Posts by Catweazle

The best 'tweaking processes' guide to be found on the 'net, I believe, is on BackViper's website:

http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

http://www.blackviper.com/WIN2K/servicecfg.htm

If you make the changes for his suggestion of a 'Safe' configuration, you'll end up with a leaner, meaner Windows install. But give it a good read through first, and use Google to track down more info about bits 'n' pieces you don't follow. If you disable a service that's required for some computing task you actually want to USE, then you can always re-enable it afterwards :D

Doing your 'homework' in preparation is essential before you go diving in!

Have fun :D

If you run scandisk with your antivirus program running, it may not be able to complete. If you want to use scandisk from within Windows, simply <CTRL> <ALT> <DEL> and disable everything except systray. Then run it!

There doesn't seem to be anything wrong here except the way you're trying to use the tool. Scandisk for Windows 9x versions often won't work properly if anything is running in the background which tries to access the hard drive. The same problem crops up for Defrag as well.

If you do decide to go the 'Drive Image' route, make sure you:

a) Use a latest version, commercial release of the product you chhose and...
b) Test your drive image to ensure that you can actually restore successfully from it before you sit back and rely on it!

The most widely sold software package for the job has been Paragon Drive Image, but a lot of people have reported problems restoring their images.
The most widely known package has been Norton Ghost, but a lot of people have found it too cumbersome to use.

And in recent months/weeks, Symantec has 'taken over' Paragon Drive Image, and has now released the latest version of it as "Symantec Drive Image" so there has to be some uncertainty about the future of "Norton Ghost".

Earlier versions have issues with Windows XP, for both software packages.

Yes, there is. I hope you don't want a step by step instruction guide given here because:

a) It's rather complex
b) I don't know how to do it!

But there's heaps of resource articles on the Net here 'n' there, and a bit of handy work with Google will uncover it. Start with this article:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/xpmanaged/29_xpapa.mspx

and others from this Google search:

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=windows+xp+automated+install

Once you've learnt the basics of creating a remote or automated installation disk, then don't forget to address such issues as including security updates, device drivers and installed software in your more advanced spell of learning which will need to follow.

Of course what you say is possible!

(By the way, if you obtain a copy of "Ghost" or "Drive Image" for your friend, you'd only need to 'Image' the drive once you've installed everything ;))

I've already given my next instructions :D

OK, those two tools are ones every windows user should have and use regularly in any event. If they don't fix your problem, ensure that you have a recent and updated AntiVirus program installed, and run a check. You could be infected with a Trojan called DIDer.

I'd suggest you read the "Helping Yourself" topic in the Security section, and if none of these tips work for you, try the 'Trojan Remover' and 'Stinger' tools that are mentioned there.

Have you tried reducing 'Hardware Acceleration' for the audio card, the video card, or both? Sometimes this can have an impact on video playback.

Is there anything in 'Startup' at all?

Why you say "all your documents", do you mean the "My Documents" folder itself? If not, can you explain more clearly please just what you do mean?

I'd also like to clarify.

[img]http://www.daniweb.com/techtalkforums/techtalk-images/misc/quotes/quot-top-left.gif[/img]Quote:[img]http://www.daniweb.com/techtalkforums/techtalk-images/misc/quotes/quot-top-right.gif[/img][img]http://www.daniweb.com/techtalkforums/techtalk-images/misc/quotes/quot-by-left.gif[/img]Originally Posted by DMR[img]http://www.daniweb.com/techtalkforums/techtalk-images/misc/quotes/quot-by-right.gif[/img][img]http://www.daniweb.com/techtalkforums/techtalk-images/misc/quotes/quot-top-right-10.gif[/img]In Explorer's Tools->Folder Options->View preferences, do you have the "Restore previous folder windows at logon" option enabled? If so, uncheck it. [img]http://www.daniweb.com/techtalkforums/techtalk-images/misc/quotes/quot-bot-left.gif[/img][img]http://www.daniweb.com/techtalkforums/techtalk-images/misc/quotes/quot-bot-right.gif[/img]
no it is not enabled just checked

Do you mean by that you have verified that there is no 'tick' in the box? If there is a 'tick' please remove it and ensure you press the 'Apply' button when you exit from the dialogue boxes.

If all of that is in order, then you should use the links in caperjack's signature to download and install both Spybot and AdAware, and use them to check your system for malware, removing any that they find. There is a link there which describes setting the programs up.

Please let us know if there are any remaining problems afterwards

This is a system which has already had overheating problems with the display card. The owner is reporting that the processor heatsink is unusually hot.

