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1451

Living Room / Re: Weird Window When Computer Boots Up

« Last post by J-Mac on June 06, 2009, 01:11 PM »

First of all, SuperAntiSpyware is fine. And I assume you mean Adaware Pro, not Adware? Adaware was OK in its day... Unfortunately its day passed a few years ago. I don't see how SuperAntispyware could have had anything to do with this, though I would recommend stopping all anti-spyware and anti-virus active scanners while activating. None of your anti-malware could have been running - or even installed - when this guy reinstalled Windows.

Did he reinstall it with your original Windows disk? If not then HE must activate XP for you, as there is no way for you to know the key for his license. And I have to presume that he is using a volume license. If you call Microsoft to tell them you cannot activate and then tell them the tech who installed it for you, they may be interested if it turns out he is installing pirated copies of Windows.

This guy sounds like a real winner. Is he associated with any larger service? Geek Squad or anything?

Jim

1452

Living Room / Re: Weird Window When Computer Boots Up

« Last post by J-Mac on June 06, 2009, 11:47 AM »

I'll 2nd that (wr975), No machine ever leaves our shop without activation and all security updates installed. Make Them Fix It.


It takes all of 3 sec to verify activation, that should not have left the shop.

-Stoic Joker (June 06, 2009, 11:35 AM)

Both of you are most likely correct, however I am a fatalist and pretty much expect such sloppy service! I always prefer to know how to do it myself. 

Jim

1453

Living Room / Re: Weird Window When Computer Boots Up

« Last post by J-Mac on June 06, 2009, 11:46 AM »

Don't you sleep????
Thanks for you info!!!!
I never had to do this before!!!

-moranacus (June 06, 2009, 03:02 AM)

Actually I don't sleep very much.

moranacus, it sounds like you aren't very experienced with computers, or at least Windows. At least not yet!

Microsoft for years did not pursue users of pirated Microsoft software very vigorously. Apparently they finally realized that no amount of money is ever enough, and so they decided to go after pirated software in a big way. You see, though we all bitch about Microsoft a lot - and that includes me! - it is the most pirated software in the world, or so I have read. So while we all complain about it, apparently we all want it very much. Microsoft started a program called Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) which is really just an authentication of Windows for all users. In order to get Microsoft Updates or download software from their site, you must have their authentication software on your computer. Prior to WGA Windows still had to be activated, and it still does today, though Microsoft has recently started combining the WGA and Windows Activation programs.

Here are some more links that you really should read if you plan to keep on using Microsoft products:

How to Activate Windows XP    This goes through each step you need to take, including how to activate over the internet and/or by phone. THere are several phone numbers but you should use the one that you get from your computer. This article tells you how.

What is Microsoft Product Activation?    This is an article on Microsoft's Resources site. Explains the reasons for activation and has links to FAQs.

Genuine Microsoft Software    This is Microsoft's web site that explains what WGA is and how and why they use it. (Mostly an attempt to justify what I feel is their intrusive behavior.)

Genuine Microsoft Software Frequently Asked Questions     Again, this is stuff you should learn, but I wouldn't get too far into it until after you use the first link here to get activated.

Jim

1454

Living Room / Re: Weird Window When Computer Boots Up

« Last post by J-Mac on June 06, 2009, 11:20 AM »

> I just paid $243 on May 11 to have my hard drive wiped and Windows XP reinstalled and I already have a problem.

There could be two things.

This tech guy installed a VLK version of Windows. Microsoft blacklisted some widespread VLK keys recently, so there...

Or you got some malware.

Anyway, this person who cleaned and installed Windows XP for you, messed up. Call this person and demand to have these issues fixed, for no cost. This can be done by remote desktop software and probably takes few minutes only. A not working Windows XP version or leaving someone with administration rights + no protection against malware isn't worth $243 at all.

-wr975 (June 06, 2009, 09:25 AM)

Of course it is possible that the tech reinstalled XP from moranacus's own disk. If the hard drive was wiped it is possible that XP is seeing this as "changed hardware" or thinks it may have been installed on a different computer. If the dialog isn't showing the right text in it the tech might not have noticed it. Or the dialog may not have started popping until 30 days after the reinstallation.

Don't want to hang the tech just yet!

