Hanging PC
My computer frequently "hangs", forcing me to reboot. I have just increased the memory from 128MB to 384MB and the system worked so well the first day I thought I had it sorted out. But yesterday it "hung" frequently, and when working in Word, I got the message that there was insufficient memory to go on working with the file, so I had no option but to save it and close Word. Javier Vidal
javisol46@hotmail.com
Jack Schofield replies: It would take a book to describe all the reasons Windows can "hang". But the main causes are: running out of resources, low-level applications such as virus checkers, bugs in graphics drivers, and physical problems such as loose chips, cards and plugs inside the case. The worst problems are usually hardware problems. You can keep track of resources using the Resource Meter in Start|Programs| Accessories|System Tools. Performance starts to deteriorate when you have less than 30% free.
This can happen quickly if you open a lot of Internet Explorer windows. You can get resources back by closing down all applications but it may be simpler to reboot. Installing more memory helps in many ways, but does not provide more resources. To deal with the low-level programs, start by removing all of them, especially the ones that appear in the System Tray next to the clock. Go to Start|Run, type msconfig in the box and click OK. Go to the far right tab, Startup, and untick anything that is not essential. You must keep ScanRegistry and System Tray. Restart your computer for the new settings to take effect. If any programs remain in the Systray, right-click or run them to find out how they can be turned off. Ones you really want can be re-added later, one at a time. You can also try running the System File Checker (type sfc in the Run box) and the registry cleaner, RegClean (see www.createwindow.com/wininfo/regclean.htm ).
If your PC still hangs, press Ctrl-Alt-Del from time to time to bring up the Task List to check which programs are running. The problem may be a background program that has been loaded later, eg to read an Adobe Acrobat file in Internet Explorer. If your PC still hangs, try upgrading to the latest graphics driver available from the supplier's website; or if that doesn't work, switch to 800 by 600 graphics in 256 colours using the graphics driver in Windows. If your PC still hangs, there are three last ditch options: (a) re-install Windows over the top of your current installation. This will keep your data and settings but may not fix the problem; (b) back-up and reformat your hard drive then reinstall Windows from scratch; (c) upgrade to Windows XP.
Up to XP
I wish to upgrade from Windows 95 to Windows XP, but it looks as if Windows 98 is needed for this upgrade. C P Young
JS: You cannot buy an upgrade from Windows 95 to Windows XP, you have to pay the full price. Even if an upgrade were supported, you would be better off doing a clean installation. The two systems have little in common, and most Windows 95 machines are not powerful enough to run XP. The minimum hardware requirement is a 233MHz processor, 64MB of memory, and 1.5GB of free disk space. However, a reasonable target is a 450MHz Pentium II or better, 128MB or more memory and 2GB of free disk space. Also, check the hardware compatibility list at www.microsoft.com.
Backchat
· When Windows wouldn't remember Richard Waddington's internet password, I sent him to a feature on the Windows Annoyances website, which was promptly re-organised so not everyone could find it. The original address works for me, but if it does not work for you, try www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article04-004
· On the subject of protecting folders, William Allen says: "In Windows Explorer, right-click each folder concerned, click Properties, and in the General Tab, check the box next to Read Only. You can continue to create files and delete files in the folder as normal, but if you accidentally move the folder in Windows Explorer, you get an extra warning box asking if you really want to."
