computer hangs

Can anyone advise me on what causes my computer to hang? I am running win95 with 48ram and 266mhz. No matter what program I am using, or even if I am on the internet, my computer hangs with the c drive light blinking for around 15-30 seconds, and then I can resume what I am doing. I'm not using anything that's graphics intensive. Does anyone know why the computer hangs (locks up) like this? Like I said it doesnt hang up long and I can continue whatever I am doing once the c drive light stops blinking. Many Thanks.
Norman

 

Hi,

Try rebooting to an MS-DOS prompt, then type in

win /d:m

This will start-up the computer in safe-mode. Once it finishes loading, try running Scandisk, and Defrag as well. When finished, reboot the system and see if it functions a bit better.

If you've already run scandisk and defrag, then I'd take a look at what programs you have running in the background. Any anti-virus software? Also, try cleaning up any temp internet files, (couldn't hurt).

Good Luck,

Columbo

 

Colombo:
I have no anti virus program, no temp files (cleaned daily). Programs I run are like Encarta Encyclopedia, literature programs,.and maybe a game. Usually the games are for win 3.1-none that exceeds my system requirements. Did a derag and scan around 3 weeks ago.
Norman

 

OK,

Two questions:

1) How big is your HD, and how much free space do you have?

2) I know you said that you don't have any anti-virus software installed, but when was the last time that you ran a virus-scan on this system (if ever)?

http://housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

Try running this on-line virus scanner, just in case you do have something on there.

Columbo

P.S- You might also want to go into Control Panel and look at your Power Management settings. It might help if you disabled Power Management on the system.

 

Yup,

I really think that this is probably a virtual memory, or low physical memory issue.

Have you tried a RAM upgrade? Now is the time to buy.



Columbo