Explore topic-wise InterviewSolutions in .

Hello, and thanks for reading my topic. Any help would be appreciated with this problem.

WELL to start things off, let me present some information about my computer:

Windows XP Professional  
AMD Athlon 1800+
1.49 GHz
512 MB Ram
Service PACK 2
Shuttle XP G2
Radeon 9500- Drivers: Radeon Omega Drivers 2.6.75a (Catalyst 5.10a)

First of all, I've been playing the MMORPG Final Fantasy XI for well over a year. On November 5th, while i was playing  my screen suddenly froze, and the sound started looping. My mouse and keyboard stopped functioning. My computer then restarted. I thought this was just a fluke mishap, so i continued to play. This happend 6 times; the intervals between each freeze KEPT getting closer.

Now I checked my error log, and found the following message:
"The driver ati2dvag for the display device \Device\Video0 got stuck in an infinite loop. This usually indicates a problem with the device itself or with the device driver programming the hardware incorrectly. Please check with your hardware device vendor for any driver updates. "

Now i tried uninstalling, and then reinstalling the upgraded drivers for my graphics card. That didnt work. Now I'm stumped on what to do. Also, my graphic card's fan has been broken for a while. Could this mean that my graphics card is only now OVERHEATING?

I did a Google search on this issue, and it is one complicated problem. Forums list probable causes for this as anything from the video card itself, to problems with the power supply, memory, motherboard and even the processor.

However, the fact that your card's fan has died suggests you would just be wasting your time troubleshooting this problem. It's there for a reason, and your card won't last long without it (if it hasn't died already).

Sorry, Anzai. You need a new video card.You also risk damaging other components in that machine if you continue running it this way. Most notably the MBoard and or the CPU.
One of those fans is certainly cheaper than a new CPU...

patio.  uninstall sp2.........Bad advice. Disregard the above and be careful of anyone who suggests this. There is absolutely NO documented evidence to support this position.

Little you know.......but to follow me.......More gibberish, from the master of same.forget the last post......she has lost the plot.

insight into sp2>http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=sp2+problems&meta=Anzai, disregard anything Merlin says. There's a reason he has no respect here.

Uninstalling SP2 will not change the fact that your video card has a fan that no longer works, and will not solve your problem.

Hi,

This USB thing is driving me crazy.

I was trying to connect a mobile phone via infrared dongle which fits into USB.
And it worked without INSTALLATION of any drivers and i even transferred many files.

Now a day later it says can't connect. Mobile can't connect to the computer.  

Any guesses  Forgot to add one thing:

The other day i also treid reinstalling all the Usb host conrollers.
No effect.Use the same technique we did that fixed it the last time...Control Panel/System/Hardware/Device Manager. Right clik each USB root hub and SELECT remove.
You will get an error message, ignore it.
Re-boot and WINDOWS will automatically re-install your USB drivers.
Do this with all USB devices unplugged.

Now plug in your USB device with Windows running...be patient give Windows time to pick up the device.

patio.  Hi,

This is what i was trying to say in the 2ND mail.
I did exactly the same.

But nothing HAPPENED the second time i plugged my usb-infrared dongle.

Booohoooo

Every time I move a file (copy, cut, delete, etc.) and OPEN certain programs windows installer will open and try to install software I already have on my computer.  This happens every time I attempt to do anything with a file basically.  I even deleted the programs that it was attempting to install and it still does the same thing.  I have run numerous checks, virus scans, etc. and nothing is working.  Any suggestions?Lafferty:

Did you make a backup of any KIND before installing the software?

Are you using Windows Me or XP?

DocI've never made any backup of any kind and I am running XP.What is that program?It isn't in response to me installing or removing anything... just that when I try to remove, delete, or cut any file, the computer immediately attempts to install software I already have on my computer for no apparent reason.  I have to cancel the installation of WHATEVER it's trying to install (which changes all the time) beofre I can finish what I was previously doing.And are your spyware/adware/antivirus programs INSTALLED, up to date and being used? If so, what are they? You need to make sure all the crappola is gone first.Lafferty:

Try using the Windows XP System Restore utility to restore your computer to the state it was in before you installed the PROBLEM program.

