Author Topic: Win98 - colour and crashing probs (Read 10632 times)

samaritan · « **on:** May 14, 2007, 04:53:08 PM »

I am trying to help a friend who has problems with win 98 on his desktop (‘Spacewalker’ -homebrew?) but it might be a case of the blind leading the blind – I apologise!
Prob 1…the colours suddenly became haywire, - I have tried ‘color management’ options but what ‘colour profile’ should I be using? We only seem to get 16 bit. option.
Prob 2…tried to install latest AVG antivirus from a CD (downloaded separately) but only gets part way through before crashing. I have removed all other virus software as it was out of date.
Prob 3… crashing regularly!! sure slows up resolving the issues!
If it is a virus, then installing a virus prog seems important. Can I do anything before considering a complete reboot – and I’m not certain how to go about that!
(PS: I am trying to convince them to upgrade which is perhaps the next option!)

GX1_Man · « **Reply #1 on:** May 14, 2007, 06:30:57 PM »

Spacewalker was a line of Shuttle motherboards, not necessarily bad ones.

The lack of color more than 16 may have to do with the video drivers. Either they need to be reinstalled, or they need to be adjusted. That is done by right clicking on the desktop and choosing properties. Start by looking in Control Panel/System and see what video adapter is listed.

The computer did not have any current antivirus on it? Any spyware protection? If you can get on the internet, you may want to go to www.trendmicro.com and try the free online scanner.

You can download and install Everest Home, run it and choose to make a report. Copy and paste the info here (at least the first part) and we can advise.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html

Do you have a real Windows CD?

wylder_cooper · « **Reply #2 on:** May 15, 2007, 08:52:52 AM »

honestly i think that you might have a bad monitor, but it depends on if you have a flat screen or a CRT.

samaritan · « **Reply #3 on:** May 15, 2007, 04:43:49 PM »

Thanks for your help guys. We have an outdated AVG antivirus so I downloaded the new version onto a CD and tried to install it on my friend's Spacewalker - all other AVG files and Nortons were deleted in case they were reacting. As I said, it won't complete the installation, and now when we try and go on-line (to try and check the system as per your Everest) it says "systemIN file no longer exists, and device file no longer exists" - I only deleted anything with AVG or Symantec in it. So can't go on line - and it won't close without switching the power off !! It has anti spyware and we updated that a short while ago.
The monitor is a CRT and has been fine - just the pic colours hopeless.
In colour management we have the option of selecting a 'color profile' what should this be?
This 'greenie' is struggling with this but appreciate your input.

patio · « **Reply #4 on:** May 15, 2007, 08:02:11 PM »

Quote from: wylder_cooper on May 15, 2007, 08:52:52 AM

honestly i think that you might have a bad monitor, but it depends on if you have a flat screen or a CRT.

So if it is a flat screen the monitor is ok or are you saying if they have a CRT then the monitor is ok ? ? ?

wylder_cooper · « **Reply #5 on:** May 16, 2007, 08:07:26 AM »

i think that if you have a Flat Screen Monitor, you need to change the colors to 24 bit.
If your monitor is a CRT i would try moving the color to 24 bit.
Abova Al the first thing that i would try re-installing the driver for your video card

patio · « **Reply #6 on:** May 16, 2007, 08:20:22 PM »

Quote from: wylder_cooper on May 16, 2007, 08:07:26 AM

i think that if you have a Flat Screen Monitor, you need to change the colors to 24 bit.
If your monitor is a CRT i would try moving the color to 24 bit.
Abova Al the first thing that i would try re-installing the driver for your video card

So what's broke...the flat screen or the CRT ? ? ?

When offering advice it's best to think things through before hitting the Post button.

samaritan · « **Reply #7 on:** May 17, 2007, 03:09:37 AM »

Is anyone interested in actually helping me with this?

GX1_Man, we only have a 16bit option under ‘Display’ – no other option. Where exactly do I find the video adapter? (– I told you I was a greenie).
And how do I re-install the device driver it now says I deleted and therefore can’t get a connection? I’m really sorry but I’m outa my depth!

