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Computer Help Needed-Vanity
me ^ | 6/10/05 | texasflower

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?


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: computer; microsoft; reformatharddrive; texasflower; windows; windowsdaymares
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To: texasflower

OK, no disk problems.
How does everything else work? Mail, browser etc? Do they seem reasonable?
There is a next step to this process.


61 posted on 06/10/2005 1:45:53 PM PDT by ProudVet77
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To: texasflower

While we our on this topic, it is a good idea to have a C and D drives, use C drive for all Operating System stuff, updates, drivers and stuff like that. Use D: drive for everything else, install new programs that are OS stuff like anti-virus, email, FS tools and the like. That way your C drive stays relativily free of crap you never use and has lots of space available for recycle, memory etc. Now you D drive might fill up but if so just remove stuff, either way the OS stays happy and fast.


62 posted on 06/10/2005 1:47:11 PM PDT by jpsb (I already know I am a terrible speller)
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To: texasflower

entirely to much stuff on C drive. Install on D drive and clean up C drive.


63 posted on 06/10/2005 1:48:42 PM PDT by jpsb (I already know I am a terrible speller)
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To: dinasour

Okay, I did that and it didn't give me any stop signs or anything, but it does say

system error records 512

application error records 512

security audit records 512


64 posted on 06/10/2005 1:50:25 PM PDT by texasflower (silent_jonny is the only one for me.)
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To: ProudVet77

Everything else seems to be working just fine.


65 posted on 06/10/2005 1:51:19 PM PDT by texasflower (silent_jonny is the only one for me.)
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To: jpsb

That's not her problem. She has almost 5gb available.
I agree with you things should be shuffled around to use the D drive, but that is not her immediate problem.


66 posted on 06/10/2005 1:51:32 PM PDT by ProudVet77
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To: jpsb

I have no idea of how to do that, but willing to learn.


67 posted on 06/10/2005 1:52:37 PM PDT by texasflower (silent_jonny is the only one for me.)
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To: umbagi
The continued efficacy of "g=c800:5" is left as an exercise for the reader (NO, not you, TexasFlower!)

THANK GOD!

68 posted on 06/10/2005 1:53:27 PM PDT by texasflower (silent_jonny is the only one for me.)
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To: texasflower

Free Space 4.48 GB

Total Size 14.9 GB




Looks like you have a lot of stuff on the machine, slightly over 10 Gigabytes....14.9 - 4.48

Perhaps lots of temp files?

When was A Defragger run last?


69 posted on 06/10/2005 1:53:33 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
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To: texasflower

Good then the computer is essentially ok.
I assume the install uses a CD. If I am wrong, correct me.
Whn you put the CD in, and it starts to load slowly does the CD light (little green critter) stay lit? Does the drive make a lot of noises?
Also, if you put the disk drive to answer these questions, go back and check CPU use again.


70 posted on 06/10/2005 1:54:06 PM PDT by ProudVet77
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To: texasflower

Reading back thru the thread I see 128 Mbyte?

Is that right?


71 posted on 06/10/2005 1:54:21 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
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To: ProudVet77

And how much is in the recycle bin? And how badly fraged is C drive? And why install on C drive when you have a 60 gig drive that is not being used at all? I suspect the recycle bin is full or nearly so, the install is having a hard time find space for temp file and back up file.


72 posted on 06/10/2005 1:54:34 PM PDT by jpsb (I already know I am a terrible speller)
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To: anyone
This is a timely thread!

I have a problem with my system (HP Pavilion with Win98). All of my program files have my mail icon on them and when I try to start them my outlook starts up.

I'd appreciate suggestions on how to fix this. Thanks.

73 posted on 06/10/2005 1:56:14 PM PDT by Michael_Michaelangelo (The best theory is not ipso facto a good theory. Lots of links on my homepage...)
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To: texasflower

have you emptied the recycle bin yet?


74 posted on 06/10/2005 1:56:34 PM PDT by jpsb (I already know I am a terrible speller)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

Folks lets lay off the disk. There is 5GB available. We can move temp internet files and a few other things to the D drive, but thruth be told, it won't help that much. That technigue is useful for backups mostly.


75 posted on 06/10/2005 1:56:51 PM PDT by ProudVet77
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To: texasflower

Check private post. I'm a professional and I'll help you over the phone. We FReepers have to help each other out when we can.


76 posted on 06/10/2005 1:57:07 PM PDT by scars
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To: Michael_Michaelangelo

you have associated .exe file with your email client, unassociate them. 'open with'


77 posted on 06/10/2005 1:58:09 PM PDT by jpsb (I already know I am a terrible speller)
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To: ProudVet77

OK....


78 posted on 06/10/2005 1:58:49 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
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To: velocityguy

I think I found what you were asking for

System

Microsoft Windows XP
Home Edition
Version 2002
Service Pack 2

Sony Electronics

Intel (R)
Pentium (R) 4 CPU 1.60 GHz
1.61GHZ, 512 MB of RAM


79 posted on 06/10/2005 1:59:59 PM PDT by texasflower (silent_jonny is the only one for me.)
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To: Michael_Michaelangelo

No problemo.
Right click on your program files.
You'll see on the 2nd line down "Opens with"
It probably says outlook.


80 posted on 06/10/2005 2:00:42 PM PDT by ProudVet77
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