Messages

1

Software / Full IE6 SP1 download

« on: April 07, 2005, 05:32:12 AM »

This has probably been covered in the past, but I can't find any reference to it here so hence the new thread.

if you ever need to download IE6 SP1 from MS, you'll find that it is no longer possible to search the catalogue and find the full version.  All you can have is the setup file (486KB) which downloads the files for you.  

If you ever have a PC with a corrupted IE6 install, particularly in Win98 etc - you'll know what a pain this can be if you cannot connect the PC to the internet to get the setup file to download the update files for you!

This article has been a great help to me - so time to share if needed - SPM/email me for details - if Moderator wants it I can post up the link later.

 http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'\' />

2

Software / reinstalling xp home

« on: April 07, 2005, 05:15:45 AM »

When you install XP from the boot disk, XP gives you the option to create/delete partitions before you begin the install. Alternatively, partition the HDD with your Win98 boot disk using FDISK and then run the install for XP - XP will then see the partitions and ask you which one you wish to install it on.  If you do it this way the XP installer will ask you to change to format from FAT32 to NTFS - accept this as it is a realy good idea for security.  Better still format the disk correctly in the first place with the HDD manufacturer's format tool e.g. maxblaster3 from Maxtor etc.

In all my installs I usually have 3 partitions for Windows C: D: and E:
All programs go into C: inc Windows - the partition is approx 45% of the total HDD size; Windows Pagefile goes into D: (which is only ever about 2 to 3 GBs in size depending on RAM size now and intended in future); Docs and user files/email into E:  This means the pagefile doesn't get fragged and the docs are kept away from Windows in case you ever need to reinstall the OS!

Final option - use the wonderful Acronis Partition Expert program - fantastic partitioner that runs in Windows - best i have ever used...

Happy PC building!   http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'\' />

3

Software / Windows SP2 has knackered my PC

« on: October 20, 2004, 03:36:33 PM »

my only suggestion would be attempt a repair - do you have an original WinXP OS install disk?  There's no guarantee this will work, but as you're nearly faced with a complete re-install, it might be worth a try.  Also are you running a third party firewall - go into Safe and uninstall it and try reboot.

Check your BIOS is set to boot from CD drive first and make sure Win XP disk in drive.  Reboot and hit any key when asked to boot from CD-ROM.  Let Windows  load all install files and select Install Windows <ENTER>.  Dont select the Recovery Console option.  The Setup should then detect the old installation and will offer an attempt a repair option <R>.  If select this Setup will try to re-instate WinXP as it was with older files.

It might not work too well, but its worth a shot - might give you enough of an OS to actually get a boot and copy off your docs.  Sometimes it works perfectly.

Sp2 has issues with some motherboards = Aopen AX4SG, Shuttle SB6IG2, Asus P4P800-E dlx, Abit IS7-V when combined with Prescott CPUs. BIOS update may fix.

Cant think of anything else... maybe this will inspire others to chip in!

Good luck  http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'\' />

4

Software / Windows activation

« on: October 11, 2004, 05:37:30 AM »

what's the problem with activation?
Are you having difficulty with it?  http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':huh:\' />

5

Software / Please help me out really quick.

« on: October 11, 2004, 05:32:47 AM »

OEM editions are strictly for use by system builders or for certain PC upgrades that invlove an entire internal rebuild - new mobo, cpu and mem will do it.  You cannot use the OEM version with just peripheral add-ons like buying a new keyboard.  Also Retail and upgrade legit keys often will not work with an OEM install disk.  They are quite specific on XP.  If your key is only for the Retail upgrade version - it is unlikely that you can use it for any other type of install.

Retail versions are full licences that belong to you - to be used on a single PC at a time.  If you later change your PC or upgrade etc you can re-utilise your Retail licence.  Same for Retail Upgrade licence, providing your upgrading from a legit original in the first place eg Win95, 98 or ME.  OEM licences are very specific - they are pre-installed once on a single PC and the OS dies with that PC - you cannot transfer it to another PC.  Most major PC manufacturers like Dull cannot supply you with the OEM install disk under the terms of the licencing agreement.  In other words if you are not a recognised system builder (by MS) reselling PC you shouldn't be using an OEM disk!  Any supplier that sells such disks that is not MS approved may be selling uncertified originals!  There are only 6 or 7 approved MS suppliers in the UK!  Also MS doesn't support OEM installs - the sys builder must do that.

Not sure what you mean by convert it - you will need a full Retail/OEM disk to stop the "insert previous os disk" msg coming up anyway  http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blink.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':blink:\' />  Also whatever type of disk you use, once you have activated your copy of XP with same key twice, you will be forced to phone MS for activation of Win XP everytime.

