Computer has been problematic for nearly a year

My boyfriend's computer has been problematic for nearly a year. Programs began to "pop up" on the startup bar and over the past few months has been going slower and slower, error messages, cursor disappearing (have to restart to regain cursor arrow, sometimes 2 or 3 times). We ran a couple of spyware programs, those helped a little for a short time but eventually the computer was nearly unusable. We tried to reformat the hard drive but ran into many problems there. He has reinstalled Windows 98 but each time there are either error messages we are unable to answer or other problems such as only 16 colors available etc. We would like to totally replace the hard drive if possible or completely wipe it clean and start over but don't know how. We've seen hard drives for sale in stores but not sure if that would solve the problems or allow us to start over. Would replacing the hard drive give us the results we want or is there a program available to totally wipe out the hard drive? Our local Office Max salesperson said there is no such program and helpfully offered to sell us a new computer! That is the next step but we'd rather salvage what we can if possible. Thank you.

This question was answered on December 15, 2004. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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You can try installing Norton Anti-virus on your computer and let it run. maybe you have a type of virus and dont notice it. (some viruses are unnoticable)

or if you want you can look through your computer to see if there is any files you didnt install. this to can be a virus placing files and applications or pop-ups

you have another option. you can buy a totally new hard drive and install it in the computer.

you dont have to buy a new computer to fix it

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Posted by cristina of Katharine Gibbs School - New York on December 15, 2004

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