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Thread ID: 33056	2003-05-06 00:41:00	illegal operations messages	Joanna (3737)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
141742	2003-05-06 00:41:00	I often get illegal operations messages - usually the computer freezes afterwards. They happen fairly frequently, usually on the Internet, often after my son plays a game, and when I have tried to get into particular sites - Massey university for one (trying to get info on doing a Master's degree) and a school reunion site for another - nothing dodgy or out of the ordinary. The message also pops up when using Publisher98, when using Word97 (when trying to add a spelling of a word to its dictionary) and when using Mavis Beacon Typing tutor - I abandoned this programme over 2 yrs ago because I couldn't get past the opening screen to start it eventually. I bought the computer in November 1998, from PC Direct. I was told it had anti virus software and when I asked what I had to do with this was told "Nothing - it just runs in the background". About 18months later I discovered at work that you had to update it regularly, when I tried I got a message that my subscription had run out so I couldn't. No information about how to resubscribe. Otherwise everything is OK - it does the jobs I expect of it and more. Should I get an expert in to fix things?	Joanna (3737)
141743	2003-05-06 00:51:00	Sounds like you need a reinstall... A general rule of thumb with windows95/98/Me is that you should really reinstall every 6 months or so. My recommendation would be to consider a small upgrade: Increase your ram to 512meg and get a copy of Windows XP Home. Windows XP is based on the NT kernel, which is a "business strength" base for windows. Compared to windows98, XP will have a very hard time crashing.. and if it does crash often, then it's an indication that something is most likely seriously wrong with your computer. On the other hand I can crash win98 just by looking at the monitor (it cant handle my dashing features ;) ).. it's pretty much *that* unstable. So with WinXP, your problems should disappear, and winxp has a lot of helpful wizards that should make your computing experience a lot more straightforward whereabouts in the country are you? If you are in a major centre, I can point you in the direction of either a reputable retailer who would help you out, or an enthusiast like myself who would happily help out for cheaper-than-a-retailer	whetu (237)
141744	2003-05-06 02:04:00	whetu, if the PC was new in 1998, then it would be borderline in terms of processor speed to run XP so it would pay to ascertain that before sending someone out to buy a copy of the OS.	godfather (25)
141745	2003-05-06 03:30:00	Geez Whetu... that's a bit harsh on 98SE isn't it? I really don't think it's that bad, and saying it needs a complete "reinstall" every 6 months is ludicrous. What are you doing to your OS which requires a complete reinstall every 6 months? I've had my 98SE installed on my laptop for a while now, and it's doing fine without a reinstall. Perhaps I'm a bit more careful with what I install and how I maintain my PC? Lo.	Lohsing (219)
141746	2003-05-06 04:24:00	godfather - this is true, but amount of ram and hdd speed are of FAR higher importance than you give them credit for... she can get a copy of winxp regardless and upgrade her hardware as suits/needed in the future... I've run XP on a PII 266 (the level of CPU I assume she has given the timeframe) with 512meg of ram, and it was absolutely fine for day to day desktop use (what she'll be doing).. I base my advice on that first-hand experience The point is that she is getting typical win98 errors, she obviously doesnt have the best of times with her computer, so I feel that winxp will help her greatly, moreso than a complex mix of third party applications and tips and tricks which is what I expect pressF1 members will give her (no offence intended)... and ram for her pc is cheap as sin these days so why not? I can follow your logic, but it seems you cant/arent following mine... lohsing - it's a rule of thumb, it assumes a constant rate of decay that a joebloggs user will provide. Sure you can tidy up the OS by defragging, cleaning out the registry etc but a fresh reinstall is just that much better. I'm not saying it should be done at all costs... here's an analogy: In cars it was once traditionally accepted that you changed your oil every 6 months. You didnt *have* to, and a lot of people didnt (like you not reinstalling 98.. if it aint broke dont fix it right?)