For starters it's a Dell P3 866 w/ 512 ram, 40 gb hard drive, 64 mb geforce 4, Windows 98, etc. etc.

When the computer first starts up in DOS it says that it's only 128.0 MB RAM, then loads into windows and usually 1 or 2 programs will perform an illegal operation or won't be responding. My DSL line is garbage, but I think that has to do with the phone lines in the building. When I load outlook express it takes a good 1-2 minutes to get into my inbox, it seems like the computer is struggling horribly whenever I try to open this. This computer overall seems horribly sluggish for the amount of power it has (which isn't much, but it's not that little either).

Programs randomly crash, including explorer, and I find myself restarting my computer because of crashes in Windows more and more often as the days go on.

I can no longer play Warcraft 3 at all, as whenever I try to open it up it says the CD is missing, even though it's in there. I've tried reinstalling, restarting the computer, everything - nothing works. And even when it did work before, the game would randomly freeze the entire system and force me to hit the reset button on the tower.

Battlefield 1942 works at 800x600x16 resolution. If I try to raise it, the game will randomly crash and I'll have to hit the reset button.

Tribes 2 will randomly crash.

I just bought Rise of Nations (great game), and the game won't even fu**ing start because of illegal operations, not responding, etc. etc. I managed to get it working last night and played for a couple hours but this morning it didn't start at all.



This computer is slowly eating away at my sanity. I don't know what the deal is - Can this be fixed at all, or if I should just buy another computer and take a 20 lb. sledgehammer to this one? I remember someone posted a link on this forum a while ago with deals on new Dell computers, etc. - I don't remember what the site is called. Anyone know what I'm talking about? Thanks.

 

Sounds like your best bet if you wanted to keep your computer would be a full format and reinstall of windows. Maybe even consider grabbing a copy of XP, at least get win 98 2nd edition if you don't, avoid ME at all costs. If you can manage it, DL the most recent drivers for your hardware and burn them to a CD so when windows boots up for the first time, all the drivers are in one spot. Back up all your save games and what any other files you want to put back on, mp3s etc.

If you want a new puter and have not 'built' your own before, it is much easier then you would think. If nothing else buy all the separate parts on the net and go to a local specialty computer (not retail) and pay them to put it together. Just about the best prices I find are usually tigerdirect.com.

If you don't have any idea on where to start, post a description of what you use your computer for (obviously games), but do you plan on playing with video etc. And a price range you feel comfortable spending. I will piece together a system and post the part #'s and specs, if that is the route you want to go. IMO a built box is great none of that crap installed by the OEM. I boycotted the 3.5 floppy drive 2 years ago, and refuse to put one in, obsolete I tell you! You never see computer nerds with an HP, Dell etc. There is a reason

Steve

 

Few things you can try:

*backup
*update your drivers
*defrag your harddrive
*Go to www.lavasoft.de and download AdAware, update Ref file and run a check. Clean out all your adware
*run 'msconfig' and remove stuff from the startup tab, or go here and download the utility and remove stuff you don't need: http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml
*Update BIOS
*Update windows/Office/IE thru the Windows Update feature in IE

 

Here's my take on it.... during the bootup process, if the BIOS is only recognizing 128MB instead of 512MB, then it's likely that your memory chips are kaput. Faulty memory chips can do all sorts of crazy stuff. I'd pull the chips out and put in a new set of memory to see if that helps. On the other hand, if it's looking like things are really going to hell, and if it looks like you'll be throwing $300-400 at the old computer, then screw it and buy a new one. They are quite cheap these days.

 

I reccomend:
1. Figure out why the oeprating system thinks you have only 128mb.

After that:
2. what cnynrpr said

 

256MB DIMMs are running $44 for 100MHz and even less for 133MHz (you probably have a 133MHz bus). Buy one DIMM, pop it in all by its lonesome to see if it fixes things. If it doesn't, you've got another 256MB (ane extra RAM is ALWAYS good), and can move on to BIOS settings and the so on like Flayer said.

If it does fix it, you can either selectively swap in the other DIMMs (you didn't specify if it's 512MB on a single DIMM, or across multiples), and move on with life.

Tim

 

wen windows 98 looses connectino or gets a weird connection it's result is to freeze. i would recommend DEFINATLY going up to windows xp pro or windows 2000 pro. Don't do anythign without that. oyh yah AND PUT MORE RAM IN!

 

sounds like a memory problem, does your computer reset it self?

 

:nods accordingly:
Take out half your memory to put it at what should be 256. if it says 256, then you pulled out some of the bad memory. if not, swap them and see what happens. if it still says 128, start mixing and matching. if you find a pair that gets you 256, then the ones not installed are faulty and should be replaced.

wait a sec...how new is it? if still under warranty, call dell and tell them. they should hook you up.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Lee355
When the computer first starts up in DOS it says that it's only 128.0 MB RAM,