tab.
One of these will be selected:

- Obtain an IP address automatically
- Specify an IP address

I find that specifying an IP address works better for stationary
computers that are hard-wired to home or soho networks. I suggest that
you select "Specify and IP address" and enter an IP address where the
first 3 IP numbers match that of your Installed Gateway. For the last
number, it's a bit of a random choice with some restrictions, but I
suggest a number between 30 and 80.

You will probably be asked to restart the computer at some point if you
make any of the above changes, so if you've changed the computer's IP
address, now would be a good time to reboot.

At this point, go back to the DOS window (or open a DOS window) and try
to ping 4.2.2.2 or 8.8.8.8. If you can't ping those, but you can ping
the gateway, then you have a strange problem. If you can ping at least
one of those 2 IP's then continue.

Click the "DNS Configuration" tab. Enable DNS should be selected (a
small black dot inside the circle). There might be some IP addresses
listed in the box under "DNS Server Search Order". If there are, they
may not be functional, reachable, or correct. Go back to the DOS window
and ping all of the IP's listed under DNS search order, one at a time.
Remove any that can't be pinged.

If you have removed them all, or if there were none there in the first
place, then add one of the following:

62.8.96.38 res04.opal-solutions.com
62.24.228.202 ns4.vispa.net.uk
62.149.33.134 lcars.ultraspeed.co.uk
77.239.96.2 tmsns.tmsnetltd.co.uk
78.143.192.10 dnscache1.fast.co.uk
78.143.192.20 dnscache2.fast.co.uk
80.74.253.18 Widnes
80.84.72.20 ns1.uklinux.net
80.84.72.25 ns3.uklinux.net
80.94.32.240 ns1.smartways.com
81.17.66.14 ns1.swisp.co.uk
81.17.72.70 nameserver1.southwestdatacentre.co.uk

Those are open or public-access DNS servers in the UK. Try first to
ping the IP before you add it. You only need to add one of them.

If you've made changes to the DNS settings, you will be asked to reboot
again. After rebooting, open a DOS window and try to ping an internet
host. So type "ping google.com". If the DNS is working, that will
immediately be translated as "Pinging Google.com (173.194.112.78)". If
instead there is a long delay, followed by "unknown host google.com"
then you still don't have a functional DNS setting.

If you get this far, and are able to ping google.com, you should be able
to open IE and download the recommended version of Firefox with ease -
depending on the speed of your internet connection that is.

[Emrys Davies]

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies
Well, you sadly misread my remark: ' Cannot install Firefox as
the PC is too sluggish' i.e. that I cannot download Firefox on the
'poorly' machine.

You have an internet connectivity problem. If you described things
correctly, we wouldn'd have this confusion.

Post by Emrys Davies
Main errors being 'Cannot find server' or 'This page cannot be displayed'.

Do you know how to check and set the network settings on Windows 98?
Right click on network neighborhood icon on the desktop and select
Properties.
There is a list of installed network components.
There will be one, or more, items that start with "TCP/IP ->"
Some might say "Dial-up Adapter". Ignore them.
There should be at least one that says ethernet adapter. Select it, and
click properties.
If you don't have one that says ethernet adapter, stop reading and tell
us.

No mention of 'ethernet adapter' in there. Just two which refers to Dialup
Adapter.

Post by 98 Guy
A new window will open named "TCP/IP properties" with a number of tabs.
Click Bindings. There should be a checkbox for "client for Microsoft
Networks". If it is not set, then set it, click Apply or OK, and let
the system reboot, and come back to this point and continue reading.
Click Gateway. There should be an IP address in the box under
Click start, run, type command.com and hit enter. A DOS window will
open. Type "Ping a.b.c.d" where a.b.c.d is the IP address you see in
"Reply from a.b.c.d: Bytes 32, time= 1ms, TTL=something".
If you get something like "Request timed out" then you have the wrong IP
address in the Installed Gateways setting. If so, then you need to find
out what the IP is of the gateway router of your network. You can get
that info from the network properties of some other PC on your network.
If you can ping the gateway IP, next thing is to check for general
internet connectivity.
First, does your PC have an IP address. Click on the "IP Address" tab.
- Obtain an IP address automatically
- Specify an IP address
I find that specifying an IP address works better for stationary
computers that are hard-wired to home or soho networks. I suggest that
you select "Specify and IP address" and enter an IP address where the
first 3 IP numbers match that of your Installed Gateway. For the last
number, it's a bit of a random choice with some restrictions, but I
suggest a number between 30 and 80.
You will probably be asked to restart the computer at some point if you
make any of the above changes, so if you've changed the computer's IP
address, now would be a good time to reboot.
At this point, go back to the DOS window (or open a DOS window) and try
to ping 4.2.2.2 or 8.8.8.8. If you can't ping those, but you can ping
the gateway, then you have a strange problem. If you can ping at least
one of those 2 IP's then continue.
Click the "DNS Configuration" tab. Enable DNS should be selected (a
small black dot inside the circle). There might be some IP addresses
listed in the box under "DNS Server Search Order". If there are, they
may not be functional, reachable, or correct. Go back to the DOS window
and ping all of the IP's listed under DNS search order, one at a time.
Remove any that can't be pinged.
If you have removed them all, or if there were none there in the first
62.8.96.38 res04.opal-solutions.com
62.24.228.202 ns4.vispa.net.uk
62.149.33.134 lcars.ultraspeed.co.uk
77.239.96.2 tmsns.tmsnetltd.co.uk
78.143.192.10 dnscache1.fast.co.uk
78.143.192.20 dnscache2.fast.co.uk
80.74.253.18 Widnes
80.84.72.20 ns1.uklinux.net
80.84.72.25 ns3.uklinux.net
80.94.32.240 ns1.smartways.com
81.17.66.14 ns1.swisp.co.uk
81.17.72.70 nameserver1.southwestdatacentre.co.uk
Those are open or public-access DNS servers in the UK. Try first to
ping the IP before you add it. You only need to add one of them.
If you've made changes to the DNS settings, you will be asked to reboot
again. After rebooting, open a DOS window and try to ping an internet
host. So type "ping google.com". If the DNS is working, that will
immediately be translated as "Pinging Google.com (173.194.112.78)". If
instead there is a long delay, followed by "unknown host google.com"
then you still don't have a functional DNS setting.
If you get this far, and are able to ping google.com, you should be able
to open IE and download the recommended version of Firefox with ease -
depending on the speed of your internet connection that is.

[98 Guy]

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
If you don't have one that says ethernet adapter, stop reading
and tell us.

No mention of 'ethernet adapter' in there. Just two which refers
to Dialup Adapter.

Well you're going to have to explain how you have arranged to have this
computer connect to the internet.

I assume you're trying to do so through an ethernet cable connected to a
router.

If so, then your computer is not seeing the ethernet adapter - which
will either be a PCI card or it will be integrated onto the motherboard.

Every time that Windows boots up - does it say that it's finding or has
found new hardware, and it asks you for drivers?

When you right click on the "My Computer" icon on the desktop, select
properties, and select device manager, is anything showing up with a
yellow ! exclamation mark?

[Emrys Davies]

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
If you don't have one that says ethernet adapter, stop reading
and tell us.

No mention of 'ethernet adapter' in there. Just two which refers
to Dialup Adapter.

Well you're going to have to explain how you have arranged to have this
computer connect to the internet.
I assume you're trying to do so through an ethernet cable connected to a
router.
If so, then your computer is not seeing the ethernet adapter - which
will either be a PCI card or it will be integrated onto the motherboard.

No, it connects to a Sagem modem via a RJ11 cable which is attached at the
'phone end to an ADSL Modem connector. The latter plugs into the BT wall
'phone socket. A USB cable connects the modem to the PC.

Post by 98 Guy
Every time that Windows boots up - does it say that it's finding or has
found new hardware, and it asks you for drivers?

Never see anything like that.

Post by 98 Guy
When you right click on the "My Computer" icon on the desktop, select
properties, and select device manager, is anything showing up with a
yellow ! exclamation mark?

No, all is clear.

[98 Guy]

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
Well you're going to have to explain how you have arranged to have
this computer connect to the internet.

it connects to a Sagem modem via a RJ11 cable which is attached at
the 'phone end to an ADSL Modem connector. The latter plugs into
the BT wall 'phone socket. A USB cable connects the modem to the PC.

I've never connected a win-98 PC to a DSL model via USB port. Because
that's just plain stupid. I didn't even think it was possible, because
there has to be USB drivers for win-98 for the modem.

Does your win-98 computer have an ethernet connector (RJ-45) on it
somewhere?

Do you know for sure that your win-98 computer has (or has had) internet
connectivity using your current setup?

Do you have any other computer connected to the internet simultaneously
via the Sagem modem? Are you having this conversation via the Sagem
modem and a different computer, or the win-98 computer being discussed?

Regardless what your answers are for the above questions, do this:

On your win-98 computer, open a DOS window (start, run, type
command.com).

Enter this command: ipconfig (then hit enter)

You will see one (or more) sets of these:

IP Address .............: a.b.c.d
Subnet Mask ............: h.i.j.k
Default Gateway.........: (either q.r.s.t or nothing)

Each set will be preceeded by an adapter that Windows thinks you have.
There could be 3 or 4 of these sets.

If you have more than one, it's likely that only one of them will have
numbers other than 0.0.0.0.

So - is there at least one set that is giving something other than
0.0.0.0 for IP address, Subnet mask, and default gateway?

PS: if you have any other windows computer that has a working internet
connection, you can enter the ipconfig command in a dos window and see
this same information.

[Sanity Clause]

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies
it connects to a Sagem modem via a RJ11 cable which is attached at
the 'phone end to an ADSL Modem connector. The latter plugs into
the BT wall 'phone socket. A USB cable connects the modem to the PC.

I've never connected a win-98 PC to a DSL model via USB port.
Because that's just plain stupid.

Are you having a bad week?
You've been unusually un-nice in your last few messages.

Post by 98 Guy
I didn't even think it was possible, because
there has to be USB drivers for win-98 for the modem.