Jim

1455

Living Room / Re: Weird Window When Computer Boots Up

« Last post by J-Mac on June 06, 2009, 08:51 AM »

You went to this site as advised above?  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916247

Jim

1456

Living Room / Re: Weird Window When Computer Boots Up

« Last post by J-Mac on June 06, 2009, 02:44 AM »

I was told by someone else that something I can't detect (not sure what) its doing something
to my Windows XP making seem like its an invalid version. Is there a reason why I should
have to do this again when the tech that repaired my computer did this already????
I can't take these computer problems any longer!!!! I just paid $243 on May 11 to have my hard drive wiped and Windows XP reinstalled and I already have a problem.

-moranacus (June 06, 2009, 01:57 AM)

Well the tech may not have reactivated your copy. Or possibly installed a non-authentic copy - but let's not assume that.

All you have to do is go to that Microsoft page and see if your copy is activated. If not they will activate it. This is not a big deal. If you are going to continue using a computer, you need to get used to this. Probably won't be the last time!

Jim

1457

General Software Discussion / Re: Collectorz.com... again!

« Last post by J-Mac on June 06, 2009, 01:20 AM »

A lot of versions available for download at the OldVersion.com forum. Worth a try.

Jim

1458

Living Room / Re: Weird Window When Computer Boots Up

« Last post by J-Mac on June 05, 2009, 11:16 PM »

My Windows XP got corrupted abput a month ago.
I had the whole hard drive wiped and WINDOWS XP Home Version with SERVICE PACK 2
was installed.
It is an official WINDOWS XP and I have a label on the top of my computer that shows this.

-moranacus (June 05, 2009, 04:09 PM)

No problem. Just follow the instructions at the Microsoft link I posted above. If it doesn't re-activate onlinethen it has a number where you can call them. It's painless. Just have the info on the label - it is also on the Windows CD and sleeve - when you try. If you call they will ask for the key and what happened. Then they'll activate it for you.

Jim

1459

Living Room / Re: Weird Window When Computer Boots Up

« Last post by J-Mac on June 05, 2009, 04:00 PM »

The error is a message from Microsoft telling you that your copy of Windows is not activated. That also means that it will - or perhaps already has - been limited in features. You need to go here and activate the product. You can also read more about this here.

Have you recently changed any hardware on your computer? Or reinstalled Windows? Those actions can cause Windows not to be activated. In those cases activation can be as easy as clicking a link on Microsoft's web site, or a call to explain what happened to Microsoft. I have had to do this and it was fast and easy.

Of course if your copy of Windows is not an suthentic copy, then you do have a problem!

Jim

1460

Living Room / Re: Weird Window When Computer Boots Up

« Last post by J-Mac on June 05, 2009, 03:16 PM »

I ran a complete scan using Trojan Hunter, SuperAntispyware and
Avast and nothing showed up.
Could this have something to do with me clicking to show hidden files????
I was trying to find the Application Data directory in Documents & Settings.
I since went back to hiding hidden files.

-moranacus (June 05, 2009, 02:46 PM)

No, this has nothing to do with hidden files. You need to check the Event log and see what errors are shown at the time of boot up. rgdot posted a link above if you are not familiar with the Event Viewer in XP.

Jim

1461

Living Room / Re: Weird Window When Computer Boots Up

« Last post by J-Mac on June 04, 2009, 11:40 PM »

Sorry but I don't have a way to do that at the moment.
The ! is actually at the top left of the box inside a yellow triangle.
The symbol actually looks like the one that appears in the task bar when
there are updates for Windows XP and other programs.

-moranacus (June 04, 2009, 03:49 PM)

Well it would help. Tough to diagnose with no details, like a pic of the dialog box or at least a detailed description of it. Is it a standard looking Windows dialog? BTW, what are you running - XP? Home or Pro? SP1, 2, or 3?

Is there a title bar, blue XP classic coloring? Does anything say "Error" anywhere in the dialog - or title bar if there is one? Have you looked at the Event Viewer, system and application logs? Any errors listed there that correspond to the same exact time?

Just offhand it sounds like it could be related to the login screen or something generated by csrss.exe.

