reformat, replace, or just scream [Archive]

View Full Version : reformat, replace, or just scream

julieA

10-21-1999, 09:58 PM

This forum is really a blessing for a poor soul like myself. I tell my Mom all the time - I can't AFFORD this darn computer![nbsp][nbsp]
Anyway, I am getting all kinds of file errors that keep shutting down my computer. I took it to a computer guy because it wouldn't defragment and one day it said "can't find the hard drive" or some message like that. He said it was the hard drive, memory or motherboard. Well! That narrows it down, huh. Anyway he got it running somehow but I don't know how cause he's into Quixtar (Amway) and spent an hour talking about that when all I wanted to know was what to do about Rhoda (my puter's name). (But NEVER make your computer guy MAD soooo.) He said if it's under warranty, go have them replace the stuff. So I went home, couldn't reach the guys I bought it from and thought it might be acting up because I had installed so much stuff. I deleted tons. I managed to defragment and it seemed to work great.
Now it keeps shutting down my browsers and I get gpf errors. Anyway, I think it might be software conflicts so I thought of reformatting and leaving off professional office '97 (which I use none of except Word anyway). BUT where do I get a Win 98 boot disk which someone says I need. Can I create it from my cd? What files must it have on it? I wan't to install only the programs I really need so maybe the conflicts will lessen. I have all kinds of disks that came with the computer but how do I check what's hooked up to be sure I have all the drivers I need. Are there any critical drivers that I won't be able to boot without?[nbsp][nbsp]
Any How-to's, Warnings, Advice and Information from ANY kind soul would be greatly appreciate before I embark on this adventure since this may be a ..."FATAL EXCEPTION" :o
sincerely,
mother of eight, wife of one

tedloh

10-22-1999, 01:48 AM

Julie, if your Win98 is still somewhat alive:

Go to Start/Settings/Control Panel
Select Add/Remove Programs
The last tab will say Startup Disk
Stick a floppy in the drive, click Create disk, and voila!

HTH!

------------------
Ted (Chief Do-It-All)
Tygre Systems Co Ltd
Bangkok, Thailand, Land of Smiles :) :)
http://www.tygresystems.com (work in progress)
ted@tygresystems.com

tedloh

10-22-1999, 01:03 PM

The #1 cause of a fatal exception is faulty RAM - but only in machines which are quite new.[nbsp][nbsp]Once RAM works, it works forever.
Software can cause fatal exceptions quite easily as well - but Jason is partly right when he says it's related to the hardware, because in most cases the driver has become corrupt.
There is one other thing you can do if running Windows98:

Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information

When you get in there, go to Tools and select System File Checker.[nbsp][nbsp]Run it on its DEFAULT settings.[nbsp][nbsp]That will usually tell you if any of your Windows files are missing or corrupt.

I don't entirely agree with processors failing, though they can also cause fatal exceptions.[nbsp][nbsp]Not once have I ever seen anyone fry a processor, despite some unusual claims often seen on the Net.[nbsp][nbsp]And here I'm talking thousands of processors - and I should know, because I overclock for myself and special customers.[nbsp][nbsp]However, all bets are off if it's an old Cyrix...

Everything else Jason is right on the money.[nbsp][nbsp]Undoubtedly he has experience with computers :)
------------------
Ted (Chief Do-It-All)
Tygre Systems Co Ltd
Bangkok, Thailand, Land of Smiles :) :)
http://www.tygresystems.com (work in progress)
ted@tygresystems.com

Justin

10-22-1999, 01:08 PM

I recommend people reinstall Win98 at minimum every 6 months anyway
Why is this? I'm not sure I follow... I last reinstalled November 1st 1998, and that was due to a little virus problem I encountered... I've since changed so much hardware in this machine it's pathetic. So I'm going on a year, and this PC is up 24/7 with a reboot maybe once a week, if that often. And I run all sorts of software all day, including VB, Apache, mySQL server, mp3's playing all day long (Aerosmith right now) and so on.

In other words I run this 233 to the ground with 3 displays, 2 sound cards, tons of software - and I love Windows 98 :)[nbsp][nbsp]I've never had a real problem out of it since the virus problem, nor have I had a problem before that. 95 crashed far more often in my experience than 98 does.

Not saying it has no bugs (the multiple display support has a few of it's own) but I am saying it is as stable as I could expect. And I've changed hardware left and right - been through video cards, sound cards, hard drives, CD drives, network cards, modems, and so on.