I'll assume it's at least similar to this one:
http://support.sagemcom.com/site/livret/288021413-03.pdf

Guess what... USB support as far back as 98FE.
Only 2 ports: USB (to PC for comm and power) and 6-way RJ11 (to the wall).

[98 Guy]

Post by Sanity Clause

Post by 98 Guy
I've never connected a win-98 PC to a DSL model via USB port.
Because that's just plain stupid.

Are you having a bad week?
You've been unusually un-nice in your last few messages.

Davies should have been more up-front about how his internet service is
setup. Would have saved me asking so many questions.

Post by Sanity Clause

Post by 98 Guy
I didn't even think it was possible, because
there has to be USB drivers for win-98 for the modem.

http://support.sagemcom.com/site/livret/288021413-03.pdf
Guess what... USB support as far back as 98FE.
Only 2 ports: USB (to PC for comm and power) and 6-way RJ11
(to the wall).

I find it hard to believe, in this day and age, that there are people
paying for broadband internet that can only serve a single device
because the modem can make no RJ-45 ethernet connection to a multi-port
router. Even moreso, when that single device is (apparently) a PC
running win-98.

If this is Davies situation, then I'm done trying to help.

It is trivial to buy your own DSL modem, some even have their own 4-port
router built in.

But I smell a rat here on a number of different levels. We have someone
here that has enough computer / internet smarts to know what usenet is
and how to use it, but not enough to figure out how to know if a win-98
computer has a working internet connection?

[Emrys Davies]

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
Well you're going to have to explain how you have arranged to have
this computer connect to the internet.

it connects to a Sagem modem via a RJ11 cable which is attached at
the 'phone end to an ADSL Modem connector. The latter plugs into
the BT wall 'phone socket. A USB cable connects the modem to the PC.

I've never connected a win-98 PC to a DSL model via USB port. Because
that's just plain stupid. I didn't even think it was possible, because
there has to be USB drivers for win-98 for the modem.
Does your win-98 computer have an ethernet connector (RJ-45) on it
somewhere?

No definitely not. It only has the USB A-B cable which connects the PC to
the Sagem modem.

Post by 98 Guy
Do you know for sure that your win-98 computer has (or has had) internet
connectivity using your current setup?

This PC has been connected to the internet via its present system for about
ten years.

Post by 98 Guy
Do you have any other computer connected to the internet simultaneously
via the Sagem modem? Are you having this conversation via the Sagem
modem and a different computer, or the win-98 computer being discussed?

No. I am having this conversation via a wireless router (TalkTalk-Thompson)
and a HP computer.

Post by 98 Guy
On your win-98 computer, open a DOS window (start, run, type
command.com).
Enter this command: ipconfig (then hit enter)
IP Address .............: a.b.c.d
Subnet Mask ............: h.i.j.k
Default Gateway.........: (either q.r.s.t or nothing)
Each set will be preceeded by an adapter that Windows thinks you have.
There could be 3 or 4 of these sets.
If you have more than one, it's likely that only one of them will have
numbers other than 0.0.0.0.
So - is there at least one set that is giving something other than
0.0.0.0 for IP address, Subnet mask, and default gateway?

The Dos command merely showed:

0 Ethernet Adapter:

I P Address............................................: 0.0.0.0
Subnet Mask........................................: 0.0.0.0
Default Gateway.................................:

1 Ethernet Adapter:

An exact repeat of the above.

Post by 98 Guy
PS: if you have any other windows computer that has a working internet
connection, you can enter the ipconfig command in a dos window and see
this same information.

[98 Guy]

Post by 98 Guy
Enter this command: ipconfig (then hit enter)

I P Address........................................: 0.0.0.0
Subnet Mask........................................: 0.0.0.0
An exact repeat of the above.

Your computer is not recognizing (does not see) the modem.

I would assume that given the vintage of your setup, that your computer
must have been running a login program at startup. Something to perform
a PPPoe login. Unless your DSL works differently in the UK (perhaps
DHCP?) and the computer doesn't have to run login software.

This PC has been connected to the internet via its present system
for about ten years.

Does the modem have any lights to indicate either a DSL sync signal and
/ or actual internet connectivity?

Has there been any electrical event recently (a power surge, power
outage, lightning strike nearby) that could have damaged the modem?

I am having this conversation via a wireless router (TalkTalk-
Thompson) and a HP computer.

At the same location as the win-98 computer? If so, how is the Thomson
router getting it's internet connection?

[Emrys Davies]

Post by 98 Guy

Post by 98 Guy
Enter this command: ipconfig (then hit enter)

I P Address........................................: 0.0.0.0
Subnet Mask........................................: 0.0.0.0
An exact repeat of the above.

Your computer is not recognizing (does not see) the modem.
I would assume that given the vintage of your setup, that your computer
must have been running a login program at startup. Something to perform
a PPPoe login. Unless your DSL works differently in the UK (perhaps
DHCP?) and the computer doesn't have to run login software.

The Broadband icon is on the desktop and when the external modems (Sagem)
ADSL and power lights come on the Broadband icon has to be clicked and then
you have the 'Connect to Broadband' window showing the user name, password,
save password, 'phone number, and 'Dialling from' details; also the
'Connect' button. The latter when pressed connects online and as it does
two minature tv pictures descend into the system tray.

Post by 98 Guy

This PC has been connected to the internet via its present system
for about ten years.

Does the modem have any lights to indicate either a DSL sync signal and
/ or actual internet connectivity?

Yes, it has ADSL and PWR leds which indicate its preparedness.

Post by 98 Guy
Has there been any electrical event recently (a power surge, power
outage, lightning strike nearby) that could have damaged the modem?

No, I have a power surge product which hopefully will prevent that, but I
disconnect the power if I am forewarned.

Post by 98 Guy

I am having this conversation via a wireless router (TalkTalk-
Thompson) and a HP computer.

At the same location as the win-98 computer? If so, how is the Thomson
router getting it's internet connection?

Via Wireless. The two computers share the same ADSL Modem connector (RJ 11)
near the BT 'phone socket so only one of us can be on line. It is simply a
case of swapping the RJ11 cables as needs be and this works very well. We
are quite happy with this arrangement and my wife only uses the PC
infrequently.

[98 Guy]

Post by Emrys Davies
The Broadband icon is on the desktop and when the external modems
(Sagem) ADSL and power lights come on the Broadband icon has to be
clicked and then you have the 'Connect to Broadband' window
showing the user name, password, save password, 'phone number,
and 'Dialling from' details; also the 'Connect' button. The
latter when pressed connects online and as it does
two minature tv pictures descend into the system tray.

And when you click on it - does it say that it's connected?

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies
I am having this conversation via a wireless router (TalkTalk-
Thompson) and a HP computer.

At the same location as the win-98 computer? If so, how is the
Thomson router getting it's internet connection?

Via Wireless. The two computers share the same ADSL Modem connector
(RJ 11) near the BT 'phone socket so only one of us can be on line.

Are you paying for 2 different DSL accounts, and accessing each with
it's own modem?

Post by Emrys Davies
It is simply a case of swapping the RJ11 cables as needs be and
this works very well. We are quite happy with this arrangement
and my wife only uses the PC infrequently.

Why don't you have a single DSL modem / account and allow all your
devices to access the internet through that?

It is trivial to put an ethernet card in the win-98 PC.

Do this.

Go through the motions of connecting the win-98 PC to the internet,
using which-ever way you normally do.

Open a DOS window and enter this: ping 4.2.2.2

That is a "high availability" public DNS server in the US. It should be
"ping-able" from anywhere in the world.

You should get "Reply from 4.2.2.2: bytes=32, time=N ms TTL=X"

Or do you get "timeout", or "destination host unreachable" or something
else?

If you don't get a reply, then you don't have a working connection to
the internet, regardless what your "Connect to Broadband" window is
telling you.

[Emrys Davies]

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies
The Broadband icon is on the desktop and when the external modems
(Sagem) ADSL and power lights come on the Broadband icon has to be
clicked and then you have the 'Connect to Broadband' window
showing the user name, password, save password, 'phone number,
and 'Dialling from' details; also the 'Connect' button. The
latter when pressed connects online and as it does
two minature tv pictures descend into the system tray.

And when you click on it - does it say that it's connected?

It says: Status: 'Verifying user name and password' > Logging on to network

Post by 98 Guy
and then the two little tvs flash to the system try and hey presto.

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies
I am having this conversation via a wireless router (TalkTalk-
Thompson) and a HP computer.

At the same location as the win-98 computer? If so, how is the
Thomson router getting it's internet connection?

Via Wireless. The two computers share the same ADSL Modem connector
(RJ 11) near the BT 'phone socket so only one of us can be on line.

Are you paying for 2 different DSL accounts, and accessing each with
it's own modem?

No one account. One accesses via modem and the other via wireless

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies
It is simply a case of swapping the RJ11 cables as needs be and
this works very well. We are quite happy with this arrangement
and my wife only uses the PC infrequently.

Why don't you have a single DSL modem / account and allow all your
devices to access the internet through that?

We have a single account

Post by 98 Guy
It is trivial to put an ethernet card in the win-98 PC.
Do this.
Go through the motions of connecting the win-98 PC to the internet,
using which-ever way you normally do.
Open a DOS window and enter this: ping 4.2.2.2
That is a "high availability" public DNS server in the US. It should be
"ping-able" from anywhere in the world.
You should get "Reply from 4.2.2.2: bytes=32, time=N ms TTL=X"
Or do you get "timeout", or "destination host unreachable" or something
else?
If you don't get a reply, then you don't have a working connection to
the internet, regardless what your "Connect to Broadband" window is
telling you.

As I said we are quite happy with our present arrangement and until fairly
recently all was well until the two icons - Google and Internet Explorer -
began to take a minute to open the respective pages via the Inexplore - Zu
wenig Arbeitsspeicher window. I thought that maybe a small tweak would put
it right but that is not the case. Getting my wife another PC is no problem
but at the moment she is happy with what she has got. She does most of her
very limited work on Google, which is the Home Page and does no use IE, or
so she says. She has had a big spinal operation and is poorly on her feet
and does not use the PC much. We are both quite elderly now - me, more so.
I have slowly taught my wife some computer basics but she breaks the rules
quite drastically regarding computer organization and maintenance. At the
same time she muddles on with a PC which is on its last legs.

