Andromeda43

When you're a professional Computer technician (like I am) and you have to work on hundreds of different computers for many different kinds of people (which I do) then you learn real fast what it takes to make the average PC run like the hardware manufacturers designed it to run. You have to rely on things that will work for the little ol' blue haired lady as well as the attorney or doctor. Windows XP-Home or Pro, right out of the box is a dog,,,,, pure and simple. It's doing good if it can run at 30% of the hardware capability. I've spent the last ten years developing the Tune-Up process that I now use on all PC's that I work on, (with Windows XP). Some parts of it even work on Windows 2K. I have a special procedure for Windows 98, 98/SE and ME. For Windows XP, I have a package of registry tweaks that improve system performance considerably and a list of totally Redundant Services that can be shut down to relieve the burden on the CPU and RAM. Then there's the junk on the hard drive that can be deleted and 'installed programs' that can be DE-Installed. If I can improve the performance of a new PC from 30% to just 60%, then I've improved performance by 100%. (do the math) If I can get the OS to operate at even 90% of hardware capability, then I've improved performance by 200%. Are you still with me? There's no guessing or supposition here, as I do this several times every week, and sometimes on weekends. There's no such thing as "try this", or "try that". That's all been done, years ago. Now it's just a matter of doing what needs to be done. I prefer to do everything on the side of Caution. I tuned up a little laptop computer for a guy while sitting at a local bar one evening. He came into the bar a few days later and remarked to the bartender, "I don't know what that guy did to my computer, but its never run that fast before!". The bartender told me the guy was quite elated with his "new" computer. Cheers Maties! Andromeda43 B)

Bragging, or informing? What I use is well documented on thread after thread in this and other forums. It actually gets tiresome, retyping it over and over again, day after day. But since you're an Expert, I'm sure you really don't care, other than to flame me, which seems to be the only reason for your post. So since you obviously want everyone to know what an expert you are, Inform us. Go ahead. Your world awaits!

Well, I'd sure not use Diskmangler! There's much better ways, and more versatile ways too.

Yes, you can, and if i'd known what you just said about the modem....I'd have suggested the same thing. I carry a five port USB / PCI card in my Kit all the time, just for that one customer who's flat run out of USB ports. It's a quick fix for the problem without having something hanging out of the PC. Good Going! Andromeda B)

Yeah, same here, but some people are hardheaded. Did you see the new rules (law) of Europe that is in progress? They want to forbid all standby functions on stuff that doesn’t need it, how about that . Well, I can't say that I'd like to see it as a law, here. It would save maybe a buck a month off of my Electric Bill. But, in actuallity, there are millions of killowatts of power going out of our generator plants every day that do nothing but feed instant on devices. It's truly a huge waste of valuable power. I'm as guilty as the next one at using these conveniences. My TV's are all Instant ON,,,,my Satellite box is on 24x7, because if I turn it off, it takes six minutes to reload, before I can get a picture on my TV screen. Worldwide, we're spoiled! We want instant everything. Then the wife says, "not tonight, I've got a headache!" So, watcha gonna do? Andromeda

Well, you've got one very good program, that CD makers now put with their products almost exclusively. (Nero) And on the other hand, a real piece of junk.(Roxio) They don't play well together. So, Remove Roxio ASAP. Then look in MSCONFIG and make sure that you're not permitting any part of Nero or any other program from running on Startup, that are not absolutely required for Windows. The latest ver. of Nero wants to load at least two different TSR's on bootup. Don't allow that. It's not required. Just DE-Select them in MSCONFIG. That may help you ...... I hope so. Good Luck, Andromeda43 B)

I tried the crap-cleaner and found it seriously wanting. It's gone. And, it won't touch those redundant Restore files. Ever try to get a chick away from an old hen? DON't! She'll ruin your day!!!!! ME is like that with it's (hidden) restore files. Unless, you program Windows Explorer to allow VIEW of Hidden files, you'll never even see them. They are located here: C:\_Restore\ This command run from a DOS boot disk will remove everything in that folder. Deltree /y "C:\_Restore\*.*" I have that as an option on my own Custom ME Boot disk. They are worthless, and if not checked, they will eventually take over your hard drive. I've seen over 150,000 of them on one of my customer's PC's. It was so overloaded, that it couldn't scandisk, defrag or anything else. What a mess. It took hours to remove all those files, using a DOS batch file. ME will not let you delete them in Windows Explorer. It's such a DOG that some very good programmer wrote a little program called, "ME Restore Remover". I put a copy of it on my (rented) Download Site. Just click "Computer Tools" from the menu to enter the download page. The little program loads into your Control Panel when run. Run it from there to Remove the useless Restore function. It will remove the Temp files in the process. I use it for all my ME customers. After doing that, and with proper tweaking, Windows ME can be made to run pretty well. I never upgrade a ME machine, I just clean it up, tweak it out and leave it alone from there on. Good Luck, Andromeda43

