A few unusual things happened just a few minutes ago (1:30 AM local Japan time):

-- I have a new PC and a Mac going through one 21" monitor and an ISDN connection. PC is Windows 98, IE 4.0 and Outlook Express

-- The PC froze with an Explorer (not IE) illegal operation alert and Ctrl + Alt + Del failed to display the End Task window. That was quickly followed by a Run32.Dll illegal op window!!

I had to do a hard shutdown...

-- After scandisk ran, I had a registry fault window even before the desktop finished. There was no way to recover except hard shut down again. I tried 3 more times with the same result. The last time had Kernel32.Dll illegal operation window!

I used a start-up floppy and was able to get a reset to a previously saved settings.

I'm suprised how hard my machine locked up.

-- After logging back on to my ISP, I tried to check mail (Outlook Express) and my password (Automatic) was rejected continuously. It took several tries until a new (I'd never seen this one before...) window required me re-enter my password. My first thought is that the ISP cookie expired.

I suggest you BACK UP NOW and make sure you have an emergency start-up disk with your current settings.

I'm going to check out the Mac now...

posted at 1:55 AM Japan time (11:55 AM 12/31 EST)

-- PNG (png@gol.com), December 31, 1999

Answers

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-- PNG (png@gol.com), December 31, 1999.

FYI, IE 4.0 is not compliant. you need to update to IE 5.0/5.01. i don't know why, that's just what the puter told me when i upgraded to AOL 5. they packaged the new IE 5 with it.

-- sarah (sarahlyao@aol.com), December 31, 1999.

PNG, thanks for the reminder. I'm overdue to update my rescue disks anyway. Glad to hear from you. I assume if something unusual happens in your neighborhood, we'll be among the first to hear.

-- Rupracht (achillesg@hotmail.com), December 31, 1999.

I have a rescue disk (i think) but I don't know anything about how to update it. Can anyone help....I'm off to get the disk out of my fireproof safe and I'll return. Thanks.

-- helpw/update (carolynnicks@msn.com), December 31, 1999.

My Mac works fine... OS 8.6 / IE 4.5 / Outlook Express 5 with patches in place.

posted 2:45 AM Japan time

-- PNG (png@gol.com), December 31, 1999.

At least the Mac newz is good!

Thanks PNG!

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), December 31, 1999.

PnP,

The rollover must have hit me early. I've seen that exact scenario probably 50 times since I got 70 new puters for the school and installed Win98 on them starting in July.

-- Walt (walt@lcs.k12.ne.us), December 31, 1999.

Peter,

Give Karl Feilder a call. He's been saying there would be serious PC problems in Japan. ;)

-- Don Florence (dflorence@zianet.com), December 31, 1999.

Well, which is better? Windows 98 or 95?

-- Linn (tellme@please.com), December 31, 1999.

Hi PNG, I hope you will keep us informed about japan during this year.

-- billburke (bburke@yourdon.com), December 31, 1999.