Click Start | All Programs | Accessories | System Tools | System Restore.

In system restore, choose a restore date just prior to the date you installed the annoying application.

Let us know how it works out,
Doc

can you HELP  I bought an old secondhand computa and it has a user password  which i do not know so am unable to log on i have tried going to safe mode and used admin have got into user accounts but cannot do anything as my mouse will not workWhat kind of computer make/model, laptop/desktop, what operating system, and do you have legal Windows CD's to reinstall if you need to. Is this the BIOS setup, or into Windows itself?I am having the same PROBLEM.  I have had no problems with my used computer then all the sudden it WANTS a password to BRING up Windows XP.  I have tried administrator in Safe Mode and LAST Good Configureation, it still didn't work.  Any help out there?  Since it is used, I do not have the CD to reinstall Windows.And the person you got it from doesn't know?MAy be you take the battery away and reinstall Windows again?Whoops! No WinXP disk. Would have to buy one and go legit.most folk.........format or take the hard drive out.......

see goldielocks......

so... i was really bored and i started playing with my computer and i left clicked on my wall paper and there was this thing that SAID stard color, or high color. So i didn't KNOW what high color was so i clicked on one of them. Suddenly, my  monitor TURNED to black and is not turning back to my desktop, even though i restrated mycomputer. i feel really dumb. Will someone please help me and tell me whats going on?     lol no need to make two threads Boot into SAFE mode and change it back to what it was. Normally, when that happens, if you press the escape (ESC) key, windows returns to the original setting.To get to Safe Mode, press the F8 key after the BIOS or computer manufacturer display and before the Windows splash screen.

i have firefox currently as my default BROWSER how do i CHANGE it BACK to internet explorer???Launch IE and GO to Tools/Internet Options/Programs and choose Internet Explorer.Also CHECK the Checkbox whcih says IE should check whether its the defaul one on starting.

When I turn on my computer, I am prompted for a password for Windows XP.  I have never had a password for Windows, I just turn on the computor and it comes up. I have tried "ADMINISTRATOR" when it prompts me, also have tried this password in Safe MODE and Last GOOD Configuration.  Nothing is WORKING, help!Do you remember what you put in this window when you were installing XP?

Hello all,  

I have a problem the "other guys" are not able to HELP me with.  I am trying to run my PC in safe mode, but my PC always freezes up on the the line multi(8)disk(0)System32/Drivers/Mup.sys. It has stayed on this line for 3 hours. It's definitely frozen and is not coming out of it. What could be causing this and how do I get around it? I am trying to get it unfrozen so I can clean out some spyware --

here's the rest of my problem-

http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=60143&hl=

Thanks Quote

Hello all,  
 
I have a problem the "other guys" are not able to help me with.  I am trying to run my PC in safe mode, but my PC always freezes up on the the line multi(8)disk(0)System32/Drivers/Mup.sys

It has stayed on this line for 3 hours. It's definitely frozen and is not coming out of it. What could be causing this and how do I get around it? I am trying to get it unfrozen so I can clean out some spyware.
 
Thanks

edemire... No, I've never updated to service pack 2. What's in it? I've heard bad things about it -- like it can cause one's PC to crash.

I was wondering if anyone might have a suggestion as to what maybe causing the following problem on an Intel 3G, ATI 800XL AGP, Asrock mobo, 1 Gig DDR dual channel.

First, I just moved last week. About 3 weeks ago, I upgraded my video CARD to an ATI 800XL. Up until the MOVE, everything seemed to be running perfect. No heat problems, no lock ups, everything seemd normal. After I fought with the LOCAL DSL carrier here in California, I got my PC up and running. After about 1 HOUR, the computer locks up hard. No one was using the computer at the time and no processes other than the default were running. I didn't think much of it so, just restarted it. Everything seemed to come up just fine and it ran for hours. Then the system locked up again not doing anything on it. I decided to wipe the computer as it was needing it anyway, went ahead and reseated the RAM and video card, and checked the power connections. Installation went smooth with no problems. Windows XP started up as normal. Loaded SP2 and did a reboot. System does not come up all the way into Windows. It hangs on the splash screen that has the scrolling "working" bar. I did a hard reboot. It would not load all the way into Safe Mode, it hung on the scrolling drivers being loaded. I went ahead and started to reload XP again from CD... while loading the XP install GUI, the computer locks up again. Finally, got a fresh clean XP Pro installed with NO drivers and no service packs. COmputer seemed to be running fine and then it froze up again. Rebooted it, however, it would not load into XP.