Athlon processors come accompanied with a heatsink/fan which has a 'thermal pad' in place. If the heatsink is moved during the fastening process, thermal pads can become damaged and a good connection/thermal interface between processor die and heatsink does not result.

In addition to this, once the heatsink is removed, all traces of previous thermal material/paste/whatever should be completely removed and cleaned, and new material applied before the heatsink is reattached.

Anyone not following these procedures when working with Athlon processors (which do not have a heat-spreader in place over the core die) is risking overheating problems and damage to the processor.

'Computer management' isn't a feature of the earlier Windows OS's

Are you making sure you are changing the drive id 'jumpers', and using the correct cable connectors, when you're moving these drives from system to system? If you are simply unplgging them from one machine, and plugging them into another, switching from 'Master' to 'slave' position as you go, then that won't work.

You need to corrctly configure each drive for the position it's being moved to.

It sounds like you've got spyware or malware on your system. Try the suggestions in:

Helping Yourself: What to do first

Let us know if you still have problems, or if you get any error messages afterwards.

AVG Antivirus is free, and quite good.

http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

Simply put, Dani, the next image needs to 'fit' with what's been asked for.

Sometimes, simpling using the request as a Search criteria will bring an immediate result. But if the term doesn't generate a Google 'hit', it's time to exercise your search skills!

For 'prancing snakes', which didn't generate a single 'hit', I had to get creative, and use search criteria which would generate a suitable image. 'Dancing' found me an image of snakes rearing up and strutting their stuff - "Prancing"!

Now see how well you can use search criteria to generate an image of a Cat 'riding a dog'!

:D

Edit: It's not 'cheating' by the way. The game is all about using Searches well ;)

Nope, not ruined! A bit of lateral thought is all that's needed :D

Prancing snakes:

[img]http://165.221.52.2/fire2001/frye/photos/fridley/page2/snake-dance1.jpg[/img]

Next one:

"A cat riding a dog"

(Might need to get a bit creative with your Google search terms for that one too!)

heh heh...........

A chinwag is a chat, just like we're having!

:D

In most cases, a problem like this indicates that the display card driver has been loaded, but the motherboard chipset drivers have not been.

Sometimes installing the motherboard chipset driver can fix it, but quite often it won't, as the motherboard chipset drivers should ideally be the first ones installed. In that event, a format and fresh install is the best way to go!

To some extent I'd disagree with simply checking device manager for 'yellow exclamation marks' attached to devices. Sometimes Windows XP simply uses generic, general purpose drivers for devices. Sure they work, but that doesn't necessarily mean they work effectively or efficiently. The actual manufacturer drivers for devices are always the best ones to use.

That said, visit this site first to check for driver and software downloads:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/siteHomeC?lc=en&cc=us

You'll need to enter the product line and model number of that Compaq.

Then have a read through the articles I've linked in this topic for fuller descriptions of what you need to do to prepare for a reinstall, and for what you need to do to wipe the system clean and start over using Windows XP.

http://www.daniweb.com/techtalkforums/thread6632.html

OK, no need for another thread. I just wanted to share this wonderful site with you. Spend some time with it please :D

Windows "Really Good Edition":

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/winrg.php

Enjoy!

Try installing it on someone else's computer to check if it's in working order. If not, it needs replacement ot repair.

If it works on a different PC but not on yours, perhaps we can work out what the problem is. Please let us know.

Use paste!

Remove the processor and heatsink, clean both, and reinstall them using new thermal paste or compound. The old stuff may have 'dried out'.

Google toolbar use a "click" for the popup blocker. There'd still need to be altered themes for it to be a "bubbly noise".

(I've a grin all over my dial at that description, by the way. It sounds as if deadbydesign's PC is soon gonna be deadbydrowning :D)

OK then.

Format again. Put that Radeon 9200 back in. It's the best card of the bunch. Install Windows XP. Install your motherboard drivers. Install Windows updates. Install DirectX9b. Install Catalyst drivers from ATi website. Play games. All in that order.

If that doesn't work, perhaps it's time to consider your system might have other damaged or faulty components. Have you tried a different RAM module? Poor quality RAM can cause game crashes.

With all those display card changes, I'd say you almost certainly have driver corruption issues, especially as you've changed to and fro between NVidia and ATi cards. Bits 'n' pieces of drivers get left behind and make a mess.

A Format and clean install is in order I believe, especially if you've had Windows Me, 'upgraded' over the top of it to have Windows XP, and then 'reverted' back to Me.

