How can I check out what might be making a windows98 computer freeze up? It took me some time to reinstall windows due to freezing up. Now that windows is installed it goes threw the boot up then freezes. Am thinking it a hardware problem but i dont know how to find out the bad part. Thanks
your problem is windows. back in 1997 i was using my computer when it froze up and crashed... again! i yelled... "fuck this god damn pile of shit and fuck bill gates too for making this shit!" i got rid of the pile of shit (windows), and installed linux. BEST MOVE I EVER MADE WITH COMPUTERS! i have not had the linux system give me any shit at all in almost the 8 years i have been using it linux was quite rough around the edges back in 97. it has gotten better and better over the years, while windows is still a pile of shit. my neighbor got the latest version of windows (vista, i think is what it is called) for christmas. i help install it for him. after i booted it up, it froze and crashed. i shook my head and said "yeah same old god damn pile of shit just in a brand new package!" i got it to "work" though... if you want to call that "work." if you want to you can download the linux distro for free i use the debian distro. i would recommend that you download the mandrake distro. it is most likely the best for new users. you can download it at www.mandrakelinux.com. good luck with your system whatever you do!
Linux is a great desktop option. It is a million times easier than Windows98. As for the op's computer issue. If this was a new install of the OS, I would suspect a hardware problem too. If the machine is out of warranty, open the side of the case and clean it out some. A vacuum hose with a soft 'hair' brush attachment is perfect for the job. Assuming this is a desktop, not a laptop. When working on a computer, make sure the power cord is unplugged. Also, don't touch any circuit or anything inside the computer with your hand. Keep one hand on the metal case at all times. 30 volts of static electricity will kill a board, it takes 3,000 volts of static for a human to even begin to feel it. So no touching. Just vacuum the dust out and blow/brush it out with a can of compressed air. Blowing with your mouth is not recommended (saliva can hurt a board). Don't upset any heatsink, but make sure to clean it. When you're done cleaning, check over and make sure you didn't disturb any plugs or components. Plug it back in and turn it on with the side case off. This allows more cold air into it. If it boots up and runs longer, you had a heat issue. There are many ways to solve heat issues.
I'm guessing there are bad sectors on your hard drive which is interfering with the installation. I highly recommend getting a new drive as opposed to repairing your old one. Drives are incredibly cheap right now. Combine it with windows xp, or maybe linux, and you will be laughing.