... which is fine, but it was just accepted to be better to do so anyway. I feel that holds true with win98, and its not a rule I devised, it's a rule handed down to me from programmers and admins that I know... Each to their own. I'm not here to start an argument about 9x vs NT, I'm here to advise to the best solution to this problem *in my opinion*.. and for me the best overall long term solution is to go with winXP, which wont have illegal operations, wont cause as much stress and will help the user along with their computing. It also offers a very simple solution for both members here and for the user... Instead of you guys dishing out a billion and one tips and tricks, she upgrades her amount of ram, installs XP and that's it. "but cost - what she's got is free, winxp and ram costs money" (expected response) yes, this is also true, and her final decision will factor this in. But at least I gave her options... At the end of the day, she's going to have to upgrade eventually... be it now or 5 years from now. One day she's going to have to spend some money. You cant deny that. As I said, ram is cheap, and with a full copy of XP Home, when she upgrades her hardware to something more recent she can continue to use her copy of XP happily... It's far better IMO than the trouble given by latest hardware-older OS combinations. I can see where you guys are coming from, but try to see where I am coming from.. or at least show that that is so... If you still disagree with me, fine, that's your choice and your opinion and it's not my place to try to force you to think otherwise.. all I can do is be suggestive and justify myself. Because of this attitude, if you are looking for an argument, I'd suggest you look elsewhere. I wont argue with you, I've put my recommendation down, its up to her what option she goes with... She makes the final decision and I must respect that.	whetu (237)
141747	2003-05-06 04:34:00	Godfathers point is well made . Any sort of game playing, and publishing work is a lot more CPU intensive than "everyday desktop use", especially given that a '98 model computer is unlikely to have a seperate GPU . Besides, the difference in purchasing a WinXP upgrade and 512 MB Ram now, and an upgrade in a years time, and purchasing a whole new baseline system now, it will be cheaper to purchase a new system . In terms of fixing the reported errors though, the options are either a whole lot of tweaking and system work, or a re-install . Given that it is quite likely to require 'expert' help in either case, reinstalling is simpler . Win 9X was a very unstable operating system, and does require a fresh install every 6 months or so, considerable tweaking lets you extend this, and considerable install/uninstalling of software makes it needed more often, but 6 months is a reasonable length . Iain	Iain Walmsley (3372)
141748	2003-05-06 04:58:00	Thanks to all replies A bit confusing and potentially expensive I understand. I think I will find an expert to actually look at the thing. I find the terminology a bit daunting. To Whetu - I live in the Waikato area	Joanna (3737)
141749	2003-05-06 05:03:00	Interesting solution you are suggesting there, Whetu . :-) Joanna's PC is only four months younger than my Win 98 machine and I have to say that in general it gives and has given reasonably reliable service over the years . Any problems we have had with it are usually of our own doing, what with downloading, installing and uninstalling multitudes of junk . My own suggestion to Joanna, if she does not wish to spend money on new RAM and Win XP at this stage, is to backup all data, reformat and reinstall the essentials . That will make the world of difference and her computer will be like a new machine . As far as Norton Anti-Virus is concerned I would either go out and buy the latest version capable of being run with that computer, or download and install the free AVG anti-virus . Forget that old one that came with the computer, it is past its time . Check out the forum's FAQ section (link top right of this page) for FAQ #1 and FAQ #33 for how to reinstall Windows and how to reformat .	Susan B (19)
141750	2003-05-06 06:04:00	Windows 9x does suffer from "bit rot" . It's a relatively painless fix to reinstall occasionally . If 98 does the work, stick with it . Perhaps XP would be "better" at a fairly high price, but would need more memory at more cost . . . stick with 98 .	Graham L (2)
141751	2003-05-06 06:38:00	www.windowsupdate.com Get all the updates you can.... definitely going to help in the direction of stability with Internet Explorer etc. Scandisk your machine, then defrag it. "Obtain" a copy of Norton Utilities if you can and get that to give things a tidy up....	whiskeytangofoxtrot (438)
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