Galt

I only had a minute when I posted last and just wanted to comment on the xp_remove_hotfix_backup utility. I mentioned in an earlier post that I had done a disk clean up. I tried to defrag but the drive is too full to do it effectively. I did not know about the "detect and repair" option in office but I will try it. My intention all along (and I have already spoken with my son about this) was to eliminate uneeded programs and files. I am a big believer in backups. On my computer I have several partitions that are easy to back up (OS,Program Files, Data, Games, etc.). I use Drive Image to backup-love it. Just because I didn't mention it doesn't mean I wasn't going to do it. I'm still trying to come up with a plan and it would be nice to know why this happened so steps can be taken to prevent it happening again. If I could have successfully run the "msizap.exe G! " utility it would have identified the orphans so I could delete just the uneeded ones but no such luck. Finances are probably going to preclude him buying a second hard drive at this point. I started reading "What files can I safely delete in Windows Explorer?" and I'm thru 3+ pages (of 9)so far it either wasn't relevent or I already knew it but I will read it all. CC Cleaner is free so I will download it and check it out. Tune up Utilities is a little too pricy(I'd buy a 2nd HD before that). I appreciate all the suggestions and will probably utilize most of them. Thanks, Urge Understood: 1. Get rid of the installer and installer files. that will cleanup needed room. Reboot after each deletion. 2.Run check disk on the drive and after the deletions (It will do it on reboot) 3. Tuneup utilities has a "trial version" at the bottom of the link I provided, utilize the tools provided. 4. Use a program Uninstaller to remove any unneeded programs. http://www.ursoftware.com/ it also has a 21 day trial use, fully functional, and will remove unneeded registry entry's along with the program and 99 % of the unneeded folders. 5. Run an anti-virus check on line or use Avast it's free, and stay away from Norton's, McCafee or others "suites." http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html 6. Run Spybot Search & Destroy free and Adaware free. 7. That drive can be defragged even at 2% full. Use this: or after the uninstaller and installer folders are removed either way. http://www.majorgeeks.com/O&O_Defrag_2...tion_d4545.html 8 From what your saying and have indicated there is no reason you can't free up enough room to get out of trouble. 9. As Charlotte said, invest in a second HD they are dirt cheap now. http://www.geeks.com/products.asp?cat=HDD 10. Good luck and I trust success.

I have had exactly the problem you indicate as I have done system cleanup, and repairs for years, which was why I posted. The problem is, there is "no easy solution" and unless you know exactly what your doing, or you will be rebuilding it from scratch. What I indicate in my other posts can be done, without harm and with a bit of care. If Office is another problem, have you tried the "detect and repair" option in the Office help? Have you gone to the other links I provided, and done some simple cleanup of the system, such as .tmp files. etc. CCleaner is fine as indicated for some of that, but it's not what you indicated as 23gig of installer and uninstaller files. Also, messing with a system with 2% space left is a hazard in itself as there is NO place to put the deleted files without possibly loading the drive to a full crash point. That means they need to be permanently removed not just put in the recycle bin, since you seem adverse to doing a backup before you start. One additional utility I use and has a shredder for files is this: http://www.tune-up.com/products/tuneup-utilities/ along with other options for cleaning up, and improving system performance.

Fortunately, a smart programmer named Doug Knox has prepared a utility that will assist in removing hotfix files if you so desire. It has the surprisingly intuitive name of XP Remove Hotfix Backup. The utility won't remove all the files in your NtUninstall folder, but it will let you easily remove the ones related to hotfixes. To summarize, you can delete these folders, just as long as you are sure as you don't want to uninstall that particular Windows update. Your best bet would be to keep them, but if your are desperate for hard disk space wait for a week or two to insure that the updates you have installed are running fine, and then you can delete the corresponding NtUnistall folder safely. http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm .msi files are installation files for patches and programs. Some of them are designated as " run once" and then go to the temp files to be deleted. Others are attached to the programs and can't be deleted without damaging the program/patch. I frankly would leave them alone IMHO. I would still do a backup of files that your Son wants, then do the cleanup, or if a complete re-install is on your mind..then reinstall Office after backing up your .doc files. Hope that helps!

