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About Carl Johnson
Expertise
I can answer questions on personal and home computing from a users viewpoint. I am familiar with the use of Microsoft DOS and Windows with associated applications. I am neither a programmer nor a systems engineer but worked primarily in computer hardware design. Typically, I have 2 PCs running; one with Win98se and the other with WinXP. Regretfully, I donated my DOS/Win3.1 PC to Goodwill some time ago. (I wish that I still had it.)

Experience
I have been a computer user for over 20 years with experience in
DOS, Windows 3.1, 95, 98 and XP. I have used various spreadsheet and
word processing programs during that period.

Education/Credentials
Graduate degree in electrical engineering


Expert: Carl Johnson
Date: 3/19/2004
Subject: Scan disc

Question
Hello again
Same computer HP Pavilion 8650C. 4years old. Run Windows 98. Has suddenly decided not to allow scan disc to run more than about 3/4 through and starts over. I have let it run for almost 2 hours and just can't finish. Defrag will not run until I do a scan. Thanks again for any help.


Answer
Lynn,
The easiest way to do scan and defrag is in the SAFE
mode. This is a special mode in which the computer is,
in effect, unhooked from all distractions so that
scan and defrag can run undisturbed.
First the PC is placed in the SAFE mode (which looks
funny but your desktop will return to normal after
rebooting/restarting), start the scan or defrag
and let that finish. Then reboot/restart using the
START button then clicking SHUT DOWN as usual.

Instructions for getting into SAFE mode (2 ways):

Try ScanDisk and/or Defrag in 'Safe' mode. Hold down the CTRL key when booting then choose 'SAFE' mode. Hit enter and the PC boots in SAFE MODE where both ScanDisk and
Defrag can be run without interuption. Reboot after
completed.

Or do it this way:
Reboot your computer: Listen for the "Power On Self Test" beep.
This normally happens in about 10 seconds. After you hear the beep, press
the F8 key. You'll see the Windows Startup Menu text menu.
Select Safe Mode, your icons and screen will look different, but in this mode no programs will interfere with running Scan Disk and Defrag. Go to Start, Accessories, System Tools, then do the Defrag. Or ScanDisk.

Boot again after DEFRAG and/or ScanDisk is completed.

Hope this helps. If not, another method is to close
programs running in the background. Send me a note if
you want info on this. However, the SAFE mode above is usually the most reliable method.

Carl

worth a go it worked for me

err, hey murphy, not sure if I've missed something in that post, but have absolutely no idea how this is any where near related to port44's problem. Your talking about scandisk and defrag, and this has nothing to do with missing Windows 98 drivers?

I can't see any details for the i999, which is hardly suprising since they would have looooong stopped supporting and releasing drivers for a PC this old, so you would need to find an alternative method of finding exactly what graphics card you have in your PC (because there are thousands of different makes and models). A particular graphics card will only work properly with the driver which is associated with it.

One way *maybe* to use Free Driver Scan as suggested by Jelly Bean. I'm not sure the default Windows driver will be enough to pickup your graphics card details and find an appropriate driver, considering there isn't really a suitable driver installed at the moment, just a generic Windows driver. It's certainly worth a try.

If I was you, I would open up your PC (there is normally only 4 screws at the back, or two latches at the front - depending on the PC). You will see the graphics card seated onto the motherboard slot, there is only one screw holding it in place. Remove the card and find of the make and model of the card from there. Once we have that, we will be able to find a compatible driver for you.

Port if you run belarc.com advisour on your computer it would give us the make and model of your computer to help out and get you free drivers.Or it maybe on a sticker loacted on back or side of pc?

Hi this link may help you?

Troubleshooting Windows 98 Startup Problems

Hi people, It appears this is becoming more than I can handle..And what is this about the defrag etc., that someone is talking about here on the thread I posted..hmmm? At any rate..thanks for all of your help and suggestions..since this is such a DINOSAUR computer..maybe I should/could just put up with the problem that I am having until I can replace it..in a few months. Once again ...thanks so much..concerned how someone got on my question and then started talking about defraging e tc.,...