Well, even though your choices do show some lack of knowledge of what it takes to be GOOD Software, I have to partially agree with your appraisal of Ghost 9. Understand though, that Ghost 9 and Ghost 10 are Symantec products. There's never been a program that they acquired that they didn't mess up. However, Ghost 2003 is the last version almost totally "UN-Messed-around-with" by Symantec. It's a close copy of what they bought from "Ghostsoft, Inc." in the late '90's. It's a DOS program but has the uncanny ability (when run from a boot Floppy or CD) to read any HD, even NTFS and write it's compressed Backup image to any other internal drive, even a CD or DVD burner. Doing a Restore with it, right after doing a Backup, will perform what serves as the best defrag you'll ever see. All files are re-written to the HD in perfect order, with NO spaces between them and of course, NO Fragmentation. This twofold process on my SATA drive, takes no more than fifteen minutes. See insert: If you've never used it, you have absolutely NO concept of what it's all about or what it can do. So go ahead and badmouth Ghost 9 or even Ghost 10 if you want to. You'll get no badmouth from me for it. Yes, they both suck! But, leave Ghost 2003 alone. It will always be my Favorite All Time piece of Software. It's a little like an ugly woman......you have to really know her, to love her. Cheers Mates! Andromeda43

WELL, first you have to understand what your computer is telling you with that message. 1. It's telling you that on the drive that you have told your Bios to use as your boot drive, its not finding the boot sector. Or, the Bios can't find the drive at all. 2. See iten #1. So why is it not seeing a boot sector? Having a floppy disk in the FD that does not contain boot information could be the cause of the problem. Make sure there is NO disk in any drive, floppy or CD. Then Look at your bios by pressing Del or the appropritate key while you system is booting up, from a cold start. If the time and date are wrong in the first Bios screen, that's a dead givaway that your CMOS battery had failed. They are only spec'd for about four years of use. They actually can fail at any time. Replacing the CMOS battery is usually pretty easy and the batteries (CR-2032) can be had at any drug store, or discount store, or Radio Shack. So the bottom line is,,,,, If your removable drives are empty of disks and your Bios is working and set to boot from your HD, then you can be pretty well assured that the problem lies in the drive itself. tubut, you gave us NO information about your sytem so going any further in trying to troubleshoot your problem is fruitless.

On newer computers, your PSU is never really Off, unless you physically remove the power from it. Otherwise, the ON button on your CPU case would not work. It's like a door bell button and requires that DC voltage be there when you need to push the button. SO, even after Windows has shut down and your monitor gone Black, there's still DC voltage present in your system. Not a good deal when storms are raging in the area. The safest way to run a modern computer is to have it plugged into a switchable power strip that you can turn off when you're done using your PC. I have my own monitor, CPU and powered speakers plugged into such a cheap little strip on the back of my computer desk, which is in turn, plugged into my 500w UPS sitting down on the floor under the desk. The UPS acts as a Surge Suppressor to that strip. The UPS is, in turn, plugged into a commercial Surge Suppressor from "PanaMax" which is mounted in the wall socket. So before the line power can get to my PC, it must first pass through two levels of surge suppression and one switchable strip. When I tell Windows to turn off my PC is does so in just eight (8) seconds, then I reach back and flip OFF the switch on my power strip. I've been here in this location in Florida, the lightning capital of the Western Hemisphere, for 18 years and I've never been damaged by lightning or power surges. My idea of multi-layered surge protection and turning off all line power to my system when not in use, has served me well. I encourage all my hundreds of customers to do likewise. Some do....and some don't. I make lots of money off of those that don't, or Won't. Cheers! Andromeda43