Jim

1462

Living Room / Re: Weird Window When Computer Boots Up

« Last post by J-Mac on June 04, 2009, 03:07 AM »

Might help to see a picture of it. Since it happens during bootup you will have to take a pic with a digital camera and then upload it here.

Jim

1463

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: BBCeditor 1.0.13

« Last post by J-Mac on June 04, 2009, 01:58 AM »

fenix,

Nice app! Wow, I have to check this darn subforum more often!

Thanks!

Jim

1464

General Software Discussion / Re: Is it time to start a new AntiVirus/Internet Security Suite review thread?

« Last post by J-Mac on June 02, 2009, 10:36 PM »

Similarly, I have read only good things about PrevX; however virtually all I have read about it has come from very loyal and dedicated users, so these are not unbiased opinions. I haven't seen any truly independent reviews - or whatever passes anymore for "independent" reviews.

Jim

1465

Living Room / Re: What annoys you to no end?

« Last post by J-Mac on June 02, 2009, 12:24 PM »

Telephone based services where, upon connection, an automated system collects ALL details -- account #s, name, address, phone etc. -- and then connects you (after a  little phone-pad fandango) to a human who proceeds to ask you for account #s, name, address, phone etc.

-cranioscopical (June 02, 2009, 12:12 PM)

This reminded me...

I did a little research and a lot of esoteric calculations last year and found that approximately 2.6 million employees of large corporations now know my mother's maiden name, the high school I attended along with its location, and my first pet's name. Any can easily be me with a couple of clicks.   

Jim

1466

Living Room / Re: What annoys you to no end?

« Last post by J-Mac on June 02, 2009, 12:21 PM »

Don't know how I forgot about this:    Facebook!   

I signed up on Facebook last year when a small number of DC members thought it would be a good idea to join and create our own software group. But no one ever actually went any further with, AFAICT.

Then late last year my dear, lovely, non-techie wife - for whom I purchased her own PC with high expectation, only to see her use it exclusively for PC games - decided to join Facebook at the behest of a friend. And now she lives Facebook. From the moment she arrives home she is logged into Facebook, pounding away on her keyboard. When she arises in the morning she immediately signs in to check her "wall". If she wakes up through the night to visit the bathroom, she stops in the office and, well, you guessed it. 

Actually it's better than just using the machine for nothing but games, I guess. Except now I receive a constant barrage of notification emails from Facebook, which by now has my entire extended family on it. The messages are requests from family members to join any or all of the rancid, junk ad-generated clubs/groups/IQ Tests, etc., etc., etc. This has more than doubled my daily ration of regular spam; Facebook is really a giant spam generator, nothing more. I actually am pleased now when I receive a good old Viagra or "get a bigger body part" solicitation - it's not from Facebook! 

Jim

1467

Living Room / Re: What annoys you to no end?

« Last post by J-Mac on May 30, 2009, 01:02 PM »

Software programs that unexpectedly open your browser and take you to a web page that you had no real need nor desire to visit.

And similarly, programs with their Help pages online that don't say that they are online. You are working offline - trying to get something done without getting hopelessly distracted so you are purposely not opening your web browser, and you click on Help on the program's menu bar, then Help Contents. And it opens your default browser (or worse, your non-default browser!) and takes you to their online help. There are times I would rather eschew Help altogether.

Let us not omit the programs that insist on opening your browser after you uninstall them to ask you why you would ever want to uninstall their amazing and wonderful program.

And a special salute to software developers who do not offer any Help file at all but instead have a PDF user manual hidden away somewhere on their web site. The manual is very complete and comprehensive - 340 pages long - but doesn't have any bookmarks, and has a Table of Contents that is not "clickable", meaning there are no working links in the manual. Manuals put together so carefully and thoughtfully usually have another great feature: The first 15 or 30 pages are "pre-numbered"; they are numbered with lower case Roman numerals: i, ii, iii, iv, etc. This serves to make any reference in the manual to page numbers completely bogus, since all PDF readers/viewers automatically number the page thumbnails starting on the first page or cover without any correlation to the author's fanciful pre-numbering scheme.

There are many more, but I grow weary....  

Jim

1468

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: XYplorer File Manager

« Last post by J-Mac on May 29, 2009, 10:54 PM »

Oh, that is sweet. I like it! I'm with Mr. Darwin - this could finally convert me.