There is one thing I recomend though - one thing I do that might make the difference with software conflicts (which I have not had any problems with): Don't let programs overwrite *any* system DLL's or OCX's. If a programmer doesn't want to install the DLL's required into it's own directory, the program isn't worth having (I know this goes against the concept of shared DLL's, but even MS's own programs have been known to break other MS programs when "updating" shared files. It's a concept that works in theory but not in reality).

Other than that, I've had all sorts of different hardware/software in this thing, some cheap and some high-end, and I think 98 has done an excellent job of keeping up. And I don't plan to reinstall ever (too many registry hacks and other customizations that I could never have it back the way it is again...) - although at first I couldn't wait for Win2k, I'll probably wait another year or so before I upgrade, because I can't risk losing anything...

Sorry for the rant - just wondering about the above quote... maybe it's just me, but reinstalling is like a death of sorts - so much is lost (even if no data is lost, all the customization, settings, tweaks...) that it's like being on someone else's computer...

<edit>
To add to the above, I think my main problem with reinstalling is the fact that it took me a *very* long weekend to figure out how to get both sound cards to work w/o conflicts. It took a while to get my Diamond Stealth card to work with 98 at all (the drivers were *very* out of date). It took me a while to get the WinModem to work (nevery buy one of those, BTW). And have you ever tried to get 2 Voodoo3 cards and a Diamond card to play nice? :)

To make a long epic short, it would probably take me a month solid to reinstall with all this hardware. Between outdated drivers, not to mention I don't have the driver disks for the Aztech sound card, the Diamond card, or the WinModem (3 moves in the last 6 months, things get lost), I would probably be unable to make it all work again.

It just seems like the OS is the base of everything, and I don't understand deleting it and installing it again, in hopes that it will fix problems - prevention is key :)

Geez what a morning... ;)
</edit>

------------------
Justin Nelson
FutureQuest Support
[This message has been edited by Justin (edited 10-22-99)]

tedloh

10-22-1999, 01:23 PM

Reinstalling Win98 is generally a good idea for people who constantly try new SOFTWARE.[nbsp][nbsp]New hardware doesn't normally warrant the same consideration.[nbsp][nbsp]You probably have never seen how bloated Win98 gets on some people's computers - think of about 15 icons in the system tray and you'll see what I mean.[nbsp][nbsp]I concur with the 6 month period.

Re: system DLLs, though, I definitely agree with Justin - but sometimes you just can't help it because you have no choice - most notorious is Publisher 98, which generally screws up a non-English version of Win9x. The dialogs get all reversed - click No if you want to Save, Cancel if you want to close without saving, and Yes if you want to cancel (I kid you not!!!).

Reinstalling may be a death of sorts - but it can also mean a new FAST life!

BTW, quick tip - If you want to reinstall but KEEP all your settings - just go to your Windows directory, rename win.com to win.old, and then reinstall right into the same directory.[nbsp][nbsp]This solves the problem if you have a full version of Windows98, which will NOT allow you to reinstall over the current Windows regardless of which version it is.

------------------
Ted (Chief Do-It-All)
Tygre Systems Co Ltd
Bangkok, Thailand, Land of Smiles :) :)
http://www.tygresystems.com (work in progress)
ted@tygresystems.com

Justin

10-22-1999, 02:06 PM

Not only do I try lots of software, I also write lots of software.

Here's what runs 24/7 on my system:
* Custom server monitor, keeps an eye on server load averages etc (written by me), in the tray and docked on screen #3
* CPU monitor for the PC, also mine, runs in the tray
* VDJ Mini, playing MP3's (Green Day - When I come around currently) docked on screen #3 (also mine)
* Freemem Pro, in the tray
* Outlook Express on screen #1
* IE with uptime monitor graphs on #3
* ICQ
* Windows Explorer, also on screen 3
* mySQL server in background
* Apache server in background
* DOS box, logged into mysql, usually on screen 1 or 2
* A boat load of other misc monitoring proggies in the system tray and on screen #3 (3 is the 14", where I keep all monitoring stuff since I can rotate the monitor around and see it from the living room).

Then screen 2 is the middle one, where I keep whatever I'm working on currently (it happens to be at the best angle I guess). This typically includes things like ScratchPad (my own text editor, custom written for my own use/preferences) writing a php script, an IE window or two, and MySQL/DOS box. Or it might be VB, which takes up 2 screens on it's own the way I use it, working on monitoring programs (or VDJ Pro if on my own time ;) )...

