posted on October 5, 2000 12:32:13 PM
I am not sure if this is the correct place to post this but if it isn't I figure one of the moderators will tell me where is. I have been having on going problems with my computer for the last several months. I have a compaq presario running windows 95. This summer the company I have my service contract through replaced both my monitor and then my motherboard stating that both of these were causing the problems and everything worked great for about 2 months and is now starting to act up again.
I continually get an error message when on the internet that says "Unrecognized database format `C:\Program Files\Windows\Encompass\billing.mdb and my computer runs very slow. It will spend about five minutes chattering to itself before allowing me to anything. I get this every time I conect to the internet. I have gone through and reformatted my hard drive, emptied my cache and done everything else I can think of to clear this up and speed my computer back up. Now the techs think I might possibly have either a bad hard drive or an unkown viurs embedded on my hard drive and are planning on replacing the hard drive also.
Last time I started getting this error message, my computer got progressivly worse until I would get illegal function messages about 2/3 of the time I would try to log on to the net and have to reboot the computer. I figured I would see if anyone on AW has had this type of problem before and if so how did they finally get it fixed. My tech support is fumbling in the dark and seems to have no idea how to fix this. I only have 6 months before my contract with them runs out and am beginning to think they are going to string me along until it expires and refuse to fix this. Sorry for the long post.
posted on October 5, 2000 12:45:46 PMI continually get an error message when on the internet that says "Unrecognized database format `C:\Program Files\Windows\Encompass\billing.mdb and my computer runs very slow
The first thing I would do is identify the program named Encompass. If you use it, back up your Encompass data files and remove the entire program from your system through "add/remove" in the control panel. From there goto the Encompass folder and delete it. Reboot and reinstall Encompass if you need it.
If your computer is running slow, check your network settings. You may have more protocols installed than you need.
posted on October 5, 2000 12:54:45 PM
Thanks for the reply quazz, any help is apreciated. I have tried going to search for files and folders and doing a search for encompass and always get a file not found. That is what makes the techs think of a virus but no virus database I have searched has anything about encompass on it. I have been dealing with this for over 6 months and you would think there would be a report on it somwhere if it was a virus.
As for network settings, how do I tell what protocols I need?
posted on October 5, 2000 12:59:29 PMsweil: This problem is not your hard drive! The answer lies first with what quazz just said about the offending program. That program is not a part of Windows 95.
First, Identify what program it is. Look through your Start Menu and Programs menus to find it. That way, you will know if you have to backup vital files before you try deleting the program. I suggest removing the program as a last resort - not a first.
My suggestion is for you to go down to your local computer software store and purchase a copy of Norton System Works. There are other brands that do the same thing and are supposedly just as good, but I doubt that. Norton is the one with a solid reputation.
Once Norton System Works is installed, run the WinDoctor. That will fix many, many problems that you are having on your computer. Next, run the Norton Speed Disk. That is an advanced hard drive defragmenter. The disk defrag that comes with Windows 95 is so bad that it will often sit there and process in endless circles accomplishing nothing (thanks Bill!). These two items alone will fix most if not all of your problems and keep them fixed. Your computer will run a whole lot faster afterwards.
What so many people are never told is that any microcomputer operating system needs regular maintainance. The inadequate tools supplied by Microsoft is a real shame, as it is really their responsiblilty to provide the tools necessary for everyone to keep their computer systems operating in top-notch condition.
If you do end up wanting to replace something and paying out all that cash, have them install a copy of Windows Millenium Edition (ME) Full Installation for about $180 for the software. I have yet to see any operating system upgrade that worked. Always get the full-install route to be sure.
Finally, I'd get someone new to work on your PC. They didn't fix it right the last time and they sure as heck didn't tell you how to do your required maintainance.
"I continually get an error message when on the internet that says "Unrecognized database format `C:\Program Files\Windows\Encompass\billing.mdb and my computer runs very slow."
Hi. A brief websearch shows that Encompass was preloaded trial software. If you don't use it, delete it via the Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs.
[ edited by dimview on Oct 5, 2000 01:01 PM ]
posted on October 5, 2000 01:01:38 PM
.mdb is an Access database extension. It sounds as if you might not even have the Encompass program installed. Programs usually in VB or made directly with Access use this database format.
posted on October 5, 2000 01:03:21 PM
Protocols are tricky. If you are networked in an office let the tech deal with it.