Incidentally, I found Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher in the PCs Registry, via
regedit, a couple of days ago but I cannot find it tonight. If I find it
again would it be unwise to delete it? I have in mind that that might stop
the two icons opening at all. I should add that I have used the Registry
for years and I know its dangers.

[98 Guy]

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
Are you paying for 2 different DSL accounts, and accessing each
with it's own modem?

No one account. One accesses via modem and the other via wireless

Wireless?

You mean some sort of cellular internet? Like from a cell-phone tower?

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
Open a DOS window and enter this: ping 4.2.2.2

Why haven't you done that?

That would tell us right off the bat if you have a working internet
connection.

Post by Emrys Davies
As I said we are quite happy with our present arrangement and
until fairly recently all was well until the two icons - Google
and Internet Explorer - began to take a minute to open the
respective pages ...

Doesn't matter how long those programs take to start up. If they're
trying to access the interent (which a lot of browsers want to do right
off the bat before you try to go to any website) then they're going to
stall and time-out.

Go and see if you can ping 4.2.2.2.

If you can't, you don't have a working internet connection.

Your IPconfig results indicate you have no internet connection (no
assigned IP address, no gateway, no nothin.

Post by Emrys Davies
Incidentally, I found Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher in the PCs Registry,
via regedit, a couple of days ago but I cannot find it tonight.

You found it because you were looking for it earlier. Regedit maintains
a cache of previous search items, and that's where you found it. It
means nothing.

Can you ping 4.2.2.2 ?

[Emrys Davies]

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
Are you paying for 2 different DSL accounts, and accessing each
with it's own modem?

No one account. One accesses via modem and the other via wireless

Wireless?
You mean some sort of cellular internet? Like from a cell-phone tower?

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
Open a DOS window and enter this: ping 4.2.2.2

Why haven't you done that?
That would tell us right off the bat if you have a working internet
connection.

Post by Emrys Davies
As I said we are quite happy with our present arrangement and
until fairly recently all was well until the two icons - Google
and Internet Explorer - began to take a minute to open the
respective pages ...

Doesn't matter how long those programs take to start up. If they're
trying to access the interent (which a lot of browsers want to do right
off the bat before you try to go to any website) then they're going to
stall and time-out.
Go and see if you can ping 4.2.2.2.
If you can't, you don't have a working internet connection.
Your IPconfig results indicate you have no internet connection (no
assigned IP address, no gateway, no nothin.

Post by Emrys Davies
Incidentally, I found Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher in the PCs Registry,
via regedit, a couple of days ago but I cannot find it tonight.

You found it because you were looking for it earlier. Regedit maintains
a cache of previous search items, and that's where you found it. It
means nothing.
Can you ping 4.2.2.2 ?

Done that. It says "This program cannot be run in DOS mode".

[Emrys Davies]

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
Are you paying for 2 different DSL accounts, and accessing each
with it's own modem?

No one account. One accesses via modem and the other via wireless

Wireless?
You mean some sort of cellular internet? Like from a cell-phone tower?

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
Open a DOS window and enter this: ping 4.2.2.2

Why haven't you done that?
That would tell us right off the bat if you have a working internet
connection.

Post by Emrys Davies
As I said we are quite happy with our present arrangement and
until fairly recently all was well until the two icons - Google
and Internet Explorer - began to take a minute to open the
respective pages ...

Doesn't matter how long those programs take to start up. If they're
trying to access the interent (which a lot of browsers want to do right
off the bat before you try to go to any website) then they're going to
stall and time-out.
Go and see if you can ping 4.2.2.2.
If you can't, you don't have a working internet connection.
Your IPconfig results indicate you have no internet connection (no
assigned IP address, no gateway, no nothin.

Post by Emrys Davies
Incidentally, I found Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher in the PCs Registry,
via regedit, a couple of days ago but I cannot find it tonight.

You found it because you were looking for it earlier. Regedit maintains
a cache of previous search items, and that's where you found it. It
means nothing.
Can you ping 4.2.2.2 ?

Done that. It says "This program cannot be run in DOS mode".

I did that wrong. I had used Restart in MS DOS mode. As you can see my
knowledge in DOS is virtually nill.

I have now used command prompt whilst on line and this is what I got:

C:\WINDOWS\DESKTOP>ping 4.2.2.2

Reply from 4.2.2.2: bytes = 32 time 41ms TTL = 58
Reply from 4.2.2.2: bytes = 32 time 39ms TTL = 58
Reply from 4.2.2.2: bytes = 32 time 42ms TTL = 58
Reply from 4.2.2.2: bytes = 33 time 33ms TTL = 58

There were lots of other data and an average.

[98 Guy]

Post by Emrys Davies
Reply from 4.2.2.2: bytes = 32 time 41ms TTL = 58

So you have a working internet connection.

Anytime you are asked to perform a "ping" or run ipconfig from a dos
prompt, it is expected that you are running windows (not restarted in
DOS mode) and you have activated (dialed or logged into) your internet
connection.

So again, while you are running windows and have logged into your
internet connection, open a dos window and enter this:

ping google.com

or

ping google.co.uk

If there is a long delay, and ping comes back with something like
"unknown host", and if you can ping 4.2.2.2 (you get a reply from that)
then your DNS settings are not correct / functional. If you get a reply
when pinging one or both of those, then your DNS settings are working
and you should be able to access any working website on the internet
with any installed browser (IE or Firefox).

I understand that you currently have IE as your only web browser. You
should be able to access any website with it - again assuming you have a
working internet connection and you can ping google.com. If not, then
there are probably some settings for IE that are screwed up.

You could download firefox 2 using your HP computer and then transfer
the file (using USB thumb drive) to the windows 98 computer:

https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/en-US/Firefox%20Setup%202.0.0.20.exe

[Emrys Davies]

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies
Reply from 4.2.2.2: bytes = 32 time 41ms TTL = 58

So you have a working internet connection.
Anytime you are asked to perform a "ping" or run ipconfig from a dos
prompt, it is expected that you are running windows (not restarted in
DOS mode) and you have activated (dialed or logged into) your internet
connection.
So again, while you are running windows and have logged into your
ping google.com
or
ping google.co.uk

I got a positive reply from both.

Post by 98 Guy
If there is a long delay, and ping comes back with something like
"unknown host", and if you can ping 4.2.2.2 (you get a reply from that)
then your DNS settings are not correct / functional. If you get a reply
when pinging one or both of those, then your DNS settings are working
and you should be able to access any working website on the internet
with any installed browser (IE or Firefox).
I understand that you currently have IE as your only web browser. You
should be able to access any website with it - again assuming you have a
working internet connection and you can ping google.com. If not, then
there are probably some settings for IE that are screwed up.
You could download firefox 2 using your HP computer and then transfer
https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/en-US/Firefox%20Setup%202.0.0.20.exe

I transferred the firefox file to Win.98 and Google and IE continued to open
in about 1 minute whereas Firefox opened in about 2 minutes and all three
relied on the 'German' window to open them. When I remove my 'Memory Stick'
from Win. 98 I lose the Firefox file shortcut from the Desktop although I
put it in a folder. How do I get it to the 'C' drive to make it permanent
without need for the Memory Stick?

[98 Guy]

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
ping google.co.uk

I got a positive reply from both.

So you have a working internet connection. God knows how - it's not how
I'd do it.

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
You could download firefox 2 using your HP computer and then
transfer the file (using USB thumb drive) to the windows 98
https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/en-US/Firefox%20Setup%202.0.0.20.exe

I transferred the firefox file to Win.98 and Google and IE continued
to open in about 1 minute whereas Firefox opened in about 2 minutes
and all three relied on the 'German' window to open them.

How badly do you want to get to the bottom of what-ever problem you're
having?

I ask because at this rate, it's going to take a week or two.

Something you can do is look up a program called "autoruns". It will
figure out all the programs that your system is configured to
automatically run at start-up. Including extensions for IE (which I
think is where your problem is). Here's a link to a verion that should
run on your system:

http://download.oldapps.com/Autoruns/Autoruns853.zip

You can save the entire output to a text file and post it here.

Post by Emrys Davies
When I remove my 'Memory Stick' from Win. 98 I lose the Firefox
file shortcut from the Desktop although I put it in a folder.
How do I get it to the 'C' drive to make it permanent
without need for the Memory Stick?

Copy the file "Firefox setup 22.0.0.20.exe" from the memory stick to the
desktop of the windows 98 computer. Remove the memory stick. Then
double-click the file and run it. It will install firefox somewhere on
the C drive. It sounds like you've installed it on the memory stick
instead.

[Emrys Davies]

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
ping google.co.uk

I got a positive reply from both.

So you have a working internet connection. God knows how - it's not how
I'd do it.

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
You could download firefox 2 using your HP computer and then
transfer the file (using USB thumb drive) to the windows 98
https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/en-US/Firefox%20Setup%202.0.0.20.exe

I transferred the firefox file to Win.98 and Google and IE continued
to open in about 1 minute whereas Firefox opened in about 2 minutes
and all three relied on the 'German' window to open them.

How badly do you want to get to the bottom of what-ever problem you're
having?
I ask because at this rate, it's going to take a week or two.

What do you think in view of the history of this PC? Is it worth the
hassle? I have the energy and the motivation but what are we going to
achieve bearing in mind that the PC is fifteen years old and no longer
updated by Microsoft.

Post by 98 Guy
Something you can do is look up a program called "autoruns". It will
figure out all the programs that your system is configured to
automatically run at start-up. Including extensions for IE (which I
think is where your problem is). Here's a link to a verion that should
http://download.oldapps.com/Autoruns/Autoruns853.zip
You can save the entire output to a text file and post it here.

