JedMeister

WinDirStat (http://windirstat.info/) is another option. Its an open source program (apparently loosely based on the Linux app KDirStat) that displays disk contents in a similar way to SequoiaView but includes a little more info on the same screen. Although it doesn't have the filtering options that SequoiaView has but I like it better. It has also been updated a little more recently than SequoiaView, and is stable on Vista for anyone else that's interested. [edit] added a pic

You said that you needed to install drivers before it worked? I am assuming that is with XP? If so that would concern me. When you say that it works on your Windows PC did you actually test to see if it will boot from it? Getting it to work in Linux (or within Windows even) is irrelevant as booting from it will happen before it loads any OS. It is reliant on your BIOS rather than any OS. If it won't boot from it on your Windows box can you please tell us the message that you get, or if it just ignores it etc? Could you please try removing all other boot options (as suggested by Zxian) and see if that changes anything? Does it give any error message or simply ignore the drive? Does BIOS recognise the CD-RW drive? Perhaps also try any other USB boot BIOS options as well.

The Printers have to be coming form somewhere! Perhaps you could construct a start-up script for each area that checks for and deletes (if necessary) any irrelevant printers?

@speedemon86 - Nice work mate, sounds like you've fully got the situation under control. You're right, sometimes a clean reinstall is the best medicine for a messed up system! Often quicker and easier to tweak a clean sys than muck around with a messed up one! @Th3_uN1Qu3 Probably no need for the sarcasm dude. You were right that I should've read the original and subsequent posts better, isn't that enough? Besides, yes its running off C drive but running Firefox Portable from anywhere (C or any other drive) suggests to me that it's not installed on the local system. Whilst it comes down to a matter of semantics, 'portable' doesn't suggest to me a permanent installation. I believe my comments are somewhat vindicated...

Sorry, my bad on the RAM (obviously its not possible- that's what I get for not taking my time reading...)I still stand by the Firefox 3 comment though (although in fairness you are right, I should've read better!) HijackThis only shows he's running Firefox Portable (suggesting to me it may not be installed on the local system?) and also it doesn't say which version. Previous to v3 Firefox was a huge RAM hog and was also a bit heavy on CPU (in my opinion) if too many tabs open. I thought it was better to say that, than assume it was update and installed locally, but perhaps I was wrong (stranger things have happened!)

I agree with above.... More RAM is good - if possilbe. Get rid of Norton, AVG is the lightest free AV from what I've read. CCleaner is very good, unistall all apps you don't need first, then run it and remove all prefetch files, it may slow down your next boot and first load-up of apps, but it will clean out lots of junk and mean your prefetch files are more currently relevant. Spybot S&D is great for checking for, and removing spyware/adware/etc. Black Viper service tweaks are the go for sure! I've found TCP Optimizer is good. Also once you've cleaned up with CCleaner give the drive a good defrag. Often paid-for after market Defraggers do a better job, but standard one works ok. From what I've read, having too much info in your hosts file can slow down networking significantly (as you PC has to parse hosts file everytime it connects to a network resource). So pruning anything you don't need from there is probably a good idea. If you are behind a NATed router then I'd give COMODO Firewall a miss (no need for firewall when NATed really, just use Windows firewall if you want to use one, while not as good it is less system intensive than COMODO). If you are exposed to the net directly, then use COMODO, it's a great software firewall and I would advise that over the Windows one. Autoruns is best IMO for killing startup apps. Info and download here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinte...s/bb963902.aspx. If you can be bothered learning all about it, MS's BootViz is apparently handy for optimising bootup speed, download and instructions can be found here: http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/window-on-windows/?p=742. Pretty sure you have to sign up to download though. Personally I'd go Firefox 3 for web browsing (benchmarks quicker than IE6 for rendering much html, images and esp java). Also get the IE tab add-on for IE only pages. Then remove all links to IE (from Desktop, Start Menu and Quick Start) cause old habits die hard. If you insist on keeping IE, at least install Spyware Blaster as a preventative (probably worth installing anyway). Good luck!

Excellent work!

My first guess would be flat or weak CMOS battery.

I have no idea really but it would be good to check that the service is not disabled (Start > Run > "services.msc") I think its called Fast User Switching Compatibility. Set it to automatic I think for what you want. Then try checking it the way you did before.

Sounds more like Pirate Edition to me (genuine Windows PE = Pre-install Environment, similar to BartPE, nothing like a normal install disk), but I'll ignore that for now... An iso should burn to CD as long as it is below 700MB (or 650MB depending on the size of the CD). Your favourite burning app should have no problems with it. As for booting from your USB CD using f2, without being familiar with Acer BIOS I would assume yes! If it doesn't work then you may need to play around in BIOS. Good luck!

