My comp is messed. Help is Needed

**khritan** · December 19th, 2003, 10:05 PM

My computer (Windows 98) was just fine except for the occasional spyware here and there. Until a couple days ago. Now all of a sudden, whenever my computer finishes starting up, the bottom toolbar completely freezes. EVERY time. It also freezes through out m time on the computer. So im forced to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, and click OAUE, and End Task. This is really old and I don't know what is causing it and how to stop it. Anyone have this problem? or know how to stop it? Any help is appreciated.

Also, now everytime I try to start a normal program such as Windows Media Player, Adobe Photoshop, Ares and even Nortan Anti-Virus, my mouse just has the hourglass for a second and then stops. and the program doesnt pull up at all.
I cant work on anything because nothing will come up.
Please please please, if anyone knows how to fix these problems, please drop a line. It will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

**MxRob** · December 19th, 2003, 10:30 PM

Have you looked at your start up menu to see what is running?
start>run>msconfig>startup
look for OAUE on the list or something similar. If you see it and know what it is for sure uncheck it and reboot.
If you want post a screenshot before you do it so we can see whats running.

**muskrat_love** · December 19th, 2003, 10:32 PM

I hate to say it but... maybe its time to back up everything (I know it's a pain in the ass) and start with a fresh copy of windows. I just did it and it's cured every problem I've had. It's almost the new year so reformat and start new.

**Black Beard** · December 19th, 2003, 10:56 PM

I'm with muskrat_love on this one. When you've tried everything else, and your 'puter is still unstable... time to dust of the ol' windows cd.

I know it's daunting if you don't do it much - I like to reinstall at least every 12 months. Backing up could be a prob if apps won't run - if you can't get media player up, i doubt you'd have any luck getting nero (or whatever) to run. Best bet in this case would be to back up over a network or throw in a spare HDD and quickly copy everything you need.

I realise this prob. isn't what you want to here - maybe you should try some Windows specific forums; only one comes to mind right now and that's www.annoyances.org - there's also microsoft support. Also try a google search for a simple phrase which summarises the problem, alternativly, google search the name of any application/process you suspect of having damaged your system.

Good luck.

**khritan** · December 19th, 2003, 11:11 PM

Thank you all for the tips. I ran the Run/msconfig/startup and fixed the taskbar freeze problem, THANKS~!

Now all I have is the program running problems. I'll try the annoyances.org also. thanks! if anyone has any other tips, please keep posting.

**MxRob** · December 19th, 2003, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by khritan

Thank you all for the tips. I ran the Run/msconfig/startup and fixed the taskbar freeze problem, THANKS~!
Now all I have is the program running problems. I'll try the annoyances.org also. thanks! if anyone has any other tips, please keep posting.

No problem, now

1. Have you tried running sfc.exe(system file checker)? If not run it and see if it needs to replace a file. It will prompt you to put in your windows 98 cd and pull the dll file and fix your problem.
2. Have you run scandisk full scan mode?
3. Defragged recently?

Also don't reformat unless you have checked every possible thing. I've had windows 98 running on 20+ computers for 5 years straight and have never had to reformat or reinstall windows. It's all about simple maintenence.

**MikeHunt** · December 20th, 2003, 02:20 PM

another tool that will help you get your rig back in shape: Anti Crash / Auto Repair ...available in a *trial version here:
www.dachshundsoftware.com/index.html

Anti Crash has a built in Auto Repair feature which diagnoses your entire system and automatically fixes any problems/conflicts/freezes... it finds ,using artificial intelligence.

(*the key to upgrade the trial version is available *around* )

**Kf7avenger** · December 29th, 2003, 04:13 PM

khritan This sounds like a Virus if ask me U might want 2 get an Antivirus I know of 3 Free Ones AVG, ANtivir, and avst

AVG http://majorgeeks.com/download886.html

Antivir http://majorgeeks.com/download955.html

AVAST HOME http://majorgeeks.com/download1968.html

U might aslo want to scan with Spybott and adaware 6.0