submix8c

Any will/should do. You may want to use 2K instead of XP, but in either case as long as you don't have a bunch of background tasks/services running it should be fine. Temporarily running XP Pro SP3 on an old HP next to me - 500mhz Celery and 256mb RAM (RAM always helps) - for testing purposes; runs fine. 98SE or OS/2 will probably use less resources by default. If you have those four systems on hand, just try each in turn and make your own choice.

Ok, let's look at this logically.First, the "noises" - do they happen when you reboot and press the (Whatever) Key to get into the BIOS and continue? If so, you may have a hardware problem (failing CPU and/or Power Supply fan, or HDD failure). Second, if you have ever used Add/Remove Windows Components and added anything, chances are you have the Installation Files tucked away somewhere. Boot to Safe Mode and search for "WIN*.CAB" without quotes. If they exist, attempt to copy the entire folder containing them to the D-drive. This might be used to re-install Windows. IE6.2 Custom? No such beast. IE6 SP1 is the last, unless you'r referring to an "unofficial SP2". Please respond as to the first two questions above. Don't really care about the third. Why not? How did it get "backed up"? Depending on that, it may still be restorable.There is usually a certain order that some "fixes" need installed (even MSFN "unofficial"). Randomly installing updates may or may not bite you big. If the answer to Question#1=No and Question#2=Yes, then you may be OK. Even better, if No/Yes and you have access to another HDD (nearly any size no less than 500meg) then you could maybe use it to install to and do a Free Online Virus Scan (several reputable sites offer them) if indeed it's Malware thus saving the current install. Bottom line, first we need to get you up-and-running with little or no loss of data. Then proceed to getting you "updated with all fixes". (Could really use a full install set of "some Windows" onto a 2nd HDD.) Are you using this PC to get to MSFN or another (curious)? Report back before proceeding and we'll get you there... DOH! I see Wireless mentioned - if it's "shared" (for want of a better term) with others, you may see a slow-down of WWW-access. ...and lest I forget, hopefully duffy98's suggestions helped if malware. if access to a friend's pc to burn a number of suggested free packages (see MSFN malware section) you might be able to install in Safe Mode and run them directly... and here is a direct and faster download of uSP30b4 served by a valued member (MDGx).

Autorun is only good for a running Windows system, as is Ghost32 (the Windows version). You need to create a Ghost Boot Image, use the same parameters as you found except use "GHOST.EXE" instead, and burn the "Image" the same way as you you burn a Bootable CD Install (the Image is the Boot Image).Here is the Reference Guide for Ghost v8 (parameters are usually consistent across versions). Look in the section "Command Line Switches". As for creating a Bootable CD, the concept is the same as (as I said) when creating an Install CD.

Uh-uh!!! (Probably) Won't work!!! Original is only (proabably) good for CD's. Have you tried the Bart's JO.SYS Replacement? Not sure if this will work, but hey (and I believe it WILL work)...

You need DXSETUP ver 4.8.1.901 (attached). Was used in the (defunct) UBCD/AutoPatcher for Win98SE topics. HTH (attached ZIP) dxsetup.zip

Ghost/Ghost32 Parameter -fx = Exit to DOS (not knowing the exact procedure you use...)

Well, I have a question/comment (may be totally wrong). Question - Does the PC have HT (Hyper-Threading Technology, i.e. "virtual dual-CPU")? Note my terminology may not be entirely accurate... Comment - If so and you don't have the BIOS set correctly (there's a setting for it in there), it will run at an extreeemeeely slow speed and may take foooreeever to load anything (if at all). This is what my brother's problem was; battery dead, so shut-down reset it to "go slow mode". Just a thought...

May or may not be in the right forum (move if appropriate). I get the occasional ZDNet newsletter and found this. It may be useful to owners of these devices. Five Remote Code Execution flaws Blog article (click here).

Older 6.x version of Nero? Upgrade yourself to this version and see if that helps (last 6.x version). Pay attention that you are not installing everything (e.g. "extra toolbars"). It may have something to do with it (dunno).

Well, yes and no. Yes it's there and works, but no it doesn't work fantastically well (as with any "product uninstaller"). I used it last week cleaning extraneous software from an HDD and it had NAV2003 on it without the "uninstall" in Add/Remove. An obvious "botched' install, as errors appeared at startup. Downloaded the above, ran it, but found "leftovers" on the HDD and the registry. Not a "put down" (does work), but an observation (may need minor manual cleanup).

This may be part of the problem (specifically names 4 components, which BTW, you didn't specify). Chances are, last time you installed (SETUPLOG.TXT) you didn't use MSBATCH.INF and it worked out ok...

In (e.g.) XP: System Properties - Performance Options (button) Visual Effects/Advanced/Data Execution Prevention (tabs) Does this help understanding just a little?Basically, the phrasing you are reading is muddling the issue. No relevance to any other operating systems except those stated. In your case, N/A...

From nLite FAQ's - Re-read that link, search MSFN, read nLite FAQ's, go to the Unattended link (given several posts above), and read/try it. I personally don't create All-In-One CD's but I also know all the info is there (that's how I found this info). There is no exact guide for a single Application as all Application Installs generally follow the same methodology. Testing the CD is rather simple using VirtualPC (or other VM's - SEARCH on that). When it works, you can use it live. When it doesn't, try again. Any problems you can't resolve, we help. Please dig in and don't ask for things on a silver platter. We are here to assist, not do it for you. edit - Thank you, MrJinje...

