My pc has been acting up on me for some time now:
At start up, if I delay entering the password, I get an "illegal operation, ending program" message. I do get to the desktop however, and I can use the machine.

When shutting down, one out of at least four things happen.
1 It shut down properly (not often)
2 It freezes at the "windows is shutting down" screen
3 That screen never appears, instead the screen goes black-with-a-cursor-blinking. Freezes
4 Blue screen and error, ctr-alt-del doesn't do anything.

Any tip for a computer idiot which doesn't involve re-installing windows?

Looks pretty much like a virus infectation to me. Did you try to scan your HD('s) with a good antivirus program, like Antivir? Also if there's indeed a virus in work, if you don't have a firewall installed yet (and you'll need one), here's a good one - ZoneAlarm. It's in German, though.

Try scan your HD with NOD32.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mighty Midget @ Jun 15 2006, 07:52 AM) [snapback]236914[/snapback]</div>Virus maybe. After scanning with an anti-virus, if it didn't find any viruses, run Scan Disk and Disk Defragmenter. (Start=>Programs=>Accessories=>System Tools)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mighty Midget @ Jun 15 2006, 07:52 AM) [snapback]236914[/snapback]</div>3 and 4 never happened to me, but 1 and 2 did. I tend to believe that if the computer is working when you press ok in the shut down dialog, the computer will freeze at the "windows is shutting down" screen, but I am not sure. The last time it freezed for me was ... two days ago. It doesn't happen to me too often, but...your computer closes automatically once you press ok, no?

I know windows 98 has issues with shutting down. The issue was addressed on the Microsoft site which I can't be stuffed looking in! Its like a jungle.

http://support.microsoft.com/support.../Q238/0/96.asp
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/239887/EN-US/
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/231666/EN-US/

I found these with www.google.com/microsoft

When I had Win98 I fixed this kind of problems formatting the main partition. :titan: Works like a charm. :D I had all data and games in another partition.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Japofran @ Jun 15 2006, 03:51 PM) [snapback]236961[/snapback]</div>Well - that's ONE solution for sure... :D

I'd go more after the program that's critically cancelled at the start up. Maybe there's the solution? :sneaky:

Great responds guys! I forgot one thing: At '3' the task manager shows rundll32 as the only running task. When I shut it down, I'm told it has stopped responding.
1 It is in the right folder
2 It is the right size

When I shut down the rundll, it A) remains at '3' or B) Shut down correctly.

This sometimes (not often) happened before I got the Internet.

What anti-virus do you use? rundll32 also stopped responding at shut down when I was using Bit Defender 9.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Abi79 @ Jun 15 2006, 06:10 PM) [snapback]237007[/snapback]</div>Now: Norman.

Sh*t! I just tried to update Norman, but got a page error message!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Japofran @ Jun 15 2006, 01:51 PM) [snapback]236961[/snapback]</div>go for this one :bleh:

Thanks, I guess :( but alas. I only have one partition. HDD size, you know... and me being a stupid git :wallbash:

Get another HDD. That's what I do and now when my system drive malfunctions I have all my data safe on the other drive.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mighty Midget @ Jun 15 2006, 06:58 PM) [snapback]237014[/snapback]</div>Partition magic can solve your problem if you want to devide the disk without loosing any data. All you need to do is defragment it and use Parittion magic. You then set up your partitions.

As for start up. i noticed on my windows (it just started to occur) that if i leave soem files in My recent documents folder the windows (explorer) will crash next time i start up the computer.

Another thing i have is the shutdown problme same as you. only beside form all that the computer tends to reboot by itself sometimes. it is very bizzare. i thought it had something to do with overheating.

However i so far installed new fans, new power supply unit, new processor with advanced cooling... but it still does it. And the funny thing is it does that only when i turn it on. it just freezes a couple of times. and after a few resets it works ok. but if i leave it on over the night it works perfectly normal the next day. no freezing, no rebooting, no nothing...

oh and when it does reboot - it doesn't do it propperly. the BIOS is doesn't start up. there is no beep form motherboard and no numbers and RAM check.

i am still unsure if it is all software or hardware error. cause i dont' think it does this if i start it up in DOS.

Hard drives can also overheat. They don't benefit from the CPU cooling and barely at all from case cooling. And then they break down really fast.

Personally, next time I get a PC I'll be installing extensive liquid cooling system for the HDD's. Don't see any other way.

Duh i never thought of that. i have stacked in that side of the box: CD unit, DVD unit, 2 HD drives and a Floppy drive. It could well be overheating. Althought it is a bit strange that is does that only on or just after the startup.

In a way it makes sense. still if that is the case why don't the put in a thermal sensor. The CPU has one...

Well it really seems that liquid cooling is a must these days. Either that or a good AC in the room :)

They do have thermal sensors, except their readouts are not readily accessible. You need something that allows you to check SMART data - like Everest - and hey presto, temperature readout.

Also, when the electronics suffer a critical overheating that damages them, the results may not be immediately noticeable. Only later, as the damaged electronics continue to deteriorate, you begin noticing strange symptoms.

Microfractures on the drive's PCB can also lead to this kind of situation, as when the drive heats up, the metal of circuits expands a little and can "bridge" the fracture, while when cold the fracture opens the circuit. (reverse situations also happen).