I have downloaded and opened 'autoruns' to the desktop and it has revealed
the information which you seek. You say : "You can save the entire output
to a text file and post it here". You will need to 'talk' me through that
in detail as it does not respond to anything on my desktop other than Print
Page > Word Pad > My Documents > Memory Stick where it opens clearly on my
PC in Word Document. All of this, apart from the latter, is on Win.98 SE.

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies
When I remove my 'Memory Stick' from Win. 98 I lose the Firefox
file shortcut from the Desktop although I put it in a folder.
How do I get it to the 'C' drive to make it permanent
without need for the Memory Stick?

Copy the file "Firefox setup 22.0.0.20.exe" from the memory stick to the
desktop of the windows 98 computer. Remove the memory stick. Then
double-click the file and run it. It will install firefox somewhere on
the C drive. It sounds like you've installed it on the memory stick
instead.

Tried that, but as soon as I removed the Memory Stick the shortcut vanished.
In any case errors tell me that my system does not meet the requirements to
run firefox and also that the drive or network connection that the shortcut
(memory stick) Firefox.Lnk refers to is unavailable. So firefox cannot be
opened from the Memory Stick although some 40 other files accompanying it
are not affected. Your Firefox version works perfectly on my machine,
although I do not use it.

[98 Guy]

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
How badly do you want to get to the bottom of what-ever problem
you're having? I ask because at this rate, it's going to take
a week or two.

What do you think in view of the history of this PC? Is it worth
the hassle? I have the energy and the motivation but what are we
going to achieve bearing in mind that the PC is fifteen years old
and no longer updated by Microsoft.

If you (or your wife) is sufficiently familiar with that computer, you
will have to anticipate a substantial learning curve if you replace it
with anything available today.

Post by Emrys Davies
I have downloaded and opened 'autoruns' to the desktop and it has
revealed the information which you seek. You say : "You can save
the entire output to a text file and post it here". You will
need to 'talk' me through that in detail as it does not respond
to anything on my desktop other than Print> Page > Word Pad >
My Documents > Memory Stick where it opens clearly on my
PC in Word Document. All of this, apart from the latter,
is on Win.98 SE.

When you run the "autoruns" program, it opens a window with the title
"Autoruns - Sysinternals".

It then displays everything that is set to automatically run on the
computer.

Across the top of the Autoruns window you will see File, Entry, Options,
and Help.

Click File, then Save As. You will be prompted for a name and location
where to save the output of the autoruns program.

I don't know why you are looking elsewhere (such as the other icons and
menus on your desktop) while you are working with the Autoruns program.

Perhaps you can't see the entire Autoruns window. What is the screen
resolution of your display? (to answer this, right-click somewhere on a
blank portion of your desktop, select Properties, select the Settings
tab on the far right, and look at the "Screen Area" setting. It will
say "N by X" pixels under a slider bar. What are N and X?

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
Copy the file "Firefox setup 22.0.0.20.exe" from the memory stick
to the desktop of the windows 98 computer. Remove the memory
stick. Then double-click the file and run it.

Tried that, but as soon as I removed the Memory Stick the shortcut vanished.

You are not copying the file. You are creating a shortcut to the file -
because you are clicking and dragging.

Clicking and dragging files do not result in copies being made. Instead
you are creating a shortcut (a kind of pointer) to the file.

To copy the file from the memory stick, you need to right-click on the
file, select copy, then right-click somewhere in the target directory
(your desktop in this case) and select paste.

Post by Emrys Davies
In any case errors tell me that my system does not meet the
requirements to run firefox

You don't have to give up so easily. Try again. Follow the
instructions.

[Emrys Davies]

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
How badly do you want to get to the bottom of what-ever problem
you're having? I ask because at this rate, it's going to take
a week or two.

What do you think in view of the history of this PC? Is it worth
the hassle? I have the energy and the motivation but what are we
going to achieve bearing in mind that the PC is fifteen years old
and no longer updated by Microsoft.

If you (or your wife) is sufficiently familiar with that computer, you
will have to anticipate a substantial learning curve if you replace it
with anything available today.

Post by Emrys Davies
I have downloaded and opened 'autoruns' to the desktop and it has
revealed the information which you seek. You say : "You can save
the entire output to a text file and post it here". You will
need to 'talk' me through that in detail as it does not respond
to anything on my desktop other than Print> Page > Word Pad >
My Documents > Memory Stick where it opens clearly on my
PC in Word Document. All of this, apart from the latter,
is on Win.98 SE.

When you run the "autoruns" program, it opens a window with the title
"Autoruns - Sysinternals".
It then displays everything that is set to automatically run on the
computer.
Across the top of the Autoruns window you will see File, Entry, Options,
and Help.
Click File, then Save As. You will be prompted for a name and location
where to save the output of the autoruns program.

I had tried that many, many times, but that 'Save As' does not respond. It
is not enabled although the exit button in there works. It is because the
'Save As' button in 'Autoruns' would not work that I tried other ways to
copy and send the 'Autoruns' page. I have it on the memory stick and also
in my email.

Post by 98 Guy
I don't know why you are looking elsewhere (such as the other icons and
menus on your desktop) while you are working with the Autoruns program.
Perhaps you can't see the entire Autoruns window. What is the screen
resolution of your display? (to answer this, right-click somewhere on a
blank portion of your desktop, select Properties, select the Settings
tab on the far right, and look at the "Screen Area" setting. It will
say "N by X" pixels under a slider bar. What are N and X?

The screen area is 1024 x 768 pixels and autoruns is full the page, if
maximised.

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
Copy the file "Firefox setup 22.0.0.20.exe" from the memory stick
to the desktop of the windows 98 computer. Remove the memory
stick. Then double-click the file and run it.

Tried that, but as soon as I removed the Memory Stick the shortcut vanished.

You are not copying the file. You are creating a shortcut to the file -
because you are clicking and dragging.
Clicking and dragging files do not result in copies being made. Instead
you are creating a shortcut (a kind of pointer) to the file.
To copy the file from the memory stick, you need to right-click on the
file, select copy, then right-click somewhere in the target directory
(your desktop in this case) and select paste.

Post by Emrys Davies
In any case errors tell me that my system does not meet the
requirements to run firefox

You don't have to give up so easily. Try again. Follow the
instructions.

[98 Guy]

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies
I have downloaded and opened 'autoruns' to the desktop and it has
revealed the information which you seek. You say : "You can save
the entire output to a text file and post it here". You will
need to 'talk' me through that in detail as it does not respond
to anything on my desktop ...

Click File, then Save As. You will be prompted for a name and
location where to save the output of the autoruns program.

I had tried that many, many times, but that 'Save As' does not
respond. It is not enabled although the exit button in there
works.

You are probably running the program from the memory stick.

Copy the autoruns program to your computer from the memory stick, remove
the stick, then run the program.

Does the program create a long list of items on the screen?

When you click on "File", every option listed (Find, Compare, Save, Save
As) should be printed in black, and be BOLD and respond when clicked.
Are any of those printed in light grey?

Post by Emrys Davies
It is because the 'Save As' button in 'Autoruns' would not work that
I tried other ways to copy and send the 'Autoruns' page. I have it
on the memory stick and also in my email.

If the "Save As" is not working, do this:

With the autoruns window set to maximum size, press and hold the ALT
key, and while holding the ALT key press and release the PRNT SCRN
button. Then release the ALT key.

Then click Start, select Run, and then type wordpad and hit enter.

Hold the shift key down and press the Insert key.

You have just created a document that contains the graphic image of the
autoruns screen.

Save that document to a file and copy it to your memory stick and open
it on your HP computer. Look carefully at that screen capture and see
if it contains any personally-identifiable text (such as a name). If
there is nothing like that, then upload that file here:

http://www.filedropper.com/

You don't need to log in or create an account. You can just upload that
file directly to that site. After the upload, you will be given a
download link to the file. Post that link here. Anyone will then be
able to download the file and see the Autoruns screen output.

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
I don't know why you are looking elsewhere (such as the other icons and
menus on your desktop) while you are working with the Autoruns program.
Perhaps you can't see the entire Autoruns window. What is the screen
resolution of your display? (to answer this, right-click somewhere on a
blank portion of your desktop, select Properties, select the Settings
tab on the far right, and look at the "Screen Area" setting. It will
say "N by X" pixels under a slider bar. What are N and X?

The screen area is 1024 x 768 pixels and autoruns is full the page, if
maximised.

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
Copy the file "Firefox setup 22.0.0.20.exe" from the memory stick
to the desktop of the windows 98 computer. Remove the memory
stick. Then double-click the file and run it.

Tried that, but as soon as I removed the Memory Stick the shortcut vanished.

You are not copying the file. You are creating a shortcut to the file -
because you are clicking and dragging.
Clicking and dragging files do not result in copies being made. Instead
you are creating a shortcut (a kind of pointer) to the file.
To copy the file from the memory stick, you need to right-click on the
file, select copy, then right-click somewhere in the target directory
(your desktop in this case) and select paste.

Post by Emrys Davies
In any case errors tell me that my system does not meet the
requirements to run firefox

You don't have to give up so easily. Try again. Follow the
instructions.

[Emrys Davies]

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies
I have downloaded and opened 'autoruns' to the desktop and it has
revealed the information which you seek. You say : "You can save
the entire output to a text file and post it here". You will
need to 'talk' me through that in detail as it does not respond
to anything on my desktop ...

Click File, then Save As. You will be prompted for a name and
location where to save the output of the autoruns program.

I had tried that many, many times, but that 'Save As' does not
respond. It is not enabled although the exit button in there
works.

You are probably running the program from the memory stick.
Copy the autoruns program to your computer from the memory stick, remove
the stick, then run the program.
Does the program create a long list of items on the screen?
When you click on "File", every option listed (Find, Compare, Save, Save
As) should be printed in black, and be BOLD and respond when clicked.
Are any of those printed in light grey?

Post by Emrys Davies
It is because the 'Save As' button in 'Autoruns' would not work that
I tried other ways to copy and send the 'Autoruns' page. I have it
on the memory stick and also in my email.

