XPost: alt.windows95, alt.windows98   
      
   Hello,   
      
   "Chris B"  wrote in message   
   news:2nkf07F1st1eU1@uni-berlin.de...   
   > A friend is running a PC on Windows95.  She has not viruses, trojans, etc.   
   > and tons of space.   
      
       OK ... how do you know that? What software did you use?   
      
      
   > Recently (3 months) the PC has had problems starting up.  It gets there   
   > eventually but it takes roughly 20 minutes to start.  After it's started,   
   it   
   > all runs perfectly - except the printer and backup tape periodically stops   
   > working altogether.   
      
   > I would imagine that Windows needs reinstalling?   
      
       Not necessarily. Before considering that, you could try running   
   'msconfig' from 'Start ... Run', to find out what's actually running on the   
   PC. The 'msconfig' program will also allow you to knock out suspected items   
   temporarily (without actually deleting or uninstalling anything). At the   
   very least, whatever it shows would give you a starting-point for further   
   discussions.   
      
   You could also try running Scandisk and Defrag to see what they report: you   
   might be best to do that from an F8-key boot into Safe Mode, so that   
   whatever's (suspected of) sitting in the way can't interfere with those   
   processes.   
      
      
   > However, two questions:   
      
   > 1.  Can Windows95 be installed over itself without having to format disk   
   > etc.   
      
       Sorry - I can't remember. Windows 95C might have that capability - but   
   it's years since I played with any version of Windows 95, and my memory   
   isn't that reliable these days :o)   
      
      
   > 2.  I know you can install Windows98 over 95.  They have a Windows98 disk   
   > (which belongs to an old laptop).   Can they use this disk - or will this   
   > present problems   
      
       Upgrading to Windows 98 might be a good idea anyway, long-term - but if   
   you have already something wrong with the PC, upgrading the OS won't   
   necessarily get rid of the problem; it would be more likely to move it onto   
   a potentially-unfamiliar new desktop. Personally, I'd sort the primary   
   problem first and then upgrade to Windows 98 (98SE preferably) when it's   
   back to normal-style operation.   
      
      
   > Any assistance would be appreciated.   
      
   Let me know.   
      
   Regards,   
      
   Philip   
      
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