I would not slipstream SP2 yet - it is best to install separtely if not already included on your Win XP disk - I have seen install problems already with this idea - the SP2 disk is available free, so install it separately or buy an install disk with it included.

Hope that helps...

6

Software / HAL.DLL_____AAAAARGH!!!

« on: October 11, 2004, 04:59:33 AM »

can you boot into Safe Mode?
Can you run scanreg.exe and scandisk.exe from your Windows 98 start disk?
Sometimes scanreg/scandisk will fix this issue - often caused by removing certain software - Norton is often a culprit and has damaged many a 98 system of mine.

You can also download the file and copy to the System32 directory at the dos prompt.  Again this doesn't always work but has for me in the past. Here's a link:
http://www.dll-files.com/dllindex/dll-files.shtml?hal

Only other option I can offer is a reformat of that drive and re-install.

good luck  http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blink.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':blink:\' />

7

Software / AceGain Live update

« on: October 05, 2004, 04:26:58 AM »

Are you running a particular, app or firewall by this company?
Try this link - it may give you more insight and help you track down the prog that sounds like it is trying to update itself:
http://acegain.com/v6/products_management_..._liveupdate.htm

8

Software / ACCESS DENIED

« on: October 04, 2004, 06:09:41 AM »

[color=\"blue\"][font=\"Arial\"]A client has rebuilt an OEM XP Home install from a recovery disk - new folders were created for the four users of the household during the process.
The old user folders in <Documents & Settings> are there, but when we try to access them for the data - ACCESS DENIED standard permissions error msg is received.

What settings in the Security setup for each folder/user do I need to make to allow them access to all folders under each user name?[/color][/font]

9

Tech Clinic / CD icon blinking next to cursor?

« on: June 28, 2004, 05:57:29 PM »

Anyone experienced a constant blinking cd-icon just to the right of the cursor, when the system is apparently idle (so says Task manager)?  It is exactly the same icon that appears during autorun of a cd-rom, just before the folder opens up.  Blinks once very 2/3 seconds when nothing else happening.

This is a brand new install, patched, only exposed to the Net briefly via a hardware firewall.  No e-mail yet or any virus exposure, adware etc.
Nothing in the logs.  

I have built many of these using this combo but have not had this issue before?
The only variance I can think of is Logitech Mouse software for a cordless KB/mouse combo.  Previous units have not had this.

Any ideas on how to cure this?

Asus A7N8X-E deluxe
Barton 3000 - no overclock - defaults
1 GB 3200 authorised Samsung RAM
80 GB Maxtor 133
AOpen DVD and CD RW separate drives
Asus 9650XT 128 8x AGP
Win XP pro SP1a

10

Software / cloning HDD with XP

« on: April 26, 2004, 02:23:05 AM »

if you haven't tried this already, when you formatted the drive was it made as an "active" partition - an OS won't boot from a logical drive?

11

Software / can't install windows XP with sata drive

« on: April 25, 2004, 01:24:54 PM »

might be obvious and you may have done this already, but have you told the BIOS that the SCSI drive is #1 in the boot order and not the HDD? The BIOS recognizes the drives in a different way and SATAs are often only seen as SCSIs...

12

Software / cloning HDD with XP

« on: April 25, 2004, 01:15:51 PM »

I have used Ghost to clone a new install of XP Pro (NTFS) from one partition to create a second active partition on the same HDD within a laptop.  Everything has copied across fine and I can boot to either partition from start up. No running issues with any program at all so far except one...

When opening [color=\"blue\"][Control Panel][/color] on the cloned system and selecting [color=\"blue\"][User Accounts][/color] I receive a Microsoft R HTML Application Error (mshta.exe and msthml.dll) and can go no further.  This means no way of accessing the nice natty features of the User Accounts wizard, easy password changes, welcome screen disable etc.

I cannot fathom the reason for this one problem and so far found no cure and no forum items, Microsoft fixes (even the Win2k suggestions for a similar problem with [color=\"blue\"][Add/Remove Programs][/color] doesn't work) or KB answers relating to it.

So apart from this issue I see no reason not to try Ghost, unless this area of the OS is important to you (you can make certain changes through Management Console anyway) - there is also Acronis True Image 7.0 which looks good and claims to be able to make a true clone... might be worth a try.  I will be giving this program a go as whilst Ghost is good, I am getting increasingly fed up with all the problems I see with PCs that run Symantec AV and Firewall products -  http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'\' />

Meantime if anyone can help with this User Account issue, be interested to hear of a fix pls...