With the autoruns window set to maximum size, press and hold the ALT
key, and while holding the ALT key press and release the PRNT SCRN
button. Then release the ALT key.
Then click Start, select Run, and then type wordpad and hit enter.
Hold the shift key down and press the Insert key.
You have just created a document that contains the graphic image of the
autoruns screen.
Save that document to a file and copy it to your memory stick and open
it on your HP computer. Look carefully at that screen capture and see
if it contains any personally-identifiable text (such as a name). If
http://www.filedropper.com/
You don't need to log in or create an account. You can just upload that
file directly to that site. After the upload, you will be given a
download link to the file. Post that link here. Anyone will then be
able to download the file and see the Autoruns screen output.

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
I don't know why you are looking elsewhere (such as the other icons and
menus on your desktop) while you are working with the Autoruns program.
Perhaps you can't see the entire Autoruns window. What is the screen
resolution of your display? (to answer this, right-click somewhere on a
blank portion of your desktop, select Properties, select the Settings
tab on the far right, and look at the "Screen Area" setting. It will
say "N by X" pixels under a slider bar. What are N and X?

The screen area is 1024 x 768 pixels and autoruns is full the page, if
maximised.

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
Copy the file "Firefox setup 22.0.0.20.exe" from the memory stick
to the desktop of the windows 98 computer. Remove the memory
stick. Then double-click the file and run it.

Tried that, but as soon as I removed the Memory Stick the shortcut vanished.

You are not copying the file. You are creating a shortcut to the file -
because you are clicking and dragging.
Clicking and dragging files do not result in copies being made.
Instead
you are creating a shortcut (a kind of pointer) to the file.
To copy the file from the memory stick, you need to right-click on the
file, select copy, then right-click somewhere in the target directory
(your desktop in this case) and select paste.

Post by Emrys Davies
In any case errors tell me that my system does not meet the
requirements to run firefox

You don't have to give up so easily. Try again. Follow the
instructions.

The filedropper reference is: http://www.filedropper.com/document_3

[98 Guy]

The filedropper reference is: ...

From what you've posted, it appears that you're running autoruns from
within the .zip archive it was packaged in. You need to extract the
autoruns program to it's own directory and then run it. If you do that,
I believe you will be able to save the output as a text file instead of
this more cumbersome method of screen captures.

If you do this, and you're still not able to save the output to a file,
then continue reading.

Repeat what you've done (screen capture) but this time:

1) spread out some of the columns so that the items are more readable.
The columns are labeled as Autorun Entry, Description, Publisher, Image
path. Between each of those headings is a small vertical line. Put the
mouse over the line and drag to the right to increase the width of the
columns.

2) because of your limited screen resolution, not everything is visible
on one screen. So use the scroll bar on the right-hand side of the
autoruns window and drag it down one screen's worth at a time, and
perform one capture (alt-printscreen) each time you scroll down. Use
the same method (shift-insert) to paste the screen capture into a
wordpad document. Put each capture into it's own document (save each
one to a different .doc file). Don't paste them into the same document
- the file will be too big. You've already done the first capture, so
start the next one 7 entries below the section titled "protocal
handler).

[Emrys Davies]

Post by 98 Guy

The filedropper reference is: ...

From what you've posted, it appears that you're running autoruns from
within the .zip archive it was packaged in. You need to extract the
autoruns program to it's own directory and then run it. If you do that,
I believe you will be able to save the output as a text file instead of
this more cumbersome method of screen captures.

The autoruns file is on my desktop. When I open it I get autoruns.chm,
autoruns.exe, autorunsc.exe (looks like DOS script) and Eula.txt.

I highlighted autoruns.exe and extracted it to C:\My Documents and when
opened in there the page is the same size as that which I sent via the
upload. The choice in My Documents (File) is Save or Save As and the latter
does not respond

Post by 98 Guy
If you do this, and you're still not able to save the output to a file,
then continue reading.
1) spread out some of the columns so that the items are more readable.
The columns are labeled as Autorun Entry, Description, Publisher, Image
path. Between each of those headings is a small vertical line. Put the
mouse over the line and drag to the right to increase the width of the
columns.
2) because of your limited screen resolution, not everything is visible
on one screen. So use the scroll bar on the right-hand side of the
autoruns window and drag it down one screen's worth at a time, and
perform one capture (alt-printscreen) each time you scroll down. Use
the same method (shift-insert) to paste the screen capture into a
wordpad document. Put each capture into it's own document (save each
one to a different .doc file). Don't paste them into the same document
- the file will be too big. You've already done the first capture, so
start the next one 7 entries below the section titled "protocal
handler).

[98 Guy]

Post by Emrys Davies
The autoruns file is on my desktop.
When I open it I get autoruns.chm, autoruns.exe,
autorunsc.exe (looks like DOS script) and Eula.txt.
I highlighted autoruns.exe and extracted it to C:\My Documents
and when opened in there the page is the same size as that
which I sent via the upload. The choice in My Documents
(File) is Save or Save As and the latter does not respond

Why are you only extracting the .exe file?

The .chm is needed for the menus. Because you haven't decompressed the
ENTIRE .zip file (into it's own folder at least) you have managed to
mangle the functionality of autoruns by not giving it access to a needed
file that is part of it's menu interface. That is why the save-to-file
is not working.

So now I've told you what to do - decompress all the files contained in
the autoruns .zip file and then run the program, and then save the
results to a file.

[Emrys Davies]

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies
The autoruns file is on my desktop.
When I open it I get autoruns.chm, autoruns.exe,
autorunsc.exe (looks like DOS script) and Eula.txt.
I highlighted autoruns.exe and extracted it to C:\My Documents
and when opened in there the page is the same size as that
which I sent via the upload. The choice in My Documents
(File) is Save or Save As and the latter does not respond

Why are you only extracting the .exe file?
The .chm is needed for the menus. Because you haven't decompressed the
ENTIRE .zip file (into it's own folder at least) you have managed to
mangle the functionality of autoruns by not giving it access to a needed
file that is part of it's menu interface. That is why the save-to-file
is not working.
So now I've told you what to do - decompress all the files contained in
the autoruns .zip file and then run the program, and then save the
results to a file.

I know when I am lost and this is such an occasion and I am going to bow out
gracefully at this moment. At the same time I would like to thank you for
the efforts which you have made in trying to help me.

[Axel Berger]

Post by Emrys Davies
bearing in mind that the PC is fifteen years old and no longer
updated by Microsoft.

Believe it or not, neither my microwave nor my fridge have ever been
updated by their makers and they still run regardless. There comes a
point when projected over the next couple of years the price of spares
and repairs will exceed that of a new unit, but why change a mainboard
before it breaks?

Axel

[98 Guy]

Post by Axel Berger

Post by Emrys Davies
bearing in mind that the PC is fifteen years old and no longer
updated by Microsoft.

Believe it or not, neither my microwave nor my fridge have ever been
updated by their makers and they still run regardless.

I don't particularly feel the same way about computer hardware as I do
about the OS I'm running.

In other words, if you are technically capable of changing hardware or
building a PC from scratch, and if you have access to (or are willing to
obtain via retail stores or ebay or amazon) new hardware (new as in new
to you, but not necessarily new as in never used, still in box), then
there is nothing wrong with junking (or - putting in a box and storing
in a closet indefinately) your current old computer (or parts such as
motherboard, CD drive, hard drive, etc) and replacing with new (or
new-er) versions that RUN MUCH BETTER, FASTER, etc.

I have a stockpile of hundreds of old parts (dozens of motherboard,
dozens of cd/dvd drives, memory sticks, floppy drives, power supplies,
video and network and sound cards, mice, keyboards, etc) and thus I can
pick a choose the components by which to build a computer that will run
Windows 98.

So while I could build a handful of computers with 10 to 15 year old
motherboards and run win-98 on them, I wouldn't. I would rather sit
behind and use win-98 on a motherboard running a socket-775 Pentium D
running at 2.5 ghz with 2 gb of ram and one or two hard drives (each 1Tb
in size).

People have been throwing away for several years now win-XP computers
(IBM think-centers, etc) with 5 to 10 times the performance of the OP's
current PC.

[Sanity Clause]

She does most of her very limited work on Google, which is the Home Page
and does no use IE, or so she says.

IE (Internet Explorer) is a web browser, a software program that requests pages
from various web sites on the Internet, and displays them on your screen.

Google is a web site, not a browser (unless you've managed to install some version
of Google Chrome, which is highly unlikely), and needs a browser to connect to it.
--
Try right-clicking your IE and Google icons, and selecting "Properties".

My desktop IE icon returns "Internet Properies", with 6 tabs across the top, the first
tab "General" showing my homepage as a local file on my computer.

If I right-click my Firefox icon, I get a smaller box with only 3 tabs, with the middle tab
"Shortcut" showing "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe".

Your Google icon should have something similar to one of the above.
--
Just for fun, while the computer is on, try using the "reboot" sequence without actually
rebooting... hold down Ctrl and Alt, and press Delete (once).

You should get a popup called "Close Program", with a list of running programs in
the window. I have Explorer, Systray, Rundll, Stimon, Em_exec, and several others.
What do you get?
(You'll have to write them down, you're stuck in that window until you Cancel it).
--

[Emrys Davies]

Post by Sanity Clause

She does most of her very limited work on Google, which is the Home Page
and does no use IE, or so she says.

IE (Internet Explorer) is a web browser, a software program that requests pages
from various web sites on the Internet, and displays them on your screen.
Google is a web site, not a browser (unless you've managed to install some version
of Google Chrome, which is highly unlikely), and needs a browser to connect to it.
--
Try right-clicking your IE and Google icons, and selecting "Properties".
My desktop IE icon returns "Internet Properies", with 6 tabs across the top, the first
tab "General" showing my homepage as a local file on my computer.
If I right-click my Firefox icon, I get a smaller box with only 3 tabs, with the middle tab
"Shortcut" showing "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe".
Your Google icon should have something similar to one of the above.
--
Just for fun, while the computer is on, try using the "reboot" sequence without actually
rebooting... hold down Ctrl and Alt, and press Delete (once).
You should get a popup called "Close Program", with a list of running programs in
the window. I have Explorer, Systray, Rundll, Stimon, Em_exec, and several others.
What do you get?
(You'll have to write them down, you're stuck in that window until you Cancel it).
--

Thanks Sanity. Very interesting. We are still working on mine and
hopefully we will succeed although the PC is old and decrepit.

