Basic Microsoft Windows 95 troubleshooting

Additional information:
This document has been created as a location of general steps that can be taken to help you with problems you may be experiencing with Microsoft Windows 95 that are either general problems and/or problems not documented elsewhere in the Computer Hope database.
Below are some reasons why a user may follow the steps in this document.
Unknown or undocumented problem with computer running Microsoft Windows 95.
Performance issues with the computer, for example, the computer running slowly.
Users who wish to run maintenance on the computer or potentially speed up the computer.
Users looking for steps to help resolve an issue or that may help locate the cause of an issue.
Solutions:
Error messages encountered during boot before Windows loads
Before following the below steps please make sure that the error you are encountering is not already documented on Computer
1. Ensure that your computer BIOS settings are correctly configured to the hardware that is installed in your computer. Improper settings in the BIOS may cause various types of errors when first booting an IBM compatible computer. These errors often occur as the computer is first booting and may stop the load process of the computer.
2. Like previous versions of Microsoft operating systems, Windows 95 still utilizes the autoexec.bat and config.sys for backwards compatibility. Errors that occur before Windows loads are often caused by a misconfiguration in the autoexec.bat and/or config.sys.
Error messages while Windows is loading
Errors that occur while Windows 95 is loading and/or prevent Windows from loading may be caused by issues in the win.ini and/or the system.ini. These issues can often be resolved by restoring a backup of the win.ini and the system.ini. Below are steps that can be taken to restore a backup of these files.
1. Exit to a MS-DOS prompt
2. At the MS-DOS prompt, type: cd\windows and press enter.
3. from the C:\Windows> prompt, type dir system.* and dir win.* This will enable to you see if any backups of the system.ini or win.ini are available, and if so, what they are named. You should be looking for a system and win file that end with either ---, bac, or bak. If this file is present then continue with the remainder of the steps. Unfortunately, if this file is not found, you will be unable to proceed with this recommendation.
4. If you were able to locate a backup file, type ren system.ini system.ch and ren win.ini win.ch to rename the current system.ini and win.ini files.
5. Finally, type copy system.??? system.ini and copy win.??? win.ini where ??? is the name of the backup extension you were able to locate.
Other error messages that occur while Windows is loading or after Windows is loaded
Errors that have occurred while Windows is loading and/or after Windows has completed loading are often caused by a program that is automatically loading each time Windows is loading, problem or misconfiguration of a hardware device, or computer virus.
1. If errors occur but Microsoft Windows still loads, verify no issues or conflicts exist in Device Manager. If errors are found, read through our Device Manager page for steps on resolving issues.
2. Ensure that if programs are loading automatically that these errors are not associated with these programs. Many times utilities such as virus programs may attempt to load when Windows first starts and cause errors to occur. If you believe that your startup errors are associated with another program, please refer to our basic software troubleshooting.
3. If your computer has a virus protection program installed make sure it is up to date and that no viruses are being detected. If your computer does not have a virus protection program you may wish to consider installing a program to make sure no viruses are causing your problems.
Other error messages
If you are experiencing other error messages it is likely these errors are being caused by the software program you are running and/or a hardware device you are attempting to utilize.
Computer running slowly
1. Make sure your computer has at least 100MB free of hard disk drive space. If your computer has less than 100MB free, it may cause the computer to operate more slowly.
2. Run Microsoft Scandisk and Defrag on the computer.
3. Click Start, Search, and click For Files or Folders. In the search window, search for a file named *.tmp and make sure you are searching or looking in the local C: drive. Once search has completed, delete any files found.
4. Close any programs that are running in the background and/or disable background programs from automatically loading each time your computer boots.
5. Windows 95 still utilizes the autoexec.bat and config.sys therefore make sure your autoexec.bat and config.sys are optimized. Changing the way programs load into memory, removing lines that are not necessary, and changing the order of lines in your config.sys can all help with improving the speed of your computer.
6. If you have not already restored a backup copy of your system.ini and win.ini it is recommend you restore an older version of these files. See the above "Error messages while Windows is loading" section for steps on how to do this.
7. Ensure that no errors or conflicts exist in the Device Manager.
8. Ensure your computer has the latest drivers for the hardware devices installed in your computer.
9. If your computer has a virus protection program installed make sure it is up to date and that no viruses are being detected. If your computer does not have a virus protection program you may wish to consider installing a program to make sure no viruses are causing your problems.