Removing files is a dangerous undertaking even under the best of circumstances. Seems you have about 43gig of space being used by other than the installer files, and with 2% space left, even removing files to the recycle bin (not really removed from HD) leaves you no room to play except deleting but a few at a time, then doing any empty of the bin. I also don't know what is taking up 43gig of space considering a normal windows install other than added in pgms, music, or graphics files, or documents. Sooo..do NO cleanup until!! 1. You need to backup of your important system files, or image the HD first, and since you don't have room on that HD to move anything too, I would NOT touch it until you do a backup. 2. Add a second 150 gig drive, this can be USB add on if a hard install is not possible. (I have all my documents, music, and pics(graphics files) on my second drive along with a system image using Acronis True Image.) 3 You could also run a duplicate file finder pgm, to help clean up, but again care must be taken even doing that. 4 This link below from CNET and the excellent answer may help you out AFTER you do the backup, and then you can play, and be prepared to tear your hair out a few times. http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.ht...ssageID=2544616

I've got that same problem on 3 of my XP systems, though it's off and on. I use.... WinXP Manager v5.2.8 http://www.yamicsoft.com/ It will put the startup Icon's back using one of the options "system repair." A all-in-one utility to tweak, optimize, tweak, tune up and clean up your Windows XP or Vista, it bundles more than 30 different utilities in one and help your system faster and more stable, secure and personal! It's one of those I wouldn't do without in my utulity bag. I'm sure there are other programs or options, for the problem, but that one has far more to offer. Hope that helps.

Putting aside the fact it's a *ell (Fill in H) fun, fun , fun repair job, and I'm also a computer repair tech. Sounds like you have done everything but hit it with a hammer. However couple of thoughts.. 1. Have your tried causing a (beep code) error for system sound here: Dell Codes 2. Have you really looked at the control panel (Sounds and Audio Devices settings) in detail? 3. With add on power speakers, are you getting any "static sound" when plugging in the green plug for the speakers? 4. Have you also tried a different Media Player such as VLC Media Player, All Player, Media Monkey..etc. I use Windows Media Player when I want to punish myself... 5 Has your cust been playing patty-cake with any onboard settings, jumpers etc. NEVER TRUST A CUSTOMER TO TELL THE TRUTH...a Houseism...(grin) 6. Hammer? (Kidding)

According to your profile your from Waterbury, Vermont and if that's accurate I did some research on-line for their website and schools. The site has a classified section, where you could place an ad looking for transportation to and from school. How about checking with them on completing ON-LINE your last course of study, with perhaps less physical time actually in class. The school doesn't seem to want to help. then write to the board of education. You mentioned you're not happy with how your weight is, even though healthy and it only matters if your not happy with it (as long as healthy) but is that school too far to walk too? That could be a solution, get you to school and walk off the weight, and you said you had the stamina. I used to walk 7 miles to and from school when I lived in Jefferson, Ohio unless I could catch some farmer heading my way to give me a lift. Last, what about a military option, and I don't mean any military other than the United States Coast Guard. You could complete and even improve your education, and for me it was a great four years, in which I completed 4 years of college while in serving my time. You can even take that guitar with you...I took mine. As for what others think, the devil with them since you don't eat through a collective brain or think through one. I'm old Oglala Sioux, and the other half is German, lived some of my time on a rez, and was hated by both since I was a half-breed. This is one man's hair the white-eyes didn't cut, and I still wear it half way down my back. Ugly, you bet and tell them **** proud of it. Replace that "we" with 'I' and remember you won't be worth a **** to anyone else unless you are worth a **** to yourself first, and that's called (rational self-interest), not an arrogant I'll do what I want, any way I want attitude.

At the risk of bing a fool, let an old man in his 60's give you some thoughts, since a few months ago I was you. I have advanced RA, and enphysima with hands that were good tech hands for years, that now have two fingers and a thumb working on the right hand and one on the left from the RA, and to think I could at one time type 90 plus WPM without an error. I still repair and rebuild computers, although a bit slower than I used to. So being depressed and pretty well p'od at myself, I wrote this as an answer to someones question. You're not stupid or a loser as you see the problem, now use that mind to solve it. Remember your feelings are the sum of your thinking, not the other way around. Oh, and how to I deal with it I go to Myspace and rant at the fools I find there, and do some writing. Here is a link to that poem below that I wrote. http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseacti...8C1F38D48770132 Silent Screams Out of the mist a voice has cried I've broken from this place I hide I probe my Mind to reach the dream To break the chains of silent screams As deep within this life that's old A fiery light still sears my soul I reach the mist to pierce the dream Drawn only by those silent screams I look within longing too see But will it leave my heart to bleed Can it be tamed this raging fire This spoken voice of life's desire The touch so light the Mind so strong This dance of poets this spoken song Perhaps reality in time will show This Mind that whispers to my soul So I'll probe to search this dream These broken chains these silent screams And if by chance the mist does clear The voice will speak that has no fear Galt Copyright January 2008 - John Broken Eagle Galt This cannot be used without permission

Looks like you got a 'work around' even if not totally solved. Since the Dell 4400 has 1.1 USB ports on-board anyway, why not get a USB 2.0 four port card and install instead, since the 1.1's are mostly worthless with todays devices. I'd have as you mentioned, left the battery out for a longer period, and the information is not in the software boot but the hardware boot (CMOS) and what is the puzzle, is how the Memorix USB drive got written to the CMOS to begin with. Then it's a DELL.. They are good for excersising brain cells. Nice work though...