[Sanity Clause]

Post by Emrys Davies
Thanks Sanity. Very interesting. We are still working on mine and
hopefully we will succeed although the PC is old and decrepit.

Yeah, so is mine...
Built in 2000, Pentium 3, 866mhz, 512Mb ram, 20Gb HD, 98SE, Kernelex.
Still plenty zippy for the things I do.

I was actually hoping for some answers to the questions....

Ctrl + Alt + Delete would show a list of currently running programs, to see
if there's something there that's sucking up all your memory + speed.

98guy's "autoruns" does something similar, since many programs run
invisibly in the background and can also turn your PC into a slug...
always-on virus scanners that check *every* program *every* time you
open them, CPU cycle thieves like file indexers, and yes, old viruses.

Properties of the Google icon would show what browser is actually being
opened to access Google. I'm assuming the same IE that "doesn't get used"?

[Emrys Davies]

Post by Sanity Clause

Post by Emrys Davies
Thanks Sanity. Very interesting. We are still working on mine and
hopefully we will succeed although the PC is old and decrepit.

Yeah, so is mine...
Built in 2000, Pentium 3, 866mhz, 512Mb ram, 20Gb HD, 98SE, Kernelex.
Still plenty zippy for the things I do.
I was actually hoping for some answers to the questions....
Ctrl + Alt + Delete would show a list of currently running programs, to see
if there's something there that's sucking up all your memory + speed.

This showed: Explorer, Rnaapp, Systray, Qttask, Rsrcmtr and Weshots.

Post by Sanity Clause
98guy's "autoruns" does something similar, since many programs run
invisibly in the background and can also turn your PC into a slug...
always-on virus scanners that check *every* program *every* time you
open them, CPU cycle thieves like file indexers, and yes, old viruses.
Properties of the Google icon would show what browser is actually being
opened to access Google. I'm assuming the same IE that "doesn't get used"?

I do not follow this reasoning. This is Internet Properties and it shows
the Home Page as http://www.google.co.uk. Where will it show which browser
is being used to open google?

[Sanity Clause]

Post by 98 Guy
Explorer

- Shows the desktop, lets you access files, etc, etc. Pretty much runs everything.

Post by 98 Guy
Rnaapp

- Loaded when you're using "dial-up networking". Used with your style of connection,
where it needs a user name and password to connect each time.

Post by 98 Guy
Systray

- Bottom right, contains icons for the clock, volume, some programs, etc.

Post by 98 Guy
Qttask

- Apple's Quicktime player; links to the Quicktime video streaming tool.
Not a big CPU or memory hog, but it doesn't really need to be running, unless
you use the Quicktime player all the time.

Post by 98 Guy
Rsrcmtr

- Resource meter. I assume you have green "meter" bars by the clock, and holding
the mouse over it shows the percentage of 3 types of Resources available?
It uses some of your limited resources itself, of course. (Not the same as memory!)
I only run it manually, on the odd occasion when my system is being unusually flaky.
With Outlook Express, Firefox, and IE running, I see:
System: 65% User 72% GDI 65%

Post by 98 Guy
and Weshots

- I think you mean weBshots, the screensaver / wallpaper / photo manager program.

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Sanity Clause
Properties of the Google icon would show what browser is actually being
opened to access Google. I'm assuming the same IE that "doesn't get used"?

I do not follow this reasoning. This is Internet Properties and it shows
the Home Page as http://www.google.co.uk.

Internet Properties is what pops up when looking at the "default" browser for
most versions of Windows, which is IE.

Post by 98 Guy
Where will it show which browser is being used to open google?

With it running, the top of the window should have a menu. At the right end is Help.
Click it, and the bottom of that list will be "About..." and the browser's name.

So far, nothing in *this* list should cause big slowdowns or "not enough memory"
messages, in English or German.

[98 Guy]

Sanity Clause wrote:

(task manager)

Task manager is for shit in this situation.

For example, right now task manager shows 10 running processes on my
win-98 machine.

Now you take a program like CCTask - it shows 18 running processes.

Norton System Information (SI32.exe) tells me 18 processes using a
combined 123 mb of ram.

Here is a download link for si32.zip:

http://www.filedropper.com/si32

If Davies runs it, it will tell him exactly what programs are loaded and
how much ram they're using. And it can save that info to a text file.

The OP's problem with IE is almost certainly being caused by a browser
helper object, url search hook, a toolbar or extension. Any one of
which would be visible with autoruns if he knew how to scroll down the
display or click on the IE tab.

It appears (from the portion of the autoruns screen that he did capture)
that he has paperport index search configured to auto-run at startup, as
well as quicktime and "Webshots". It also looks like he had Belarc
Advisor installed at one time.

[Sanity Clause]

Post by 98 Guy
Task manager is for shit in this situation.

Pretty much, yeah. But if there's a "Zxjelptr" or similar in the list, then there just
may be an obvious problem. :)

And, I like to start slow with the basics until I know how tech-savvy the helpee is,
so I avoid overwhelming him/her and getting replies like: "I know when I am lost
and this is such an occasion and I am going to bow out gracefully at this moment."

Post by 98 Guy
For example, right now task manager shows 10 running processes on my
win-98 machine.

I feel deprived. I only have 8 :(

Post by 98 Guy
Now you take a program like CCTask - it shows 18 running processes.

Same as my Process Explorer by Sysinternals.

Post by 98 Guy
The OP's problem with IE is almost certainly being caused by a browser
helper object, url search hook, a toolbar or extension.

That's what I was thinking too. Wondering about his "FunWebproducts".
I don't trust any of that "Free Fun Stuff! Download NOW NOW NOW!!!!".

[Emrys Davies]

Post by Sanity Clause

Post by 98 Guy
Explorer

- Shows the desktop, lets you access files, etc, etc. Pretty much runs everything.

Post by 98 Guy
Rnaapp

- Loaded when you're using "dial-up networking". Used with your style of connection,
where it needs a user name and password to connect each time.

Post by 98 Guy
Systray

- Bottom right, contains icons for the clock, volume, some programs, etc.

Post by 98 Guy
Qttask

- Apple's Quicktime player; links to the Quicktime video streaming tool.
Not a big CPU or memory hog, but it doesn't really need to be running, unless
you use the Quicktime player all the time.

Post by 98 Guy
Rsrcmtr

- Resource meter. I assume you have green "meter" bars by the clock, and holding
the mouse over it shows the percentage of 3 types of Resources available?
It uses some of your limited resources itself, of course. (Not the same as memory!)
I only run it manually, on the odd occasion when my system is being unusually flaky.
System: 65% User 72% GDI 65%

With OE, IE and Google running I see:

System 76%
User 76%
GDI 86%

Post by Sanity Clause

Post by 98 Guy
and Weshots

- I think you mean weBshots, the screensaver / wallpaper / photo manager program.

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Sanity Clause
Properties of the Google icon would show what browser is actually being
opened to access Google. I'm assuming the same IE that "doesn't get used"?

I do not follow this reasoning. This is Internet Properties and it shows
the Home Page as http://www.google.co.uk.

Internet Properties is what pops up when looking at the "default" browser for
most versions of Windows, which is IE.

Post by 98 Guy
Where will it show which browser is being used to open google?

With it running, the top of the window should have a menu. At the right end is Help.
Click it, and the bottom of that list will be "About..." and the browser's name.
So far, nothing in *this* list should cause big slowdowns or "not enough memory"
messages, in English or German.

The language for this PC has always been in English (UK) and I cannot
understand how the German language ( Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher) on that
little window which opens with IE and Google (See my first post) has crept
into the machine. It does not show in the registry (regedit), except when I
refer to it in these posts.

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

In message <***@mid.individual.net>, Emrys Davies
<***@privacy.net> writes:
[]

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by Sanity Clause

Post by 98 Guy
Explorer

- Shows the desktop, lets you access files, etc, etc. Pretty much
runs everything.

Yes, to a first approximation, Explorer and Systray will always be
there.

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by Sanity Clause

Post by 98 Guy
Rnaapp

- Loaded when you're using "dial-up networking". Used with your
style of connection,
where it needs a user name and password to connect each time.

[]

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by Sanity Clause

Post by 98 Guy
Qttask

- Apple's Quicktime player; links to the Quicktime video streaming tool.
Not a big CPU or memory hog, but it doesn't really need to be
running, unless
you use the Quicktime player all the time.

I'd agree, worth turning off from always-running, if you can figure out
how.

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by Sanity Clause

Post by 98 Guy
Rsrcmtr

- Resource meter. I assume you have green "meter" bars by the clock,
and holding
the mouse over it shows the percentage of 3 types of Resources available?
It uses some of your limited resources itself, of course. (Not the
same as memory!)
I only run it manually, on the odd occasion when my system is being unusually flaky.

I find the amount is uses is not enough to worry about for the
convenience it yields.

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by Sanity Clause
System: 65% User 72% GDI 65%

System 76%
User 76%
GDI 86%

So only a little more than Sanity's, except for the GDI. (_Might_ be
worth reducing your screen to 256 colours - certainly to 16 bit if it's
24 or 32. Not _sure_ if that'll change the GDI though. But IMO still
worth doing, unless you spend a lot of time looking at pictures. [You do
it in the same window already discussed where you found the screen
resolution; ask if you need guidance.])

(You don't have Google "running", by the way, assuming you mean the
Google search engine page is visible. You have a browser window open -
may be a second instancce of IE, if you've already got an instance of
that open as you imply, or may be something else. See below.)

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by Sanity Clause

Post by 98 Guy
and Weshots

- I think you mean weBshots, the screensaver / wallpaper / photo
manager program.

Again, _probably_ worth stopping from running all the time, though again
not (IIRR) a big hog.

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by Sanity Clause

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Sanity Clause
Properties of the Google icon would show what browser is actually being
opened to access Google. I'm assuming the same IE that "doesn't
get used"?