Also note that I have installed/uninstalled a very huge variety of software, including 10 or 15 email programs (was looking for the best, and I still like Outlook), lots of MP3 stuff, 4 web browsers (no, IE and Netscape are not the only ones)...

The list goes on and on - just wanted to make it clear that I do run quite a lot of software as well. Only made the hardware point because a lot of common problems are with driver conflicts etc (Tool - Sober fades out as White Zombie - Black Sunshine fades in).

I just do not agree with this rule about reinstalling twice a year. But I'm the type of person who HATES getting a new car, because I get used to the car I have. I don't care how old it is, or what new features a newer car may have, this is mine and I like it and I'm used to it. Besides, it drove me to Florida...

But that's beside the point. I also turn off a lot of the unnecessary "features" of 98, like window animation, auto-complete (IE5) on URL's and input fields, "Active Desktop", stuff like that. It is faster without it (keeping up with 1024 x 768 x 32 bit color x 3 screens is quite enough).

Maybe I am resistant to change...?[nbsp][nbsp]I don't know... I'm all screwed up I guess ;)[nbsp][nbsp] But darn it, Windows is just as fast (faster actually) as it was November 1st when I installed. There is no bloated slowness here.

Is my installation of Windows bloated? I don't know - you tell me:

C:\Windows - 546 MB, 12,660 Files, 226 Folders
C:\Program Files - 433 MB, 4,777 Files, 369 Folders
C:\Media - 1.81 GB, 1,233 Files, 9 Folders (my MP3/MIDI/Wave files)

I know I'm due for a defrag though... but regardless, I think Windows is rock solid and fast, at least in my particular installation. Considering my CPU is only a 233 and it keeps up with all this hardware (much of which is multimedia stuff), I would say Windows does just fine.

Ok, I promise not to post any more replies here - I'm annoying myself even... ;)

------------------
Justin Nelson
FutureQuest Support

Jason

10-22-1999, 02:42 PM

Ted-

I don't entirely agree with processors failing, though they can also cause fatal exceptions.[nbsp][nbsp]Not once have I ever seen anyone fry a processor, despite some unusual claims often seen on the Net

You're right - actually frying a processor is very rare (I've only seen it a few times myself). But it's not unusual for a CPU cooling fan to seize up (inadequate lubrication for the job it has to do), and when that happens the processor can get ****ed hot. Not usually hot enough to actually kill the processor (it does happen, but rarely), but certainly hot enough for the processor to choke up for a second, which can cause a fatal exception.

You're right - RAM is also something that can and often does cause fatal exceptions, but I left it off my list because it seemed that Julie was talking about a computer she's had for a while (though I'm not certain of that).

Undoubtedly he has experience with computers

I used to manage a computer sales/service company before moving on to start my current Internet business.

Another reason this is a discussion I have some experience with is because *my* computer has been going through the same problem that Julie's is. And I've been through everything (2 complete reinstalls of Win98, replaced processor, replaced motherboard, replaced hard drive, replaced RAM, replaced power supply - the only original part on this system is the floppy drive and the case itself (the CD-ROM was also replaced, but not related to my fatal exception problem).

And no... nothing we've done has solved the problem, but everything has helped it slightly (in the beginning I was having 4 to 5 FE's a day. After replacing the processor and motherboard it dropped to 2 or so a day, replacing the RAM dropped it to 1 a day, replacing the power supply has finally dropped it to only about twice a week - which I can live with. But reinstalling Win98 didn't help at all, which is why I said to look toward hardware first.)

Good luck,

Jason

tedloh

10-22-1999, 03:56 PM

Justin:[nbsp][nbsp]*I* don't redo my Windows every 6 months - but I can assure you that a reinstall often makes things much better.[nbsp][nbsp]I'm in the same boat as you - as long as I can live with it I do.[nbsp][nbsp]But realistically, *MOST* - especially shareware but also commercial programs do not do a good job of uninstalling themselves.[nbsp][nbsp]More often than not something is left behind, and on occasion even loaded into memory!

I might remind you I come from the land of pirateware... most people here install/uninstall on a daily basis LOL.

Another point to make is that you are probably more competent at solving problems than the average user.[nbsp][nbsp]Mp3 files don't count, since they do not install or change shared files.[nbsp][nbsp]WinAmp or VDJ, perhaps...

