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7001.

Solve : invalid product key message?

Answer»

had to reinstall xp after registry CRASH; get "invalid product key" message when try to activate xp. called ms to verify key; key is valid. how do i fix what service pack? you give me a product kek. Did you use the same disk from which XP was originally installed?If you are having validation problems, you need to contact Microsoft again as validation is DONE only through them, either on the phone or online. There is really nothing anyone can HELP you with here on this one. Quote

called ms to verify key; key is valid. how do i fix

If this was true they would have done it RIGHT there...
Try Again.       There is a procedure through which Microsoft will take you to validate your copy of XP.  At the point in the installation of XP when it reaches validation, you can either perform the validation on line, or speak directly with a Microsoft representative. 

It is an exchange of INFORMATION.  You give them the product key.  If it is valid, they give you certain information and certain instructions which validates that copy of XP to your computer.

7002.

Solve : PC-PC USB-USB?

Answer»

I just bought a USB Male to Male Connector, it says "Data and File TRANSFER" So i browsed the seb, i can't find software to send files from PC to PC over the cable, i say pictures of other Cables that have something in the middle, this is just a simple cord, anyone know the solution to my anticipated question?What are you trying to accomplish?USB to USB on two computers? I may be wrong, but doesn't that short it out or something?Carbon is right. Cables are set up to tranmit data in one direction only. The other of the internal cables are power to devices. Connecting computer to computer will send a power spike in the opposite direction and potentially destroy something.
The other ones you've seen with the "thing in the middle", may ACTUALLY be a crossover where the data cables are realigned to stop such accidents.http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/7f0c/

http://www.usbgear.com/CANET103.html

http://www.cwol.com/usb/usb-2-usb-data-link-file-transfer-cable-uc250.htm

QUOTE from: kevinst1r on September 22, 2008, 04:18:37 PM

I just bought a USB Male to Male Connector, it says "Data and File Transfer"

Manufacturer?

Model or part NUMBER?

Where you bought it?

7003.

Solve : need help..what to do??

Answer»

It seems like my CPU usage goes up really high even with very few programs RUNNING, which is making my computer make a very loud noise...sounds like one of the fans may be BLOWING loudly. This did happen late last year when we made the switch from dial up to cable internet. Around march this year I had another 512mb memory stick put in and that seemed to help a lot with making the noise stop....up until a week ago that is.  Now the computer is making that loud noise again. Should I maybe upgrade both memory slots to 1gb?? Or maybe there is something else going on? I figured it was the memory since adding more months ago helped but now I don't know. This computer is only about 2 years old I didn't think any fans WOULD be going bad but maybe they are. Just figured I would get opinions here FIRST. I can't afford to be doing much to this thing at this time so I hope it's nothing costly.When did you last run a virus check?
This morning, gets scanned everyday.Have you looked in Task Manager and seen what is using up CPU?
Doing anything is making it go high, just looking at certain websites, playing games, even doing just the disc cleanup. It's really nothing in particular. I really hate computers sometimes  How much RAM have you installed?So did you run task manager and see how many processes are running and which ones are the CPU hogs?

7004.

Solve : HOW TO UNINSTALL INTERNET EXPLORER 8 BETA FROM WINDOWS XP SP3?

Answer»

Hi, all 
     
      For those people who are having problems in removing INTERNET explorer 8 beta from windows xp SP3. Here are the steps that you can try:
   

       Steps to uninstall Internet Explorer 8 Beta from the computer:

NOTE: These steps are only for Windows XP with Service Pack 3.

1) Click on Start, click on my computer.

2) Browse to C:\WINDOWS\

Note: You will have to unhide the files and folders:

a. Start Windows Explorer. To do this, click Start, click Run, type userinit.exe , and then click OK.

b. Click Tools, and then click Folder Options.

c. Click the View tab.

d. Click Advanced Settings.

e. Under Hidden files and folders, click Show hidden files and folders, click to clear the Hide Protected

Operating System files (RECOMMENDED) check box, andthen click OK.

3) Double click on the folder “ie8″.
4) Double click on the folder “spuninst”.
5) Double click on the executable “spuninst.exe”.

Follow the prompts and then click on “Finish” to RESTART the computer.

Your Internet Explorer will roll back to the previous version (IE7 or IE6).

these steps are from:
http://www.support1000.com/blog/2008/06/how-to-uninstall-internet-explorer-8-beta-from-windows-xp-sp3/

Thank you,
    Orlando N.
Actually you should use the Microsoft support page for uninstalling IE 8 after you install Windows XP Service Pack 3. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950719

Spamish....sorry, i'm not ASKING for your opinion... i just want to share some info. i'm not "spamish" , probably spammer.. joke.. , well thanks for your info.. heheheh  Quote from: Gean Freaks on September 23, 2008, 04:56:43 PM

sorry, i'm not asking for your opinion...

Nor was I.... Quote
Nor was I....

hehehehe whatever...
7005.

Solve : PC freezes on Windows Load Screen?

Answer»

Hi people,
Lately my computer has been randomly freezing in the windows load up screen, but most of the time works after restarting it a few times. But last night it went to the next level and now cant even get PAST the load screen at all now. I cant even use my keyboard in the screen

to choose an option, but yet i can still use it in the BIOS/CMOS screen before this part, weird....
I know the specs of my pc, but it probably WONT help because i dont know all the brand names on each part.

Motherboard: GA-EP45-DS3
Processor: Intel E8600
RAM: 4gb 800mhz (dont know brand)
Graphics: Galaxy 8800gt 512mb OC
HDD: Samsung 500GB
OS: Windows XP SP2
Security SOFTWARE: Trend, Spybot : last scan 4 days
Other: Regcure, Errorkiller (registry cleaning software) , last used 1 week

I was wondering what kind of problem could be causing this and what is the best thing i can do to get past this?My first suspect would be power supply.my pc is fairly NEW Broni, only bought it about 4 months ago. Could it be faulty hardware? Im thinking its more Windows XP has something corrupted in the system files. But dont want to reinstall windows because i dont want to lose any data.

Any more info would be most helpful?Is it USB keyboard?Yes, none of my hardware is wirelessCan you try PS/2 keyboard?Are they the ones with the different PORT? If so i dont have any of them anymore , threw them out with my old pc 4 months ago  .

Would this be an idea?

Take my hardrive out, put it in another computer, copy all data over to that computers main hardrive, then put it back in my pc and reinstall windows from CD then transfer all my data from the other pc back to mine? ( program files and My documents excluding system files and making sure nothing will be overwritten).

If thats an good idea, could you please tell me if they are the right directions to take. Quote

Take my hardrive out, put it in another computer, copy all data over to that computers main hardrive, then put it back in my pc and reinstall windows from CD then transfer all my data from the other pc back to mine?
You sure can do that, but we still don't know, if this is hardware, or software problem.
I'd do some testing, first.
1. Try to borrow PS/2 keyboard

2. With computer off, reseat RAM, and video card (if dedicated one). Unplug all external devices, except for mouse, and keyboard, and see, if you can boot.
3. Run "memtest": http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic62524.html
4. Run hard drive diagnostic: http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287
7006.

Solve : Windows Slows Down?

Answer»

I had a computer for over 15 years now and never in my life had this problem at all and i am stunned on this. I have formated the hard drive and done a fresh install everytime and i have used Fisk and ran virus scans and everything else and no good. When i start to down files and say i have 8 files to download at once i can GET to the third one fine and after that i click on the forth file and it just sets there for about 2-3 minutes before you can click on download and when you do it takes over 2 minutes before after clicking on download to start up and maximize the window. It was running find until a little over three weeks ago and then this happen. can anyone please TELL me what could happen or what is causing this?  I have 384mb's of memory on here and running Windows XP PRO and i just need this to stop. HELP!What browser? IE is limited by default to two simultaneous downloads.
I'd also get more RAM for your computer. I'm using IE6 and like i said above this just started happening a few weeks ago and before that i could download over 100 or more downloads at once but something happen but really what i do not know. I went over to my son't home today and got on his computer and logon to my account and took 24 links and pasted them on his computer and he has only 256 mb's of memory and i went thru them all with no trouble at all. Even when i start downloading 3 files and try to bring up notepadwhere it shows my links it takes at lease 30-45 seconds before it will popup so i can get the links and when you are downloading more than 3 and you click on the favorites it take a long time for them to show and when it gets down too 3 files downloading things are ok. like i said it just started three weeks ago and also it does the same thing when i tried to use firefox so that didn't help. Thanks for your trouble in tring to help and tonight i'm going to get three 256 sticks of memory and take out the old and put them in here and see if it will help.Download HijackThis:
http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/tools/security_tools/hijackthis/download
Click on Download HijackThis Installer
Post HijackTHis log.Someone told me about that on a forum i post files at and it didn't work, thanks
Also i did not put this in the first post cause if you have a house full of grandchildren everyday you would forget but when i first posted about that problem i forgot to say this also and this was the first time this happen to me when i formated and used fdisk. I use fdisk first and then formatted my HD and then when installing windows xp i let it format my HD also and before doing all this i have files in my recycle bin and after both formattings this computer has and after the install of xp i can open up the recycle bin and the same files are still there as if i never deleted or formatted anything and i have built three computers in my life from the bottom up and done other peoples computers also and never in my life had this kind of trouble except a little over three weeks now and no virus scanners shows up any viruses or spyware on this computer so i think this computer is a jinks. Quote