I currently have licenses for Directory Opus, Total Commander, and XYPlorer (Lifetime Lic.). I have never used TC full-time though I have had it longer than any other. The UI is just different enough and I never took the time to master it. DOpus is my everyday file explorer currently, but that could now change. I do like XYPlorer but dual pane is a big plus for me, and not having it was a big minus IMO, at least for my use. I do a lot of file copying and moving and it is definitely much simpler with the dual pane.

Jim

1469

Living Room / Re: What annoys you to no end?

« Last post by J-Mac on May 29, 2009, 10:11 PM »

   11. Confusing privacy policies that appear to have been written by monkeys - and I apologize if that offends any monkeys out there.

-J-Mac (May 26, 2009, 04:05 PM)

In the interest of reducing confusion, there are really only 2 types of privacy policy:

1. simple to read policies that pretty much clearly state that your privacy will be repected to the extent permitted by law

2. all others - no privacy protection is afforded.  See http://blogs.msdn.co...9/05/26/9640963.aspx for some details.

-mwb1100 (May 29, 2009, 12:39 PM)

You missed #3) Privacy Policies that state in one paragraph:

The information we collect is used to improve the content of our Web page, used by us to contact consumers for marketing purposes, not shared with other organizations for commercial purposes, disclosed when legally required to do so, at the request of governmental authorities conducting an investigation, to verify or enforce compliance with the policies governing our Web site and applicable laws or to protect against misuse or unauthorized use of our Web site.

(Emphasis mine)

So you think you are safe. But then farther down the page in a different paragraph it states:

From time to time, we make the e-mail addresses of those who access our site available to other reputable organizations whose products or services we think you might find interesting.

And farther down the page yet another paragraph states:

If you supply us with your postal address on-line you may receive periodic mailings from us with information on new products and services or upcoming events.

Sounds like just them, doesn't it? Ha! This is a couple more paragraphs down the page:

Please provide us with your exact name and address. We will be sure your name is removed from the list we share with other organizations

... and ....

Please provide us with your name and phone number. We will be sure your name is removed from the list we share with other organizations From time to time, we may use customer information for new, unanticipated uses not previously disclosed in our privacy notice.

Don't you love it?!  BTW, this privacy is from the web site of Granite City Tools, from whom I purchased a few bottles of granite countertop cleaner/polish after having a new kitchen installed. Their policy now has opt-out instructions but did not when I made my purchase. Nor was their policy this "clear" then; it was much denser then. After receiving the cleaner I started receiving monstrous catalogs from tool companies selling granite cutting tools, mining tools (Yes, excavators larger than the entire block where my house is!), at the rate of about two to three a day. And these catalogs were of the major city phonebook size variety. Though I contacted them by phone, email, and postal mail they never responded, so I had to get off the lists my own way.

They should all die of something painful....   

Jim

1470

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Online Armor on Giveawayoftheday (May 26, 2009)

« Last post by J-Mac on May 27, 2009, 03:32 PM »

Jim, according to some of the stuff I read yesterday before deciding to install Online Armor, the initial installation often produces what looks like a BSOD, except that after some minutes it revives.  Someone, perhaps Michael Horowitz in his CNET review, took OA to task for not warning people that this was normal and expected behavior during the initial installation.

I've now got OA installed and running, though I'm still a little uneasy with it.  It produces a mini-BSOD for about 45 seconds every time I reboot.  That, too, was something someone mentioned, but I'm finding it VERY annoying.  The last thing I wanted was to increase my already too-long bootup time.     OA also seems to have caused some havoc with my system tray, with some icons appearing only on some reboots.  My linksys wireless network icon, for example, at times simply isn't there, even though I can access the Internet.  When that happens, if I right-click on the bottom taskbar and click on Customize, NO icons are listed!  This never happened before I installed OA.  I'll probably start experimenting with what I can turn off and what I want to leave on, since all I really want is a firewall.

-cyberdiva (May 27, 2009, 03:12 PM)

Seriously? A BSOD as part of its standard behavior? Wow. I have already disabled most of the extra "frills" that are not firewall-related; why do developers think they have to add features not related to the intent of their software? Auto-scanning for programs that they have on a blacklist? Since when is that a firewall thing? Anti-Spyware, OK, but not in a firewall. I want a firewall to monitor network traffic and stop the bad guys. Not try to act like a mini-A/S & A/V program.