A brief look at your stats shows a slightly-bloated Windows.[nbsp][nbsp]Program Files is minimal, and media doesn't count.[nbsp][nbsp]My machine:

C:\Windows - 1.71GB, 12,428 files, 587 folders
C:\Program Files - 1.34GB, 17,246 files, 1360 folders

Doesn't include a lot of stuff installed directly into the root directory either.[nbsp][nbsp]Yet my machine runs pretty smoothly, with a few hiccups that I'm used to - IE5 gobbling up resources most of all.

Lastly - people often hit the reset button on their computers rather than Ctrl-Alt-Del to kill tasks.[nbsp][nbsp]This is the #1 cause of corrupt files.[nbsp][nbsp]I highly doubt you do that unless you are completely frozen.

The recommendation absolutely stands for the average user.[nbsp][nbsp]For people like you and me and a number of others here, we can get by.

By the way, I turn off all the excess stuff as well - but probably a lot farther than you go, simply because I do this for a living!

Psst... check your mail.[nbsp][nbsp]I sent something to support about 3 hours ago...

Jason - Fans are the reason that a processor hiccups, as you noted.[nbsp][nbsp]I'm o'clocked, so it means something to me (my Celeron 300A runs at 504Mhz - faster than any Pentium II/III when I did it), and I am picky about RAM.[nbsp][nbsp]But I also juiced the voltage to 2.30 volts above the normal 2.0 volts - yet no sign of damage, heat, anything.[nbsp][nbsp]For some technicians I know (not meaning you), they just think the processor is the easiest thing to blame so that the customer will buy a new one - but an Intel processor is so stable...

For you others out there - ALL Pentium III chips come off the SAME assembly line regardless of speed, and same goes for Celerons.[nbsp][nbsp]They are then tested and thrown into the appropriate pile (known as speed binning) and sold at whatever they know will be stable under any circumstances.[nbsp][nbsp]It is entirely possible (and actually highly likely) that a chip thrown into the 500Mhz bin today would've been thrown in the 450Mhz bin yesterday - or tomorrow.[nbsp][nbsp]Is it any wonder, then, that my Celeron 300A is stable at 504Mhz? (most - around 95% - will absolutely work at 450 Mhz)

Same goes for graphics chips - same goes for RAM.[nbsp][nbsp]The $40-50 you pay extra for an TNT2 Ultra over a TNT2 is based ENTIRELY on the speed binning - the manufacturer simply sells the same chip at a HIGHER price.[nbsp][nbsp]There is 0% difference in the construction of the card (in most cases).

I am a systems integrator, so I get to play with lots of goodies :)[nbsp][nbsp]Believe it or not, the #1 cause of a fatal exception, freeze, or other problem here in Thailand is - get this - the LACK of grounding.[nbsp][nbsp]Nothing to do with the computer at all.[nbsp][nbsp]And in a number of situations, the part at fault was the case itself!!![nbsp][nbsp]Not the power supply, mind you - the construction of the case was such that a millimeter either way was the difference between carrying or not carrying a current.[nbsp][nbsp]With NO power plugged into the case, but only a keyboard, mouse, and speakers, the case was carrying 72 volts![nbsp][nbsp](was coming through the ungrounded speakers) - this is a situation which should NEVER happen in the US or the UK and many European countries.

Lastly - your modem line carries a current.[nbsp][nbsp]If a storm comes your way, and you do NOT have a UPS and good grounding, don't just unplug your computer - unplug your telephone line too.[nbsp][nbsp]Consider yourself warned!
------------------
Ted (Chief Do-It-All)
Tygre Systems Co Ltd
Bangkok, Thailand, Land of Smiles :) :)
http://www.tygresystems.com (work in progress)
ted@tygresystems.com
[This message has been edited by tedloh (edited 10-22-99)]

Tatu

10-22-1999, 04:23 PM

Justin! THREE screens??? Now that give a whole new meaning to Ted's "you greedy pigs" line! :)

I could see how you need it though, but I know I sure wouldn't and 2 screens would most likely me stretching it (I have one 19").

