TheFlash428

Well, she should appreciate the work you're doing--since I assume you're probably not charging family members... Your right about the disk somehow recognizing the foreign mother board, and I'm not sure how you could get around that. You may want to try and call Acer to see if they can help. Otherwise, you may be stuck having to get another copy of Windows to install(?)

One great thing about IE7 in XP (as opposed to IE6), is that it is installed as an uninstallable component--quite easy to uninstall and re-install (IMO). I work in a LAN shop and had to install IE7 on about 100 computers, a few of which had small gliches or problems, but in pretty much every case an uninstall/reinstall did the trick.

Agreed--fact is, you may (or will) have to install some device drivers after you install XP, which can be a pain, especially if your network/wireless adapter is one of the devices that won't start. I don't know if legallity even plays into this question, so I won't approach that (and assume the copy of XP is legit), more a question of wether or not it will work or not. Yes, it will, but I suggest doing some research first and try to find the drivers you'll need. By the way, I've gone through the same process, and it was worth it.

In my opinion, SP2 is definately necessary--it's been almost 3 years since the release of SP2, which means it's almost time for SP3. I also find SP2 more stable than SP1. Fact is, a fully up-to-date computer and a pretty basic firewall will provide more protection than running a non-updated computer with latest and greatest anti-virus and anti-spyware on an open network. There are 2 main reasons behind this statement: 1- those who write malicious code often try to exploit vulnerabilitys already published by Microsoft. Microsoft provides patches for these exploits, but it does you no good if you don't install them. 2- From my experience, anti-virus softwares are great at telling you wether a system is infected or not, but often are not as effective at actually removing the infection or the damage it's caused. The best approach is a good defense, and that is achieved by keeping your system up-to-date with security patches, keeping a firewall on your internet connection, avoidance of peer-to-peer networks, and just good 'ol fashioned smart surfing (like never clicking on links from SPAM emails). just my $.02

Yes, but of course the actual time it takes to instal a program depends on factors such as available memory and processor speed, so often the times listed are strictly estimates which are rarely correct anyway. A progress bar tells a little more of a story, but then again, few progress bars move at a uniform speed and more often than not installers will display multiple progress status bars before all is said and done, so again, you're left not really knowing when an installation is really going to finish. Having said that, yes, I did notice that IE7's installer package did leave me wanting for at least something to indicate just how long a wait I was in for--but at least as long as that thing is moving I know it's doing something.

If you just had it reformatted, maybe it's not that difficult to repeat the process--this time being sure to get the system up-to-date and protected before bringing it online?

Have you tried launching it directly from the source? C:\Windows\system32\msconfig.exe (C:\Windows\system32\msconfig.cpl should also work, but I think the .exe is the one you need to have). **or whatever your system folder is** Has this computer always had this problem, or is it new? You may be able to copy the above 2 files from another PC if they are not present...? Or extract MSCONFIG.EX_ from the I386 directory of the Windows installation disk.

Thanks--I had searched the KB, but didn't actually see that one. I don't (or haven't) ever experienced any errors, and my problem usually resolved itself eventually, but it can be quite annoying when it happens. I'll check my system to see if this is the fix I'm looking for.

I don't know if this has been brought up here before--I searched for it, but didn't really find anything on this subject. Ever since moving from "Windows Update" to "Microsoft Update", whenever the service runs it slows my PC to a halt! My laptop is normally pretty fast (1.8GHz, 1.25 MB RAM, P4), but whenever updates begin to download my whole system seems to lock up. I don't even have them automatically install, I use the setting to download and install manually, so it's not like there should be that much of a process running the background. At first I couldn't figure out what it was, but I've definately noticed that the problem seems to always occur when the update client is running. I also usually have a "SVCHOST" running at 99% at the same time. Has anyone else encountered this, and more importantly, know a way to fix it?

If you use BartPE, you may be actually able to see if the Windows installation routine is actually writing any files to the disk. Also, I don't know if you have done this yet, but I would actually go into the BIOS and make sure the drive is being correctly identified and labled as a boot device.

Funny, I've had this exact same problem before. I went completely nuts because I tried everything that everyone here has mentioned, and nothing seemed to work. The bad news...I never did fix it! I eventually had to wipe the disk and rebuild the OS (for a different reason), so that of course did solve the problem--but I've definately seen this happen before with no explanation.