GX1_Man · « **Reply #8 on:** May 17, 2007, 04:01:06 AM »

Quote from: GX1_Man on May 14, 2007, 06:30:57 PM

You can download and install Everest Home, run it and choose to make a report. Copy and paste the info here (at least the first part) and we can advise.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html

Do you have a real Windows CD?

Did you do this and answer the question? We are interested in helping, but you have to be interested in participating in the process.

samaritan · « **Reply #9 on:** May 17, 2007, 04:17:56 PM »

As I said, we can’t currently get on line with the Spacewalker - must have deleted something! ( a driver?) but I will copy Everest to a CD on my PC and try and run it on my friend’s PC and see if we can learn anything. Watch this space! Which bit of info is most important?

GX1_Man · « **Reply #10 on:** May 17, 2007, 06:30:20 PM »

It's a big report, so it may take several posts. The first half is the most important.

samaritan · « **Reply #11 on:** May 17, 2007, 07:57:17 PM »

Sure is a lot of info (phew!) - managed to copy via CD and my PC! How's this for a start?........

Report Type Quick Report
   Computer NELIC PC (Nevada Celeron 300)
   Operating System Microsoft Windows 98 4.10.1998 (Win98 Retail)

--------[ Summary ]-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Computer:
   Operating System Microsoft Windows 98
   OS Service Pack -
   DirectX 4.08.00.0400 (DirectX 8.0)
   Computer Name NELIC PC (Nevada Celeron 300)

   Motherboard:
   CPU Type Intel Celeron, 300 MHz
   Motherboard Name Shuttle HOT-671 (1 ISA, 3 PCI, 1 AGP, 2 DIMM, Audio)
   Motherboard Chipset Intel 82440EX
   System Memory 64 MB
   BIOS Type Award Modular (06/12/98)
   Communication Port Communications Port (COM2)
   Communication Port Printer Port (LPT1)

   Display:
   Video Adapter SiS 6326 (4 MB)
   3D Accelerator SiS 86C326
   Monitor AcerView 54e [15" CRT] (824513)

   Multimedia:
   Audio Adapter OPTi 86C931 Audio Card

   Storage:
   IDE Controller Intel 82371AB/EB PCI Bus Master IDE Controller
   IDE Controller Primary IDE controller (dual fifo)
   IDE Controller Secondary IDE controller (dual fifo)
   Floppy Drive GENERIC NEC FLOPPY DISK
   Disk Drive GENERIC IDE DISK TYPE46
   Optical Drive NEC CD-ROM DRIVE:282 (40x CD-ROM)
   SMART Hard Disks Status Unknown

   Partitions:
   C: (FAT32) 4094 MB (2334 MB free)

   Input:
   Keyboard Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
   Mouse PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port

   Network:
   Network Adapter PPP Adapter.
   Modem Genius GM336-V 33.6K Int. SpeakerPhone Voice Fax-Modem

   Peripherals:
   Printer Canon BJC-4200SP (Copy 2)
   Printer Canon BJC-4200SP
   USB1 Controller Intel 82371AB/EB PIIX4 - USB Host Controller

--------[ DMI ]---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  [ BIOS ]

   BIOS Properties:
   Size 64 KB
   Boot Devices Floppy Disk, Hard Disk
   Capabilities Unknown
   Supported Standards DMI
   Expansion Capabilities Unknown

GX1_Man · « **Reply #12 on:** May 18, 2007, 04:13:30 AM »

Apparently you are using the onboard video SiS chip. Shuttle no longer maintains a driver for this.

http://global.shuttle.com/Download/Download_File.asp?Item=HOT-671

You may be able to find it on www.driverguide.com (registration is free, like here) and download it.

