Computer Locking Up

[tkcomer]

I have a friend who has a ‘puter that is locking up. He is running Windows ME. I sent him Ad-Aware and Spybot, which found a lot of things. But I can’t help thinking the Registry is messed up. I loaned an old copy of Norton System Works out to somebody and it didn’t make it back. The one for Win 98. It had a program called Windoctor. Is there an online registry checker somewhere? I have Systemworks 2002, but it is for XP. Not sure if it would work for 98. Thanks for any info.

[kcredden]

Hi TK:

There is a freeware version of a registry cleaner, that MS has. It's located here: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,4666,00.asp

I'm not sure if it'll help. Windows ME is basically a broke OS, and 98 accually is more stable and better. Hopefully this'll help him though.

If he's got the horsepower (around 1 ghz, 256 megs memory) he should go get a copy of XP Pro (around $150 though e-bay) I'm running it now on my cousion's system and it's working like a charm.

Keep us informed on what happens.

[tkcomer]

That's great. Thanks. I'm not sure what he has. His daughter-in-law gave the 'puter to him because she got a laptop for college. That's why he does not want to format it out. She still has some stuff on it. And he only reads his E-mail about every other day. I'll let you know if it works. Probably not, but it's worth a try.

[kcredden]

I can understand that. He had better at least back up her stuff to a CD. Computers can die at the worse possible times. Like just when your novel is done, and ready to print, and 'blink!' there goes 2 years of work.

Not from personal experience, but I can believe it :)

[tkcomer]

Well, he has tried downloading Ad-Aware and the registry cleaner. Computer locks up on ALL attempts at downloading. He says he is now going to break down and buy XP and do a clean install. He says the ‘puter has a 2.0 speed processor and 512 of ram, so XP will run just fine. Thanks for the help. I guess his rig has too much wrong to fix.

[kcredden]

Well, he has tried downloading Ad-Aware and the registry cleaner. Computer locks up on ALL attempts at downloading. He says he is now going to break down and buy XP and do a clean install. He says the ‘puter has a 2.0 speed processor and 512 of ram, so XP will run just fine. Thanks for the help. I guess his rig has too much wrong to fix.

Hate to see that route, TK. But it's sometimes necessary. My cousion went from ME, to XP Pro, and she loved it. Me was a constent source of problems, crashes and the like, after XP she had very few problems; especially after the safeguards and setup I put on it.

Hope he can find it on E-bay cheap. MS charges far too much for it. Make sure he gets the 'XP Professional' version over the home one.

Yes too, 2.0 ghz and 512 megs memory will make XP purr...hope that helps him out!

[Dr Funkenstein]

You might check out www.newegg.com and get a descent price on xp pro also.