Well, you can share them in the same way as mentioned above, but if you're speaking of actually running the OS or programs accross the network, I don't think you're going to achieve what you're trying to do. Some applications (i.e. Microsoft Office), provide ways to set up administrative installations that network users can run from the network, but that's about it.

I've used Dell CDs many times for unattended install, NLite will overwrite the necessary WINNT.SIF files with the info needed, you don't really have to do anything but provide the info. The only thing to be sure of is to not change the CD Key in the existing WINNT.SIF file. I only use the CD for re-installing on Dell computers for which the CD was provided, though. As far as "factory installed software", Dell doesn't include this on its XP disks--although you may have a "Dell" folder in your startmenu with links to support, etc., but no actual software is included. I don't think Dell's CD will work with other (non-Dell) product codes on other PC brands; if this is what you are trying to ask, I'm not even sure that's legal...?

"Start" --> "Run..." --> "control userpasswords2" From here you should be able to set up auto-logon. Uncheck "Users must enter a username and passoword", and it will prompt you to configure the account to auto-logon.

Was this an NLited installed using RyanVM update pack? (or any type of install with an update pack integrated)? If so, doing the following has solved this problem in the past for me: Go to the System32 folder and locate the following two folders: CatRoot and CatRoot2 Open the folders contained within and move all the files to a backup folder except those named "Timestamp" and "SP2.cat" (I recommend moving the files to a different folder and not deleting them just in case they need to be restored). Try to run Windows Update again.

Most COA stickers on side of computers installed with OEM versions of windows (Dell, HP, Compaq to name a few) are not usable numbers. In the case of Dell, which I am most familiar with, you would have to get a copy of the media from them. The actual CD Key used for installation is on a winnt.sif file, and will only work on Dell computers. You're best bet may be to contact the maker of the computer to see if they can provide you with a new copy of the OS media for recovery.

Not sure if this is an option, but pressing the "Windows Key"+"e" will open Windows Explorer, and from the file menu you can access the control panel and such (which allows access to the right-click menu items for "My Computer").

Thanks for the reply--it kinda bugs me that XP wasn't even an option through the online ordering process. Guess I'll have to find a different solution.

OK, not sure if this has been discussed, so I apologize if someone has already brought something similar to this up already. Here's the deal: About a week ago I bought a new Dell laptop for my company. At this point, the only OS options I had when configuring the system were Vista. Now, I don't really want Vista--it's not that I'm affraid of change, but I haven't really had time to use it yet and I'd like to give M$ and everyone else time to work out the bugs before I upgrade; plus, I'd like all of our computers to be running same OS. So my question is this (and keep in mind I want to keep everything legal, which is why I'm asking here): Would it be possible to use an XP CD from one of my other Dells to install onto the one with Vista? Does the OEM license I have for Vista apply to an instance of XP should I choose to install it? Will the old Dell XP cd even work? If anyone understands this and has input, it would be appreciated.

I too would recommend a re-install, but judging from your responses, that may be easier said than done. Try the above advice to clean your system, and turn on automatic updates! If you don't want to take the time to run service packs and hotfixes manually, you should definately let windows do it for you!

Don't know if this helps...but here is how to re-create the "show desktop" shortcut. Show Desktop

Regardless of where you stand on the fixed vs. dynamic page file debate, there does seem to be one clear concensus to answer this thread: Don't disable your Page File, regardless of how much physical memory you may have! (I set mine to system managed and it never has gone above 512MB, with 2 GB of physical RAM, so that should be fine). If you have a system with enough RAM to even question it, I'm sure you have the hard drive space to spare up to a Gig for a page file.

I did not try the others, but I can attest that Yzöwl's .CMD file works just fine.

You also have to consider the different definitions of Gigabyte in use. Some define a GB as =1,000,000,000 bytes; but computer memory actually defines GB in powers of 2, where GB = 2^30 bytes. Gigabyte

I was under the impression that you could use a Pro key to install XP Home ed., just not the other way around--but only assuming it the same type of CD (OEM/VLK/Retail). This should be perfectly legal because Pro has MORE functionallity than the home ed., and the license cost more.