The patch is theoretically possible (I think nLite can do it from memory) but like submix8c says even if you can get it installed it still may not boot. I have (briefly) used a 233MHz with 64MB RAM (min XP specs I think) and it wasn't usable in my opinion. Every time you clicked something you had to wait ages for anything to happen! And if you clicked on 2 or 3 things, well you may as well go make a cuppa while you wait for your system to start responding again. I think realistic min specs for XP are 450-500MHz with 128MB RAM, but even that will be slow and unresponsive. Min RAM I'd suggest for XP would be 256MB. If you can't or won't take submix8c's advice about using eBay then I would at least try to get more RAM. And I would nLite an XP CD specifically for this machine. You will notice an improvement if you remove all the effects and use classic desktop. Also removing all the networking components will speed up your system too (although you won't be able to network with other computers). If you aren't going to network the laptop or use it on the net then I've heard using XP Gold (ie SP0) is a little less system intensive. Without networking, security centre and other unrequired services (also don't install antivirus) you may be able to get it to run ok but don't count on it. Windows 2000 may be another option (but again still probably needs more RAM). Often progs that are built for XP will still run on 2K. Good Luck!

Well it could be the PSU ...or it could be the motherboard. I recently had a motherboard that died (actually I've had 2 lately) with the same symtoms (stopped and wouldn't start). Try a different PSU or try that PSU on a different PC (if you've got access to one) before you lash out. If it is PSU then would advise you spend a bit on it, don't just buy a cheap one.

Or use a USB (external) CD drive! You'll need to find all the XP drivers first then put them on a USB stick. Then if you've got access to an external CD, just install as per normal. You can make do if you have an IDE external HDD then you can pull it apart and remove the HDD and plugin a CD-ROM drive (must also be IDE obviously - I assume the same applies to SATA drive/enclosure but I haven't checked). If you don't have access to that, then you'll need a USB flash drive (or HDD should do it too). Have a google as there are numerous sets of instructions to install XP from flash drive online. There's probably already one here on msfn.org! Just have a search. I had a similar issue with my ASUS EeePC when I first bought it, but I stuck with it and I've actually come to like Linux now. Its just different to Windows (ie what you're used to) and once you get your head around the different way of doing things, its not that bad. Although to be honest it was only through the active and supportive EeePC community that many of my questions got answered, which allowed me to persevere. And once I decided to give Linux a serious go I refused to give up. I'm not sure that the Acer Linux has the same support level and without it, it would be very hard for someone to stick with it. Good luck with it!

Yeah just remove the Start Menu entry. No harm done, if and when you want to uninstall it (ie upgrading driver etc) then just use Add/Remove Programs. I'm not sure why they do it either but a lot of stand-alone driver installers do stupid stuff like that! Waste of Start Menu real estate if you ask me!

Replace RAM (or just test with one stick installed if you have multiples) until you get a clean bill of health. I'd agree with Th3_uN1Qu3 but to be certain fix your RAM problem then continue testing.

I strongly disagree with that statement. I would say in the hands of a seasoned professional it is somewhat "useful for identifying and blocking rogue applications attempting to send outgoing data."If I had a $1 for every infected PC I have worked on that had Windows Firewall (and the system tray warning tool tip) disabled by malware I would be a wealthy man. Once informed of how sick their PCs were, most of those customers told me "but the Windows Firewall was on..." (with the exception of a couple that noticed it was disabled in Security Centre but were concerned because they couldn't re-enable it). These people were under the illusion that Windows Firewall was protecting them, and it is this false sense of security that makes it "worse than useless" in my eyes. I am not so naive to think that aftermarket software firewalls are immune from that sort of rogue activity too, but just by virtue of Win Firewall being included free with the OS, it is more prevalent and thus has had a lot more work put into cracking it. Same can be said for IE and MS products in general, often their popularity is what makes them insecure, not necessarily the quality of their security systems. Anyway, it sounds as though you are happy with Win Firewall, so good luck resolving your issues.

I had a quick look at your links IcemanND. Nice work on the WIM HowTo Manual! Sorry but I didn't have time to look all through the second forum topic you linked to so I'm not sure if this one's there or not. A great one I've come across lately is Macrium Reflect - Free Edition. It is the only professional looking, comprehensive Disk Imaging software for Windows I've come across that is completely free! Have a look.

Sorry I know this is not a real answer to your question but.... Assuming your workstations are behind a NATed router, I think that Windows Firewall is probably worse than useless. If you feel the need for a software firewall, try an aftermarket one. If you do that and you have a server onsite, you can set it up to always allow LAN traffic, even if the problem occurs again you could reliably RDP into the server and access the workstations from there. I guess the same would apply to Windows firewall but it doesn't sound like you could trust it to maintain its settings.

