Tech: Internet Connection Freezes my 'Puter

Subject: Tech: Internet Connection Freezes my 'Puter
From: Oaklet
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 08:45 AM

I know that this is rural North Lincs UK and I can't rule out the fact that the millennium bug may have taken its time to arrive here, but this is driving me nuts.

Windows ME (yeuch) IE and Outlook

I log on, get the confirmation that I am connected to the ISP.

Click the IE icon

Wait whilst the home page tries to open

The mouse pointer behaves as if it is stuck in jam

I try to log off but everything takes an age and eventually if freezes solid.

I give up and play the violin for a bit.

I have tried anti-virus things and no worms or other filth is detected. The computer is a cream one and I am probably exceeding my IT abilities even posting here, but is there anything that you feel might help?

I don't have the original software for IE as it was pre-loaded, but I have the Outlook stuff and a set of stolen Office 2000 Software, which I haven't used but am prepared to put on, if my conscience will allow it.

I'd be really grateful for any advice.

Subject: RE: Tech: Internet Connection Freezes my 'Puter
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 08:52 AM

Without a Windows CD, you were ripped off - and you can't fix problems by reloading the OS s/w - selling the OS without the CD means that you have a pirated version of the OS s/w.

Not sure that you can do much without the extra tools on the CD either - but ME has it's own particular problems I don't know about - still strugglling along with Win98 myself...

Had similar problems myself for several weeks, finally got it sorted out again - I think... fingers crossed...

Robin

Subject: RE: Tech: Internet Connection Freezes my 'Puter
From: smallpiper
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 09:39 AM

What sort of 'puter you got oaklet? I have a packard bell and it too comes with software (windows xp etc) preloaded. But the software is in a seperate partitioned and protected part of the disk so what I have to do is go to all programmes, accessories, system tools and click on system restore this will allow you to restore your settings to a date before you started to have problems. You won't loose any data and it may sort your problem out.

Subject: RE: Tech: Internet Connection Freezes my 'Puter
From: Oaklet
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 09:51 AM

Ta mate. The bloody thing gives all the rsstore points available and invites me to restore to an earlier time, then goes to great lengths to sneer at me explaining that it can't be restored to the selected time and that no changes have been made. It was made by Honest Ron Computers and Landscape Gardeners of (mobile number only).

Subject: RE: Tech: Internet Connection Freezes my 'Puter
From: smallpiper
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 10:05 AM

have you clicked on one of the highlighted dates?

Subject: RE: Tech: Internet Connection Freezes my 'Puter
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 10:08 AM

Oaklet: I know as little as possible about Windows but if I have start-up problems with Mac OS I find that temporarily turning off extensions makes it behave better.

Have you tried a different browser? Opera works fine for me and is freeware.

Subject: RE: Tech: Internet Connection Freezes my 'Puter
From: Amos
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 10:20 AM

How much disk space is actually available (total disk space less disk space used)?

Does your system have an over-full Temp directory?

A

Subject: RE: Tech: Internet Connection Freezes my 'Puter
From: Rapparee
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 10:54 AM

Try defragging the hard drive, too. Go to My Computer and right click on the "C" drive (I assume the C drive, the main one). Choose Properties. That should bring up a tab for tools/utilites/whatever. One of those will be defrag.

Turn off antivirus and other programs when you do this.

It'll take a while, so have a drink and play some music.

Then switch to a good browser, like Netscape 7.1 or Opera.

Also, Norton Systemworks Pro has Roxio GoBack as part of it. MUCH better time machine than Microsoft puts in!

Subject: RE: Tech: Internet Connection Freezes my 'Puter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 12:11 PM

If you're still using the Internet Explorer that came with ME then you're a generation or two behind in your browsing and updates. ME, which is notorious for crashing (I got it out of my computer a while back), also has updates you need.

Try some diagnostic stuff before you try to turn on the Internet Explorer. Rapaire's suggestion of defragging (and also do disk cleanup, it's in those system tools) is a good one. Start there. Then you might look at your settings and see if you have it set to Active Desktop (you right click on an unoccupied portion of the screen). For some reason Active Desktop will freeze up in some operating systems and ME is one of them. So for now turn off the Active Desktop.

There were a few years when computer sales folks weren't including disks of the OS and installed software with the computers they sold. It was bundled and put on the hard drive and they expected you to make a backup of it and keep 40 or 50 little floppy disks for backup, so don't worry about not having the originals (except for the fact that fixing problems is difficult). It was short-sighted of manufacturers, and computers now come with recovery software.

When you get it to where it will start, go directly to Microsoft and in the left column drop down to Windows Update. Click on that, and then allow Microsoft to analyse your system by choosing "Scan for Updates." You'll find several critical updates and service packs that should have been added in. Some of these service packs will go on one at a time only and need the computer to be restarted after installation. It will take time, but start with the critical stuff first. In this case, I would update the ME service pack then immediately after that update to Internet Explorer 6. When that is in place a series of updates pertaining to IE 6 will turn up and put those on next, then go back to any others you need. It will mean turning the computer on and off a lot.

