what does this error message mean?

Donna:

I may need more info to help you here, but first of all, what Operating System are you using?

Secondly, perhaps you have some sort of corruptions or conflicts of files in your explorer program, possibly due to newly installed software or a virus. How comfortable are you with doing uninstalls/reinstalls possibly of your operating system (if it comes to that)?

Thirdly, do you know how to boot into "safe mode"? Let me now the answers to these 3 questions before we continue on.

I'm not advising you to do anything yet, I just need a better feel and more info as to what is going on.

 

OK Donna--- let's take one thing at a time until we isolate this.

First of all, you're in good company here. Although I built this computer only a little over a year ago, I STILL installed 98SE and I am more familiar with it than with ME or XP.

I want us to go over a few things first, then we'll take it from there.

1. First of all, when you do a CTRL ALT DEL, how many programs are running? If you have a scroll bar there, then there is too much junk running in the background and you'll have to kill some of that (I can later tell you how to modify your registry so that your computer starts up without all that). Depending on what is going on there, that may be the problem

2. Along that line, let's scan for viruses before we go any further. Make sure you have your virus scanner and the latest definitions up to date. Or, you can do a free online scan (which is actually what I use) at this link (it may take awhile if you have dial-up):
http://housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

3. If you have no viruses, then go to START, RUN and type in sfc to run the system file checker. Let's see if there are any corrupted and altered files (ignore "setupx" if that comes up--- all the 98's seem to do that and I do not find that significant).

We'll start with these things, and depending on your findings we'll take it from there.

 

Donna:

OK--- Good news is I don't think your Operating System or any of those files are corrupt, so I am not convinced reloading the OS will help. By the way, you expressed concern earlier that you have certain files, pictures, etc and seemed to imply that reloading the OS would ditch those things--- not so. Don't confuse reloading the OS with formatting a disk. Reloading the OS only corrects corrupted OS files (you can also reload specific files) but does nothing to remove other stuff. So if there are viruses, bad software, etc. doing this will not help.

Yes, you do have a lot of background stuff from what you seem to indicate, but you also seem to be aware of the msconfig which was my next step in telling you to modify for start-up. Uncheck in msconfig everything that does not need to start up --- make sure you know what you are unchecking. In addition, make sure there is not a lot of start-up stuff in the startup (i.e. START- PROGRAMS- STARTUP). You may find strange stuff that was once downloaded and puts itself there upon installation (I don't know why everyone and their brother thinks that you want their program to run at boot-up).

Now, I have a feeling we are not there yet, but you did say something I am a little uncomfortable with. Do you update your Norton or are you aware if it is updating itself for you? I'm not convinced that you have the latest virus definition file. If you do, it should either be dated January 29th or January 30th of 2004 (two or three days old). Otherwise. I'd turn off the Norton and scan using that link I gave you previously. The fact that you quarantined some viruses and are not sure of the Norton's update status now makes me a tad uncomfortable. We need to make sure there are no viruses before continuing.

 

Online virus scanners need to install something to your computer to work so you need to click OK to continue. You should download either Spybot Search & Destroy or Adaware, install it and update it and run it. Both programs will search your computer for junk, like programs you didn't willingly install and let you remove them. It's possible you have a poorly made program installed on your computer and that Spybot or Adaware will remove it and fix your problem.

 

Donna:

Sorry it took me awhile to reply. I'm here yet, but just got home from work.

Yes, I had a suspicion that your virus updates were not the latest. Let me know if you have any trouble updating that--- even at that I would still recommend that link I supplied. No special software or installs needed. I always suggest doing a "clean" first if it finds something when it gets done and asks, unless you know it is not a file you need, then just delete it.

Delete those files in quarantine, too.

Let me know how your virus results comes out. Then.... our next step will be to give your computer a good electronic enema. This can be started by purging out (uninstalling) programs you KNOW you do not use using the CONTROL PANEL (START- SETTINGS -CONTROL PANEL-ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS). There is a list you can select to uninstall. Look thru it and see if there is anything you do not want or need any longer. I'll bet $1000 there are some junk programs there that came with other downloads.

OK--- we'll stop there for now and let me know how you are progressing.

 

Donna:

That is good to hear. I'm happy for you. See what extra junk can do on the computer? People oftentimes do not realize that when they download a lot of freeware stuff, several other programs come with it. I've seen computers have so much junk at start-up from these programs (and usually a virus or two) that it renders the computer incapable of booting up or it runs out of resources. I think you got an excellent feel as to how to keep your computer tuned better. In addition, learn (from the Internet) how to use SCANDISK and the DEFRAG programs on occasion as well if you haven't done those things yet. They also help somewhat. We'll consider you "fixed up". Let me know if you have any questions in the future--- here's my email:
liaf@eternalthroneofdavid.com