Posted on 06/10/2005 1:09:43 PM PDT by texasflower
I sure could use some help for a couple of problems I'm running into. My dad died a few months ago and I'm trying to make sure my mother's computer stays updated.
What I am finding is that everything new programs install very slowly. Last night she bought a new HP all in one scanner, printer etc.
Last night, I tried to install it and in 12 hours now it has only 31 percent installed. It is still trying to install, but it is just so slow.
I would take it out and start over, but the install screen has no cancel or X button. I've tried to shut down the computer but it won't shut down while this is in progress.
Other minor things seem to install, like virus updates etc., but they also run slowly. Not this slowly of course.
What can I do about this?
I have run all of the virus scan and spyware scans I have available.
Spybot Search and Destroy
Ad-Adware
Norton Anti-virus
AVG anti-virus.
Spyware Doctor
Zonealarm is the firewall.
I'm thinking this must be an installer driver or something like that but I don't know anything substantial about computers.
Also I would love to get rid of a dead program on here called pc-cillin, but the add and remove program thing won't let me do it. Any ideas?
So, if you have an answer or suggestion, you probably should baby talk me through it.
The computer is a SonyViao running Windows XP.
Oops. One more thing, for some reason there is an external zip drive attached to this computer. Shouldn't the computer be able to unzip regular files?
BTW, since you are worried about he registry, did you ever do a registry backup. Should be part of the normal backup routine. Prevents a virus from getting to you.
"There's a link to hijack this on my FR homepage"
Thanks for the information on your homepage. Everybody ought to at least take a look at it. IMO.
Has not been my experiance. The OS is clean in its directory after reinstall.
Regarding backups, yes absolutely. But it's easy to forget something, especially if it's someone elses computer and you don't even know what's there.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed but it seems to be installing just fine now....
Is you lack of response due to computer problems?
Your disk might be partitioned, so it would appear as both C: and D:, or even with more pieces. You need to have not just enough total disk space for the installation, but enough work space and "swap" space, and you might be running out of room for any of these. Just how full is the disk, and if it is partitioned, how much space do you have for each part?
I had to reboot and that was very slow. Did you see my message just before this one that I think it's working?
First you say you reinstall yearly, then you say you don't patch and are doing great.
IMHO reinstalling yearly is'nt doing great. YMMV
You realize unpatched systems are a hazard to more then just yourself? You could be zombified and not know it.
Good, is there a percent complete?
Also watch for the disk lights, as long as they are blinking you're probably golden. Also try and get a task manager on your screen and look at the performance tab. Should oscillate between 30% and 80% off and on.
Oops. Maybe I spoke too soon. It's just slowed down at the point it did last night.
OK, this is where it gets tricky, where are you at now?
After the reboot, are you installing ok?
Just capture where you are right now.
Can you hear the CD drive? They make a lot of noise if they are trying to recover from an error.
Also what is on your task manger?
Okay, the light on the computer is blinking. The task manager still shows like 99% idle.
I don't anything in the task manager that sounds like it might be this except for something that says HPZwproi.exe.
The "overall process" listed for step 3/4 is 5%. That's where it happened last night.
Should I try to download the software from the internet?
Sounds like a great machine, maybe the best method would be to take a few suggestions and just pay to have it done correctly.
HPZwproi.exe are you sure of the spelling.
If so give me a few minutes to work it out.
Let me ask something else. In the booklet, it said not to connect the USB cable until the software said to do it.
So, I haven't done that. Is it possible that I missed the part where I'm supposed to do it? I watched it very closely though and didn't see it.
Oops. No. Make that HPZwrp01.exe
Consider it might be broken install CD (happens). Have you looked for updated install packages at the scanner manufacturers web sight?
Use your ears also. If the CD is making ugly grinding noises the drive is out of alignment (replacing it is cheaper then fixing it). Try the other drive (you mentioned a DVD and CD burner).
At this point I'd say give XP's install disk one chance at fixing the currently installed OS. Boot off the XP CD (you might need to change your BIOS to allow you to boot from CD) once you've booted from CD you should be promted for fix or reinstall. Choose fix first. If that does'nt do anything reinstall to a new dir or fdisk. The difference is'nt worth arguing about.
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