Firstly I'd like to acknowledge that we've pretty much hijacked ryaxnb's Linux thread and taken it off on a wild green tangent. Sorry dude! Having said that................. Also many manufacturers are using less toxic substances in their manufacturing processes and factoring in recyclabilty (did I just make that word up?) of their products. Recycling of tech parts is becoming more efficient and accessible too. Very good point! I agree 110%. As people's environmental consciousness has been raised, the 'green' label has become a marketing tool. I think the green credentials of many companies are somewhat suspect. Even big players like Toyota, on one hand producing the extremely fuel efficient and popular 'green' car, Prius. But simultaneously lobbying governments around the world to water down minimum fuel economy standards so it can still supply thirsty SUVs to those that are willing to buy them (with minimal R&D costs)! I didn't realise that BC had significant hydro power (though I guess it shouldn't be too surprising). CFLs are another interesting point of the complexity of 'green' issues. Whilst they are more energy efficient and last longer (thus use less raw materials), they comprise of lots of nasty heavy metals that are often released when disposed of. You just can't win! Fair call. Hehe, my girlfriend delights in reminding me of one time when she accused me of hypocracy and I turned to her straight faced and replied "I never claimed not to be a hypocrite!". Enough said!

Brilliant cluberti that link was exactly what I was thinking he'd need, just didn't have it. I'll bookmark it for future reference! You're in good hands now kooftspc. If you can get a dump uploaded for cluberti to look at, I'd put my money on him being able to head you in the right direction! I've seen him work his magic on a dump file before!

Ok good point! Have you tried safe mode? does it do the same thing? I'm sure there is a direct reg tweak you could use rather than going through the GUI process. That would be much quicker. Again I don't know it off the top of my head but I'm sure if it exists it'll be somewhere on this site.

I won't be much help but I'd suggest having a search on the forum here for instructions on how to get a memory dump. Set your machine to do a memory dump on error, and next time it BSODs upload the dump and get one of the gurus here to help you with it. You're definitely in the right place, some of the guys on here really know their stuff! [edit] just an after thought, don't just do a mini dump!

He's saving thousands of kWh. So I'd say yes. Not only he's saving on an individual computer, but when you can replace several old ones by a single modern PC (things like vmware help too), then you get amazing savings (this Core 2 Duo replaced 3 old boxes on its own -- a desktop, a box that was encoding nearly 24/7 and a vmware server). And more often than not, the upgrade pays for itself in power savings.I guess that applies to you guys in North America who rely mostly on coal fired power stations but where I live we have mostly hydro-electricity. In Germany they have an extensive solar network and push people to install solar in their homes (I got the flag right didn't I BenoitRen?), but no doubt they still use coal too. Whilst energy savings add up in dollars, they may not necessarily equal environmental savings. I think BenoitRen was suggesting that Zxian's perspective doesn't necessarily include the pollution caused by manufacturing new parts (which is significant if you look at the cycle from mining raw materials through to disposing of the end product at its end of life). Whilst the new products may use less power (which depending on power source may or may not help the environment), if you look at the bigger picture it may not (depending on many factors). Because the old parts exist already, the energy and pollution required to produce them has already been used/created.To go back to the car analogy suggested by Zxian, whilst I agree with his point on safety (and reliability is a clear factor as well), the overall idea is not quite that simple. Back in the early '90s I saw a study done here in Australia (wish I had it handy, I'll have to dig around and see if I still have it) which showed that driving an old car with significantly worse emissions and fuel economy was far more environmentally beneficial than buying a 'cleaner' new car (when you add the manufacturing and production emissions, from raw materials to end product). Obviously the longer the time frame you consider the closer the 2 become. I can't remember the time frame they suggested in the study but it was significant. . The impact to the environment occurs by buying the new product, this is even more-so the case if the old parts remain in use (if there are energy production emissions involved). Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you're completely wrong crahak, I'm just saying that the matter is much more complex than it appears on face value. Besides I upgrade fairly regularly myself so I'm being a bit of a devil's advocate really!

Hmm good idea R4tt3xx. I hadn't considered Sysprep and I haven't actually used it before (I have heard of it but never really got my head around how to use it - you make it sound pretty easy, maybe I'll have to play.....) As for the virtual machine. VMWare have a free virtual machine converter (converts a physical machine into a virtual machine). You can download it from their website (sorry have to google it, don't have the address handy). Once you have converted your machine then copy the file to your new PC and load it using the VMWare free VM Player. I personally prefer a clean install so I often use that when setting up a clean machine (or a new PC) so there is never any chance of forgetting something important. If I haven't started the virtual machine for a few months then I delete it. Good luck

Good thought guys! Definatel worth a try!