I use fdisk first and then formatted my HD and then when installing windows xp i let it format my HD also and before doing all this i have files in my recycle bin and after both formattings this computer has and after the install of xp i can open up the recycle bin and the same files are still there as if i never deleted or formatted anything

This is impossible... Quote from: patio on September 21, 2008, 08:38:50 AM
Quote
I use fdisk first and then formatted my HD and then when installing windows xp i let it format my HD also and before doing all this i have files in my recycle bin and after both formattings this computer has and after the install of xp i can open up the recycle bin and the same files are still there as if i never deleted or formatted anything

This is impossible...

Second Opinion: I agree. It's impossible.

Assuming this is true, I would like to know what was in the recycling bin? Quote from: jhb1 on September 21, 2008, 08:27:09 AM
Someone told me about that on a forum i post files at and it didn't work, thanks

If you don't cooperate with our requests we really can't help you... Hijackthis is a tool that can be used to get relevant information from a computer, and determine how to proceed, not a tool used in and of itself to fix the problem.


Third opinion: impossible. Sounds more like an upgrade or automated repair as opposed to a reinstall.

Don't see what purpose fdisk would serve in a Windows XP setting, SINCE that's on older windows versions. which can be upgraded. to XP.

It is the truth. I had avi and text files in the recycle bin when i used fdisk and formated my HD and then when i installed xp and it came up to either leave it like it is or format the HD full or quick so i did a full format and it show when i got back to the dos that i had an empty HD but after installing windows xp and the recycle bin is the only thing there and i open it up and the files are still there and yes that does seem strange to me but it started when this other thing started and i do not know where you are but if you were here i would fill up my recycle bin and run fdisk and format my HD in front of you and do an install and open up the bin and the files will be there and yes it makes me mad and wondering what is going on. If this stuff wasn't happening i would not ask for help on this from anyone. Acomputer tech learned me from all the steps to put a computer together and install software back in 1980 for three months but i do know one thing as i just though of i hate to say and i'm a writter and i'm writting a life story of myself about a few girls i use to know cause i moved into the place a big problem happen back in 74 right in this same house and i had to have this place and that's why i put jinks in my wording but this is the truth and i just wish i could show people what i mean so they don't think i'm lying about it just to post something but you just don't know me at all and i don't know you. thanks for you tring to help me but i'm going this week and take this computer to a shop and spend over 100 bucks and let them do a reinstall on this computer and have files in the recycle bin before they start and then i will see. jhb1No this isn't an upgrade cause i bought this cd at officemax at the cost of 159.95 without tax and it's the full ver of XP. I just thought of something... does this computer have MULTIPLE hard drives?Yes i have two hard drives on here but the slave doesn't have windows installed at all on it. I just use it to place all my work and stuff on there.Depending on how you originally set it up some versions of Windows place a Recycle Bin on each drive...
How much do you know about file management/partitions etc. ? ?
You may very well have been looking at the other drive at the time because under the scenario you described the Recycle Bin and anything else would have been gone and not survived 2 consecutive wipes...He left us?lol, we found the problem too. when you open the recycle bin it will show all the deleted files on both drives. Even after a format and reinstall, the deleted files from the other drives will show up.

So his "ghost" was merely a file system fioble.
7007.

Solve : Wallpaper help?

Answer»

I am making my own Background photo for my win xp wallpaper.

Now I have my screens resolotion set to 1024 X 768 Pixels so I made my background photo 1024 X 768 Pixels.

But when I GO to set my photo as the background image it comes up on the screen very small.

Now I know I can just go into Display Settings and set the background image to STRATCH instead of CENTER.

But if I set it to CENTER should it not still COVER the whole screen I did make the Pixel size the same?You'll get a better answer from someone more versed in photos, but I wonder if it has to do with the resolution / size of the original photo? Quote from: nymph4 on September 21, 2008, 08:22:49 PM

so I made my background photo 1024 X 768 Pixels.

The way you expressed it, you are absolutely right: a 1024x768 pixel photo will fit a 1024x768 screen resolution perfectly, without stretching.

How did you size your photo to 1024x768?Well I make my own pivturs and when I saved it I changed the Size to from inches to Pixels in the dropdown list. I am useing Corell Photo Paint.

And I just put in 1024 WIDE 768 high  and then I tock the check mard out of Main Tain Aspect Ratio.

Now when I set this as my backgroun photo it should fill my screen perfectly.

Why is it not?? Quote from: nymph4 on September 22, 2008, 12:19:11 PM
Well I make my own pivturs and when I saved it I changed the Size to from inches to Pixels in the dropdown list. I am useing Corell Photo Paint.

And I just put in 1024 wide 768 high  and then I tock the check mard out of Main Tain Aspect Ratio.

Now when I set this as my backgroun photo it should fill my screen perfectly.

Why is it not??

"Why is it not??" - I don't know, sounds like you are doing everything right. But, I am not familiar with the Corel program. Did you save the re-sized picture? Are you navigating to the re-sized picture to set it as wallpaper?

Try this: download IrfanView (http://www.irfanview.com/). After INSTALLING the program (I think you'll like it and it's free ), OPEN your picture, go to Image>Resize, re-size it to 1024x768 pixels, then "save as." Then "Browse" for the picture in the wallpaper dialog to set it as wallpaper.

Let us know how you make out.

P.S. Depending on the picture, you may want to try leaving the Keep Aspect Ratio setting selected. Experiment with it "on" and "off."
7008.

Solve : re-installing xp - help please?

Answer»

ok - i have the above failure from tinkering around where i shouldnt be.
Ive managed to get hold of a XP pro disk - (i have xp home on my compuiter) - Will this work?
Also i cant get it to read the disk when i boot up.  Ive changed the boot up order in bios settings and still it does not read the cd it just takes me back to the same blue screen where it dumps the physical memory then STARTS over and over again.
Do i need to delete the existing xp first?
Can anyone help please.
Please note i am not really computer litterate, but could follow a step by step guide if anyone would be so kind as to take the time out to help me.
Thanks in advance!! Quote

Ive managed to get hold of a xp pro disk - (i have xp home on my compuiter) - Will this work?
No, you need the XP Pro CD.

When you have one (BORROW one), you need to perform, a Repair Install:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htmi have the xp pro cd - i just cant get it to acknowldge that the cd is inserted even though i have changed the boot order to cd first.
no prompt screen come up at all, it just goes back to the blue screen.He meant you need an XPHome CD...the versions and SERVICE packs installed need to match.
When you made the BIOS changes did you press F10 to save changes and Exit ? ?is there no way of deleting the home edition xp then installing the pro from the disk? Quote from: ds666 on September 19, 2008, 06:34:41 AM
is there no way of deleting the home edition xp then installing the pro from the disk?
Where is your copy of XP Home?

Did this machine come with XP pre-installed - if so, you should have a RECOVERY partition on the hard drive and/or a set of recovery disks.
Yes it can be done.
Keep in mind if you delete XP Home and install XPPro all your Programs and data will be gone...
Please advise further if this is what you really want to do...hi - yes i dont care about anything on the computer i just need ot working again.
ok so  - i have xp home on the computer with the registry failure - i have copy of xp professional.
how do i delete xp home and get xp professional on. Use the XP CD and Format the Partition (or hard drive).
Formatting will erase it, and then you can install a new copy of Windows onto it.but nothing happpens when the cd is in - it dont register it even though i have changed the boot sequence to cd first.Does the BIOS see the CD Drive?
Can you confirm it is set as first boot device?
Is this a genuine CD?Can you tell use about the hardware? How old is the CD player and what is the make and model.

Some of the older CD drives won't boot a machine from a CD.

Also what is wrong with your XP in your machine? You said something about a regisrty error? What happens when you boot your machine from your hard drive with your current version of XP Home?


Is this your current problem?

