my puter has the flu......HELP !!!!!!!!

Dan S

Member
i need computer help last week or so i puy in new memory from gateway went from 64 to 384. now it might be a coinisedence ( wrong spelling) but every since then my puter has benn wacky .thought maybe it was the mouse but it wasnt ...called gateway several times and we hav'nt come up with nothing except alot of test.............. the last time we talked they told me to go to norton on line and do an on-line virus check ... so i call them to register and of course it cost 30.00 to do so but they were busy.... i dont really know if it is a virus or not but it's really peeeee me off ...

i did defrag twice.........scan dick twice ... and restor disk........

does any think by rebooting everything back to org. that it would help? that means i got to save everything .... and im not sure how to go about this........ please i know there is some puter buffs out here and i'll be waiting by this thing untill i get an answer.........thanks......

sorry so long..............................................
 
Dan

Hey Dan....
I don't know if you have a virus either but that's the first thing I'd check for if my puter was whacked out... There's a real good FREE online virus checker at www.trendmicro.com and as i recall it's kinda hard to find on that site, but it's called "housecall"...

If your computer is givin you messages that "you don't have enough resources available to perform this task" then I'm thinkin that your processor isn't big enough to cache all of the new memory you installed. That's what happened to me with my last computer. I added a whole bunch of new RAM and the whole thing backfired on me cause my 233 processor couldn't handle it.. Dunno though, every problem's different on these things...

GOOD LUCK Chuck
 
Dan

Forgot to tell you that another good one is www.pcpitstop.com
Click on "Full Test" option on the left. It takes some time (expecially slow if your puter's bein weird), but it might be worth a try...........Those are the 2 best freebies I know of........
 
Dan,

Checking for virus's is always a good idea, mine is setup to do a full virus scan on both of my hard drives twice a week. But since the problems started after adding new mem, I think that is probablly where you'll find the problem. It wont hurt to check for a virus anyway.

Not sure what things the Gateway tech had you try, or what tests he/you did, I can only assume he didnt know what the problem was and having you go off looking for a virus was his way of getting you off the phone with him. Have seen that trick more than once.

Did you replace the mem you already had or add to what you had? If you added to what you had, try removing the new mem and see if it acts normal. If it doesnt then suspect a virus. If the old works ok by itself, then try removing the old and install the new and see how it acts. If each act ok by themselves, then go ahead and add the old back in. If it starts having problems then I would suspect it is an incompatibility prob with the two sets of mem. I have heard, that sometimes, different brands of mem or different sizes of mem sticks dont always work well together.

If you replaced the memory you had, then then try going back to the old and see how it operates, if it works ok, then the new mem could be flaky. Also look at your system settings. To get there do START, SETTINGS,CONTROL PANEL and click on the SYSTEM icon. The SYSTEM PROPERTIES window will come up, click on PERFORMENCE then VIRTUAL MEMORY. Make sure it is set to have windows manage virtual memory. I have tried other settings on my PC, but having windows manage it has always worked best for me.

In either case if the old mem works and the new doesnt, suspect the new mem. Is there a computer store near you? Most computer stores have a memory tester and they should be able to test the new memory for you. They might charge you a few bucks, but you would know whether it's flaky or not. Since you got it from Gateway and they havent been able to help, ask if you can return it for replacement or to have them test it.

Booyaa also brings up a good point. Some older slower processors dont handle large amounts of mem well, but the Gateway tech should be aware of that.

Also, some motherboards have jumpers that need to be changed when adding mem, would hope that the Gatway tech would have mentioned that already if that were the case.

If the Gateway tech is not having any luck finding the problem, then escalate the situation. Demand to speak to his manager then raise hell. Tell him you use your PC for billing your customers, and it's costing you money when it's down, not to mention the time it's costing you while talking to an incompetent service tech. Most managers dont like dealing with irate customers and it will usually get results.

Wow my fingers are tired....lol

Hope this helps.
Good luck,
 
Dan I am not all the smart about computers but I do know you have to have the same type of memory as what you had in there.

If you had SIMM and added DIMM it won't work, or if you had DIMM and added SCRAM, I think that is the spelling again not compatible.

I use Norton, I download the latest every other day and run a virus test.

You should not have to pay to do a FREE test, and I believe Norton has a totally free test for worms and Trojan Horses.

Gateway, ah that mght explain it. Ok just kidding you, what operating system you using, Windows 98, 98 SE, or one of the newer ones?

