files slow to load

I have a new computer running Windows XP SP3 that used to open data
files (.xls, .pdf, .gif, etc.) very crisply. Then I began experiencing a
noticeable delay after left-clicking these kinds of files, or right-clicking
and waiting for the menu to appear. (Executeable files run without delay.)
I determined that this delay began after networking an old windows 98 machine
with this computer. I also discovered that when the windows 98 machine is
turned on, the delay is eliminated and the XP machine works as it did before
I set up the network. As soon as I turn off the windows 98 machine, file
loading on the XP machine slows down again. I also have another XP machine
networked in this same workgroup, but I do not experirence this problem with
that machine.

I have gone through my folders to make sure I have no shortcuts, mapped
drives or anything else pointing to the Windows 98 machine. I have renamed
the workgroup and made it different from the workgroup name on the 98
machine. I have checked other network and IP settings and cannot determine
why I need to have the windows 98 machine on and connected in order for my
new windows xp machine to open data files as fast as the PC should.

I want to dispose of the Windows 98 machine, but am reluctant to do so until
I know how to fix this problem. Any ideas out there? Is there a way to
"reset" my computer to go back to the way it was before I set up the network?

Paul

> I have a new computer running Windows XP SP3 that used to open data
> files (.xls, .pdf, .gif, etc.) very crisply. Then I began experiencing a
> noticeable delay after left-clicking these kinds of files, or
> right-clicking
> and waiting for the menu to appear. (Executeable files run
> withoutdelay.)

you could probably ask in an xp newsgroup too, since it has nothing
to do with win98 really, the other computer that your xp computer
tries to contact (each time it tries to find what application to use
for opening those datafile) could be just any operatingsystem.
At least it sounds like that to me when I read you description.

I guess the problems whould go away if you rename your xp computer
to the name that the win98 computer have, since it will then contact
itself instead. just swap their names...

> I have gone through my folders to make sure I have no shortcuts, mapped
> drives or anything else pointing to the Windows 98 machine.

you must have missed some stuff in the registry that makes your xp
computer tries find applications on your other computer.
Have you before ever from the xp computer used an application that
was on a win98 share? It seems like your xp computer remembers that
there are programs on \\myotherbox\someshare that can be used to
open files...

you could perhaps start regedit and search for the old computers name
and deletes those lines...

> I have renamed the workgroup

the workgroup name doesn't mather since it is only used when finding
other computers, your registry refers to the win98computer directly with
its name. if you have a shared folder "music" on the computer "hannas"
then you can use that directly with \\hannas\music

> why I need to have the windows 98 machine on and connected in order for

it searches for programs on it that can be usefull to
open the filetypes. you have nice little application-server there :-D

yeah I know, windows have gone so overcomplicated it is insane...

> I want to dispose of the Windows 98 machine, but am reluctant to do so

nah.. don't dispose your win98 machine. win98 is a nice os.
sure it needs some change of configurations after installed and
internet explorer removed and stuff but it is not as fucked up
as XP. there is much more work an knowledge required to remove
the crap from XP.

(and even though you have two new faster computers, one for you
and one for your visiting friend if you play games together,
the old computer can run old games that your new box can't)

> Any ideas out there?

yeah search the registry for references to the old computers name
and tell us what you found.

> Is there a way to "reset" my computer to go back to the wayit was before
> I set up the network?

sure, xp have a backups of its settings and systemfiles.
I don't know the name ot it in english though...
perhaps "System Restore"

ahh. here is a guide for you:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084/

choose a date before you first used the win98-computer from your
xp-computer



PS. I have never heard of your problem so I might have missunderstood it.
PPS. crap! now I forgot to try to convince you to delete windowsXP
and install win98se on your new computer instead