I have a C0000218 registry failure?
help - ive tried everything i can think of
Im not computer litterate.
ok, what happened - i went into start - run - and msconfig to try and stop certain programmes booting up when i turn the computer on. And yes i unchecked something i shouldnt. Now the computer will not start it just has a blue screen saying dumping physical memory - ive tried all the different options "safe mode" "start windows from last good point" etc etc - all just take me back to the dreaded blue screen.
I do not have a windows xp cd - i never did get one with my computer - I NEED HELP - what can i do? - where can i get the cd? can anyone send me one? i need to get this sorted. thanks in advance

7009.

Solve : XP smooth scrolling?

Answer»

Using XP Professional and have SET all the settings in Internet Options Advance for smooth scrolling. It will not smooth scroll using EITHER the mouse wheel or sider bar. Any ideas would be helpful. OjasSame THING in Firefox?
Did you try ANOTHER mouse?

7010.

Solve : Program will not install - (default drive must be write enabled)?

Answer»

I am trying to instal a Dos base program.
Window pops up....................Default drive must be write enabled.

I have no idea what this means
any help greatly appreciated 

Computer

Intel (R) Pentium (R) 4 CPU 1.80 GhzWhat kind of media are you trying to instal the program from?  If it's a floppy disk then write enable it...  The installer might want to write to the floppy.

Its a CD, Australian Vital Records Index.Hi sorry its The NSW Pioneers Index and its a CD

It is now saying it cannot read NSWPI.CFG.Hi

Perhaps you could create a folder on your Hard drive and copy the relevant folder(s) from the CD ONTO the hard drive, and then run the installer from your hard drive.

Regards
Alan
There's a discussion here about non functioning Pioneer cd's and the AFFECT Norton AV has, also this might help with your problem.

Good LUCKHI Dusty, thanks for the info.
The DISC's work on my other comp and it is windows xp home edition.

I just thought I would use the other comp for my personal info and research with no connection to the internet (playing safe) but I'm about to spit chips with this computer too.

Two comps and they are both a headache.


Many thanks
Tabby

7011.

Solve : Windows NT....................?

Answer»

Evening from Oz,
I have just been given an OLD IBM 300Mhz Celeron PC and I am trying to download Windows NT 4.0 Work Station.
I am getting that message 'NTLDR is MISSING...Press any key to restart'I have tried this,I have also prointed ALL the info on different pages from the web site,I have also tried to download the CD and also floppies,BUT absolutely ZIP is happening.
It is getting rather frustrating and I am now seeking HELKP from other sources (this forum)
Can any one give me some ideas ........PLEASE.


Many thanks.

Peter
PHFM....OZWhat do you mean by "download"? The word means to get something from the web, and you can't get NT4 legally that way.
Am I the only one that finds it extremely annoying that the words "download" and "install" are used interchangably?

(admittedly in this case it probably DOES mean download)No, you are not the only one! I have seen "upload" used in maker's literature for the copying of files from e.g. a CAMERA or phone to a computer, and "download" for the reverse operation, so I can see that "download" might mean to copy data from a bigger or more central source to a smaller or more peripheral destination, and upload would be the opposite.

Maybe some people think "download" means "install", because that's how they get all their software...

Others that bug me are "memory" when they mean "hard disk drive", "cpu" when they mean "system case", "hardrive" for "hard drive", "reformat" when they mean "reinstall Windows" - (it invariably is Windows)...I've had someone refer to reformatting as "reprogramming" or "reconfiguring".

I've also had people refer to the computer itself as the monitor. I guess t hey call the real monitor a TV or something.

as far as I'm concerned, Download and Upload are meaningless terms except in a network medium.(two or more computers, I guess) you don't upload files from a floppy to a disk as much as you download from the floppy to a disk, rather your copying.

One of my favourites was a fellow who wanted to "move" the program from the CD ROM to his computer.OK fellas........I have the CD for Windows NT and I am trying to 'reprogram' the computer or tower with this CD,BUT I am unable to install the CD onto the machine....I also have three floppy discs,BUT again I am unable to install these onto the PC/tower.........
All I am seeing is....'NTLDR is missing....Press any key to restart' I have follwed MANY instructions BUT to no avail....Have you gone into the BIOS settings and made the CD drive the first boot device?
I am unable to get into the BIOS setting.Please advise on how I get into this section of the program......
Interest and assistance is really appreciated.....

OK I have just re booted the tower,I have had IBM  etc.etc.etc. and on the bottom of the screen there is a message stating to press F1 to get into 'configuration./setup'....

NEXT instruction please.........Re=boot and press F1...done that,BUT still nothing.............................When exactly are you pressing F1? You need to watch for the moment that the message "Press f1 to enter setup" first appears, and then repeatedly tap the F1 key quite rapidly.
When I press F1 the same message comes up...............It dopsnt matter how often I p[ress F1 or how long,I get the same message.......This is an ancient PC that you have been given and you have never seen it working, is that right?

It is old,it had Windows 98 on it,BUT I deleted all that off it to update to Windows NT and when I re statrted the tower,all I got was NTLDR is missing...press any key to restart,so therefore I take it that nothing will work and I will now have to take it to a professional spewcialist to get it repaired?? Quote from: PHFM on September 21, 2008, 01:38:11 AM

It is old,it had Windows 98 on it,BUT I deleted all that off it to update to Windows NT and when I re statrted the tower,all I got was NTLDR is missing...press any key to restart,so therefore I take it that nothing will work and I will now have to take it to a professional spewcialist to get it repaired??

It would have been helpful if you had supplied that information before. 

Now we know, which we didn't before, that it was working quite recently.

1. How did you "delete Windows 98"? (What method did you use?) 
2. How did you "update to Windows NT"?
3. When you see the message "press any key to restart", do you press a key, and does it restart?
4. Have you opened the case and done things inside?
7012.

Solve : Can I backup my harddrive befor i restore it??

Answer»

Gave my old pc to my son, had not gotten around to backing up my picture files yet.  Well he tells me its not working, after some investigation I find out that instead of shutting down the pc properly each time, he simply has been unplugging it.  I mean, every time bless his cotton socks no matter how much I have always drilled into his 10yr old brain this is a bad thing to do.  Before I RESTORE it, which of course will wipe my files is there any way to rescue my pictures?If the PC will no longer boot, you could try that hard drive in another MACHINE.  it will then show up as an additional drive, and you should be able to get your pictures from it.
Hope this helps, and welcome to the forum.It's one of those all in the monitor media machines, you cannot access the hard drive.  Yes, not my wisest of purchases but unfortunately all I can get to is the memory.  It does not seem to recognise the C drive in DOS either so I am guessing this means the drive was never formatted.If you can't access the drive, you could take it to a computer shop where they will be able to rescue your pictures for a fee.
There are some other ways you could try but it can get quite technical - not to do you down but you did list your experience as Beginner, so I'm only going on that.Well after much investigation on the web I found the information I needed.  Just went into Dos and at C prompt typed in CHKDSK.  This picked up the errors.  Rebooted SYSTEM and no more loop in and out of the 'their has been an error loading XP' screen with the various options it has all loaded properly .  now you need to find a way to make your son shut down properly!

7013.

Solve : Reinstall Windows XP on my dell lost disc?

Answer»

HELP!!! My XP crashed and won't let me logon well it logs on then immediatly logs off again. I used an antivirus program that deleted some of my files for XP and I need to recover them. P. S> I don't know which files were deltd but could sure use some help THANX in advance!!! do u have the windows xp CD? u need the original that u have installed on your PCWhat does "lost disc" in the thread title mean? Does it mean you lost your XP install disc? If so, you need to get another one, unless your PC has a recovery partition. HOWEVER you did not tell us anything at all about what kind of PC it is, what antivirus program you used, what the files were that got deleted, and so on.

So look for that disc.
I lost my installation disc DELL PC, Used Zone alarm pro suite, don't know exactly what files were deltd would someone elses(friend of mine) disc work?? Thanx again Quote from: snyderrich on September 21, 2008, 03:03:54 PM

would someone elses(friend of mine) disc work?? Thanx again

You'll never know until you try it.

Do you have your product key? I've done installs with copied DISCS before. I had to call microsoft to explain the situation and they issued me activation code. You have to have the same version of XP for this to work. Quote from: snyderrich
I lost my installation disc Dell PC, Used Zone alarm pro suite

SEE the WARNING about ZA in Broni's post here..

Good luck

7014.

Solve : XP won't start in normal or safe mode after BSOD?

