XP woes

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