If you are just a home user you probably just need Client for Microsoft Networks, Dialup Adapter, and TCP/IP Dial Up Adapter.
But don't mess around with these unless your sure.
If Encompass is not on your system, perhaps your browser or isp is looking for it. What browser and mailer do you use? If it's Netscape or Explorer, I would check with your ISP and see what they say about that Encompass error.
posted on October 5, 2000 01:06:41 PM
well, i've certainly never heard of that particular error message, but let me offer some thoughts in general on this kind of situation:
1. The monitor had nothing to do with all of this, so replacing it seems a waste...but if it didn't cost you anything, no big deal.
2. Have you run an recent anti-virus check?
3. If you consistently get this odd message, and got it last time, do try to figure out what the heck Encompass is. Search the web for references to this software if it doesn't ring a bell for you. The best thing is to remove it if you aren't using it. Or if you are using it, maybe it needs to be reinstalled or a fix applied from the company.
4. If there is bad hardware in your system, I would look at the following items in your case:
Motherboard (already replaced)
Hard drive (they are looking at it)
Power Supply
These three things are the parts that tend to cause the degrading over time kind of symptoms that your machine is showing.
5. As an experiment, try another online service if you can, and/or another browser. Using AOL? Try, for example, MSN and internet explorer (use their free one month trial).
6. Run Scandisk, in case files are corrupted.
Let me know if you want more explanation of any of these items.
posted on October 5, 2000 01:12:55 PM
It sounds like encompass is running every time you turn on the machine. If you dont use it, get rid of it. If you cant find encompass in the add/remove programs of control panel, go to start-run and run msconfig.exe. This program lets you select which programs run at start time. Check your start up programs folder and if you find encompass there, click the box next to it and turn off the check box.
Incidentally, it is a good idea to run msconfig and check your start up programs once in a while. You would be surprised what some companies think should be loaded automatically and shove into there without your consent. I have had clients call me about slow systems to find aol, aim, yim, icq and a half dozen others load at start time even though they only spend a few minutes a day online and never use these.
posted on October 5, 2000 01:28:16 PM
yisgood is correct. You need to at least get into MSCONFIG and edit what loads when you boot your computer.
In case you're not familiar with this, go to "start" "run" and then type in
msconfig
and then hit "ok".
Under the "general" tab, choose "selective startup" and then under the "startup" tab, you'll find a list of programs that have edited themselves into your startup. Any that are currently active, will have checkmarks in front of them.
You can get away with removing almost all of them, but I would recommend leaving any antivirus stuff, sys tray stuff, scheduling agent *if you use that*, mouse, etc. Everything else, is basically unnecessary. If you're not sure what something is, leave it alone. Most items are identifiable.
The more junk that's in there, the longer your bootups take and if there's a missing or corrupted file then that will play havoc on your computer.
Once you've unchecked those boxes hit "apply" or "ok" and your system will reboot itself.
I would recommend checking here everytime you install a program... as well as delete a program, as some files will try to leave themselves there, even though they're not suppose to.
posted on October 5, 2000 01:35:20 PM
I just checked out the helpful link to Encompass. They are one of those "wonderful" companies that provides "easy" access to the internet..in exchange for demographic data so lots of people can spam you
The only reason I bring this up is that, if indeed that specific software is causing your problems, (and not a virus, bad harddrive, etc) be careful and be ready to at least temporarily lose your internet access. They don't say *how* they do their thing, but uninstalling encompass may fool around with your internet access also. It all depends on how they set up your computer originally. Lets hope compaq didn't do anything too obnoxious in that regard, but you never know. They tended to do a lot of customization, and its possible that encompass is entertwined into your basic internet access stuff
posted on October 5, 2000 01:41:18 PM
The monito was replaced last time because everything was green and I had no sound. My maintenace contract is through sears (no laughter please) and they are paying to replace everything. After replacing the monitor, everything was the normal color but stillno sound so they then replaced the mother board. I am running internet explorer so might try one of the fre aol disks and see if that helps. May also call my local ISP and see if by any chance the disk they gave to install their service is connected to encompass by any chance.
I have gotten more info in here in hour than sears has been able to provide in six months. Thank you everyone for your insights.
posted on October 5, 2000 01:43:36 PM
By the way, if you have a 3 year old PC, and the service company is willing to keep giving you new, improved parts to fix this problem, you might want to live with it for awhile. Maybe get a free hard drive upgrade?