Answer»

I didn't think you would, I'm just paranoid about things like error messages and warnings.  I like complete confirmation.  Thank you so much for helping me.  I'll try it immediately.Question:  What do I do after that, and if it gets me in, then what?  Uninstall Macdrive?After that remove the XP CD and re-boot...hit F8 repeatedly as it's powering up to enter safemode.
Then use Add/Remove to get rid of MacDrive.
Then buy a Mac if you want the Mac experience.
 I have a Mac.  I wanted my PC to recognize my Ipod as a drive.  You didn't read the description of Macdrive did you?

I booted into safe mode successfully, but in add/remove programs when trying to remove Macdrive, it said:

The WINDOWS Installer Service could not be ACCESSED.  This can occur because you are running Windows in safe mode, or if the Windows Installer is not correctly installed.  Contact your support personnel for assistance.

Since you are, I did.I would still follow the steps in the post above...
Then re-boot and re-install the MacDrive software after Visiting Here...So I do not need to uninstall Macdrive before doing a repair install?  Is it necessary to re-install Macdrive after the repair install?  I do not really need it I suppose.You can do it either way...
Keep in mind i'm not trying to DISCOURAGE you from using MacDrive...it MAY just be a funky install...but it's related to when you started having issues.I was just EXPERIMENTING. You haven't discouraged me from using it, it has.  I'll try the repair install now.  Thanks for the help.

7015.

Solve : c0000218 registry failure?

Answer»
I have a C0000218 registry failure?
help - ive tried everything i can THINK of
Im not computer litterate.
ok, what happened - i went into start - run - and MSCONFIG to try and stop certain programmes booting up when i turn the computer on. And yes i unchecked something i shouldnt. Now the computer will not start it just has a blue screen saying dumping physical memory - ive tried all the different options "safe mode" "start windows from last good point" etc etc - all just take me back to the dreaded blue screen.
I do not have a windows xp CD - i never did get ONE with my computer - I NEED HELP - what can i do? - where can i get the cd? can anyone send me one? i need to get this sorted. thanks in advanceI think you will need the Windows XP CD here. Can you borrow one?ive asked everyone i know and no one has a disk - it seems like for the last few years they STOPPED giving them out You need to buy one.http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
7016.

Solve : HELP!!! I am at a loss!?

Answer»

A friend of mine has an ACER laptop that won't boot into Windows Media Center Edition 2005, it just keeps rebooting itself..also, if you try to boot off the CD drive it just shuts off altogether.  This problem started about a week and a half ago a day or so after they installed Office, Photoshop, and Acrobat.

Is there anything that can be done so we can use the recovery disc that came with the computer to try and fix it, or to reformat the hard drive so we can reinstall everything?Any error messages or beeps?
What did he do before this? (downloads, INSTALLS, hardware changes, ect....)

Can you get into Safe Mode at all?

Also, how old is this laptop? Quote

if you try to boot off the CD drive it just shuts off altogether
At what exact point?The Windows Media Center Edition 2005 is in a edition of windows XP in fact .
That's what I KNOW.

The problem is just like the Home edition XP have no "taskkill" command.
Maybe,  there is some FORBIDDEN in this edition.
So try to boot into safe mode to uninstall the software one by one.
After that you should contact the support of Microsoft or the Adobe.
UNINSTALL the three programs mentioned, and see if the computer returns to normal.

What version of Office did you install?

What versions of Photoshop and Acrobat?Office 2003 Professional, Photoshop 7, and Acrobat 8 Professional.

Can't even get to where to uninstall them to see if the computer returns to normal because it keeps trying to reboot over and over again or shuts down when trying to boot of a CD.Let me but in.   There could be a sudden failure of the CD-ROM drive!    Open up the computer and pull the cables on the CD-ROM. Both data and power. Then turn power back on and see.    A bad CD-Drive can do just what was described and whne unplugged the system goes back to normal.   I will pass that info along.  I also recently read...I think it was on this SITE...that it could also be the BIOS memory (?)  I know it was someething to do with the BIOS.  I do know that I was able to get into the BIOS when I took a look at it in order to have it boot off the CD drive instead of the hard drive.
7017.

Solve : locked registry that can not be accessed or changed by anyone?

Answer»

I have locked registry that is not able to be accessed by any user on my computer and in ORDER for me to sucessfully install QUICKTIME and itunes, i need to delete these several registry keys. any help WOULD be greatly appreciated. I am TOLD "Error while OPENING key." and, "Unable to save permission on ___. Access is denied."No need to double Post...see your other thread for responses.
Topic Closed.

7018.

Solve : Problems reinstalling XP?

Answer»

I had some computer issues and decided to reinstall XP. Got a virus or something. I downloaded Google Desktop and everything just went bad from there reboots SLOW computer etc etc.. Anyway, I deleted the partion STARTED the reinstall. Everything seems to be going fine but when it starts to copy files I get "cant copy file" screen "press enter to retry press ESC to skip" so I tap ENTER some files will copy and some wont so I have to escape and skip them. In the end XP wont WORK because of the missing files. Any ideas on how to get XP to install or why this is happening. I have tried to reinstall a couple times and happens every time.Is it genuine Windows XP CD?
If so, clean it.
See, if the CD works in another computer.
Just to get you started...Either the CD or the CD drive is dirty.

Clean the DISK and if that doesn't help SWAP out your drive.

By the way, do you have a cat?
http://www.ymmv.com/goodreads/catcomp.html

7019.

Solve : disk defragmenter?

Answer»

i am trying to defragment my computer.when i try to do it i get this message

 'disk defragmenter has detected that Chkdsk is scheduled to run on the VOLUME: (C:)

please run Chkdsk /f

i dont know what this is,but i run it and it brought up a page saying

the type of file system is NTFS
cannot lock current drive

Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process.would you like to SCHEDULE this volume to be checked the NEXT time the system restarts?

i have tried saying yes but it still goes through the same process.can any 1 help please?Try SELECTING Yes and power down the machine...wait 2 minutes and power up.
Chkdsk should now run on start....let it complete before running any tasks.what is it anyway?? i have tried this i powered down my computer yesterday and put it on 2day and it still wont work?chkdsk is a built in Windows utility that repairs corrupted files on your HDD...
If the drive has many issues Defrag will not run or complete it's task.
Post alot more info on this machine including drive size and free space available.is this the info you WANT?when i goto defragment its this:-

volume    file system     capacity     free space     % free space
(C:)            NTFS             190gb          154gb                81%Yes that's the info...you have enough free space there which was what i was curious about...
Did you try my suggestion above to get chkdsk to run ? ?i will try it again later on and i'll report back if it sorts the problem out. Quote from: patio on September 15, 2008, 10:54:51 AM

Yes that's the info...you have enough free space there which was what i was curious about...
Did you try my suggestion above to get chkdsk to run ? ?

i tried your suggestion but it still hasn't solved the problem???
7020.

Solve : hal.dll missing and now ntldr missing problem?

Answer»

Greetings everyone.  This is my first time posting and I'm not too computer savvy, but I have a problem with my wife's laptop.
dell inspirion running on windows xp
Problem STARTED with the following error message:
*
Windows COULD not start because the following file is missing or corrupt
Windows root>system32/hal.dll
Please re-install a copy of the above file
*
I tried booting in safe mode, but no luck.
Doing some research online, I may have made the problem worse.
I entered SYSTEM recovery mode?  got to c: windows>
I believe used something along the lines of:
expand d:\i386\hal.dl_

I think I then typed c:\windows\system32\hal.dll
was asked to overwrite and I said yes.

New problem now occurs.
*
NTLDR is missing
Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart
*
I hit F12 and chose to boot from xp disc.
I receive message, "hit any key"
I do this, computer then says "checking setup", screen goes blank and then nothing happens.

Your assistance with these problems is greatly appreciated.



So you can't boot from the CD?

Is it possible you can try another one?If you can get back into the Recovery Console type in fixboot and hit Enter...
Remove any CD's and re-boot.
Hope this helps.

You may need a MS XP CD to get there...the laptop restore CD might not do it.Correct, I cannot boot from the cd.  The only cd that appears to work is a dell diagnostic cd.  My xp cd is fine, because it works on my other computer.Can you try another Windows CD?

Is this a legal version of the CD?I don't have another windows cd, but this one is a legal version.  It came with my dell.  My other laptop recognizes it.
It seems that I can't get any cd to boot...except for the dell diagnostic cd.  When I run the dell diagnostic it says that everything passes.

Quote from: Carbon Dudeoxide on September 08, 2008, 02:37:15 AM

Can you try another Windows CD?

Is this a legal version of the CD?
I can't get back to the recovery console.  My MS XP CD doesn't want to boot.  I think the cd is good though, because is works on my other laptop.
Quote from: patio on September 07, 2008, 07:09:02 AM
If you can get back into the Recovery Console type in fixboot and hit Enter...
Remove any CD's and re-boot.
Hope this helps.

