For the past couple of months I’ve been having trouble while saving files and generally going through my directories. I’m using Windows ME.
When I try to save a file or if I try to get to a file by browsing the computer will either hang for a minute or I’ll get that stupid flashlight animation while the computer searches for files.
Does anyone know a fix for this? Would a reinstall of the OS get this fixed?
How often do you use the maintenance utilities that come with WinME?
Such as ScanDisk, Defrag, etc?
Do you have an anti-virus program installed, configured and used regularly?
Have you downloaded/installed Ad-Aware to check for those nasty cookie crumbs?
Is your WinME original installation using default values, or did you do a custom install?
Are you using FASTFIND? Its a program that indexes your HD for everything on it, uses a lot of cpu power too.
No, I’m not using fastfind nor do I know what that program is.
I run Scandisk and Defrag at least once a month. I have Norton Antivirus which runs every Friday but its profiles are two years old because I can’t afford to pay for an update. I’ve run AdAware a while ago but I deleted the program but I’ll probably give it a try one more time.
Lastly I do not download programs people mail me nor tinker with attachments, I use relatively safe software that doesn’t leave me vulnerable to viruses and I surf safely turning off javascript and avoiding Internet Explorer.
I do think this all began around the time I downloaded and ran Zone Alarm for a month or two because I was bored and forgot the headaches it gave me when I originally downloaded the program and installed it on the old computer.
I’m thinking of blaming Zone Alarm.
This usually happens when your computer has trouble seeking your drives when it displays the directory structure.
This means, either your A: (floppy drive) or more probably your CD-ROM drive(s) is/are causing the problem.
Try this… disconnect all floppy drives, cd-rom drives, and any other drives other than the primary hard disk. If this solves the problem, you know it’s one of them causing it.
Also make sure that no network drive is being mapped everytime you view the directory structure. To check this, go to Windows Explorer/Tools/Disconnect Network Drives.
I don’t think it’s ZoneAlarm.
When was the last time you ran an Update, and when was the last time you install/reinstall Windows?