Hello! This is my first time here, so please guide me if I'm not doing this properly. Thanks!
I've been having problems with my 'stone age' computer off and on for a couple months now. Following is recap of back ground and problems.
O/S: Windows 98 SE
Browser: IE 6
Anti Spyware: SpyBot S&D
Anti Virus: Avast
1. In late Oct. 2007 my computer started running slowly. So, I removed a lot of old things, such as, out dated emails, bookmarks, saved files etc. And, also decided to remove Corel programs as I didn't really use Corel and it kept causing 'errors'. I uninstalled the following Corel programs:
Corel Print Office (99) Special Edition
Corel Print House Magic (99)
Word Perfect Office 2000 (Prefessional)
Dragon Naturally Speaking
Corel DRAW 9 (Graphics Suite)
I removed these using the 'Add/Remove' programs in the Control Panel.
Results:
Good: Computer ran faster again. Corel created 'errors' ceased.
Problems:
A.) My D and E Drives started 'disappearing' and then reappearing. That is, in My Computer there Icons disappeared completely. If I tried to use my D drive I received a message 'D:/ driver moved or removed'. If I tried to use my E Drive (Adaptec Direct CD) I received a message 'supported drivers'. Then suddenly for no apparent reason both Drives would work fine again, and the D and E Drive Icons would reappear in My Computer. They seem to come and go at will, sometimes for only a few hours or a day, other times for several days at a time.
This problem still persist. HELP! ... Please
B.) Desk Top Short Cut Icons modify themselves. Here is what happens. If I go to My Computer or My Documents, then return to my Desk Top the screen 'blinks' and all the Icons change. Here is how they change. Normally, they most of the icons have a small white square box with a black arrow in it, located at the bottom left corner of the icon. These boxes all change to the icon of what ever the last files I opened in My Computer or My Documents uses. This problem does not seem to effect operation of the computer, at least not that I'm aware of, anyway. But, since I'm here seeking advice, thought I'd bring it up to.
This problem still persist HELP! ... Please
2. In mid December 2007, because my Microsoft Word 97 had too many things it didn't do, I decided to Uninstall it and replace it with a newer verison of Word I have (Word 2000 SR-1).
So I uninstalled the following:
Microsoft Works Suite 99
- Encarta Encyclopedia 99
- Streets 98 Version 6.0
- Word 97 (Value Pak)
- Works 4.5a
- Money 99 (Basic Audio/Video Help)
- Graphics Studio (Greetings) 99
I then installed the following:
Microsoft Works Suite 2001
- Works 6.0
- Word 2000 SR-1
- Money 2001 Standard
- PictureIT! Publishing 2001
(Note: MS Works Suite 2001 also has Encarta 2001 and Streets 2001, but I don't use them, so did not install them.)
Results:
Good: They all work great.
Problems: I noticed the shortly after completing the above, that web pages seemed to be loading a little slower then normal. Time frame was between Christmas and New Year. Then on January 2, 2008 web pages started loading slower and slower, with the exception of financial institutions, i.e. banks, credit card companies, etc. web sites. During the first week of January SpyBot S&D updated, and when I ran a scan with the new updates, it told me RegisteryFix (a registery scrubber program I downloaded about a year or so ago) was full of Malware and recommended 'fixing it' so I did. SpyBot removed a total of 8 items associated with it. Computer still loads web pages slow.
As it stands right now, with the exception of web sites for financial institutes, most other web sites are loading extremely slow. It is taking anywhere from 45 seconds to about 2 mintues for web pages to load. On average it takes 45 to 60 seconds for web pages to load, both Home pages and internal pages of web sites. When I go to a web site the header graphics of the site will load instantly, then comes the slow down as little pieces of the page will load ... then a long pause .. then another little piece of the page loads ... this continues until the page fully loads. Ad blocks and banners on page seem to take the longest to load. And on many pages the bar across the bottom of the browser will say on the left hand side "Done but errors on page".
All of the above happens while using IE 6 browser. I have an older verison of Netscape 8 on my computer, so I tried using it. Web pages loaded okay in it, considering the out dated age of it. But, for the most part instantly. So could this mean my IE 6 Browser got messed up in the process of replacing MS Works Suites? If so, what is the fix? (Besides moving from the 'stone age' and buying a new computer ... lol ...) I tried going to Microsoft web site to download and reinstall IE 6, but could not find it there. Seems they are only offering IE 7 now.
HELP!... Please
I'm basically a user, and have very limited knowledge on the Tech side. So, any help, advise, assistance you can provide will be veryyyyyyyyy much appreciated. Thank you in advance for whatever help you might be able to provide.
Bob