OK ... I think that means you have a 350MHz PII, 192MB of RAM, an 8-something GB hard drive, and you're operating system is Windows 98 ... though I don't know if that is just Windows 98, or if its Windows 98SE. We'll worry about that later. In fact, we'll worry about all of this later ... what follows is just an outline for a proposed tune-up of your machine. Don't do any of this yet ... just read along and get an idea of what is entailed. Feel free to ask about anything you're not clear on ... bound to be some of that; I'm a lousy teacher, as I tend to take a lot of stuff for granted. Don't let me run off and leave you, OK? :wink:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm gonna assume you want to use your machine mostly for web surfing, email, maybe a little messaging or chat, and, at the outside, maybe a little light game play (eg: solitaire and such), with perhaps some home book keeping. While no powerhouse, that machine should handle all of that stuff just fine. Maybe one thing at a time, but it'll do it.
To start with, its a good idea to whittle down your startup. All sorts of stuff likes to come along for the ride when Windows starts up, and most of it does nothing. All that is absolutely necessay at start up are Explorer and Systray. It is advisable to have one's security and privacy applications start with Windows too ... a real-time-scan-enabled anti-virus, a firewall as one more layer of security, and, if you wish, an add-blocker you favor. Arranging this is not difficult at all, other than that some applications have a sneaky way of re-enabling themselves, but that can be dealt with too. Its a good place to start, and the steps mostly are simple to follow.
Next, your Internet Explorer should be current. The present version for Win98 is IE 6.0.2800.1106, Service Pack 1, which may be downloaded (a looooooong download on dialup - possibly hours, depending on your connection speed) from
Microsoft Internet Explorer. A CD is available, free, but with a $5.00 US/$7.50 Can shipping charge. If you are on dialup, the CD is far and away the best bet for you. Don't do anything yet though ... just keep reading.
Now, to look at Win 98. The current version is Windows 98, Second Edition, Version 4.10.2222A. If you have not done so for a while, I would recommend you visit
Windows Update, not right now, but as soon as may be convenient. If its been a while since you've updated Windows, you'll find plenty there to do ... likely more than you want to tackle in one sitting. Don't be alarmed if the website wants you to download a "Critical Component" before it will allow you to proceed further. When the time comes, just do it, so you can get to the rest. Don't be daunted, just whack away at the Critical Updates one at a time untill you get them all. Don't worry about anything other than the Critical Updates for now; the rest are more or less niceties, and many are of use only in specific situations. We can deal with that later, and help you pick out the ones you need.
The current avast! free-for-home-use version is 4.1.357, dated 02/27/04, and the most recent file update appears to be dated 03/31/04. You should see to it your copy is current and fully updated.
The current version of AdAware Personal is 6.181, and the most recent file update, as of this writing, is 01R279, dated 03/31/04. Again, if you're running an older version, I'd recommend you download and install the latest version, and, of course, once its installed, update its reference file.
For Spybot, the current version is SpyBot S&D 1.2, and the latest file update is dated 03/04/04. Again, same drill; I'd recommend moving to the current version if you don't already have it, and, of course, run the update before using the scanner.
I wouldn't worry about SpyWareBlaster or Spyware Guard ... in fact I'd say SpyBot S&D and AdAware, along with avast! and ZoneAlarm, oughtta keep you plenty safe, and your machine should be able to function pretty well with just those two loaded. If you had a faster, newer processor, and more RAM, it might be a different story, but we have to work with what you've got.
That's about the lot for now, and I know its a lot, but it doesn't have to be done at one shot. It is, however, a good idea to take the tasks in order, and completete each one before moving on to the next. Until everything is caught up, I'd avoid any but known, trusted websites, and I'd open absolutely no email attachments ... even if they seem to come from someone you know. Just reading your email is pretty much safe ... as long as you don't click any links contained in emails, or open any attachments, at least untill your antivirus is up-to-date and properly configured. Don't be paranoid ... just be cautios (which is a good plan anyway)
If you think you're up for it, I'll try to step you through it a piece at a time, and I'm sure there are plenty of others here who'll be glad to help too. Just say the word, and we'll start by determing the versions and updaye status of your software, and by reigning in those startup items that come galloping along as soon as Windows is let out of the barn.
...so I am concerned about overload, overbloat, whatever.
My rating in technical teminolgy however is about a "D". 
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