Another alternative would be to get a cheap PCI or older AGP card and use that.

samaritan · « **Reply #13 on:** May 20, 2007, 03:06:17 AM »

Only managed to locate a 6300 driver, not 6326 as installed. Anyway, the installed driver shows as ‘working properly’ (– presumably I can rely on this?). Maybe better just to wipe everything and start over ?(there is some possibility of an infection!) We have the Win98 CD. What’s the process? Or is it possible to just go back to an earlier date with win98?

GX1_Man · « **Reply #14 on:** May 20, 2007, 10:26:49 AM »

Windows 98 has no "system restore" function. If you have the original CD andmaybe a boot disk if you need one, print out that full Everest report and save the driver you downloaded. If this a >2 yr. old install your machine might be a lot happier.

Be sure and download IE6 from the Microsoft site, as you will not be able to get any Windows updates until this is installed.

samaritan · « **Reply #15 on:** May 20, 2007, 11:00:58 PM »

Can you give this greenie any guidance as to how to clean off everything and start over?

2k_dummy · « **Reply #16 on:** May 21, 2007, 06:42:31 AM »

Do you have the original windows 98 installation CD and the product key?
Did the shuttle motherboard come with a CD or floppy with motherboard drivers?

samaritan · « **Reply #17 on:** May 21, 2007, 09:44:45 PM »

We have …..Spacewalker D98-T (drivers for audio controller; system manager; motherboard manual) ; Win98 (setup.exe etc.) ; Microsoft Win98 Boot Disk (floppy) ; Spacewalker Hot-161 V10 agp (drivers and utilities), plus some other software. Product key?

soybean · « **Reply #18 on:** May 21, 2007, 10:00:00 PM »

Product key means a 25 digit code (5 sets of 5 digits each) that must be entered before Windows 98 can be installed from a legitimate CD. The Product key is usually printed on the back of the CD sleeve.

samaritan · « **Reply #19 on:** May 21, 2007, 11:08:18 PM »

Found a Product ID (not 25 numbers but numbers and letters which look authentic)

Fordtruckmaniac · « **Reply #20 on:** May 21, 2007, 11:57:17 PM »

If you can get this program into the computer it will show your Win 98 product key.

The product key will be listed in the "Software Licenses" section near the bottom of the displayed page.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

samaritan · « **Reply #21 on:** May 22, 2007, 03:04:23 AM »

What a great programme! Works fine on my PC :-) Will try it on the Spacewalker. If successful, what then?

GX1_Man · « **Reply #22 on:** May 22, 2007, 04:08:38 AM »

And ifd that doesn't work, this ALWAYS does.

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

2k_dummy · « **Reply #23 on:** May 22, 2007, 07:21:48 AM »

After obtaining the product key run the W98 installation. If you are installing "over the top" watch for the screen that shows the directory to install to. Make sure it is the normal windows directory (no numbers, just c:\windows). If doing a clean install, then c:\windows is the default. After the installation completes, use the motherboard CD's to install any necessary drivers.

samaritan · « **Reply #24 on:** May 22, 2007, 01:29:28 PM »

Which is best, a ‘clean install’ or ‘over the top’? What exactly is the process?

2k_dummy · « **Reply #25 on:** May 22, 2007, 03:15:51 PM »

Depends on the particular situation. A clean install is usually better, but you should be aware that this will require a format, which will wipe out any existing data on the HD, including drivers. Just make sure to back up any important data and know which drivers you need before formatting. In many cases the over the top install (also called a dirty install) is OK and will not wipe out existing data.

samaritan · « **Reply #26 on:** May 22, 2007, 04:12:11 PM »

If we suspect a bug being the cause of all our problems (which we now do!) is an ‘over the top’ going to be successful? What is the process for re-formatting? (Hopefully th e drivers listed above are comprehensive). Oh, by the way--many thanks for your continued help guys – much appreciated!

2k_dummy · « **Reply #27 on:** May 22, 2007, 04:53:32 PM »

You can boot with a W98 boot disk or from the windows CD by going into bios and making CDrom the first boot device. Format.com is located on the CD in the win98 directory. It should also be on a boot floppy. Then just format c: from the DOS prompt.