-Tatu

julieA

10-22-1999, 04:52 PM

I took the case off and there was no burnt smell. I did have a lot of dust build up on the fan which I vacuumed. I wonder if it could be getting too hot. My computer is in my bedroom which I keep pretty toasty- hey, I'm a southern girl and I HATE to be cold. I was just telling our tech support girl at work that when it starts acting crazy, I usually turn it off- then when I come back later, it seems to be ok and runs smoothly. After cleaning it yesterday afternoon, I have had no shut-downs, freezes, etc.
My tech support friend also said that the 000's that were filling up my help files(did I mention that) sounded like corrupted files, too. This is a possibility, isn't it, since my children use the computer during the day to do their math facts and were hitting the reset button whenever the browser would freeze or seem too slow. I appreciate all the help. Thanks![nbsp]
------------------
mother of eight, wife of one...

julieA

10-22-1999, 04:53 PM

Justin

10-22-1999, 05:01 PM

I only threw in the Media directory for the heck of it - I know it has no impact on Windows itself ;)

Nothing loads into memory without my knowledge - I keep an eye on my registry, and I know what runs when Windows boots up and what doesn't. I have tweaked the Registry, both WIN.INI and SYSTEM.INI (where you will find the Disk cache settings btw) and more... I know what it's doing.

I do agree that the average user may end up shooting themselves in the foot, either by changing settings that they shouldn't or whatever... I assumed you were implying that Windows itself was at fault for the 6 month "rule"...

But I still have to disagree about Windows being faster after a reinstall. I can understand if you don't reinstall all of the software you had before, maybe, but when I uninstall something I make sure it's 100% gone.

The main reason I brought up the hardware is this: In the past, on the same Windows installation, I have at one time had the following items that are no longer installed physically: 3 different modems, 2 previous video cards, 2 old sound cards, CD drive, Network card, etc etc. These items are no longer in the system - all either fried or became outdated or whatever and have been replaced.

I mention this because Windows does not let go of the drivers when you uninstall something. A good example is the Winmodem I'm currently using. It's an old 33.6 I had installed in this PC before replacing it with a 56k. When the 56k fried, I put the 33.6 back in and it was immediately auto-detected (not a PNP card either - it's older than heck) and installed without it's disks.

In case you aren't aware, a Winmodem is a software based modem - the DSP work is done via software using HSP technology (Host Signal Processing - the CPU does the work rather than a dedicated DSP chip - yes, it's a bad thing :().

In other words, a Winmodem absolutely will not work without it's drivers, because in essence the drivers ARE the modem (the software is the modulator/demodulater, or "modem" for short).

So Windows kept this laying around the whole time - in fact, it hides these old drivers from you - except when in Safe Mode ;)[nbsp][nbsp] Only then can you see every single driver that Windows has installed.

But none of this has slowed me down (although the modem is a heavy strain on the system, that's a different point all together). If I were to reinstall everything that is installed on my system right now, every program, peice of hardware, application, etc, I guarantee it will not speed up the system one bit...

Oh, Tatoo - after having 3 monitors you CAN NOT go back :)[nbsp][nbsp]It's awesome. TeRRa is a tiny bit jealous of it I think, because one day we were working on the FQ site, and had some Netscape issues. So I loaded up IE on one 17" monitor, Netscape on the other 17", and the source on the 14"... he suggested some very interesting places for me to shove the monitors and Voodoo3 cards... ;)

------------------
Justin Nelson
FutureQuest Support

Jason

10-22-1999, 07:37 PM

Ted,

Nothing to do with the computer at all.[nbsp][nbsp]And in a number of situations, the part at fault was the case itself!!!

Really?... hmm...

Since the case is the *only* thing on my computer that hasn't been replaced, maybe somehow this same thing is happening here. You said it shouldn't ever happen in the U.S. - but I would say it could. In a current modern building I'd agree with you. But what about a building constructed in the 1790's, with electricity added in the early part of this century, and the electricity brought "up to code" (supposedly) in the early 1980s? Couldn't there be a grounding problem in this building that might cause a similar phenomenon?

Julie,

Keep those kids off that 'puter! Well... ok... you probably can't do that. But at least teach them (drill it into them if you have to) that they should *never*, *ever* hit the reset button at all (don't include any 'ifs' - I know there are some situations that do need the reset button, but better to let the computer sit frozen for a few hours until you come home and make the decision to hit the reset button than for your kids to get in the habit of doing it). Back in the days of DOS, reset buttons couldn't hurt anything. But with Windows9x, reset buttons are Bad News (TM).

Thanks,

Jason

julieA

10-22-1999, 09:02 PM

I know, I know. I bought the boys a Sony Playstation :) (Harley man liked that, too.)and now I only allow computer use when there is a qualified adult in the room! (I sure do like that Saxon math basic facts applet for getting those boys to do their school work. It beats flash cards and they actually complain if they don't get to practice their 100 daily facts. Wish they could put that applet on a gameboy.)
------------------
mother of eight, wife of one...