I do not follow this reasoning. This is Internet Properties and it shows
the Home Page as http://www.google.co.uk.

Internet Properties is what pops up when looking at the "default"
browser for
most versions of Windows, which is IE.

Yes, but isn't a property of the shortcut, which just contains a URL, so
Emrys was right here (-:.

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by Sanity Clause

Post by 98 Guy
Where will it show which browser is being used to open google?

With it running, the top of the window should have a menu. At the
right end is Help.
Click it, and the bottom of that list will be "About..." and the browser's name.

Or, more simply, at the top left of the window there'll be an icon; if
it's a blue e, then IE is being used. (But Help | About will show for
sure.)

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by Sanity Clause
So far, nothing in *this* list should cause big slowdowns or "not
enough memory"
messages, in English or German.

The language for this PC has always been in English (UK) and I cannot
understand how the German language ( Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher) on that
little window which opens with IE and Google (See my first post) has

If it's appearing on both "Google" and IE, then it suggests that IE _is_
your default browser (so is what's being opened when you activate your
Google icon).

Post by Emrys Davies
crept into the machine. It does not show in the registry (regedit),
except when I refer to it in these posts.

I think IE can be set to a different language to that under which the
machine is running. Start > Settings > Control Panel > Internet Options
(which actually means IE settings) will probably have in it, somewhere,
"select language from system settings" or something like that, which it
sounds as if you've somehow deselected, which would have enabled a
drop-down list. (I can't check as I've run IERadicator on my '98
machine, so Internet Options doesn't actually do anything.)
If you _want_ Firefox to be the default browser, and have somehow turned
off the check within Firefox, then (within Firefox) Tools | Options |
Main has at its bottom a checkbox "Always check to see if Firefox is the
default browser on startup", and a button next to it "Check Now". (Here
startup means Firefox startup, not Windows startup.) That's for Firefox
2, but it isn't that different in later versions: in 25, for example,
it's Tools | Options | Advanced | General (and it doesn't have the
button, so tick it, OK, then close and reopen Firefox).

[Emrys Davies]

[]

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by Sanity Clause

Post by 98 Guy
Explorer

- Shows the desktop, lets you access files, etc, etc. Pretty much runs everything.

Yes, to a first approximation, Explorer and Systray will always be there.

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by Sanity Clause

Post by 98 Guy
Rnaapp

- Loaded when you're using "dial-up networking". Used with your style
of connection,
where it needs a user name and password to connect each time.

[]

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by Sanity Clause

Post by 98 Guy
Qttask

- Apple's Quicktime player; links to the Quicktime video streaming tool.
Not a big CPU or memory hog, but it doesn't really need to be running, unless
you use the Quicktime player all the time.

I'd agree, worth turning off from always-running, if you can figure out
how.

I have turned this off.

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by Sanity Clause

Post by 98 Guy
Rsrcmtr

- Resource meter. I assume you have green "meter" bars by the clock, and holding
the mouse over it shows the percentage of 3 types of Resources available?
It uses some of your limited resources itself, of course. (Not the same as memory!)
I only run it manually, on the odd occasion when my system is being unusually flaky.

I find the amount is uses is not enough to worry about for the convenience
it yields.

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by Sanity Clause
System: 65% User 72% GDI 65%

System 76%
User 76%
GDI 86%

So only a little more than Sanity's, except for the GDI. (_Might_ be worth
reducing your screen to 256 colours - certainly to 16 bit if it's 24 or
32. Not _sure_ if that'll change the GDI though. But IMO still worth
doing, unless you spend a lot of time looking at pictures. [You do it in
the same window already discussed where you found the screen resolution;
ask if you need guidance.])
(You don't have Google "running", by the way, assuming you mean the Google
search engine page is visible. You have a browser window open - may be a
second instancce of IE, if you've already got an instance of that open as
you imply, or may be something else. See below.)

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by Sanity Clause

Post by 98 Guy
and Weshots

- I think you mean weBshots, the screensaver / wallpaper / photo manager program.

Again, _probably_ worth stopping from running all the time, though again
not (IIRR) a big hog.

I have also turned this off.

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by Sanity Clause

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Sanity Clause
Properties of the Google icon would show what browser is actually being
opened to access Google. I'm assuming the same IE that "doesn't get used"?

I do not follow this reasoning. This is Internet Properties and it shows
the Home Page as http://www.google.co.uk.

Internet Properties is what pops up when looking at the "default"
browser for
most versions of Windows, which is IE.

Yes, but isn't a property of the shortcut, which just contains a URL, so
Emrys was right here (-:.

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by Sanity Clause

Post by 98 Guy
Where will it show which browser is being used to open google?

With it running, the top of the window should have a menu. At the right end is Help.
Click it, and the bottom of that list will be "About..." and the browser's name.

Or, more simply, at the top left of the window there'll be an icon; if
it's a blue e, then IE is being used. (But Help | About will show for
sure.)

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by Sanity Clause
So far, nothing in *this* list should cause big slowdowns or "not enough memory"
messages, in English or German.

The language for this PC has always been in English (UK) and I cannot
understand how the German language ( Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher) on that
little window which opens with IE and Google (See my first post) has

If it's appearing on both "Google" and IE, then it suggests that IE _is_
your default browser (so is what's being opened when you activate your
Google icon).

Post by Emrys Davies
crept into the machine. It does not show in the registry (regedit),
except when I refer to it in these posts.

I think IE can be set to a different language to that under which the
machine is running. Start > Settings > Control Panel > Internet Options
(which actually means IE settings) will probably have in it, somewhere,
"select language from system settings" or something like that, which it
sounds as if you've somehow deselected, which would have enabled a
drop-down list. (I can't check as I've run IERadicator on my '98 machine,
so Internet Options doesn't actually do anything.)

English (United Kingdom) [en-gb] is definitely the language used on here.
When I highlight the former it says: 'Menus and dialog boxes are currently
displayed in English (United States)'.

If you _want_ Firefox to be the default browser, and have somehow turned
off the check within Firefox, then (within Firefox) Tools | Options | Main
has at its bottom a checkbox "Always check to see if Firefox is the
default browser on startup", and a button next to it "Check Now". (Here
startup means Firefox startup, not Windows startup.) That's for Firefox 2,
but it isn't that different in later versions: in 25, for example, it's
Tools | Options | Advanced | General (and it doesn't have the button, so
tick it, OK, then close and reopen Firefox).

Firefox cannot be downloaded onto this machine. I have tried many, many
times using the old Win. 98 SE version and it rejects all my efforts.

Solution: a more subtle problem

[98 Guy]

Post by Emrys Davies
Firefox cannot be downloaded onto this machine.

What a silly statement.

Of course it can. Even in it's present state it can.

Post by Emrys Davies
I have tried many, many times using the old Win. 98 SE version
and it rejects all my efforts.

You've shown time and time again if there's a wrong way to do something
on a computer - you'll discover it.

[Emrys Davies]

Post by 98 Guy

Post by Emrys Davies
Firefox cannot be downloaded onto this machine.

What a silly statement.
Of course it can. Even in it's present state it can.

Post by Emrys Davies
I have tried many, many times using the old Win. 98 SE version
and it rejects all my efforts.

You've shown time and time again if there's a wrong way to do something
on a computer - you'll discover it.

Well, you provided this link for me so that I could get Firefox:
https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/. I
tried to use it in several different ways but I failed. I got the errors
'Cannot Find Server' and 'This page cannot be displayed'. If you have a
route along which I can effectively 'walk' that link I will gladly follow
it, but please be step-by-step and bear in mind that all conversations and
communications are taking place on my HP computer.

[98 Guy]

Post by 98 Guy
https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/
I tried to use it in several different ways but I failed.
I got the errors 'Cannot Find Server' and 'This page cannot be
displayed'.

On your win-98 computer, do this.

Start, Settings, Control Panel.

Double-click Internet Options. Select "Advanced" tab.

Look for a section called "Browsing". Look for a setting called "Enable
third-party browser extensions" - should be 10 or 11'th setting under
"Browsing". Remove the check-mark in that box. Then hit the Apply
button. Then hit the OK button. Close the control panel. Restart the
computer.

After the computer restarts, perform what-ever you do to connect it to
the internet, and then open a DOS window (start, run, type command.com,
hit enter), then type this:

ping ftp.mozilla.org.

You should get "reply from 63.245.215.46: bytes=32, time=," etc.

If you get that, start IE and type this in the address bar:

http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/en-GB/

then hit enter.

You should see "Index of /pub/mozilla.org/ ... (etc)

Under that, you should see "Firefox Setup 2.0.0.20.exe" underlined in
blue. Click it. A file download window will open, asking if you want
to open or save the file. Click save. It will then ask where you want
to save. Select some location on the computer's hard drive (not a USB
memory stick that might be plugged in).

Report back your results.

[98 Guy]

I wrote:

=========
If you get that, start IE and type this in the address bar:

http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/en-GB/

then hit enter.
=========

I know that you're going to enter the above URL incorrectly.

You're either going to mis-type something, or (more likely) you're going
to enter the very last "GB" as lower case. Upper/lower case IS
IMPORTANT. GB must be entered in upper case. Everything else is lower
case. The URL MUST be entered exactly as shown above.

[Emrys Davies]

Post by 98 Guy
=========
http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/en-GB/
then hit enter.
=========
I know that you're going to enter the above URL incorrectly.
You're either going to mis-type something, or (more likely) you're going
to enter the very last "GB" as lower case. Upper/lower case IS
IMPORTANT. GB must be entered in upper case. Everything else is lower
case. The URL MUST be entered exactly as shown above.

I have found the perfect way to copy this URL correctly and that is to copy
and paste it to the Win. 98 PC by e-mail and it is sitting there waiting for
me to copy and paste it into the IE Address Bar, when the opportunity
occurs.

[Emrys Davies]

Post by 98 Guy

Post by 98 Guy
https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/
I tried to use it in several different ways but I failed.
I got the errors 'Cannot Find Server' and 'This page cannot be
displayed'.