As the hard drives have been made faster over the past 26 years, they have also run at higher rpm's and as a result generate more heat. After years of replacing hard drives for myself and my customers, I've finally come up with a solution to drives in confined spaces overheating. First off, you need to keep that 7200 rpm drive as cool as possible. NO case fan will do that. I've done extensive work in an 'airflow' lab while at Caterpillar Tractor Co. in the early 80's, so I do have some professional background in this topic. Here's my answer to drive cooling: The 1/4" brass spacers are mandatory. They are the same ones used to support a MOBO in a case. They must also have course threads to screw into the holes on the bottom of the HD. Now, how to mount this assembly. Well you can do this: Notice the tab that's had to be bent out right under the left drive mounting screw in this picture. No biggie! or you can even do this: This is my own SATA drive in an upper 5.25" drive bay. My backup drive is shown above in a lower bay. Both drives stay at room temperature. I don't use case fans,,,,, I just don't close up my case. Just a little imagination and minimal expertise can go a long way towards keeping a HD cool and running at peak performance. There's no black magic or great expense involved at all. Those little drive coolers can be had for about $10 ea. Some cleaning and re-oiling twice a year, keeps them running smoothly. I use a hypodermic needle and some fine machine oil, to inject a drop or two of oil into the bearing cavity on the back of the fans. Good Luck and thank you for this opportunity to offer my own experience in this matter, Andromeda43

Several times a week, I would like to make multiple copies of a CD or DVD. I now have two identical LG cd/dvd/dl drives, each one on its own IDE port. My two HD's use the two SATA ports on my mobo. Nero offers to use both burners to burn any CD/DVD. It's slick, it's easy and it's not too expensive. What you really need to remember is that with a hard drive and two burners running at the same time, the power demand is greatly increased. A 500w + PSU is essential. Good Luck, Andromeda43 B)

The mechanical parts of a SATA drive are essentially the same as an IDE drive. So, mechanicly they should last the same length of time. Only the interface is different. I had four WD sata drives fail on me last summer. NO MORE WD drives here, thank you. I've replaced the last one with a 160 gig Maxtor SATA drive and had no more problems. SATA is much faster than IDE and should be used as the OS drive if you have any option. A Ghost bakup of my C: drive used to take me over a half hour with my old IDE drive, now it only takes me five minutes with my new SATA drive. SATA ROCKS! If you have access to a SATA drive and you're not using it for your OS, you're just shooting yourself in the foot. I'm even using my old IDE drive, a 60 gig Maxtor, on my second SATA port on my mobo, with a little IDE to SATA dongle. It now transfers data at over 1000mbpm. It's all in the interface. IDE controllers on the mobo are just plain SLOW. Go for the Gusto! GO SATA! Andromeda43 B)

I'm sorry, I guess I'm going blind. Was "Unattended" ever mentioned in Triel's post? I thought he was asking how to run a registry editing script which he got from someone else. (???) NO? If the scripts are multiple (more than one) and something to be run more than once, like the ones I run when tuning up a customer's PC, then they can be combined into one larger file. I'm trying to educate a little bit here and give some options.... Not Dictate how anyone has to do anything. Do it however works best for you. Just don't put forward slashes where backslashes should go. Good Luck, Andromeda43 B)

Windows likes to stuff all sorts of entries into that 'send to' folder. Cleaning out all the stuff you don't want or will never use, in there, can't hurt either. To really get Winders runnin' right, fast and efficient, requires just all sorts of little things like that. M$ just put way too much 'crapola' into its default ver. of Winders. And OH, the Services! There are things in there that many folks would never use in a lifetime. After much cleaning and tweaking, I can improve Winders performance considerably. This has been a very interesting thread. I hope it will continue to grow. Cheers! Andromeda43

