newbie needs help

[jbean24060]

i have a compaq presario 6000 with windows 98. recently a second hard drive was installed into my computer. at first it was lightning fast. after adding necessary programs like my anti-virus, home design program, works,finance programs my computer was running very slow even though my hard drive still had 20-30 GB of free space (all my basic comp info is on the first drive). i was told to do system restore and just put the minimum of what i needed which would be the first three programs, so i did i know have 54 GB of free space and it is still very slow. does anyone know what could possibly be the problem? would appreciate any help please.  ???thanks

[2k_dummy]

How much RAM do you have? How many programs are loading at startup?

[honvetops]

also, what cpu in that box?  Some of the older puters just run turtle slow once you have all the current/ popular  apps and virus protections installed..... 

[patio]

System Restore in Win98 ? ?

 

[a5490]

i believe 2k_dummy has the answer...ram.  put in as much as your machine will hold.

[lostit]

am a newbe also,but clearingall cookies helped

[2k_dummy]

System Restore in Win98 ? ?

 

In Win98 it is called system recovery. Requires backup disks and a windows CD. It basically reinstalls the original W98 files then restores the backup. It can be done without backup disks but I would not recommend that for the novice, as it leaves a few things to be done manually.

[patio]

System Restore in Win98 ? ?

 

In Win98 it is called system recovery. Requires backup disks and a windows CD. It basically reinstalls the original W98 files then restores the backup. It can be done without backup disks but I would not recommend that for the novice, as it leaves a few things to be done manually.

Gotcha...just wanted that clarified.
jbean it's possible the HDD has dropped into PIO mode which is the slowest data transfer mode there is.
To check this go into Device Manager and right click Primary IDE channel and select Properties...report back what it lists.

[WillyW]

i believe 2k_dummy has the answer...ram.  put in as much as your machine will hold.

Before purchasing,  do some research on this.     There were some issues with Win98 and exceeding 512 meg of ram.

Either google for it and read,    or ask right here in these forums.   Somebody else will know the details -  it has been a while for me, so I too would have to go back and see what I could find to read.

[jbean24060]

thanks for the help. how ever you just raised more questions for me. i know this is probably basic stuff but i am lost. Q#1: how do you find how much RAM you have and how many programs are loading at start up? Q#2: how do you find "what CPU is in that box?" and I checked the primary IDE and didn't find HDD or PIO it says next to transfer mode is DMA if available the only other option in that box is PIO only. again any help will be appreciated. thanks.

[WillyW]

thanks for the help. how ever you just raised more questions for me. i know this is probably basic stuff but i am lost. Q#1: how do you find how much RAM you have

Win98, right?

Click on:     Start->Settings->Control Panel->System
That brings up System Properties.
( Shortcut keys to get to same place -  hold down the Windows Key and tap pause-break one time) 

Four tabs at the top.   Use the   General   tab.
Last line on that screen will be the amount of ram that Windows sees.
There are ways that this might be less than the amount physically installed.
More on that, if and when you need it.

Another way:    Reboot.   Watch everything on screen.   If memory checking is enabled in your system's bios,  then you can see it tote up.   
Do you ever see that during boot?

and how many programs are loading at start up?

Reboot.
After it boots normally,  don't run any programs.      Hold down  Ctrl and Alt, and tap the Delete key one time.
You'll get a pop up window that lists everything that is loaded.
Note them all.   
If you like, list them here and somebody will tell you if something looks abnormal.

Q#2: how do you find "what CPU is in that box?"

One way -    follow above steps regarding ram.   On that same Systems Properties screen,  it will give you some info about your processor.

Another way -   use Everest. 
You can download it.    >Click here<

(Everest will also tell you about your ram too, along with lots of other info about your system)