browser stops responding after 5 minutes

[starfysh]

Hi...not sure where this fits, here or Windows 98...but I'll start here.

The main problem I'm having is any browser I use stops responding after about 5 minutes. Everything else seems to work fine...AIM and other chat programs...anything that doesn't have to do with a browser. I had AVG free version antivirus and Spysweeper installed. The browser problem seemed to start when I realized Spysweeper wasn't updating. It said my definitions file was corrupt due to a firewall conflict. But there's no firewall. I did have Zonealarm installed, but uninstalled that about a week earlier due to problems that was causing. It's an old computer and I usually have many minor problems such as freezing, etc. etc., but this problem is the worst, and one that I can't get rid of. If I could just get it to act its usual annoying self with a browser that I'm not limited to 5 minutes with, I'd be happy. Can someone suggest anything? Oh, one other thing I should mention that seems bad...I can't start in safe mode, no matter what I do. Run msconfig or hit f8 or hold the control key down.

Thanks.

[GMac222]

Hi,

Have you tried to re-install Internet Explorer? It sounds like some associated dll files have become corrupted (maybe your OS associates this with your uninstallation of ZoneAlarm but it doesn't really matter), you could check them with Event Viewer (Start - Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Event Viewer) select applications and scroll down until you see a red X (which means there was a serious error), Event Viewer is just an auditing tool but can be handy in these situations. It might just be quicker and easier to re-install IE though!

Safe Mode: Create a startup disk (Control Panel - Add/Remove programs - startupdisk) put it into your floppy drive and reboot to a DOS prompt then type Win /D: M
This will force safe mode.

There is a full list of command line switches for the WIN command here http://support.microsoft.com/?id=142544

Hope this helps ;)

[starfysh]

Before I reinstall Internet Explorer I decided to have a look at Event Viewer, but didn't see it in System Tools. Is that option available in Win98? I did see File Checker though, so I ran that (after having to restart my computer several times because when I tried to get to Accessories - System Tools, it would try to open and then disappear and when I tried to get to it from run - msconfig it said it couldn't find some file, but don't remember which one...where is that dang pen when you need it?). It came up with 3 corrupt files: ir41_qcx.dll, ir41_qc.dll and setupx.dll. I inserted the Win98 CD and told it to restore those. Whether or not I did it correctly...dunno. But when I ran File Checker again, it didn't come back with any files. That didn't do the trick though; I still can't stay connected to a browser for more than 5 minutes (I'm getting used to racing against time to look things up!).

When I get home I'm going to reinstall IE, see if that does anything. Hmm...should I have done that first? Is there a special order one is supposed to do these things in? It's very frustrating because the sad old computer works fine (well, it's fine for me anyway) other than not being able to stay connected to a browser. I may be back with more questions, or, if a miracle occurs...it will be fixed! I've become obsessed with trying to fix it, so any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated, so thanks for yours :) My last resort is to finally admit defeat and bring it to someone who knows their stuff to have a look at it. Thanks again.

[starfysh]

Okay, it's almost time to call it quits in trying to figure this out. I've done everything anyone I've spoken to about it has suggested, a list too long to go into, called my ISP to see if it was anything to do with them, and nothing has fixed the problem. My computer is much, much faster though, so at least it seems like I have more than 5 minutes time to browse! If anyone reads this and has any other suggestions...feel free to offer them.