Meanwhile, you may have one of those bugs that made the rounds last summer that require a visit to Symantec to find the fix. Be sure to update your virus definitions and any security software.

If this stuff doesn't work, then it is likely time to update your OS. I would stay away from XP myself, and put on Win2000Pro, because you can upgrade from ME. XP is not meant to be an upgrade, it will mess your computer up to try it. This is what the IT guys at the library where I work tell me. You have to wipe the drive and start over, but you'd lose your data. One guy told me that he's heard of it working for some people, but look at the software and you'll see that it says not to do it. Upgrades of the OS may mean that some of your devices won't work like before, so think about it carefully before you attempt even this fix. It may mean you need to buy some more software to run a burner or DVD, etc. Always try the Microsoft upgrades and service packs first.

Sorry to make it sound grim and technical, but this is one of the points each of us reaches with our computers when decisions have to be made. Start with the small stuff (at the top of the post) first and work downward through the list.

Good luck!

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Internet Connection Freezes my 'Puter
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 01:03 PM

You don't actually say you don't have a Windows Disk, but since you didn't correct foulestroupes's assumption, maybe you don't. You probably needn't worry though - lots of times, instead of giving you a Windows Disk they give you a Restore Disc, which has Windows bundled in with other stuff. For most practical purposes it comes to the same thing.

With such a disc, if all else fails, you it the Restore Disk to put the computer back to the way it was when you bought it, with Windows and various other stuff they might have put on there, such as games, or maybe Internet Explorer. Then you have to reinstall anything you put on later, such as maybe a word processing program such as Word. (And you'd lose any data you had, letters and tunes and all, except that you could save them easily enough preferably on a CD if your computer has a CD writer, or otherwise on some floppies.

Just to restore Internet Explorer, it's a doddle, you just need to get hold of a disc with the program on, and they come free on the cover disc of magazines such as .net, along with lots of other handy stuff, and that just costs a fiver.

One possibility might be there's some problem with the ISP connection, even though it looks OK - it would be worth phoning them up to check that. Quite often the blokes on the helplines are quit re knowledgeable and helpful.

I take it you are using some other computer to get through here?

Subject: RE: Tech: Internet Connection Freezes my 'Puter
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 01:51 PM

Sounds like mouse and modem are getting their wires crossed.

try copying a new mouse.com off of any MS cd and making that read only add the command

mouse

to your autoexec file.

That will fix somebody - he he

Subject: RE: Tech: Internet Connection Freezes my 'Puter
From: Amergin
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 01:52 PM

try going to the control panel after double clicking on internet explorer....go to add/remove programs....look for internet explorer (5.5 I think) and internet tools...double click on it...and then select the repair internet explorer option...

how long has this been going on? has it always acted like this? also you may have problems with corrupted cookies as well...try going to start, programs, accessories, system tools, disk cleanup....

Subject: RE: Tech: Internet Connection Freezes my 'Puter
From: Amergin
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 01:54 PM

also it appears you can connect and browse after a bit....so...try going to this place to get spy ware detector: Adaware

Subject: RE: Tech: Internet Connection Freezes my 'Puter
From: Oaklet
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 03:11 PM

Thanks for all your help. These are great suggestions and I'll try them all but now I have to dash. This is posted from the firm's laptop which has XP on it. I did a de-frag on the PC and it worked a treat. Then I ran the anti-virus thing on it and it is now as screwed as ever. Great suggestions all. I'll be back, as Judith Chalmers would say.

Subject: RE: Tech: Internet Connection Freezes my 'Puter
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 05:12 PM

In that case you should consider the possibility that your anti-virus program is to blame. Some of the well-known ones can screw things up mightily.

Subject: RE: Tech: Internet Connection Freezes my 'Puter
From: Amergin
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 05:35 PM

for a new antivirus program...you can find one here: AVG...it is free and a good program...all updates are free as well...and easy.

Subject: RE: Tech: Internet Connection Freezes my 'Puter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 08:54 PM

I was recently reinstalling a dual platform (ME and Win2000) and I tried downloading the latest Norton program into Win ME. The Norton Internet Security froze everything up solid. I used Ghost (another fine Norton product) to put my system back the way it was before (one OS).

My computer came with ME and that is where there are several resident programs for my hardware. With my dual platform the Win2000 doesn't run the DVD player with movies, and I find the ME version of Adaptec more user friendly than the Nero I have installed on Win2000. Anyway, I know what you mean about the frozen stuff. I have stashed a copy of the ME program on my spare hard drive and will one of these days consider setting up the second platform. But I have to thaw that darned Norton mess before taking it anywhere.

Uninstall the Norton if at all possible, try another virus program. I had no problems with any other Norton products except this one in particular.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Internet Connection Freezes my 'Puter
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 09:03 PM

If your Internet connection is screwed, and you can't download things (eg AVG) on your laptop in a usable form for the computer, once again a free CDRom on ".net", or some other newstand Internet magazine, could be the answer. It'd very likely have what you want.