You may need a MS XP CD to get there...the laptop restore CD might not do it.
It won't boot? Just that?

Nothing else you can tell us?  when I try to boot from the xp cd I get "press any key" I do that and then get "checking your computer's hardware configuration" and then the computer just freezes.

Quote from: Carbon Dudeoxide on September 10, 2008, 02:50:22 AM
It won't boot? Just that?

Nothing else you can tell us? 
Try removing the CMOS Battery for about 10 minutes and then putting it back in, and trying again.Is the CMOS battery just the regular battery? 

Quote from: Carbon Dudeoxide on September 10, 2008, 05:13:36 AM
Try removing the CMOS Battery for about 10 minutes and then putting it back in, and trying again.
The button battery.

http://images.google.com.hk/images?hl=en&q=cmos%20battery&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi
7021.

Solve : Weird screen behavior! please i really need help!?

Answer»

Today i was using my computer just like normal and then suddenly the screen just froze.. at first i though it was just a normal freeze since i know it can happen sometimes... still i never got it on my computer before. The difference from a normal freeze was that in the screen it appeared small rectangles which was in very BIG pixels and then it froze totally, i tried doing alt+f4 since this happened while i was playing a game on the computer, then nothing happened so i tried doing control+alt+delete, and still no response.  So then i tried rebooting it. The computer booted up just like normal, but as soon i came to the ''log on to your login user'' page the problems began.  the first time i did it i couldn't even see the login screen, the screen was just all black, and again these weird rectangles again... i tried again, this time the screen was just all black, no rectangles, and once more, then i ACTUALLY saw the login screen a bit, but the screen clearness was just terrible, and again these small rectangles everywhere which was i really big pixels. But the computer worked in this bad clearness of the screen, but it was at least 10 times slower than normally and suddeny the screen just turned black again and the rectangles disappeared, and then it got back to the login screen with bad clearness and the rectangles

Please, what shall i do?  i cannot use my computer at all! i need help!I'm no expert, but you might want to post your computer specs so that the expert can see what all you have for your computer. Good luck!thanks  i am using a laptor which i had for about 3-4 years now, i haven't really had any problems before with it. (its a laptop)

Acer Travelmate 4652LMi
*intel Pentium M 740 processor 2MB L2 cache, 1.73GHz, 533MHz FSB , (i don't think i have that one anymore tho...i uppgraded to a faster one for not 2 long ago think its a 4MB or something, what i can remember it was double up.
*15.0''SXGA+TFT LCD
*NVIDIA GeForce Go 6600/64MB VRAM
*80GB HDD
*DVD-super Multi double layer (support DVD+R Double layer/DVD+RW)
*512MB DDR2 (support dual channel
*802.11b/g wireless LAN

Well i hope this helps..i didn't really know what to write so i just basicly copied of what it said on my computer and i can't understand half of what this means either, but if hope you do 

It sounds to me like it's overheating.
Turn your laptop off and unplug it.  Blow into all the vents you can find, they'll be mainly underneath or on the sides.  If there is a fan you can see, use something to hold it still while you blow, like a toothpick or cotton swab.
If you have a can of compressed air that would work even better.
Hopefully this will dislodge some dust, and it may help with the overheating, if that's the PROBLEM.
Let us know how it goes....i tried STARTING it again..it worked this time, without me having to do anything i just left it for 30mins-1hr, but after about 20 sec the bad pixels and rectangles and stuff came back, its really slow as well, but i can at least see the screen this time even if things are slow... it has overheated before, but just when i play games on it, else i can do ANYTHING on it without it overheating, i think it might be the battery, but i cant understand how that can affect the screen...because if i remember correctly my computer warned about my battery was bad and that i should change it immidiatly, but i couldn't..i only have 1 battery...pls help  An overheating graphics card would mean the display would get corrupted, causing those rectangles, black screens, etc.
When you play games the graphics card gets used, so it would heat up - at any other time it's not being stressed, so it wouldn't overheat.
If your battery is bad you should buy a new one, old batteries have been known to cause problems.ok, thanks! well i guess the graphic card is really getting used since i play the online game ''WORLD of warcraft'' a lot, and  thats usually when my computer overheats, but when it overheats it usually just freezes the screen for about 3 sec and then it reboots  itself again...this time i just froze and nothing happened...so u sugest that i should buy a new graphic card as well?  ???and if so, do you have anything u can recommed? that is good but doesn't cost too much.., and aprox what would u think the price would be?
You can't upgrade the graphics in a laptop.
Follow the instructions in my first reply to try to eliminate the overheating.
If that doesn't work, your graphics card may be damaged.
Also, overheating is a serious event, if it causes the computer to shut off due to heat then that's a big problem, it could cause damage.

7022.

Solve : Task manager is not working?

Answer»

I am RUNNING WINDOWS XP, the task manager is not working.  How can I fix this?WELCOME to CH.

We need more INFORMATION, PLEASE look here.

7023.

Solve : XP shutdown?

Answer»

Even after re formatting the hard drive to SOLVE the shutdown problem, the same occurs.  Must be a hardward problem, but possibly temp related.  SYSTEM temp is showing 91 degrees, and CPU temp is 109 degrees.  Would that be the problem, or it that NORMAL?  If normal, what is the next thing to try?if 109F thats fine if 109C then thats a problem!!!


I'd check the power supply to make sure it is healthy, a low voltage can cause this. Your MOTHERBOARD should show voltage levels in the system information CPU health screen. Voltages should not be off by much, CPU Core voltage and +5 is most critical voltage to MB operation. 12V is for drives and cooling fans etc.

Did this topic start somewhere ELSE?

What shutdown problem?Even 109F (43C), if it's an idle desktop, may be a problem.I'd check the power supply to make sure it is healthy, a low voltage can cause this. Your motherboard should show voltage levels in the system information CPU health screen. Voltages should not be off by much, CPU Core voltage and +5 is most critical voltage to MB operation. 12V is for drives and cooling fans etc.

yes..first you try apply heat sink on processor.

7024.

Solve : browsers will not display page?

Answer»

web browsers will not display pages. it is connected, i ran google earth and it came up and email works. i reinstalled explorer and installed firefox and it will not display. message shows like it is not CONNECT like you have the router unpluged. its a dell. dont have no restore disk and i went back 4 days, thats all it would let me do. and it didnt work. thanks for any help, sure dont want to restore complete os.We need more information, Please look here.its a dell 8110. it all started when the cpu went to 100%, my brother downloaded mcfee and it ran and will not load webpages since. trying to get on line to download the embarq software they provide . they are providers. anyway it looks like it wants to load but it does not, it show done at the bottom. we pinged it and its connected. HOPE this helpsExactly what did you do before the problem? (downloads, installs, ect...)

When you try to get ONLINE, does it say Page Cannot Be Displayed, or what?I have a similar problem. It worked by REINSTALLING the windows but I bet thats not what you want to do.

7025.

Solve : need help wont start?

Answer»

ok i have a dell desktop running windows XP
and i won't start up

most of the time when it starts up there would be a dell logo thing
then it GOES to loading windows

but now it doesn't EVEN get past the dell logo sreen

there is no error or anything

it just say
"www.dell.com

Dell DM051 Series

BIOS Revision A05"

i think
i have tried puting in the operating system disk
and pressing F2,F8,F12
and all those Fs but NOTHING is working
its just stuck on that screen

please help!

heres a pic



When computer starts keep TAPPING F8 key until menu appears. See, if you can get into Safe MODE.

7026.

Solve : laptop minus screen, hooking up aux screen?

Answer»

I've got an old toshiba laptop RUNNING xp pro, and the screen went on it, but everything ELSE works. I've ripped the screen off ( messing around with it ), and now I THOUGHT I might set it up in the shop for INVENTORY tracking sort of thing. Problem is I don't know how to get an external screen running without a screen to set it up. It's a toshiba TE2100, its got USB, ethernet, dvd burner etc. It boots up and sits there looking stupid no problem.Not being able to see the keyboard I can only summise that:

usually you connect up the external monitor, and then using the Fn key and either of the F1, F2, F3 etc. keys it will switch between laptop screen and external display.
The symbol on the correct button usually looks like a monitor - one with full screen & one hollowed (or similar).Remote desktop may also be an option, but only if you enabled it prior to removing the screen.

7027.

Solve : CPU usage at 100%?