Though I've never been fond of Dell, unless I could strip it and throw it out, I would go back to square one. Use a HD Manager, get rid of the partitions, re-partition and format, and do a fresh install of XP Corp. Also, make sure the BIOS knows the drive is there as well. Make sure ALL security updates are installed for the OS...BEFORE you install SP3 (I'd give that second thoughts too) Then do a backup of the system. (Not a restore point either) Make sure you don't install SP3 from the USB Drive, use MS Updates to do it, and don't have any USB devices installed on the initial install.

Great stories, well written, and with a subtle tongue cheek humor, making them fun and easy to read. You keep the interest, and move the reader right along, waiting for the next few words to come along thus; keeping the interest. Well done!

From the IE7 HELP file! To change AutoComplete settings In Internet Explorer, click the Tools button, and then click Internet Options. Click the Content tab. Under AutoComplete, click Settings. Select the check boxes for the AutoComplete options you want to use. Click OK twice. If you would like to delete the names, passwords, or other information that is saved in Internet Explorer, you can do so. Here's how: To delete the information stored by AutoComplete In Internet Explorer, click the Tools button, and then click Internet Options. Click the General tab, and then click Delete. Do any of the following:To delete information from web forms, click Delete forms and then click Yes. To delete passwords, click Delete passwords and then click Yes. To delete web addresses from the Address bar, click Delete history and then click Yes. [*]Click Close and then click OK. http://' target="_blank">To delete AutoComplete entries from the Address bar list AutoComplete stores entries you've made for web addresses, forms, and passwords and remembers them if you begin to type them again later. To delete web address entries from the Address bar, you have to clear the History folder. Here's how: In Internet Explorer, click the Tools button, and then click Internet Options. Click the General tab. Under Browsing history, click Delete. Click Delete history, and then click Yes to confirm that you want to delete the history. Click Close, and then click OK. Note To delete a single address from the list of suggestions provided when you're typing a web address, highlight the address, and then press DELETE. Hope that helps!

I've always had the same problems with MSN Messenger, however if you want to see if it's the IM or Vista, try Yahoo IM, to compare (one I've never had issues with file transfers with regarding speed) and a lot depends on what both sides are doing, while transfer is going on. Also, make sure no other HD activity is going on when sending or receiving, especially large files.. The key to resolve any issue, is testing, testing, testing, even if the why?, never gets answered.

'Harry Potter' publisher gets subpoena to identify pirate From Bloomberg NewsJuly 17, 2007 Scholastic Corp., publisher of the new "Harry Potter" book, obtained a subpoena to learn the identity of a user who allegedly posted copies of the final sequel, scheduled for release Saturday, on a California website. Scholastic said in a court filing Monday that "materials hosted on Photobucket.com's system" contain materials that infringe copyrights owned by Scholastic and J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books. Photobucket.com, a News Corp. unit, is a website for sharing photos and videos on social networks such as MySpace. The subpoena was sent to Gaia Interactive Inc. in San Jose seeking the identity of a user on gaiaonline.com, a social network, according to the filing in San Francisco federal court. Gaia complied with the subpoena, removed the material and temporarily banned the user from the site, said Gaia spokesman Bill Danon. The postings included scanned material and a discussion of the material, he said.

The difference is you know the risk, using your personal information on the net and trusting anyone that gathers data on you is a fools game. As the article stated: "But could Microsoft turn the data it has collected against you? Of course, what did you think? "Microsoft may disclose personal information about you if required to do so by law or in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to: (a) comply with the law or legal process served on Microsoft; ( B) protect and defend the rights of Microsoft (including enforcement of our agreements); or © act in urgent circumstances to protect the personal safety of Microsoft employees, users of Microsoft software or services, or members of the public," reveals another excerpt." And my own quote: "Pinky and the Brain became less of a cartoon, and more a reality, and there was a good reason Microsoft was not dismantled, and Vista was born (how long was it under developement..think back...think towers..) and that article only covers a small percent of what it's capable of." There are others that belong in the list, Google, Yahoo, and on-line data storage company's, and don't think Homeland Security is a joke, it's been at the heart of it since inception.