Jason

10-23-1999, 12:30 AM

Julie-

*Normally* (and, of course, with computers there's no guarantee), but I will say that *normally* fatal exceptions in Win9x are caused by hardware problems, not software problems. There are always exceptions, of course, and there's no really good way to tell except replace the most likely parts and see if that solves the problem.

It actually sounds, from your description, that your computer has more than just one problem. A bad hard drive will not normally cause fatal exceptions. But a blown motherboard would not normally cause a hard drive to refuse to defrag (although if the hard drive controllers are on the motherboard, as is now fairly standard, a blown motherboard could cause an error saying that it can't find the hard drive, I suppose). So the hard drive might or might not be a separate issue.

But the fatal exception problem is most likely hardware, and is usually related to the processor or the motherboard. The first thing I would do is open up your machine (assuming this won't void your warranty - some computer manufacturers don't want you openning the case, in which case you should take the computer back to where you bought it to get it checked out) and make sure that your CPU cooling fan hasn't seized. Fatal exceptions can be caused by your processor. And the problem that happens most often to processors is overheating, which is normally caused by a seized cooling fan. And if all it is is a blown cooling fan, it'll only cost about $10 to fix (providing the lack of proper cooling hasn't blown your processor, too - when you take the fan off, look closely at your processor to make sure there are no scorch marks).

The second most likely thing that commonly causes fatal exceptions might be a problem with your motherboard. With the computer turned off, get your face down there real close and sniff at the motherboard and make sure that there isn't any smell of scorched plastic. If there is, then you will have to replace your motherboard. If there isn't... well, the lack of an odor is non-conclusive, unfortunately.

Reinstalling Win98 will not hurt, and might solve your problem. But it might not. I highly recommend doing the reinstall anyway (I recommend people reinstall Win98 at minimum every 6 months anyway), but it probably won't solve your problem.

As for the hard drive defrag problem - most hard drive manufacturers put a 3 year warranty on their drives, so it's worth getting that checked out because you will probably be able to get a replacement drive free of charge.

Good luck,

Jason

tedloh

10-23-1999, 01:30 AM

Justin!

I have the only TWO Winmodems in Thailand ;)[nbsp][nbsp] One a 33.6 and the other 56K.[nbsp][nbsp]What did you think I was getting at LOL![nbsp][nbsp]But I prefer my Sportster anyhow, because it is slightly more stable and uses less resources.

Trust me.[nbsp][nbsp]Windows DOES get faster after a reinstall.[nbsp][nbsp]It is inevitable for MOST users, not just average users.[nbsp][nbsp]I have tons of stuff that I do not uninstall as well.[nbsp][nbsp]And if you were to uninstall certain M$ products you would know that they are notorious for not cleaning up after themselves.

Jason - Anything's possible - but US regulations require that all electricity be grounded.[nbsp][nbsp]The only way this is likely to happen is if you have broken off the grounding pin, or for some reason the grounding wire is cut (like by a mouse).

Julie -

My tech support friend also said that the 000's that were filling up my help files(did I mention that) sounded like corrupted files, too. This is a possibility, isn't it, since my children use the computer during the day to do their math facts and were hitting the reset button whenever the browser would freeze or seem too slow.

That's definitely right.[nbsp][nbsp]More often than not they are not 000's - they are squares - which essentially represents an upper ASCII character often used by programs like Word to represent their formatting, or else they are binary characters as in part of an .EXE file.[nbsp][nbsp]If you are seeing them in your Help files, they are 99% sure to be corrupted, and "fixed" through Scandisk which often gives cross-linked files a copy of the cross-linked sectors.[nbsp][nbsp]Saw that yesterday, first time in a LONG time I've seen it happen in Win98.
------------------
Ted (Chief Do-It-All)
Tygre Systems Co Ltd
Bangkok, Thailand, Land of Smiles :) :)
http://www.tygresystems.com (work in progress)
ted@tygresystems.com

Tatu

10-23-1999, 11:55 AM

LOL, Justin!

-Tatu

"You can take all of your ***** ****** ****** ********* monitors and your ******* ******** ********** voodoo cards and shove 'em up your ****** ********* ***** ****, ya scrawny little ****** ***-*** freak! ****!" :)