Since it sounds like they are totally confused by this problem, I'd be tempted to point out how dusty your video card is, and that a clean one would probably fix everthing right up. Or maybe more memory. he he
And you certainly new a cd-rw to save everything you've loaded before they put in that new harddrive....
DO NOT try to delete this registry information yourself. This is more than likely the cause of your problem.
If I were you, I would get the Sears guys (or better yet a local computer tech that you trust) to take that entry out of the registry for you. Just be sure that you trust their technical skills because a slip-up in the registry can render your system unbootable and worse. Make sure that whoever does this for you BACKS UP the registry first.
posted on October 5, 2000 02:09:50 PM
if we're convinced that is the problem, why not try uninstalling Encompass first? that's a heck of a lot quicker and safer than registry editing, and usually accomplishes the same thing.
I'd probably do that and be ready to reinstall some sort of internet access.
posted on October 5, 2000 02:13:41 PM
Oh, I forgot to add: After the tech removes the encompass registry entry, have him/her do the registry search for encompass (as described above) again. If another encompass entry is found, delete it and repeat the process until a search fails to turn up anything. Make sure they back up the registry before doing ANY of this.
It sounds like Windows (via the registry) is searching for encompass when it doesn't really exist on the system. And often it will search repeatedly for the software, hence the disk thrashing and poor performance. After all, as far as windows is concerned, if there is a registry entry for a software package then it must be there. " I'll keep trying until I find it. "This happens quite often with poorly written software that doesn't properly unregister itself when it is uninstalled.
posted on October 5, 2000 04:11:44 PM
abing, Thanks for the info again. I will show this thred to the computer tech who is going to bring out the new hard drive and have him mess with it. I would hate to kill my computer. What gets me is we have restored the computer twice since the first time we have gotten this error and it has showed up again both times. I don't know if it is hooiked up to one of the programs we keep installing or what is going one. But I figure if I have the tech remove it before installing the new hard drive I will know how to fix it if it pops up again. I am just getting tired of having to restore the computer every three months.
posted on October 5, 2000 05:22:03 PM
"I continually get an error message when on the internet that says "Unrecognized database format `C:\Program Files\Windows\Encompass\billing.mdb and my computer runs very slow. It will spend about five minutes chattering to itself before allowing me to anything."
It is called "disk thrashing" ... can be caused by overly large databases, missing software, or a hard drive that hasn't been defraged recently. In this case, something is trying to open the Encompass\billing.mdb and can't find the right program to open it with.
YOU FOUND "Encompass SMTP Control"! SMTP is "Simple Mail Transfer Protocol" ... no reason for you to have that installed unless you are running your own ISP.
Try this:
From your file manager (windows explorer) select the tools menu and search for Encompass ... you will be able to find the directory and files that way.
*************
Kirk said "I just checked out the helpful link to Encompass. They are one of those "wonderful" companies that provides "easy" access to the internet..in exchange for demographic data so lots of people can spam you" ... it is possible that encompass is trying to "phone home" when you connect.
Here's what the site says: "Encompass provides the hardware, software, ISP or affinity partner with product registration services, allowing them to capture detailed demographic information about their customers, and the ability to generate revenue from affinity products and services. Encompass' end-to-end solution also provides companies with an array of innovative communications platforms allowing them to leverage the Internet to communicate with their customers in a persistent and effective way. Consumers benefit from Encompass' custom browser that provides easy navigation, commerce and communications services."
YIKES! That sounds an application that will rat you out to any marketer Encompass hops into bed with. and I don't like the sound of the "persistent".
KILL the RATWARE!
1. shut down.
2. RESTART, but do not log on.
3. go to the START menu and select SETTINGS CONTROL PANEL
3. Click the ADD/REMOVE programs Icon and remove the Encompass program if it is there.
That might clear the problem,. but I recommend defragging your hard drive too.
[ edited by abacaxi on Oct 5, 2000 05:30 PM ]
[ edited by abacaxi on Oct 5, 2000 05:34 PM ]
posted on October 15, 2000 01:57:57 PM
Just thought I would give you a little update. My hard drive was replaced friday. I have spent the weekend reinstalling explorer 5.0 and all the software for my puter. Today that stupid error message started coming up again. My puter is running sfaster than it was before though. I have tried the steps abcaxi recommended but emcompass doesn't show up anywhere add/remove programs at all. Guess I will call sears up on tomorrow and see what they say.
