Email this page

Troubleshooting Lockups in Windows 9x

1. Try running Goback if available.

2. Start the computer in Safe mode.

-Check Device Manager for duplicate devices.

-Change to Standard VGA video adapter.

3. Check the Device Manager in normal mode.

-Ensure that everything is recognized and properly configured.

-Check the Other Devices category and verify that everything is properly configured.

4. Check for .tmp files, empty the Recycle Bin, run ScanDisk and Disk Defragmenter.

5. If the computer is running Windows® 98, run System File Checker for corrupt or altered files.

6. Disable all programs running in the background.

7. Verify that all of the settings in the BIOS Setup Utility are correct. If possible, use the original copy of the BIOS Setup Utility screens, which was sent with the computer. Turn off the computer, then turn on the computer to verify that the battery is holding the BIOS Setup Utility settings.

8. In case of conflicts, try disabling power management in the BIOS Setup Utility.

9. If the computer contains a network card and locks up when starting Windows, verify that there are no network conflicts or configuration issues, such as unterminated BNC connections or resource conflicts.

10. Disable any screen savers.

11. On your screen, locate and click the Start button. From the Start menu, point to Programs, Accessories, System Tools, then click Resource Meter or System Monitor. Check Windows resources.

12. Verify that Windows® 9x is managing the swap file.

13. Disconnect all external devices from the computer to see if one of the peripheral devices is causing the issue.

14. Turn off the computer. Remove the cover and search for any loose screws or connections. Press down firmly on all cards in the computer to verify that they are seated properly. Firmly press down on both ends of all data cables in the computer, then rock slightly to verify seating. Press down firmly on all memory chips in the computer, as well as the processor and cache chip, if applicable.

15. Remove all newly added hardware or software.

16. Remove all other peripheral cards from the computer, except the video card and, if necessary, the hard disk controller card. If the symptoms are resolved, put the cards back into the computer one at a time, testing between each to attempt to isolate a defective card.

17. If applicable, disable or remove cache.

18. Verify that the power connections to the motherboard are properly seated.

19. If the issue occurs in only one program, delete and reinstall the program.

20. In Windows® 98, run BackTrack, if applicable. If BackTrack does not resolve the issue, run System File Checker and Scanreg.

21. Run the Fdisk program and reformat the hard disk. If you cannot remove your partition in Fdisk or you suspect a virus may be causing the issue, run GWSCAN on an IDE hard disk or low-level format a SCSI hard disk before running the Fdisk program and formatting.

Note: By performing this step, all of the data is erased. You need to make appropriate backups before carrying out this procedure. 22. Reload Windows 9x.