Any ideas on what might be causing it? I'm thinking maybe a hard drive going bad? I've lost hard drives in the past; but those times the drive literally started making a "knocking" sound and was dead.

Thanks for any thoughts on the matter. I have no idea what to really look at.... I guess, I'll start stripping parts and trying to run just with video, hard drive, mobo, ram, and processor only.sp2 is the problem.......uninstall it...... Quote

Thanks for any thoughts on the matter. I have no idea what to really look at.... I guess, I'll start stripping parts and trying to run just with video, hard drive, mobo, ram, and processor only.

I just made a new computer and i downloaded WINDOWS XP proffesional. Everything was WORKING, i TYPED the NAME and all of a sudden it CRASHED! Now i have to reinstall WIndows!!

What can the problem be? Why would it have crashed?

If you have any suggestions please post!!Your statement is in correct ......please re-post.....it.Probably because your WinXP was DLoaded...

Go legit.

patio.

Hey EVERYONE I'm new here. I've been having this problem with my computer. My screen is fine until I start up a game, any game at all, then the screen either gets out of position (getting cut off on ONE side and black stripes on the other) or really zoomed in. Also, running the games at a higher resolution SEEMS to work, but I need to run it lower. Thanks.Hi,

Try this:

Go to the ICON you click on to start the game and right click it, then go onto properties. Click on the compatability tab and tick the start in 640 X 480 resolution.

regardsGetting games to run video properly can sometimes be tricky...with the small amount of info you have supplied, it would be guesswork at best.

More info.

patio.

how do i RESTORE my RAM? I have 248mb of RAM and im supposed to have 256mb of RAM. And would RAM be added if i conect an external harddrive?btw i have a sony vaio WINDOWS XP home editionRAM is RAM, it doesn't go anywhere unless it is being shared with a video adapter. What graphics chip are you using?What model of Sony Vaio is this?then how do i stop my RAM from being shared,sony PCV-RS310First we have to know the video adapter to see if it is sharing system memory. If it is, there is nothing you can do about it. Sometimes it can be adjusted throught the BIOS, but there is no separate memory on graphics adapter in these cases. No videovemory=can't see the screen.

Again, what model VAIO? and would an external harddrive solve this problem???PCV-RS310 Quote

and would an external harddrive solve this problem???

I just payed to get it reformatted and now its all messed up again because i tryed tweaking my cpu speed!

Welcome to the real world, kid.

I've got a nasty problem. When I restart my computer, all I get is a black screen with the message "Unable to Find Operating System."

However, the computer will boot up normally if I insert an XP boot diskette into drive A:

I've even tried restoring my C: drive from a Norton Ghost image. I go through the whole process successfully, but still I just get the black screen with "Operating System Not Found" unless I insert my XP boot diskette again, and then it boots normally to the restored image.

But unless I start the computer with my XP boot diskette in drive A:, it won't boot and I that error message again.

Help!Is your hard drive dead? I would check the BIOS/setup screen to see if the drive is being recognized. What happened prior to all of this?No, I don't think the hard drive's dead. As I state above, when I use my XP boot diskette in drive A, it boots OK (from drive C). But without the boot diskette, nothing - just that black screen error message.

I've even tried restoring my C drive from a Norton Ghost image. I go through the whole process successfully, but still I just get the black screen with "Operating System Not Found" unless I insert my XP boot diskette again, and then it boots normally to the restored image.

It happened after I was attempting to make ANOTHER more recent Norton Ghost backup. That process failed and now I'm in this mess.