I didn't like those canned cleanup programs because they didn't really address my personal "trash collection" problems. So I wrote myself "XPCleanup.bat" that would specificly get what I wanted removed. Just for reference purposes ONLY, here's my XPCleanup.bat program. ******************************************* @Echo off cls deltree /y C:\temp\*.* deltree /y "c:\Windows\temp\*.*" deltree /y "c:\Windows\WUTemp\*.*" deltree /y "c:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\cookies\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\Default User\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\Default User\Local Settings\History\History.IE5\*.*" Rem: No need to duplicate the following section for each registered User deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\Randy\Cookies\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\Randy\History\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\Randy\recent\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\Randy\Local Settings\cookies\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\Randy\userdata\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\Randy\Local Settings\History" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\Randy\Local Settings\Temp\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\Randy\Local Settings\History\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\Randy\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Cookies\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Local Settings\History\History.IE5\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Local Settings\Temp\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Local Settings\History\History.IE5\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Local Settings\Temp\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Cookies\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temp\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\History\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Cookies\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\Randy\Local Settings\Temp\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\Randy\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\Randy\Local Settings\History\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\Randy\Cookies\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\Randy\temp\*.*" deltree /y "C:\$VAULT$.AVG\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Regclean\*.reg" deltree /y "C:\windows\prefetch\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Program Files\CallWave\Calls\*.*" deltree /y "C:\Documents and Settings\Randy\Local Settings\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\DEFAULT.HKJ\Cache\*.*" deltree /y "C:\windows\system32\WgaTray.exe deltree /y "C:\windows\system32\dllcache\WgaTray.exe ****************************************** The last two lines, keep WGA off of my HD. This is for Reference purposes ONLY, and NO-One should try to run this, unedited on their own PC. After running this batch file, I can run Window's own "Disk Cleanup" and it finds absolutely NOTHING! Deltree.exe is not a file normally found in Windows XP. It must be downloaded from my web site or glommed from a system running 98/SE or ME. (and put into the C:\windows\system32\ folder. Check My Webpage for both, a copy of my generic XPCleanup.bat program and the Deltree.exe file. Since it's a DOS Batch file, you can open it with Wordpad and edit it to keep something you don't want removed, like your cookies, or add a line to clean out some cache folder peculiar to your own PC. But do you see my point? It takes more than just a few lines to really clean up a PC's HD.,,,because windows likes to keep multiple copies of its junk. Go figure! I have a shortcut to this batch file in my Startup folder for a daily cleanup. It's also a part of my Weekly Maintenance Routine, something I share with all my customers. I give them a more Generic version. (the one downloadable from my website.) Now, "Clean Up Yor Mess!" Cheers! Andromeda43

Yeah, serching within the forum doesn't always get you where you want to be. Sorry bout dat! Doing a Google Search will sometimes avail you more info. Anyway, 98SE had only minimal USB support, even with all the official and unofficial SP's installed. Companies like SanDisk provide the drivers on their web site. I have all the 98/SE drivers for SanDisk mini's and micro's alike. Once installed, the flash drive will work OK. I'd sure not install that DOG, windows ME just to make a flash drive work. That's kind of like using a shot gun to kill a fly sitting on your foot. Now, you need the "MERestore Remover". Or, you're little HD will be full of temp files in less than a year. Good Luck, Andromeda43

This thread is getting long and I'm sure I've missed a few posts while scanning it, but I'm still wondering what's wrong with scanreg.exe that comes built into Windows 98/SE and ME????? It makes a restore point every new calendar day when you boot up your PC. It can be set to make more than the default 5 points before dropping the old ones off in the ol' Bit Bucket. I use it at least once a week to save some old customer's PC. In MSCONFIG, you should see an entry, "ScanRegistry", with a path statement, "C:\Windows\scanregw.exe /autorun" Then, to make the program even more usefull in case of disaster, find "Scanreg.ini" and edit it. Change the line "MaxBackupCopies =5" to read 30 instead of 5 and Save the file. Now, it will make backup copies of your registry, every day, for 30 days instead of just 5 days, before it starts dropping off the old Restore Points. When windows won't even boot up, you can boot up your system with a Boot floppy or CD and run: Scanreg.exe /Restore And quite often recover a system to full operation. I do it often. I have the scanreg program already on my custom boot disk, just for this purpose. here's the menu that comes up when I boot with that disk: CD Rom Drivers Are Loaded Main Menu, Windows ME Utilities 1. Fdisk (setup new hard drive) 2. Fdisk: Make New Boot Record 3. Format drive C: 4. Scandisk C: ( /autofix ) 5. Scandisk All Drives ( /all /autofix ) 6. Run "Scanreg /restore" (restores an older version of the Registry) 7. Delete WMIEXE.exe (this file, not needed by Windows) 8. Run HOOVER.bat (deletes 98, ME junk files) 9. Remove all files from "C:\_Restore\*.*" in Windows ME. Type your choice at the DOS prompt and press ENTER. *************************************************** Everyone who still uses Windows 98, 98/SE or ME, should have such a boot disk handy at all times. You never know the hour or day when you'll need it. My own Boot disk is actually made with Windows ME, because it's more versatile. And, it will allow me to set up a 160 gig HD, which 98 won't do. Cheers! Andromeda43

The recovery CD from IBM has a version of windows on it already set up for the IBM motherboard. Trying to install it to a system with a different mobo, won't work and violates all of Microsofts licensing rules. There is NO CD key on the XP CD's. It's only on the sticker that comes with the CD or on the side of the case when XP is factory installed. OEM, Retail, Upgrade, etc., CD's are mass produced and NO key is ever recorded on the CD. In setup.exe there is a routine that looks to see if you are using a key that is compatible with that version of windows on the CD. If not, it won't allow XP to load. Good Luck, Andromeda43