Answer»

Just to LET everyone with this problem know.
I have had a problem that when I WENT into  task manager the CPU usage was at 100%
I found that it was YAHOO Tool BAR. As I had both Google and Yahoo tool bars but never used yahoo, I uninstalled Yahoo Toolbar from Add And Remove Programmes and my CPU usage is now at between 5 and 14%
Hope hit helps.
Let me know.
Thank you for posting your SITUATION and solution, jeanrob Quote from: drmsucks on September 09, 2008, 10:28:12 AM

Thank you for posting your situation and solution, jeanrob

Yea, pitty more people don't do the same. Ah....Yahoo Toolbar........
7028.

Solve : how to format hard drive??

Answer»

I have XP Sp3 only partially installed, half way through INSTALLATION CD drive no longer recognises disc? I wish to format hard drive so I can try to install operating system again. I am just looking for advice on how to get to C drive to format as every TIME I start up computer it goes to "restarting setup"? Thanking you in advance for advice.Try this: http://partitionlogic.org.uk/.

Best of luck!Hi, just make sure your computer is set to boot to cd rom, when it starts up, it will say hit delete button, or one of the F buttons to enter setup, Thats where u set to boot to cd. Then save and exit, put WINDOWS cd in and AWAY u go.Hiya, I have PC set to boot up from CD ROM. Windows XP is only partially installed so every time I switch on PC it automatically goes to continue install from where it stopped. It keeps asking for XP CD but when I install it doesn't recognize it, the drives light come on and a CD icon appears beside on screen cursor for a few moments and that's about it! This is the same drive that  I used to install XP before. I've REPLACED drive to see if there was a problem with other drive but it's still the same. Really don't know enough about this but would be grateful for any more advice. I would really like to be able get back to C drive so that I could format. I hope that I have been able to explain my problem and sincere apologies if I have caused confusion. Once again thank you for your time and for your advice. Quote from: drmsucks on September 08, 2008, 04:33:18 PM

Try this: http://partitionlogic.org.uk/.

Best of luck!
7029.

Solve : installing new ram?

Answer»

I have acquired 2 512 ram cards and have attempted to install them in my previously 256k ram computer.  when I install either by itself it works OK, but only showing 496(which someone told me why, video CARD or something.) but when I install both its like slamming windows into PARK, it takes over an hour to bring up windows, and even the little musical chime as it loads is all choppy.  Did I not resest some bios or something? 
any helpfull hints would be great, and yes I tried pulling them and reseating them after CLEANING contacts.
thanksSounds like mismatched Ram. Are both Ram sticks the same Manufacturer and specs?

Is your system Dual-Channel capable in which sticks are inserted into banks 0 and 2 when you have banks 0,1,2,3? If only a 2 bank system then this is not the issue. If inserted as 0 and 1 and dual-channel capable your system is RUNNING in single channel mode.

What motherboard or make/model computer?I'm an old diesel mechanic, so be patient with me.  I TOOK an old machine to a small shop a few years ago, he gutted it and installed a new motherboard, with a little more ram and a faster processor.  I realize all that i have now is propably out of date.
I purchased some ram from an old friend on line, I don't know if they match.
There are only 2 slots on the board for ram
Here is what it says in the properties section of my computer
system
microsoft windows xp
home edition
version 2002
service pack 2
Registered to
home
(then serial numbers I'm not sure I should give)
computer
Via Samuel 2
735MHz, 448Mb Ram
I could open system properties but that's a lot of info, what exactly am I looking for to help you help me?Trying to determine:

a) Type of RAM supported

b) Max amount of memory supported

c) max memory module size supported

7030.

Solve : Cannot upload MS Word?!?

Answer»

For some reason I am unable to upload MS Word documents as an attachment. I am using MS Word 2003 with all of the Hot Fixes that are available (for Office 2003), which I wonder MIGHT be part of my problem. I have tried to upload a Word attachment using AOL and Yahoo Mail. One thing that will work is if I CHANGE the format from the default .doc to Word 97-2003 & 6.0/95 RTF *.doc. I would rather save and send in the default format though. Any suggestions?
 
BTW, I cam upload other files w/o problems, like pictures and .exe.   
 
Dave - are these attempts with 2003 version .doc files being rejected (bounced) or ignored?

I also wonder about AOL and Yahoo too - thinking maybe of how some ISP's block zip files these days.  I do send occasional .doc files myself but that is thru my Earthlink and, generated from Word 2000.

Can't think why the version should matter UNDULY.  No idea right now as to the cause, except for the AOL/Yahoo aspect.Thank you for the quick reply.  What happens is this.  With AOL, the progress bar just keeps going till it REACHES aprox 85%, then stops and logs off (shuts down the AOL program).  With Yahoo, the progress bar just keeps going and going and going...

Have not ATTEMPTED a zip file.

DavidHmmm - funny tho if 97/03 or Word 6/95 works ... but then I assume there you send with RTF extension.

Right now - no idea other than an ISP issue for some wierd reason.


After thought - I wonder if you sent changing extension to .txt and get recipient to change it back?  If it's file code content that's being the problem then that would not work either - but might prove a point!I'm not sure I understand.  What point would that prove?  Let me rephrase ........

If you try and ''cheat'' - and change .doc to .txt - and ask the recipient to change it back to .doc - then we could reckon the extension itself was (maybe) raising alarm bells.

If however with a false extension the file is rejected then - it'd seem that it's content rather than extension, which is being ''seen'' as ''not permissible".

See what I mean?  Just a matter of interest really....  trying to work out why a file is being difficult to transfer on an email.Ok. I got it now.  Thank you for taking the time to explain that to me.

7031.

Solve : picture into watercolor?

Answer»

How do I TURN a PICTURE into watercolor-look in WORD?Do you have an EXAMPLE?

7032.

Solve : Windows XP Home and Pro Recovery Console Password Reminder?

Answer»

On many XP installations any attempt to start the RECOVERY CONSOLE will fail because no password will be accepted.  Even if a password has never been SET simply hitting Enter will not WORK.   

The following Regedit will stop the Recovery Console prompting for a password.  Note that the Regedit must be done before access to the Recovery Console is required i.e. when your system is error free.

Please take all the usual precautions when editing your registry:

Start > Run > Regedit
Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Setup\RecoveryConsole
Set the DWORD SecurityLevel value to 1
Exit Registry and Reboot

Nice one Done...and THANX a Ton !

7033.

Solve : Activating windows XP question?

Answer»

So I don't have a XP cd and I used my friends cd.  I installed windows xp with his cd and I was never prompted for a key.  Now on my laptop I have a windows key on the back.  Here is my question can I change my key and register it? Will that change the WPA file?  Is that even legal(using anothers cd to install xp)? thanksusually when you use Friends cd's, as soon as you download windows upgrades you will get the authenticity problems. As far as I know the only way to change the key is to install a nother version of windows. My suggestion is to use your laptops windows DISK on your other computer to make it authentic.Unless your friend had a volume license copy of XP (would have been through a business if he did - and then for business use only) then it is most definitely a taboo to use someone else's disc and your key - if it even accepts it.

Usually the machine that comes with a key already stuck on, has had the OS pre-installed (and any 3rd party manufacturer applications along with it). If you were able to install XP using another persons disc you would have a 33% chance the key would be accepted - mainly because there are three versions of an OS disc.

Volume license - one key covers a SET number of machines (businesses use this type of key)
Retail license - a full copy bought off the shelf as a STANDALONE copy
OEM license - preinstalled on a machine (which it seems is most likely what you have if the COA is already on your laptop)

As long as you have an authentic certificate I don't think that the big boys will be kicking your door in, but it can cause ISSUES later on with Software Updates if the key has been registered on a different machine.

7034.

Solve : How to block some offline working??

Answer»

My son has a laptop on which we limit internet time as he is somewhat ADDICTED to music & games. He has taken to loading videos fro utube then disappearing to his room with the laptop where he is able to replay the downloaded VIDEO seemingly HUNDREDS of times as LONG as he does not click any other links. Is there a technological way of preventing this that would still allow him to use the internet and view utube  at other times? So he loads the video on Youtube, then disconnects but keeps watching them, right?

The only way I know of to stop this is to close the browser when he is disconnected.
Once he opens it again, he cannot get to the page.

However, you should know there are WAYS to download youtube videos.

7035.

Solve : replacing dll [ help me ]?

Answer»

i was trying to replace these files :
advapi32.dll gdi32.dll
avgrsstx.dll imm32.dll
kernal32.dll ntdll.dll
rpcrt4.dll secur32.dll
shimeng.dll user32.dll

but i couldnt can anyone help mewhy do you want to replace them?

What happens when you TRY to replace them?

well because some files are REGISTERED in those dll i THINK,and i want to share to my FRIEND ( not LEECHING )Huh? What exactly are you trying to do?

