> Even though I am using a pentium computer most of the time, I still like using my old IBM 486SX for I still like Windows 3.1 as much as ever. But in May of this year, the old 486 starting slowing to a crawl when loading web pages. So I went in and deleted the cache files and ran defrag thinking I could somehow speed it up to the original speed I was accustomed to with my 33.6 modem. Someone at work told me that something changed on the net to prevent us from using Windows 3.1 any more. What if anything can I do to bring my favorite machine back up to speed? Any help is truly appreciated.
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> Calvin Lane

Is it only slow while connected, or is it slow all the time?

Depending on the answer to the above there are a couple things you can check.

First off, if only slow while connected, I'd make sure you're still getting a reliable connection speed. Does your newer machine get a good strong connection, or is it a bit slower too? If the connection seems OK from the newer machine then you might take your modem in to a service center and have it checked. If the problem seems to be with the newer machine too then I'd call the phone company and have them check the lines.

Secondly, if it's slow all the time, you probably need to get into the CMOS and make sure the external cache is still enabled. Most likely you see something like "Press DEL (or F1 or ESC) to enter setup" just after you first boot the machine. Once in the CMOS you will be looking in the 2nd or 3rd option. I am assuming your CMOS will be an AWARD BIOS. If not the options will be the same, but might take a bit more looking.

Web pages *do* have the ability to check which OS you are using, and I assume service providers do to. I don't know if they can taylor their pages to work for some OSes and not for others or not, but you'd most likely just be getting an error from the page stating this to be the case. And it wouldn't happen on all pages you go to. Your ISP may have something in place to block your connection, but I can't see that. There is still a sizable population using the older (and in some cases more stable) MS Operating Systems. If they block these, they loose those patrons.

At any rate, if all of this checks out, and you still don't have any answers, you do have to remember that the machine is a fairly old one and may just be getting tired. If nothing else, take the entire machine in to a service center just to be on the safe side, and have it looked at. They can run diags that'll tell them if there are any failing components.

Drac "Hope this helps" imaS