<marquee> Danno, you ain't all that dumb even though you pretend at times. I know since Bigboy let on about you!!</marquee>
 
Dan,

What operating system are you running? Windows 95, 98, 2000?

Windows 95 and 98 will only recognize 254 MB of memory. The Gateway tech should have known that. It really has nothing to do with the processor, but instead your operating system. You can install as much memory as you want and it may work but Windows will still only use 254 MB of it.

Try removing some memory. There are ways to make it recognize more memory but it involves editing the registry and moving some files around. I really don't think you want to do that.

You wont notice much difference between 254 and the 384.

Something else you can try. Go to www.outertech.com and download a program called Cacheman. It may solve your problem. It is a memory management utility that lets you customize how your memory gets used by your operating system. It may also solve the problem your having recognizing the 384MB. With normal Windows settings, the first thing the operating system does when you boot the computer is take all your memory hostage. Cacheman keeps this from happening.

One thing to remember in the future is when calling support ask for a level 2 or 3 tech. On a first call you will normally get a level 1 which in most cases are trainees. When they can't solve a problem they will pass it on to the next level but only after they have had you try everything on the planet to fix the problem.

Les
 
thanks guys im writim=ng this befor i try all your thoughts then i will get back on and post what happen........ o by the way i got windows 98.............so that may explain Les theory.......... thanks again ................ first im going to get rid of a memory

JOn i put the same in that was in ....well i hope maybe gateway mess that up 2......... i'll be back......by the way my keys are sticking too when i type it takes forever ....not just b/c im a 2 finger either.................
 
wow so far so good ...............i took one of the memory out like Less and Roger said and woweeeeeeeeee im in tuned heck with gateway you guys are # 1......
Booyaa
thanks for those sites im going to do the scan anyways

i owe ya guys one............

well maybe i will try it fer awhile before i really praise you guys up


JOn
what do ya mean BIG_BOY let on about me??????
im still waiting fer him to take me fishing but nooooooo he wants to spray h20 enstead....... go figure....
can you picture me on a bout with the ole guy good thing i know C.P.R.......he he he he


o- by the way when i bought the mem. i took the 64 out and installed the 3 @ 384. so now whats left in the puter is two new .........??? i fer get the #'s.....i guess i got 284 now
thanks again...........
 
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Dan when Bigboy does get around to taking you on his boat fishin make sure there is NO SUN and he has NO BEER, one or the other is fine but both together with him you best know how to get back to his place.

Remember what he did one hot summer day a few month ago?

Bet the fish could have hooked him and pulled him down!!
 
Hey man the other day I went with two guys to fill their deer feeders and we stopped and got a bottle of good stuff,its been a LONG TIME I drink out of bottle but think I tried to make up for lost time but found out it still makes me sick and walk funny,it'll last me for another few years before I try that crap again.
Also went with them to wrestle the one armed bandits again,we hadn't won to many matchs yet b/c they pretty mean bunch.Guess we're just feeling our freedom for awhile never can tell what the next day will bring the way things are going with the war and all.Just got a call from a tractor dealer and he wanted to know if I wanted to wash over 100 tractors for him though the winter months,,,guess life pretty good if your a good old boy,like me lol enjoy life and it will enjoy you being in it.
Fried up a big mess of fish lastnight and did C.P.R. on them,it took awhile but finally got them down the belly where they are doing just find now,,,Bet my tom cat can whip dat dog.
 
it's dong it again mouse is sticking ....it wont scroll down .....dont know why it worked great when i took out a mem.... now this....... when you click on a page it just sits there and dont go to that page ........then when you move the mouse (HARD) it will slowly go..................HELP ME AGAIN PLEASE.............
 
Dan,

Upgrade your mouse driver.

Might as well ask what mouse your using, how new/old is it also?

I bought a new Logitech cordless mouse, works great but at times locks up the computer and does it ever love batteries.
 
Mouse

Sometimes the inside of those things get full of lint and all kinds of other stuff.... Take it apart at the bottom and make sure it's clean and that the little ball is free to do its thing.....
 
I think booyaa is right,your ball sticking,when you take it apart,becareful when pulling out the fuzz,there is o-ring or 2 that are real easy broke
 
nope !!!!!! that's what i thought maybe fuzz balls in mouse but............ i tried a new mouse and it did the same thing .......i think i got it solved now i re-loaded win,98.....had to back up my files and well here i am....thanks fer all your help.......and dont run off i may need to ask more....
 
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