7036.

Solve : Download videos from youtube?

Answer»

As I am a rookie to the Computer, please tell me how to download videos.
I COPIED down what I thought was the URL and it says error/ not VALID URL.
I know it comes easy for the KIDS to do all that with youtube and my SPACE,etc. I need to hire a ten year old to show me this stuff.
Anyway I Thankyou for any help you can give me.
                                                                              Dr E. Use this site to submit the URL of the video page. This will then allow you to download that video.Look at this page: http://www.freewarefiles.com/search.php.  Or you could try vixy.net/.www.kcoolonline.com also worksThere are also numerous Greasemonkey Scripts that give you an option to download the video from Youtube by clicking an added link.Thanks fir the good advice and as soon as I can concentrate ( after coffee)
I am certainly going to put it to good use.
                                                   I appreciate you help,  Dr E  

GLAD we could help.

7037.

Solve : laptop keeps on restarting?

Answer»

can anyone HELP me.
my laptop keeps on restarting.
it alsways reach to the MICROSFT xp screen and then it restart over and over again.
it will go into a BLUE screen for half a second.
and then it restart.

even when i use the safe MODE. the same thing happen again.Any recent hardware changes? What about software changes? (installs, downloads)

Can you get into windows via Safe Mode?

7038.

Solve : nt detect Failed?

Answer»

ok so i boot windows xp and it KEEPS rebooting im good up until i have to fix the problem with the windows repair after i PUSH R i dont get a administrator password thing all i get is a command prompt and when i TRY to type
COPY X:\i386\NTLDR C\:
COPY X:\i386\NTDETECT.COM C:\
where X is the drive letter for my CD drive.
it says files cannot be found or something similar.
and i was also WONDERING if i typed enter after each one or not i've tried both ways but still says files are missing HELP!!Welcome to the CH forums.

The information you have PROVIDED is not detailed enough to really help you.  Are you using the Recovery Console?  Please post the exact entries you are entering at the Command Prompt and the exact error messages which are displayed.

Quote

it says files cannot be found or something similar.
does not allow a reasonably accurate diagnosis to be made.

Please read these guidlines

Good luck
7039.

Solve : Windows recovery CD admin password?

Answer»

I am trying to use the Windows recovery CD to repair or recover the boot.ini file. However, when I get to the Administrator password I do not know the password and cannot get past this POINT in the recovery process. Any help to get past the admin password?

ThanksWelcome to the CH forums.

Do you MEAN that you are trying to access the Recovery Console and get stopped at the Admin Password?  If so please read this.

We may be able to advise about sorting out your problem if you give a few more details, like why you feel it's NECESSARY to access boot.ini, also please read this.

Good luck

I cannot run the Regedit as recommended. When I try to boot up I get the error.
Invalid Boot.ini file
Booting From c:\Windows
NTDETECT failed

then it tries to boot again.

Any ideas?

Thanks, Quote from: jmack on September 08, 2008, 08:28:45 PM

I do not know the password

Why not?
Is this your computer? Quote from: JJ 3000 on September 09, 2008, 02:07:06 AM
Is this your computer?

That's what I want to know, too.
7040.

Solve : Problem formatting Hard Drive?

Answer»

I'm working on fixing a friends computer; I came to the conclusion that the operating system was corrupt and being that he had no IMPORTANT files on the drive I decided to reinstall Windows. As I usually do I delete all partitions and create one new one (minus about 32mb). I encountered a problem when I tried to FORMAT the drive using nfts.

"Windows was unable to complete the format.."

I've tried several times and it never gets passed about 30%.

The drive is a Seagate SATA 200GB.
OS is WIndows XP Pro SP2.
Computer is a Compaq.

I've tried splitting the drive creating a 100GB partition and it didn't work.
I've tried using 2 seperate other Windows disks.
I have checked and rechecked all of the cables.

One thing to NOTE is that the SATA cable on the HD end does not lock when it's inserted. It looks as if SOMEONE pulled the cable without pressing in on the end, forcing it out. Possible problem there?

I'm almost to the point where I am going to replace the SATA cable and eventually the drive, but obviously I want to avoid that at all costs. Currently looking at Seagate diagnostic images online.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you.I'd first replace that cable...
Next thing i'd do is DLoad and run the Seagate DIAGNOSTICS on that drive to see if it has issues...
Available FREE from their site.

7041.

Solve : Genric host 32 error during Net?

Answer»

dear FRIENDS
    i have the problem during NET an error GenericHost 32.........
  let me know how i can solve this problam. i have BROAD band connection.

thank.
vinod
< Email removed to prevent SPAM bots >HTTP://support.microsoft.com/kb/894391

7042.

Solve : Keyboard will not detect on start up?

Answer»

Hi
I hope someone can help, we have just moved so my computer has been in a box for over a week, I have set it all up but when I switch it on I can not get it to detect the keyboard.

The Mouse is working fine.
OS is XP
I have tried using USB and PS2 with an adaptor but no joy, can anyone help?Can you try a DIFFERENT USB Port?Have tried all of them Can you borrow another keyboard and try it?

Perhaps it got damaged when you moved.I have tried that but no joy, I even got hold of a NEW one from WorkHmmmm....Strange.....

Can you get hold of a PS/2 Keyboard and try again?
(not a USB one with a converter)Will try and get one FORM work tommorrow, I am think there are some kicking around the office.

Will let you know how I get onAll Right, I'll be here. Hi Carbon Dudeoxide, I would like to thanks for the help using a old style PS2 worked a  treat and I now have my USB Keyboard working.
Must have had a GOOD effect as I have got my wireless print serve working as well, you must have sent my PC good vibes.
Regards Bloater Everyone should have a PS2 Keyboard and Mouse....even if they just sit in the closet.
Just like everyone should have a Windows CD....
                      Quote

you must have sent my PC good vibes.

Just using my magic.
7043.

Solve : programs that want to autoload on startup?

Answer»

There are a few PROGRAMS on my computer that I dont want to automatically load on start up.  I have done the msconfig THING and removed the entries for those programs but they still load on start up.  One such program is hotmail messenger.  How do I get it to STOP?  Where else are the start up entries listed?You may find the easiest WAY is RegCure - or an oldie  ...... RegCleaner. 

Both will allow turning off some start items at registry level - and saves you having to dig in registry directly.  Also give you an option to turn back on if need be.Download HIJACKTHIS:
http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/tools/security_tools/hijackthis/download
Click on Download HijackThis Installer
Post HijackTHis log.

7044.

Solve : WindowsXP won't start?

Answer»

I have been working on a Compaq Presario 2500 laptop running WindowsXP Professional.
It has been experiencing a couple of problems the most troublesome being that it will take approximately 1 hour for WindowsXP to start.  It will start in safe mode, but is still extremely slow.

I have used a Linux live CD and am able to boot from it and run the laptop.

The second problem involves the laptop intermittently shutting down during boot up.  After I removed the battery, this problem occurs not as frequently.  Not sure if these two are in any way related.  Any advise would be greatly appreciated.Does it boot in 'normal' time from the Linux CD?

I think that I would: a) run the hard drive diagnostic from the hard drive manufacturer and b) run memtest 86 (memtest86.org) for starters. Yes, it seems to boot normally from the CD.
I ran defrag from "safe mode" and did not find any problems.
I tried to run chkdsk from the Run... dialog.  However, it informed that it would not run in "safe mode".

I'll check what type of HD it has and try to download the drive utility as well as the memory testing software.  Thanks for the advise.  I'll let you know what I find.For memtest86, you'll need to burn the .iso to CD then boot from the CD. (If you need suggestion for .iso burn program, post back.)

*Run memtest86 on one RAM module at a time for 2 hours at least; longer is better up to 7 passes. Repeat for each RAM module.

*If all modules pass individually, INSTALL all RAM and run memtest86 for 4 hours.

(ANY error means a bad module.

Best of luck.So far, so good!
I lucked out.  A dowloaded a copy of the newest Ubuntu OS last night and found it has a copy of memtest86 as one of its options from the CD's main menu.
I'm into my third pass and so far have no errors.How did the hard drive diagnostic turn out?Have not got to the HD test.  However, I believe the laptop has a Toshiba HD and it appears the manufacturer does not supply a utility for their products.
As far as the memory test, I am on pass #8 without any errors.  I guess we can assume the RAM is not to blame.
Let me know if their is a generic application that can be run to check the integrity of the HD.
Thanks Quote from: harpo on September 06, 2008, 10:01:38 PM

However, I believe the laptop has a Toshiba HD and it appears the manufacturer does not supply a utility for their products.
Yep, no diagnostic software from Toshiba.