This is NOT a Hotfix! Again, re-read the OTHER topic right here above yours. And look here. Again, this is Software, and not OS-related. Hotfixes install during OS install and Software installs after OS install. edit (further explanation) - The means by which you have to install is the RunonceEX method (a CMD file), post-OS Install, Pre-Initial-Logon. Here is a partial example (only!). Maybe this will also help. nLite doesn't actually create the RunonceEX.CMD file. Also, bear in mind that the SFX you created has "unpack to Temp" so it will allow installing ONCE with whatever you select for Customization, meaning in your case Default. The Customizer will allow alteration of the install to do a COMPLETE install. If you choose to install as you created, you will have to use WinRAR again to unpack the SFX.EXE to another folder so when you use Add/Remove against Office to CHANGE the installation options, you will have to redirect to the "unpacked folder" as it will NOT see the SFX.EXE on the CD. If you want to allow for Add/Remove, I would recommend altering the SFX Unpack-To instructions.

Please re-read topics! Why do you need a CAB file? 1 - Admin Install 2 - Slip the SP (etc) to it 3 - Customize it (e.g. remove components) 4 - Compress/MakeSFX contents of the Admin folder with commands indicated 5 - Put SFX.EXE and its execution in the Unattended as indicated edit/note - CAB's are usually used along with an INF file for installing drivers, etc. SFX.EXE files are usually used to install Software (the exact method depends on the software). CAB's can be made into SFX if necessary using various methods.

1 - one for each OS and its variations (?) 2 - one (maybe more) for each OEM "locked to" a given OEM's hardware [i dunno] 3 - subject is scattered throughout MSFN and the web (search/google) 4 - ...and is repeatedly asked about here and elswhere (with direct/indirect answers) Suffice it to say that I have used a "set" from/for a given PC along with the associated OS install for repair-reinstalling on that particular OEM PC as a personal service to prevent reinstalling (via OEM Recovery, which sometimes wipes to Factory) non-OEM software.

I truly can't say with certainty, but from logical inference I will venture a "guess" - The "#XXXspace" is probably LDID-space-requirements. The "XXXspace#K" is probably a clustersize in relation to byte-space-requirements. I will venture to say (and not really sure) that nLite changes this based on removed components. Now that I have (potentially) partially answered you question, maybe someone else will correct and/or expand.

1 - Nobody is going to upload copyrighted material 2 - The program to make a CAB is MAKECAB.EXE (free from MS - search for it on MS) 3 - CABPACK (google for it) will simplify making a CAB 4 - This post is (kind of) a duplicate (a "cross-post") 5 - In above post, you misunderstand; a CAB is not necessary. A SFX (whether using WinZip, WinRAR, 7-Zip, or any other) will suffice. Re-read the topic and do a search on creating self-extracting (SFX) x.EXE files and how to use them during Unattended Setup. The information is here/there/everywhere... Or am I just misunderstanding you?

You mention nLite - will this help (nLite forum includes several SATA/RAID topics)? And... appears to be the second listing (NT5, I believe).

FWIW, it may be the new version of SpyBot just won't run if you don't have sufficient RAM. Here is an older version that might work. Download and install it, then get the latest INCLUDES here (Detection Updates) and install after. Running this on an old HP (around 500mhz? + 256mb RAM) right now (LOADED w/bad stuff). And... if you have another stick of compatible RAM, that may help. edit - You mentioned that the "firewall" is what issues this message. Never heard of a firewall doing that. A quick search on the partial string indicated another user elsewhere (XP) had this message AND was running WinPatrol. Is this by chance what made the "backups" and is issuing the message? Oops - Sygate Firewall?...

Newest version of SpyBot runs poorly on older PC's. Run it in Safe Mode and let it load and run the scan (yes, it will still be extremely slow but it should run). Inside it (in Advanced Mode) you should be able to disable Startup items. As an alternative to disabling Startup Items, you can use CCleaner (which should also clear Temp files etc as well). Windows Explorer (EXPLORER.EXE) should only exist in the WINDOWS folder and should be dated 4/23/99 exact size 180,224 bytes. You could potentially extract the original (from WIN98_45.CAB?) and overlay the "changed" one (and ONLY one) from SafeMode/CommandPrompt. MalwareBytes may run, so get a copy of that. Safe Mode is best to use while scanning and best to be disconnected from internet (in all cases). HijackThis attachment is recommended (preferably after other scans). As I remember, this is one of those malwares that alter a number of files in addition to "generating" hard-to-kill processes under "strange names".

Consider yourself banned. [banned]. You might try installing a legitimate set of software for starters... Sorry...

Since you can't get to MS-dot-COM, here is a PDF version of MS KB314057 "How to Troubleshoot TCP/IP Connectivity in Windows XP". Are you behind a bad/misconfigured router ("ipconfig /all" from CMD prompt will reveal DNS Names)?

Could you please describe the symptoms? Examples -- Clicked on "Windows Update" and got message/screen "yadayada" - Tried to go to MS-dot-COM and got message/screen "yadayada" Please clarify ( never heard of MS "blocking" an IP )...

Found this ($29USD). There's apparently a "free trial" (probably watermarks documents). Sheesh! Acrobat Pro 9 is expensive when directly from Adobe! Better deals from "software houses" etc. Google will net you a number of "options"... PDFEdit (free).