Windows Me is the WORST version for games to start with ;)

If I'm correct, you really need to wipe that hard drive clean and start over

Which Windows version do you use?

It certainly sounds like your 'system sounds' have been altered. Do you have any 'Desktop Themes' type software installed?

Oh, I forgot!

You really should have 256Mb of RAM for Windows XP. 128Mb is the absolute minimum you should consider having, and more than 256Mb is better.

If you want a Windows 98/Windows XP dual boot, then install Windows 98 first.

Loading earlier versions of Windows AFTER a Windows XP install is shaky at best, and I'm not surprised that it failed after a migration.

Windows 98 should be on your C: partition, and the boot files for Windows XP will be written there as well. Windows XP will automatically configure the dual boot, and set itself to be the default OS

Heya Francine, glad you signed up!

Stick around eh? Find out more stuff, have a chinwag now and then, end up helping others yourself sometime. :D

Cheers

This is the 'Lounge', xxplosive.

Chill out a tad eh?

:D

Tech questions should really go in the Tech sections, I'd reckon. I was being 'tongue-in-cheek' in here ;)

This forum has a rather attractive layout. Permanently underlined links 'disfigure' it!

There's only so much you can do to help, I'm afraid:

Put the mouse pointer on the differently coloured text
Wait to see if it turns into a little pointy finger
Click on it to go somewhere!

That's basic web surfing technique, and if someone is not up to clicking on web page links to go somewhere, then perhaps they're going to be a bit too difficult to assist in any case.

Sorry to sound blunt about that, but there has to be a cut-off point somewhere. No assistance site can be everything to everyone, surely. To me, this is sorta sounding like preparing an English class for grade 3 kiddies, and deciding that the lesson plan needs to accomodate the possibility that some of the kiddies mightn't have learned the alphabet yet!

Using the mouse and mouse pointer is one of the most basic, fundamental techniques of using a PC. If people haven't learnt it yet, then how the heck did they get here?

Here are a couple of guides designed to address the task of wiping the system clean and performing a fresh install of Windows XP.

It's something we all face from time to time, and it can be a daunting task. There are plenty of guides already available, but often they 'leave bits out', or else fail to explain things in straightforward terms.

The following are a couple of 'How To' guides I've written up to address the situation.

"How do I prepare to install the OS?"
http://www.pcuser.com.au/pcuser/hs2.nsf/web/3766D094A6F3FD83CA256EA80021C82D

"How do I wipe the disk and install XP?"
http://www.pcuser.com.au/pcuser/hs2.nsf/web/3D2F91493F7B80D5CA256EA80038C9A7

By the way, if that Windows XP installation you have was an 'Upgrade' from an old Windows 98 install, you are possibly the best candidate for the job, because I'd be guessing you're still having problems, eh?

:D

Edit: Could people with questions they want answered after following the procedures mentioned, or issues and problems which arise, please post their questions to a new topic in the appropriate forum section? Questions asked here as a post will not be answered in this thread, as that is too 'messy' a way to deal with them. - Catweazle

Like I said - it's a bit outta my league. I really am having trouble seeing why those files can't be attended to before they get out of hand :confused:

hhmmmmmmmmm...........

A web browser which works with web pages...................

I know! :idea:

Internet Explorer!

:D

A quick question:

Did you turn it off and disconnect the power cord from it before you started changing all those parts? If you didn't, you've possibly blown it up! there's still power inside even when you've 'Shut Down' if the power cord is still plugged in.

Beyond that, we need some technical details please. Names, numbers.........

Some technical details next please?

Make and model of motherboard, make and model of processor, what type of RAM are you using?

We need to know what the components are that you're working with if we are going to be able to help.

No, I mean pull the battery out, wait a bit, put the battery back in.

That should clear the CMOS settings and set them back to factory default values. It gives you a 'starting point' for trying to get things working.

While you're in there, check that all cables and connectors are firmly in place, and that all cards etc are firmly in their slots.

Thank you. I feel silly now!

(Who the hell ever looks at the stuff at bottom of page? )

Now there's a point, Dani.

Where's the Bio page gone? There used to be a 'Quick links' button, or something like that, which gave quick access to Inbox, Staff Bios and a few other functions. I don't see it anymore. What happened?

If you've made all those hardware changes, then you will probably need to reset the CMOS memory, which would reset all settings to default values, before the system will boot.

Power down, disconnect the power cord, open it up and remove the CMOS battery. Wait at least a few minutes before replacing it and seeing if the system will boot.