Memory sounds great.

Do you have a Windows CD?Unfortunately, I do not have the disk set to WindowsXP Professional.
I have backup disks for WindowsXP Home Edition which is running my desktop.

I forgot to mention that the other night I attempted to WIPE WindowsXP from the system by installing WindowsNT Workstation 4.0.  Twice while initializing the system from the floppy disks, the laptop gave me the "blue screen of death" while loading the second floppy.  In reading the OUTPUT from this screen, I saw many hex addresses with a reference to ntkrnl (I guess that's the NT kernel).
I've never had a problem with installing WindowsNT from this media before, so I assume the error has something to do with the laptop.

I may have access to a computer running WindowsXP Professional Tuesday evening. I'll be upgrading the RAM in a friend's laptop and I believe it is running XP Pro.If the laptop has the Authorisation # for XP you can use another XP CD to re-install it
You will still have to activate it.
I suggest visiting Compaq's site first to collect all the laptop drivers before starting. Quote from: harpo on September 07, 2008, 02:31:54 PM
Will the Home Edition contain data files that will repair the Professional edition?
You need an XP Pro CD unless you want to do a clean install with the Home version and are licensed to do so.You need to use the same version the machine is liscensed for including the appropiate SERVICE packs...

XP Home SP2 = XP Home SP2
XP Pro SP2 = XP Pro SP2

etc.I need to install a RAM upgrade in a friends Dell laptop Tuesday.  I believe his system is running WinXP Professional.  I may be able to make a backup set of installation CDS from his laptop.
As long as they are compatible and I use the XP authorization code from the Compaq do you think this will work?
ThanksYou would be best served borrowing the original CD since you are doing him a favor...
XP OS CD's do not copy well unless you take alot of convoluted steps...
This is by design.
But it's a popular Topic here as many people who are having issues don't have a genuine XP CD...

I'd actually go out on a limb and say it's the most common issue here other than Viruses and Malware.
7045.

Solve : Hour long bootup?

Answer»

Good news, it's all FIXED and loading nicely now. The cure was...sadly...SP2. 

But THANK you for your HELP people, SP2 would of been the last thing I installed if it wasn't for you people.  So thanks. 

I'm really GLAD, that....I was wrong Quote

Good news, it's all fixed and loading nicely now.

Good news indeed.  Glad to hear it, as well...EXCELLENT ...
7046.

Solve : My desktop won't turn on?

Answer»

This has happened about 3 weeks ago.  I was able to GET it to TURN on by unplugging everything on the tower.  The green light was not lit.  I reconnected everything & it turned on.  Now, with doing that this time, I get NOTHING.  No sounds from anything.

My computer is a HP, about 4 years old, & I am running XP on it.  Any thoughts?  Is my computer dead?  Is it the power supply?  Any way I can get it running again.hey, so are u saying the power supply fan doesnt come on?? If so, you should change out the power supply first. Could be a bad stick of ram, MOTHERBOARD, etc.

7047.

Solve : Is my chipset not valid??

Answer»

this is the error message i get when i try to install the updated drivers It says ''the NVIDIA Setup PROGRAM could not locate any drivers that are compatible with you current hardware'' what does this MEAN? ALSO when i go here: http://www.nvidia.com/object/IO_30454.html

my graphics is listed but the * symbol isnt next to it. what does this mean?Click here to find out what information I should ADD when SUBMITTING a question?

7048.

Solve : Won't Log on?

Answer»

Ok, i am having loads of trouble with a computer right now and just need to clear some things up.

First off it is a LAPTOP- so im not going to be crawling around inside of it.

2nd. Before this issue started i ran an registry cleaner- i have herd that this problem can somtimes occur when doing this.

Issue. Computer starts up fine, when you CLICK to log on the backround flashes and then it logs off. Does this no MATTER how you try to start up- safe mode ect.

I did a XP repair (with windows disk) but the problem still is here. So.... i just don't know what to do now...

I WOULD rather not completly wipe the computer so if i have any other options i would love to HEAR them. Thanks. I assume you've tried system restore?  What was the registry cleaner? Quote

i ran an registry cleaner- i have herd that this problem can somtimes occur when doing this.
...and you did it anyway, huh? I can bet you $5, you don't have a backup, either.
Well, as always, when there is an action, there are consequences.
We can't pull miracles here.
In my opinion, you're facing reinstall.
7049.

Solve : computer crashed after installing blackberry desktop manager?

Answer»

Hi,

I just got a blackberry and WENT to load the software onto my computer.  The sofware installed, but it would not connect with the phone.  I DECIDED to restart in case that was the issue.  The computer would restart, but would not go further than showing my background picture - no icons or anythign showed up.

I've tried to restart in safe mode, it will LET me get to the screen where I can select it, and then a bunch of lines come across the screen and then it asks to press escape to stop loading sptd.sys and locks up there.  the last line on the screen says: multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\Windows\System32\Drivers\Mup.sys

I'm not sure what to do.  I am on a friends computer right now. I've been meaning to backup my data for a while now and just haven't gotten to it.  I really don't want to lose my data, there's too much on there.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

ThanksAt this point in time since data recovery is a priority i would hook up your DRIVE as a slave in a known working machine and back up anything you need...
Once that is done Post back and we'll continue with the fixup process.

7050.

Solve : Shutdown Event?

Answer»

Hardware: IBM
Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.6GH
1.99 GHz
1 GIG RAM
XP HOME VERSION SP3

Error message I keep getting: "Event provider attempted to register query "%1" whose target class "%2" does not exist.  The query will be ignored."
Explanation: "An erroneous dependcey for the class in the query no longer EXISTS, a missing class definition."
This has occurred with Firefox crashing, Internet Explorer crashing (not as often), other programs.  After rebooting, it usually runs a checkdisk and reinstates "orphan" files, or repairs corrupt files.
In the viewer logs AVG anti-virus keep popping up prior to a shutdown event and I've heard somewhere that it's no longer recommended.  I know that every time I come back from the reboot, AVG needs another COMPLETE update.  It's as if information is being wiped out, so that computer can't make the connection and crashes.
The User Action says: 1. Compile the definition for the target class into the WMI repository by compiling the class povider mof file.
2. Reinstall the program.  Relevant mof files are automatically complied when a program is reinstalled.
This is obvious being MANAGED by the WINDOWS Management (Inventory?)
Anyhow, I don't know what an mof file is.  If it's AVG that's causing this, or it's a clash with other programs, maybe that's it.  I have some freeware: Spyware Guard, Spybot Search & Destroy, Spyware Blaster, File Checker, Registry Mechanic (not freeware).  Maybe I've got too many programs launching at startup, or they conflict with each other somehow.

Thanks loads for any help.
Mike.I think your regisrty is locked so AVG can't complete a update. It sounds like it deleted or uninstalled some files and you regisrty is still pointing to them.

Spybot Search & Destroy locks the regisrty. You can try to uninstall it and than try to run the update for AVG to see if it takes. If not than uninstall it and do a reinstall.

Let us know how you make out.
Yeah, I can try that.  I've run these programs together in the past, on a different computer - a Dell.  I don't know whether the make makes any difference, but anyhow I will try that and see.  I've never heard of Spybot actually locking the registry before.  With Spyblaster I always get a warning if a new BHO appears, though.
Quote from: Spoiler on September 03, 2008, 12:09:00 PM

I think your regisrty is locked so AVG can't complete a update. It sounds like it deleted or uninstalled some files and you regisrty is still pointing to them.

Spybot Search & Destroy locks the regisrty. You can try to uninstall it and than try to run the update for AVG to see if it takes. If not than uninstall it and do a reinstall.

Let us know how you make out.


I'm going to try something different.  The problem seems to be stemming from a query, specifically generated by "win32_UTCTime, whose target class "win32_UTCTime does not exist.  I don't know much about programming in Windows, but this query-answer deal seems to be the crux of the matter.  Checking the Microsoft website I got a sample query, how to generate an event at (UTC time).
"The following query example shows you how to generate events every second forever:
SELECT  *  FROM _InstanceModificationEvent
WHERE
Targetinstance  ISA "win32_UTCTime."

Now, I don't know what all this means, specifically, though I did study programming at one time.  If you can help me with this, that'd be great - I mean, to shed some LIGHT on what's happening here.  I haven't changed anything, as suggested earlier.  Not sure if that would help, I'm willing to try anything, but this seems to be the key, maybe.  The other thing is that more often than not, it seems to crash when it's been sitting for a while and I select a program to run, or even more likely (and this may be the key, again), if I open a particular document so it will open in the program.  So, some kind of pointer that is supposed to reference a file comes up with zero.

Mike.