XP woes

mikim · Dec 27, 2001

I ordered a new PC from Dell online on a thursday night -- received it on tuesday -- the fast delivery is the only good part of this story. It came with XP loaded - no choice - and the roxio cd creator software didn't work - out of the box it didn't work. I loaded some other programs that don't amount to much and the system started crashing - it would boot then crash - reboot - crash without touching it. I ran fdisk on it and did a total reload using the cds that came with it. - back to square one. the cd writer still didn't work. I began loading software slowly. Adobe acrobat 5 wiped out both cd drives. unload it - they came back. This is all using the downloaded patches that I spent time finding and downloading. I fail to see what good an operating system is that won't accept any software loads. The monitor also has a high speed jitter. I've called for an immediate RMA. Bird - I can't recommend an upgrade - you're using ME or 2000? and does it work? As far as I can see - XP is definitely not ready for prime time. --- or I really got a lemon.
mike

Boner · Dec 27, 2001

That sounds right about inline with everything else I've heard about XP.

-Ben

snowman · Dec 27, 2001

I got a Dell 4300 about a month ago - sounds like roughly the same setup as you.

Mine works fine; have loaded tons of software and burned a CD okay.

I did the Windows upgrade/patches yesterday and everything went okay.

You should probably just return it all to Dell and have them ship you a new one. Maybe something lose on the motherboard, etc.

RoyJackson · Dec 27, 2001

My wife just got a Dell with XP.
Her sound card didn't work. I downloaded the latest drivers...loaded 'em. The sound card still didn't work. We had a bad card. Dell did send a tech over to replace it...took care of the problem.
So, your drive might be bad hardware, not software related.
I suggest you not...repeat...not open the case. You'll void your warranty. Call Dell and explain the problem. You paid for the warranty when you paid for the computer.
Now, XP does have problems with drivers. Remember, this OS is based upon the NT kernel, not the old Win 95 kernel.
Drivers were always a hassle with NT machines since NT was built for business usage, not home PC's.

It's quite possible some of your older programs won't work at all unless there is an upgrade patch. DOS programs may not work at all. If you want to use those, you'll have to set up a dual boot system with XP and an older OS (such as Win98SE) installed. I won't explain this here...do a search on the 'Net.

Hardware may need new drivers (don't depend on Dell to ship with the latest drivers installed). I see this with the graphics card we ordered.

Personally, I won't do XP due to Microsoft's fascist "activation" requirement (your Dell will already have this done).

 Roy Jackson
Windsor, PA 
[email]jacksonrm@suscom.net[/email]

Anonymous Poster · Dec 27, 2001

...Adobe acrobat 5...

I'm seeing some odd/intermittent problems with version 5... mostly "hangs" on the internet while downloading a PDF file to view... but occurring across the board with Win95/98/ME...

MossRoad · Dec 27, 2001

Sorry, but I vote for the lemon. Make Dell replace it or restore it, or get it working ASAP. Remember, XP is VERY particular about software and hardware drivers. I have an old scanner that will never work with XP. Many of my kids older games will not work with XP. My wife's new digital camera will not work with XP. That does not mean XP is faulty. It means that the companies that wrote the aftermarket software have not yet or never will write the drivers for XP. Get Dell to fix it.

 MossRoad

TerryinMD · Dec 27, 2001

Whoaaa.... slow down every one!

First, you don't need any CD burner software. A slimmed down version of Roxio software is included and it works.

As for applications not working, oh yeah, good possibility. First, I would run the Windows update to get the latest greatest OS patches. Not that many really. A few driver upgrades and security patches. Microsoft Mea Cupa's on this one!! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Then go out and find out if the applications you have will absolutely work. Microsoft has a Web page that is seachable by vendor. Also, you may want to go out to each of the vendor sites to see if they have any patches. Ya never know....

When I upgraded a few months ago, the biggest headache were printer drivers and games. Other than that, not much of an issue. I have both the Home and Professional editions.