Well, LLXX, if you actually worked in this business you'd know that times are a changin' ! It costs the mobo manufacturer a few cents more per mobo to install a PS2 port and it's driver chip set. Dell and a few other box pushers are buying the cheapest mobos that they can get (from the Chinese, by the way) to try to change their bottom line and get rid of the red ink. Just look at the quality of their systems and the size of their PSU's and you'll see what I mean. That leaves many new users stuck with a USB keyboard, mouse, etc. PS2 is GONE. (PS2 ports have already dissappeared from most laptops.) For someone like me, an old tech that still likes to boot up a system with a DOS boot disk, to do diagnostics, etc., that precludes using a mouse for our DOS based utilities, even Ghost 2003. Don't yu know....that SUX! The mobo in that case, recognizes the Keyboard and allows it to work even in DOS. I saw one Laptop where even the USB mouse was seen in DOS....that was really weird, don't ya know. Oh well, I guess we who still use DOS, floppy disks and PS2 are a dying breed. Cheers, Y'all!!! Andromeda43 B)

tubui, Not understanding how the CMOS or Bios works, you obviously missed the whole point here in this post..... Some motherboards do not have easily found jumpers to short out the Bios chip and reset it to Factory Defaults. In this case, it's just easier to take out the little 'coin' battery and leave it out for about 20 to 30 minutes to fully Kill the settings in the Bios chip. Then when you restore power by reinstalling the battery, you can set the Bios to your prefered settings,,,,,time, date, boot order, etc. and you're good to go. The bios will automaticly find the RAM, the CPU and the drives. Every computer tech in the world has had to do this at least once to solve one problem or another. I've even done it to revive a totally DEAD motherboard. It just WORKS when other methods of recovery have failed. Even on a fairly new PC, that battery can also be bad. If it checks out on a good quality Digital Voltmeter at anything less than 3.0volts, its bad. Replace it ASAP. Every PC that's over two years old and comes into my shop, gets a new CMOS battery. Period. I get them for about a buck, so it's no big deal. I don't even invoice the customer for it. Weak or dying batteries can cause so many really weird things to happen in a PC, its just not worth leaving a questionable battery in any PC. Cheers! Andromeda43 B)

If abled up, the mobo will see the SATA drive, but unless it's at least partitioned, windows cannot see it. Then, once its partitioned, windows would tell you that the disk is not formatted and offer to format it for you. But,,,,,, I'd just boot up that system with my Windows ME disk and run FDISK on that drive, then format it in DOS from the same boot disk. Then I'd know for sure that the mobo is properly addressing the drive and that the drive is working properly. That's how I set up my new 160 gig Maxtor SATA drive when I first got it. Like so many things "Computer", it takes some tools and the expertise to properly use them. Andromeda43 B)

I work with a professional RAM dealer. gskill is not a name I've ever heard of. It could be one of them Reman outfits, that sell only remanufactured ram. They buy chips that are rejected by the major manufacturers. For best performance, you'd be better off spending your money for Name Brand ram from a reputable supplier. Crucial, would be a good source for you. Kingston and PNY would not. Yes, test your ram one stick at a time, using memtest86. It's easily downloaded from the internet and fits on a floppy disk. Good Luck, Andromeda43 B)

There may be such an animal, but it's going to have to plug into a USB port "Somewhere". If you have one open on the Motherboard, you could use that, otherwise, just do what's already been said. Plug a hub into one of your existing ports and then plug all your remaining USB devices into the hub. Don't turn something so simple into something complicated. Keep it simple! Cheers mates! Andromeda43 B)

1. Ghost 2003 (heavenly) 2. Ghost 2003 (fabulous) 3. Ghost 2003 (marvelous) 4. Ghost 2003 (intuitive) 5. Ghost 2003 (A Real Life Saver) 6. Ghost 2003 (The Greatest) 7. Ghost 2003 (The Best Defragger on the planet) 8. Ghost 2003 (Exceptional) 9. Ghost 2003 (The Best File Recovery Program) 10. Ghost 2003 (Not written by mere Mortals) I can avidly agree with some of the other entries and vehemently disagree with others. But Ghost 2003 is just such an exception to all the rules, that I thought I'd give it a ten. Andromeda43 B)