On your win-98 computer, do this.
Start, Settings, Control Panel.
Double-click Internet Options. Select "Advanced" tab.
Look for a section called "Browsing". Look for a setting called "Enable
third-party browser extensions" - should be 10 or 11'th setting under
"Browsing". Remove the check-mark in that box. Then hit the Apply
button. Then hit the OK button. Close the control panel. Restart the
computer.

There is no such entry as "Enable third-party browser extensions" in there.

Post by 98 Guy
After the computer restarts, perform what-ever you do to connect it to
the internet, and then open a DOS window (start, run, type command.com,
ping ftp.mozilla.org.
You should get "reply from 63.245.215.46: bytes=32, time=," etc.
http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/en-GB/
then hit enter.
You should see "Index of /pub/mozilla.org/ ... (etc)
Under that, you should see "Firefox Setup 2.0.0.20.exe" underlined in
blue. Click it. A file download window will open, asking if you want
to open or save the file. Click save. It will then ask where you want
to save. Select some location on the computer's hard drive (not a USB
memory stick that might be plugged in).
Report back your results.

[Axel Berger]

Post by Emrys Davies
There is no such entry as "Enable third-party browser extensions" in there.

Second that. I haven't got it either.

Axel

[Axel Berger]

Post by Emrys Davies
https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/. I
tried to use it in several different ways but I failed. I got the errors
'Cannot Find Server' and 'This page cannot be displayed'.

I just tried and got a list of directories, one of them named "en-GB".
In there there's an .exe to download. You have entered the URL into your
address line and not into Google's search box?

[Axel Berger]

Post by 98 Guy
Of course it can. Even in it's present state it can.

Not quite. For the current versions Firefox makes a check and it is not
probabaly to download the version for one OS to a machine running
another. Utterly silly that, but they seem to consider themselves
clever.

Axel

[Axel Berger]

and it is not probabaly to download

Honestly, I'm not drunk just now, only senile. I meant "possible" of
course.
Axel

[Axel Berger]

Post by Emrys Davies
Firefox cannot be downloaded onto this machine.

The only way I can understand this is, that you are trying to download
the current newest version. Don't. Get version 1.5.0.12 or one the 2.x.

Axel

[Emrys Davies]

Post by Axel Berger

Post by Emrys Davies
Firefox cannot be downloaded onto this machine.

The only way I can understand this is, that you are trying to download
the current newest version. Don't. Get version 1.5.0.12 or one the 2.x.
Axel

No, this is what I tried to down load:
https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/en-US/Firefox%20Setup%202.0.0.20.exe.

I got 'Cannot find server' and 'This page cannot be displayed' errors.

[Axel Berger]

Post by Emrys Davies
I got 'Cannot find server' and 'This page cannot be displayed' errors.

Yes, now I can confirm that in my own IE. The reason is a very common
idiocy that is gaining more and more support. Replace https:// with
http:// in the URL yielding:

http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/en-US/Firefox%20Setup%202.0.0.20.exe

There are few things as silly, stupid and brain dead as serving totally
public things with no privacy whatever like downloads, Wikipedia etc. as
secure connections and using bleeding new protocols that shut out loads
of lean, tried, trusted and perfectly working browsers. It's like
listening to public radio broadcasts through a military scrambler phone.

Unfortunately this lunacy is gaining more and more followers.

Axel

[Emrys Davies]

Post by Axel Berger

Post by Emrys Davies
I got 'Cannot find server' and 'This page cannot be displayed' errors.

Yes, now I can confirm that in my own IE. The reason is a very common
idiocy that is gaining more and more support. Replace https:// with
http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/en-US/Firefox%20Setup%202.0.0.20.exe
There are few things as silly, stupid and brain dead as serving totally
public things with no privacy whatever like downloads, Wikipedia etc. as
secure connections and using bleeding new protocols that shut out loads
of lean, tried, trusted and perfectly working browsers. It's like
listening to public radio broadcasts through a military scrambler phone.
Unfortunately this lunacy is gaining more and more followers.
Axel

Well Axel, what a nice surprise. Success and many thanks. It worked a
treat. I do not know if you realize that all of these posts are taking
place on my personal computer. I copied your amended URL (without the s) to
the e-mail box on the Win. 98 SE computer and then copied it to its IE
Address bar and after all of the hassle which I have had I was delighted to
see it download freely. Great, you are a star*.

[Axel Berger]

Post by Emrys Davies
what a nice surprise.

Admittedly it take take me some time to catch on. I knew you only had IE
and I was aware of its limits and still, like a dunce, I only tried
tried the link in my standard browser and not IE. At least I'm not the
only one, Guy too didn't notice and he ought not to have posted the
unnecessary https:// in the first place.

Axel

[98 Guy]

I'm not the only one, Guy too didn't notice and he ought not to
have posted the unnecessary https:// in the first place.

Go and look at the two posts I made on Monday around 10, 10:30 am EST:

I posted the following in the first post:

----------------
If you get that, start IE and type this in the address bar:

http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/en-GB/

then hit enter.

You should see "Index of /pub/mozilla.org/ ... (etc)
----------------

I then posted this 1/2 hour later:


----------------
http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/win32/en-GB/

I know that you're going to enter the above URL incorrectly.

You're either going to mis-type something, or (more likely) you're going
to enter the very last "GB" as lower case. Upper/lower case IS
IMPORTANT. GB must be entered in upper case. Everything else is lower
case. The URL MUST be entered exactly as shown above.
I know that you're going to enter the above URL incorrectly.

You're either going to mis-type something, or (more likely) you're going
to enter the very last "GB" as lower case. Upper/lower case IS
IMPORTANT. GB must be entered in upper case. Everything else is lower
case. The URL MUST be entered exactly as shown above.
-----------------

So you will BOTH note that I posted the non-SSL link in my last
messages.

[Axel Berger]

Post by 98 Guy
So you will BOTH note that I posted the non-SSL link in my last
messages.

Touché, and you're quite right of course.

Axel

[Axel Berger]

This is Internet Properties and it shows the Home Page as
http://www.google.co.uk. Where will it show which browser
is being used to open google?

Simple: it may be called "Internet Properties" but in reality it is the
settings for Microsoft's Internet Explorer and nothing else. So if any
program abides by those settings, then we all know what program that is.
Quite apart from thatwhenever I view a website in any of my browsers,
its top bar clearly shows and names the running browser. No guesswork or
reasing involved.

[Emrys Davies]

Post by Axel Berger

This is Internet Properties and it shows the Home Page as
http://www.google.co.uk. Where will it show which browser
is being used to open google?

Simple: it may be called "Internet Properties" but in reality it is the
settings for Microsoft's Internet Explorer and nothing else. So if any
program abides by those settings, then we all know what program that is.
Quite apart from thatwhenever I view a website in any of my browsers,
its top bar clearly shows and names the running browser. No guesswork or
reasing involved.

Thanks, I follow that. I had always got the impression that Google
supported itself and now, thanks to the discussion on here, I realize that
it is opened by my one and only browser, IE. Google is the Home Page
because my wife does most of her work from there and OE.

[Emrys Davies]

Post by Computer Nerd Kev

Post by Emrys Davies

Post by 98 Guy
I very strongly suggest you install an old version of
Firefox and use it instead of IE. Firefox 2.0.0.20 is
much better than Internet Explorer. I can post a link
where to download it if you want.

Cannot install Firefox as the PC is too sluggish.

http://kmeleon.sourceforge.net
Or failing that, OffByOne (depending on what sort of websites
http://www.OffByOne.com
What's your RAM use now with the antivirus and other
background tasks stopped? Win98 runs alright with 32MB RAM, so
65% of 384MB is very high just after booting up.
--
__ __
#_ < |\| |< _#

I said: "Cannot install Firefox as the PC is too sluggish". The PC just
would not let firefox download saying 'This page cannot be displayed' and
'Cannot find server'. IE is quite poorly although there is 384MB of Ram and
System Resources now has 89 per cent free just after bootup. It is
interesting that the two programmes, Google and IE, which take one minute or
so to open in normal mode open instantly in Safe Mode. I can find no
reference to 'Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher' in the Registry or elsewhere, other
than when its enabled window pops up a minute or so after the Google or IE
buttons are pressed.

[John Dulak]

Post by Emrys Davies
Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher

Emrys:

I googled "Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher Internet Explorer" and got a
Microsoft support page in German. Googles translated page is:

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/134362/de&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dzu%2Bwenig%2Barbeitsspeicher%2Binternet%2Bexplorer

with this suggestion.


This problem can occur when virtual memory is disabled.

Solution
Go to activate virtual memory, follow these steps:

Click the Start button, point to Settings and click Control Panel.
Double-click the icon <About Microsoft> System </ commands and
then click>.
Click the Performance tab, click Virtual Memory.
Click the option "Automatically through Windows manage virtual
memory settings (recommended)". Or, if you must use your own virtual
memory settings as much space as possible for the maximum size.
Click on OK.

HTH & GL

John

[Emrys Davies]

Post by Emrys Davies
Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher

I googled "Zu wenig Arbeitsspeicher Internet Explorer" and got a Microsoft
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/134362/de&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dzu%2Bwenig%2Barbeitsspeicher%2Binternet%2Bexplorer
with this suggestion.
This problem can occur when virtual memory is disabled.
Solution
Click the Start button, point to Settings and click Control Panel.
Double-click the icon <About Microsoft> System </ commands and then
click>.
Click the Performance tab, click Virtual Memory.
Click the option "Automatically through Windows manage virtual memory
settings (recommended)". Or, if you must use your own virtual memory
settings as much space as possible for the maximum size.
Click on OK.
HTH & GL
John
--
\\\||///
------------------o000----(o)(o)----000o----------------
----------------------------()--------------------------
'' Madness takes its toll - Please have exact change. ''

John, I tried your suggestion which appeared to have good prospects, but no
joy. Thanks.

[John Dulak]

John, I tried your suggestion which appeared to have good prospects,
but no joy. Thanks.

Emrys:

Since it seems it may be memory related I would try reseating (Remove
and reinstall) the memory modules. If that does not work try running
MemTest86

http://www.memtest86.com/download.htm

And let it run overnight.

HTH & GL

John