I have a computer with Pentium 2.4 GHz and a DDR of 512 MB. The
operating system is Windows 98. All the hardware is new. I have a
problem which surface before a few days. It takes 90 seconds from
switch to get the icons. Wwhat is worse is that after selecting an
icon, for example Internet Explorer, it takes around 250 seconds to
get to sign-in and another 120 seconds for inbox to appear on the
monitor. Is there any way of quickening the pace?

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Request for Question Clarification by endo-ga on 05 Jun 2003 13:57 PDT

Hi,

If you press ctrl+alt+del once, and get the task manager with the list
of running programs, what do you see there?

Have you installed any software recently in the past few days since
your problem started happening?

Thanks.
endo

How much stuff(start-up programs) do you have running when you boot?
If you eliminate all but the necessary programs, then that'll quicken
it up a bit.

I agree with previous suggestions.  Check to see what programs you
have running. Also, make sure your antivirus prgram is up to date and
run a full scan to make sure there isn't a virus causing your
problems.  Do you use a file sharing program?  If so shut it down. 
Make sure it is actually shut down and and disconnected from the
Internet.  You may be sharing files that you are unaware of.  Some of
those programs will appear that they are closed, but are actually
still running and sharing your files.  Run ad-aware or spybot to make
sure you don't have any spyware or adware on your computer that may be
slowing you down.  Delete temporary internet files.  Disable any
firewall software you have installed. Run scandisk and defrag on your
hard drive.

You can also go to Start Menu / Run. Type in "msconfig" (without the
quotes). This will bring up a window where you can see what you have
selected to run at startup. You can disable ones that look suspicious,
as you can always come back and turn them on again.

Another suggestion for hunting down potential spyware (parasites) --
go to:

http://www.doxdesk.com

Off the main page, click on "Parasites". It will automatically check
your system for parasite programs. Good luck!

in my opinion, a computer that fast shouldnt be running windows 98, it
should be running windows 2000 preferably, though some people prefer
windows xp, which is ok too. Windows 98 is so buggy compared to
windows 2000 and windows xp, that it should only be run on computers
that are too slow to run windows 2000 properly. A lot of problems with
such things as you describe go away if you stop using win98