Terry

mikim · Dec 27, 2001

What came loaded was roxio basic 5.1 -- didn't work -- tech support advised the downloaded patch -- no joy - I also downloaded and installed every upgrade patch I could find, including the new security one and one from adobe. The software I was trying to load was suppose to be XP compatible. Wordperfect 2002 was one and absolutey refused to function. I tried to load McAfee for NT and I think that's what really toasted it. Sometime after that is when the crash/reboot began. After the brain wipe and reload I'm back to square one. The roxio cd creator doesn't work, the crash/reboot has stopped, and I still can't load any programs -- I'm not trying to use any old legacy stuff here - it's all fairly new. The adobe 5 problem really surprised me.
I guess the only things I tried loading has been the Mcafee, adobe, and wordperfect and if I can't get past that - what's the point? I need procomm plus 32 also but it gave me a warning during setup that it wouldn't work on that OS so I exited. I've been on hold all a.m. with 'em - I want an RMA and a new system shipped with ME loaded. I just don't believe XP is ready. What good is a system new out of the box that needs to be patched to h_ll and back? Roy - above suggested a dual boot machine. That was the original plan - but I want to get a windows system up & running before I add a partition for red hat. and .. the monitor is definitely bad - I just substituted another dell monitor we had around here and it's fine. (sigh) I guess I shoulda rolled my own - but it woulda cost more.
mike

Anonymous Poster · Dec 27, 2001

Update Easy CD Creator® 5.0x Platinum to add compatibility for Windows® XP

mikim · Dec 27, 2001

Just got an RMA # for the return ... I did not crack the case so the waranty should be in full effect. The deal is .. they'll give me a full refund when they receive it, and I can order a new one whenever ... or if ... I'll cool for a day or two to make that decision. Currently I'd like to hand carry this thing to Austin and place it in their collective dark cavity.
mike

MossRoad · Dec 27, 2001

Are you logging in as Administrator when installing these programs? I attempted to install some programs logged in as something other than administrator and the setup goes through just fine, then either pukes at the end, or the program doesn't run.

 MossRoad

TerryinMD · Dec 27, 2001

Well there ya go....

Mcaffee screwed up my installation too.... more my problem than Mcaffee's. I didn't pay attention to the Compatability software and went ahead with the install anyway.

Please do yourself a favor and get Norton. Much better for whatever reason. I think that Mcaffee really dropped the ball on this one.

Norton even helped to clear up the mess after the Mcaffee debacle.

Sounds like you have multiple problems - some S/W some H/W. I'd yell at Dell first. I really can't understand the Roxio problem. Did you purchase the Roxio software with the Dell machine? Dell should have known that XP has the CD burner capability. As far as WordPerfect, can't comment on that. Haven't used the product in years!

Terry

mikim · Dec 27, 2001

.... more my problem than Mcaffee's. I didn't pay attention to the Compatability software and went ahead with the install anyway.
probably my problem too - but there were problems before that - I just compounded 'em
Sounds like you have multiple problems - some S/W some H/W
I think so too - I still need to decide now what OS to go with. XP is the up and comer but I'd bet I'd have fewer issues with ME.
Did you purchase the Roxio software with the Dell machine?
came pre-loaded and did not work. Tech support said that sometimes the direct copy wouldn't work and the work around for it was to copy to the hard drive first - but that didn't work either. quite a frustrating few days.
I'll give it a few days and make my decision about 11:30 on the 31st ... outta be a good time for decision makin' "burp". /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

mikim · Dec 27, 2001

Are you logging in as Administrator when installing these programs?
oh yeah ... but that's my normal modus operandi (ms?) so not the issue here ... and the default permissions for all users is admin ... another story altogether ... all users must be set to admin when loading new programs or those that are not will not be able to access the program ?? at least that's what it looked like. They can be returned to restricted after the load and still have access though. ...??...
mike

TerryinMD · Dec 27, 2001

Mike,

What XP did you get? Lite or Industrial (Home or Professional)? Supposedly, the Home version has a few more problems that the Professional.

