problem freezing up on startup

[sassi25]

I am having a problem with my Windows 98 freezing up on startup as the programs are loading onto my taskbar. It will freeze up immediately after task scheduler loads and I cannot do anything but restart or turn it off. My mouse freezes up with the hourglass feature and will go no further. I cannot right click or access my start button. I recently installed Norton Systemworks 2002 and I am wondering if this is causing the problem. I would appreciate any help or suggestions. My computer is a Dell which is about 2 yrs old.

[aym]

Try booting in safe mode (hold down F8 before "Windows is starting" appears on screen) then remove Norton from startup by using msconfig, (press windows key + r, then type msconfig), then reboot the computer, if everything woks fine, Norton is causing your problem.

[sassi25]

Ok.. thanks for your help. I'll try that at lunch and see if it works and let you know. I have tried booting up in safe mode but it has been still freezing up. I'll try it again though.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Check this thread.

[Cricket]

Originally posted by sassi25 Ok.. thanks for your help. I'll try that at lunch and see if it works and let you know. I have tried booting up in safe mode but it has been still freezing up. I'll try it again though.

Your system freezes when booting into Safe Mode? That would indicate a hardware problem or your OS is really, really corrupt.

How long has that installation of Win98 been on your system without a re-format and re-installation?

Cricket

[sassi25]

I am able to get past the freeze up and get online now. I am still having some sluggishness, so I have some problems, but at least I can get to them. Thanks for your help.

[Strider]

Sounds like you might need to defrag your hard drive, which would help in your computer's performance.

[sassi25]

yes.. I am going to do another defrag tonight and another scandisk. Hopefully that will help with the problem.