Need Help with my Computer
 

I don't know much when it comes to computers, so I thought I'd see if someone here could help me out. Everytime I go online I will get the blue screen of death. It used to happen instantly when I'd open Netscape, so I deleted it since I don't use it that often anyway. But I still get it even when using IE. Usually after about a good 15 - 20 mins or trying to open 3-4 pages at once, it'll pop up and tell me there's a Windows error at such and such location, blah blah blah, I don't know what it all means. Then after hitting enter the computer resets and it won't turn back on because the screen will reappear before loading my desktop and keep going through this endless loop. Sometimes it even shows some Spool 32 error in the middle of all of it. After letting it sit for 15 mins it'll start back up with no problems. Is this a memory problem, like I don't have enough? Anybody have any ideas? Thanks.

Re: Need Help with my Computer
 

What OS? Do you have a printer? Spool 32 I believe is a printer spooler process.Go to the task manager and kill the Spool 32 process and try everything again.You can try the Microsoft Knowledge Base too.

Re: Need Help with my Computer
 

Thats is, kill the spool 32 DLL before you open IE

Re: Need Help with my Computer
 

I looked at the programs and ops running and it doesn't show any sign that spool 32 is running, so I don't have a clue. I do have an hp printer hooked up as well as a scanner. I'm running Windows 98 on an old ass Compaq. Not sure what else I could tell you that'd help out.

Re: Need Help with my Computer
 

Windows 98 is unbelievably gay, but I'm sure you knew that already.Sounds like you have a few different issues, more memory may help, but I'd upgrade to XP if your computer meets the hardware requirements, its only $99.Other than that, try the microsoft knowledge base.

Re: Need Help with my Computer
 

Dude, get a dell!

Re: Need Help with my Computer
 

Adding memory will not help fix the problem you are having, it is software related. Talk one of the windows geeks into coming over if they are halfway decent they should be able to figure it out. I won't work on windows any quicker than I will work on a honduh, kinda the same thing in my book. Maybe Matt D can work something out with you, he is good with winblows.

Re: Need Help with my Computer
 

Hate to say it, but the easiest way to fix any sort of constant blue screen issue is just to reinstall Windows. The operating system is hosed, and anything do other than reinstalling the OS is nothing more than a bandaid and your system will still be crap.

Re: Need Help with my Computer
 

When you reload it, I have a CD for you that will cure it for sure. No more MS Virus.

Re: Need Help with my Computer
 

What size pc you got, memory and cpu?? One of my pc's at home is a 450Mhz and it runs XP just fine. Quite fast actually. I think you could get away with XP on 300Mhz and above if the memory is there. I'd have at least 128meg, optimally 256meg. Memory is cheap. Perhaps you can bootleg a copy of XP from one of your buddies. What version of 98 do you have, is it the Second edition? Try dumb little things like degrag and clean out the temp files, etc...

Does the computer crash only when you use Internet apps? Is it fine otherwise?

Re: Need Help with my Computer
 

Seriously upgrade to XP, it handles everything so much better than the legacy versions of Windows.Its only $99 for the full version at General Nanosystems on University ave.

Re: Need Help with my Computer
 

Thanks for your help guys. I'm guessing it's probably issues with this OS. I had problems with my computer about 2.5 years ago and re-installing windows was the answer to my problems which now seem to be back. I'll go through and save all relevant info I need and look into going with XP. Obviously right now I can't afford another computer, so that's out of the question. But I will probably need to get more memory before I change the OS since this old thing only has 92mb of RAM. Will the 400Mhz AMD run XP ok?

Re: Need Help with my Computer
 

If anyone up there goes to their college bookstore or IT center you should be able to pick up XP Pro for about $50.

Re: Need Help with my Computer
 

400Mhz will be fine. I run a 450Mhz at home but it has 392mb of RAM. You should be able to find RAM for that for $50 or less on ebay. I have a DVD drive on mine and watch movies with it and get no flickering.

Re: Need Help with my Computer
 

I dont think I would upgrade to XP unless you have a good amount of memory ~512. 400mhz to me is a tad too low to upgrade, especially becuase XP needs that extra processing power, compared to 98SE.

You might be able to get by but if you put alot of programs or games on there its going to be a hog.

Re: Need Help with my Computer
 

I run XP pro on a 266 PII with 256mb, yeah it isn't fast, but it never was to begin with!