I still don't understand the Roxio software! Makes no sense to sell it if XP has the feature built into the OS.

Dell is a very reputable company. Our company buys all of their workstations and laptops from them. A few problems. Sound's like you go one built during or after the Christmas party. /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif Why don't you demand that they send you a new unit immediately and not wait? I certainly would (but that's me being **** retentive).

Good luck.

Terry

RoyJackson · Dec 27, 2001

Concur with Dell's being nice machines. I personally prefer Micron's as business machines, but Dell is good too.

I think the machine wifey bought (4300, 1.4G CPU, 512Mb RAM, Geforce II 64 Mb Graphics) is going to be a very nice addition to our home systems.

I just prefer to build up and upgrade myself. I'm still using a tower bought 5 years ago (had a Pentium 266 Mz CPU then) I've done two major upgrades since I bought it...there isn't anything original left in the tower now. Currently, it's a P III 1.0Gig CPU, 256 Mb RAM, ATI Radeon graphics card). Since I upgrade fairly often...and XP requires re-activation after a given number of upgrades...reckon it'll be while before I go to XP...if at all.

I do wonder why Dell didn't offer to send a technician out to test mikim's computer. When we had the soundcard problem (earlier post), the tech was at our place within 3 business days.

 Roy Jackson
Windsor, PA 
[email]jacksonrm@suscom.net[/email]

MossRoad · Dec 27, 2001

I load my programs as administrator and then log in as my kids(restricted) and they can run them fine. I also made a games login(restricted as well) and they run fine too.

I feel your pain. Something that you purchase should work out of the box.

I upgraded a 98 box to XP. It hosed my multimedia software for my ATI all in wonder card and replaced it with the standard microsoft multimedia software. I found XP drivers for the software that got hosed and will install it as soon as I get time. My burner works fine with the microsoft software.

TWAIN drivers don't work for my small scanner or my digital camera. That is up to the hardware manufacturer to make the correct drivers for XP.

 MossRoad

mikim · Dec 27, 2001

What XP did you get?
home version - it outta be the more trouble free considering the users targeted.
Why don't you demand that they send you a new unit immediately and not wait?
I need to decide if I really want to deal with XP or not -- at this point it's leaning toward not.
We've had good luck with Dell at our office too, but a gov't account gets a little more attention than John Q. I'm going to re-order from them - but just need to decide on the OS. The girl who gave me the RMA transferred me to a sales rep to talk about it - but that rep was out for the holidays.
mike

RoyJackson · Dec 27, 2001

"Did you purchase the Roxio software with the Dell machine?
came pre-loaded and did not work. Tech support said that sometimes the direct copy wouldn't work and the work around for it was to copy to the hard drive first - but that didn't work either. quite a frustrating few days."

I do suggest you copy to your local Hard Drive first, before making a burned CD. This is especially true with audio CD's.

When one goes from CD to CD, you have a potential for buffer over run. This will make the copy useless. There's still a possibilty of the buffer over run when using the Hard Drive as the donor for the burn...however, less likely (then direct copies) in my experience.

I do suggest if you're copying audio CD's...set the software up, start the burn and LEAVE YOUR COMPUTER. Using the computer while burning CD's increases the risk of bad copies. The vibration of one moving around during a burn can result in "skips" in your copy (learned this the hard way...couldn't understand why the first half of the copy sounded so good, but the last half had "skips"....well, it was from me going upstairs to the computer to see how the burning was doing during the last part of the copying).

 Roy Jackson
Windsor, PA 
[email]jacksonrm@suscom.net[/email]

MossRoad · Dec 27, 2001

With the newer CD burners and "burnproof" (buffer under run)technology I don't have that problem anymore. I can do anything I want and the CD still comes out fine. The CD stops writing until the buffer gets info in it, then it continues.

Older CD burners, that is still a problem.

 MossRoad