Thanks!

Jim

1471

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Online Armor on Giveawayoftheday (May 26, 2009)

« Last post by J-Mac on May 27, 2009, 12:59 PM »

Well this prompted me to finally install a software firewall again. I had been running NOD32, a router w/SPI, and a host of other small but effective scanners, HIPS protection, etc. ever since I tested what was supposed to be the first full release of Sunbelt's redone Sygate firewall - and it messed up my system so bad I had to reinstall Windows.

OA appeared to install OK, but after the required reboot it immediately jumped into a BSOD. Now who said these don't happen anymore?? 

Fortunately I have Who Crashed, a utility for reading crash dumps that I found right here on DC. Sure enough, the culprit was oadriver.sys. I had to power off using the Power button and restart that way. All seems to be OK now but I am naturally very leary. Also I turned off all protections except OA's firewall itself and HIPS protection. NOD32 covers the rest for me and I don't want or need two programs looking after the same things.

Jim

1472

Find And Run Robot / Re: Latest FARR Release v2.107.04 beta - Sep 23, 2012

« Last post by J-Mac on May 27, 2009, 12:45 PM »

Wow! I knew that FARR did a lot that is beyond me...... But this??

A little scary!

Jim

FARR out, man...   

1473

Living Room / Re: What annoys you to no end?

« Last post by J-Mac on May 26, 2009, 05:20 PM »

J-Mac, that's a very nice list of software annoyances.. maybe worth making into a list on a website somewhere.

-mouser (May 26, 2009, 05:09 PM)

Ha! You should see my entire list!!

Jim

1474

Living Room / Re: What annoys you to no end?

« Last post by J-Mac on May 26, 2009, 04:42 PM »

And all of the *#%( DAMNED ICONS that quicken places on my desktop on a clean install!

-Josh (May 26, 2009, 04:30 PM)

Grrrrr.. I feel your pain with Quicken!

Jim

1475

Living Room / Re: What annoys you to no end?

« Last post by J-Mac on May 26, 2009, 04:05 PM »

Here is a partial list of things that you get from all too many tech companies that piss me off. (Taken from my giant list of "Things that piss me off").

   1. Pre-installed junk software that comes on new computers. (Known semi-officially as "crapware").
      a. Pre-installed junk software that is only a "free trial" and wants to upsell you at a price that is more than if you bought it otherwise.
      b. Pre-installed junk software that is difficult or impossible to uninstall.
      c. Pre-installed junk software that is a minimal or crippled version that keeps trying to upsell you an upgraded version.

   2. Full, retail-priced software that has junk included in the installer that you don't want. (Yahoo Toolbar, anyone?)

   3. Software that, upon installation, "breaks" other software on your computer.

   4. "Sundown dates" where a software company announces that your version will not be supported after that date, forcing you to upgrade to their newer version.  Which all too often is the same as the old version but with a new look.

   5. Not telling me the real full price upfront, or selling software that doesn't really work unless you purchase additional add-ons.

   6. Software that phones home with more information about me than I want them to have.

   7. Software that embeds itself so deeply that it cannot easily be fully uninstalled.

   8. Outsourced tech support, especially to overseas companies with non-English-speaking techs reading from scripts. Especially when they give their names as Steve or Linda! (This is not a hit on the ones that are well-trained and do really help, but the ones that have no training other than reading from a very basic script, or that cannot speak nor understand my language well enough to converse).

   9. Companies with confusing or misleading EULA's. (Early on says they will never give your data to another company, then later says they WILL give it to "trusted companies" only to offer you great products.)

   10. Companies that sell my personal info to telemarketing firms.

   11. Confusing privacy policies that appear to have been written by monkeys - and I apologize if that offends any monkeys out there.

   12. Software licenses that limit installation to one computer only. (IMO all should be usable on one stationary and one mobile computer).

   13. "Razor and Blades" scams wherein you are sold an inexpensive primary product that requires endless additional purchases of outrageously priced consumables.  (Inkjet printers and ink cartridges).

That's enough for here - I don't want to get too bitchy.

Jim