[b said:
Quote[/b] ]I had a microsoft tech tell me that to keep windows running smooth required a re-install every 6 months.
It'd also be a good idea to, you know, put in a new heart every now and then. Prevent any sort of error from arising. Sure you'll spend time between surguries in bed and recooperating, and sometimes the operations will have snags- but hey you'll be jellin' and runnin' smoothly.
I hope you don't mistake this for sarcastic.
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]Will not know till a more exact desciption is given.
That says it right there. While Josh was right in saying that it could be a hard drive problem, or you need to reinstall windows- it could be something much more simple. We need more info and to eliminate some possabilities before we can really say anything definitive.
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]If it does require a reinstall, don't reinstall 98, eww! Install xp!
Just my opinion here, but considering the disparity of resources consumed between 98 and XP and the seemingly change in number of crashes- I'm not too impressed. And if Jim's machine is older, I'm not really sure if it's a good idea anyway.
Windows 98 was a beast, but at least I had it at bay, I knew the ins and outs and when something went wrong, I could generally go to the source of the problem without all the hubbub. Seems like XP is still a beast, albeit more complex.
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]There's your problem, right there.
Viable replacement? We're talkin' without hardware change, here. Linux? Right. It's a bit too steep for a first timer to go through without any outside help. Unless your outside help is a person, it could be an arduous and time consuming task to get everything going with linux (even though I consider it a far superior OS.) XP? Reasons stated above? Wait for VISTA or something? Yeah, uh no- same reasons and more.
Go back to windows 3.1? Well, at least there wouldn't be any viruses!
Don't even think about saying MAC OS. >_>
Nah, I'd consider optimal to be 98 SE (second edition) in this case. Requires no hardware changes, same environment, little more stable than 98, but still the same beast that you've started to learn how to tame.
Maybe windows 2000 (had fairly good experience with it, and I assume Jim isn't going to be hardcore rocking out with new games.)
Now we <s>dance</s> wait for more information...