Fordtruckmaniac · « **Reply #28 on:** May 22, 2007, 06:43:48 PM »

samaritan

I would go for the clean install if you suspect a bug.

Follow this link to the T. Print it off if you can and read it and read it again, you will do fine.

http://www.internetguideandmore.com/fdiskformat.htm

I'm understanding you have a driver disk. Use your driver disk to grab what you can after your OS install.

Just come back here for additional help.

samaritan · « **Reply #29 on:** June 17, 2007, 06:25:42 PM »

Sorry for the delay ! Have now tried to run using the boot disc as per instructions from…. http://www.internetguideandmore.com/fdiskformat.htm quote……

"After you decide which file system you want to use, run the Fdisk tool:
Insert the Windows 98 Startup disk in the floppy disk drive, and then restart your computer. When the Microsoft Windows 98 Startup menu is displayed, choose the Start computer without CD-ROM support option, and then press ENTER. "

Using the Win98 Boot Disc floppy which we have (and which has a FDISC.exe file therein I noticed) it just comes up with “bad command and or file name”. Do I have other options?

2k_dummy · « **Reply #30 on:** June 18, 2007, 07:28:26 AM »

You may not need to run fdisk. The drive is already FAT32. Try running
format/s c:

samaritan · « **Reply #31 on:** June 18, 2007, 01:54:42 PM »

Can you enlarge on that?

samaritan · « **Reply #32 on:** June 19, 2007, 11:33:20 PM »

Can anyone else enlighten me??

2k_dummy · « **Reply #33 on:** June 20, 2007, 06:14:07 AM »

Boot with the boot disk. At the prompt, type the command and press enter. (Your boot disk should have format.com on it.)

samaritan · « **Reply #34 on:** June 20, 2007, 09:03:59 PM »

Boot disc only has some .sys files, and .exe files (FDISC. extract. findcd. mscdex) no format.com – and as I said before …it just comes up with “bad command and or file name”. Is that any help?

2k_dummy · « **Reply #35 on:** June 21, 2007, 06:26:18 AM »

Does your boot disk create a ram drive? Is format.com in the ram drive?

samaritan · « **Reply #36 on:** June 21, 2007, 02:32:06 PM »

Sorry, but you'll have to explain - I'm a Rookie , remember?

samaritan · « **Reply #37 on:** June 25, 2007, 03:40:32 PM »

Quote from: 2k_dummy on June 21, 2007, 06:26:18 AM

"Does your boot disk create a ram drive? Is format.com in the ram drive?"

Anyone else out there able to explain this in good old fashioned English??

samaritan · « **Reply #38 on:** June 28, 2007, 08:45:37 PM »

Quote from: samaritan on June 25, 2007, 03:40:32 PM

Quote from: 2k_dummy on June 21, 2007, 06:26:18 AM
"Does your boot disk create a ram drive? Is format.com in the ram drive?"
Anyone else out there able to explain this in good old fashioned English??

Judging by the lack of response (even though there have been over 600 hits !) I can only imagine that ‘good old fashioned English’ is no longer available for rookies on this web page. I’ll just have to look elsewhere for assistance – so long guys!

Fed · « **Reply #39 on:** June 29, 2007, 04:40:16 PM »

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000186.htm

Computer Hope Forum

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Author Topic: Win98 - colour and crashing probs (Read 10632 times)

samaritan

GX1_Man

wylder_cooper

samaritan

patio

wylder_cooper

patio

samaritan

GX1_Man

samaritan

GX1_Man

samaritan

GX1_Man

samaritan

GX1_Man

samaritan

2k_dummy

samaritan

soybean

samaritan

Fordtruckmaniac

samaritan

GX1_Man

2k_dummy

samaritan

2k_dummy

samaritan

2k_dummy

Fordtruckmaniac

samaritan

2k_dummy

samaritan

samaritan

2k_dummy

samaritan

2k_dummy

samaritan

samaritan

samaritan

Fed