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Thread ID: 37994	2003-09-24 02:00:00	Formatting the harddrive	Jakkie (1395)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
177494	2003-09-24 02:00:00	My Pentium III computer, OS Windows 98 SE is ever so slow. You are lucky to work in a program when it loads. Input device reactions come in stages, or you click on something and it opens so quickly that you cannot see what is what. You name it, and it don't want to work properly. I think my computer need a cleanup. Can someone help me step by step how to format the hard drive? I don't have a backup disk, but do have the Windows 98 SE CD. I've backup all my programs and folders to disks.	Jakkie (1395)
177495	2003-09-24 02:32:00	There's a link to the FAQ's in the top-right hand corner of your screen. Check out the Format FAQ, and the Install Win98 FAQ :-) That should help you, and the Win98 FAQ is very step-by-step (Well done!). Let us know if you need more help Cheers Chill.	Chilling_Silently (228)
177496	2003-09-24 03:11:00	Thanks Chill. I've copied your instructions and downloaded the Boot Disk from the website you recommended. I am going to try now to format. If there are any problems, I will contact you again. Jakkie	Jakkie (1395)
177497	2003-09-24 03:28:00	Glad to help :-) Dont forget to check FAQ #7 on What to Backup, just in case ;-) Cheers Chill.	Chilling_Silently (228)
177498	2003-09-24 07:52:00	> I've backup all my programs and folders to disks. A word of caution if it is not too late. Backing up folders is OK, but you cannot easily backup programs as their components are distributed across your HDD and linked via the registry. Unless you have all your program disks, which you should have if they are all legitimate copies, reformatting and reloading your OS will leave you without your programs. From your description, you would be better to clear out your temporary internet files, delete any other temp file dross you have on your disk, do,a scandisk then defrag. This can work wonders. If your desktop is slow to load after that, find and delete the file 'shelliconcache' in the windows directory and reboot. Your desktop will be slow to appear while it rebuilds, but next boot it will be fast. Cheers Billy 8-{)	Billy T (70)
177499	2003-09-24 09:12:00	Thanks Chill. My computer is formatted and works 100%! I've checked all answers to that questions and copy some of it into a troubleshooting file for later use. Thanks again. Jakkie	Jakkie (1395)
177500	2003-09-24 09:17:00	Hi Billy . Thanks for the advice . Yes, I do have all legal copies of my programs . I've formatted my computer and loaded all the programs successfully . "From your description, you would be better to clear out your temporary internet files, delete any other temp file dross you have on your disk, do,a scandisk then defrag" . I refer to this from you . I do all of this once a week . What is this: 'shelliconcache'you refer to? I am ever so eager to learn more and haven't heard of this . I've never touches the registry before and would love to know more . Jakkie	Jakkie (1395)
177501	2003-09-24 12:25:00	Hi Jakkie Shelliconcache is a file located in the windows directory of your computer (for W9x anyway, it hides elsewhere for W2K & XP, usually in Winnt). There is no extension to this file and you have to ask explorer to show hidden files to see it. It carries information for all the icons on your desktop and it seems to get corrupted over time, no doubt due to the moving about of icons on the desktop. Deleting it forces a rebuild which gets rid of any problems. You need only do this if your computer is slow to paint the screen with icons in the final stages of boot. If they come up initially as generic blank icons then slowly fall into place that is a sure sign that it is time for a rebuild. Stay out of the registry until you are confident that you can restore it if things go wrong. Of course you have to have made a backup to be able to restore! Cheers Billy 8-{)	Billy T (70)
177502	2003-09-25 23:32:00	Thanks Billy. I am going to try this as my icon do fill up slowly. Jakkie	Jakkie (1395)
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