If you've replaced the cpu with one which is unsupported by the system BIOS, you will need to put the older cpu back in, and perhaps even update the BIOS to allow the system to recognise the new cpu

OK. That's getting a bit out of my league here, but consider this please?

If you want the files retained at shutdown in case they are later needed, then why have them automatically deleted at startup, in which circumstance they'd be gone when you wish to refer to them anyway?

But consider this as a possible solution to your problem. Why not write a simple batch file which would delete the files in question. At regular intervals, you'd only need to press <F8> at startup, and one of the options available for Boot choice is "Safe Mode with Command Prompt" .

Run the batch file from there to delete the files in question, and then reboot to start normally. Doesn't sound too troublesome to me.

*shrugs*

Well done, caperjack!

(I'm sure you could PM those 'virtual brownies')

:D

No, nic_m_moon, you cannot completely uninstall it on Windows XP. You can disable it, but not uninstall it. Internet Explorer shares most of its files and functions with Windows Explorer, and without that your system quite simply wouldn't even operate!

There is a 3rd Party Product, however, which will remove most of it from your system, and make your Windows XP installation appear not to have Internet Explorer installed at all:

http://www.litepc.com/xplite.html

XPLite does a much better job of removing traces from your system than the 'Add/Remove Windows Components' applet does ;)

Hey, you forgot to add the topic of the next pic to find!

What an interesting question!

It's an issue we've recently discussed at a Gamer's Forum I'm involved with as well, where we also have a very active 'Conversational' section and a hidden-from-view 'Locked Topics' section as well.

The general concensus, after discussion amongst both the administrative group and the membership, was that very few people actually took real notice of the 'postcount' issue at all!

Spammers spam for the sake of spamming, rather than for postcount, and those seeking assistance or advice took notice more of the content of members' contributions than of their postcount tally. It was decided there to leave the postcount untouched, on the basis that postcount tally simply indicated the level of contribution a member had historically made to the overall forum community.

I'd be quite interested to see if there's a difference in the way postcount tally is viewed by the membership here, where the average age level of the membership is most likely higher.

Hi,

Try the suggestions contained here:

http://www.pcuser.com.au/pcuser/hs2.nsf/web/FA77B50E8F8C408ACA256E6E000C39CE

If it works for you, please report back and let us know so we can mark your question 'solved'.

my system is hp510n 512 mb ram 40 gb hard drive. i can open ms explorer and nero, mirc fine. but i cannot open my computer or hp pavillion or i.e. my desktop keeps shutting down due to error. i try all three options but they dont restore my active desktop. when i try to open the apps that i mentioned all my desktop icons disappear for one or two miutes and the desktop shutdown screen reappears. registry mechanic is the only program i have recently downloaded. i have tried system restore but it wont restore my computer to an earlier time. thank you.

Have you used Registry Mechanic and made changes to your system? If so, do you know what they were?

You really should not 'fiddle' with programs which can alter the way your system works, or even disable functions entirely, because you can render the system unusable.

Does this sound like a potential explanation?

If so, and you've no idea what you've played around with, then perhaps a format/clean install is the best route to follow, avoiding the use of 'tinkering' programs next time round.

Good quality Corsair, OCZ, or similar modules are essential to the overclocker.

Thet're a better choice for everyone else, but not an essential one. Unbranded, generic modules should be shunned at all costs!

(And I think Current cards have already dropped about as far as they'll go. Some current cards will probably disappear from the market, and some will definitely be 'ported' to PCI Express cards)

There's only 3 display card choices I'd recommend at present:

If price isn't a limiting factor, stand in line for an X800 or NVidia 6800 series card
If you have a reasonable budget available grab a 9800 Pro
If you want good performance but money is a bit tighter, grab the cheapest GeFX 5900XT you can find.

Close the program using such files before attempting deletion.

What are the files in question please? (I don't mean the filenames, I simply mean what the heck are you trying to delete?)

I've split this off as a new topic and moved it to the Security section as appropriate. Please do not 'piggyback' such questions onto existing topics in other forum sections.

Hi,

Have a read of the "Helping yourself" stickied topic in the Security section of the forum. Your problem is most likely Spyware/Malware related. Work through the relevent suggestions there, using the recommended tools to rid your system of whatever they find.

If you still have remaining problems afterwards, check this similar topic for ideas on how to proceed.

http://www.daniweb.com/techtalkforums/showthread.php?t=5414

I'm moving this topic to the 'Security' forum, as I believe it will be best addressed there.

This should have been placed In the Windows NT, etc Forum Section