The OS and everything is there and boot up just fine if I insert my XP boot diskette in drive A, but if I try to boot without it, I get that error message on a black screen and that's it.


I also tried this, but it made no difference. I can boot from the CD, too. I tried the procedure in the XP CD's recovery console described in the link. But after doing that, the problem persists: if I don't use my XP boot diskette in drive A, it won't boot.

Here's something that got me wondering: this happens even now that I've restored my C: drive to a previous Ghost image backup that I know works because I've used it before successfully. So the problem may not be any file in Windows, but something before that?
Quote

No, I don't think the hard drive's dead. As I state above

You can somehow sense if the HDD has given up the ghost?

That's cool. Where do you learn that?

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect

No, I'm no expert, but since my OS is on my C drive and it boots into windows normally once I use my XP boot diskette, the drive appears to be in working order. Also, Partition Magic lists it as "healthy." But thanks for your your help, Raptor.


Ok, Patio, here's something odd: a search of my C: drive turned up no boot.ini file, only a boot.ini.backup file in C:/Windows/pss/

In Notepad it reads as follows:

Could it be that my boot.ini file is missing? How would I fix it?

You could also change the file extension removing the - .backup - part and try re-booting as long as the ntldr and ntdetect.com files are present.

Thanks for your help.

Right now, none of those three files shows up in just C:

I did a search and found ntldr and ntdetect.com in C:\WINDOWS\SevicePackFiles\i386

As I mentioned earlier, I found boot.ini.backup in C:\WINDOWS\pss

Just to get this straight, should I:

Copy those three files to C: and then rename boot.ini.backup to boot.ini?

I am having trouble with with the task manager, I USE it periodically to make sure I dont have any wierd processes running and when I tried it at boot up. The window disappears as soon as I TRY and click on the dllhost.exe to remove it.

I have run 3 different VIRUS scans and adaware and nothing SHOWS up.

It is very disturbing, I need to check active processes before logging into my work SERVER or the Network Admin will crawl my backside


Thank you.http://www.pchell.com/virus/welchia.shtml

my comi can't START my COMPUTER because hal.dll is MISSING or corrupt. the recovery console doesn't work either. i'm denied access when i try to load the file. help!!!Have a look here

errr...YEA, for some REASON, the "shift", "alt", and "CTRL" BUTTONS on my keyboards doesnt SEEM to work...help?Try a different keyboard.

y, its in the right hole. i updated SOUND driver in
my computer/devise manager/audio device/update
but WINDOWS sound recorder doesnt record anything then i talk to microphoneHave you CHECKED the mike setting in Master Control??

What OS??

Just GOT my YOUNG son computer wired up to the World Wide Web. Need some help out there. I've made myself the only administrator on his computer and set him up with limited access. The QUESTION I have is how do STOP him from changing the setting in the "control panel" once I've gotten the computer set up the way I want it?

GregBLog in as 'him' and SEE if you can change it.

After i REINSTALL my window, i LOST my sound. i went to COMPUTER hardware and the sound controll has "?" marks. some told me i need to install DRIVER but i dont know what kind of CARD i have, its 4 years old computer.... anyone know if there  is somekind of driver works on all or is there a way to detect what kind of card i have? i duno anything about computer -.-::::well yo re-install it........so you no somthing

does the graphics work ok........Download, install & run Everest Home edition, it will tell you what sound card you have.
Armed with that information and your Operating System it is easy to Google for the correct drivers from the manufacturer's website.
Download & install the drivers and you're good to go.

I BOUGHT a USED laptop from a PRIVATE BUYER.  I cannot log in now b/c I dont have their password to get on when I TURN it on throught windows.  How can I bypass this and create my own?
Please help, Thanks! Quote

I bought a used laptop from a private seller.

I can not log in now because I don't have their password to get on when I turn it on in Windows.

How can I bypass this and create my own?

Please help, Thanks!

Somethign very strange has happened with windows, and i fear that my lil brother had something to do with it...

ok here goes:

  i have windows2000 and everythign was working fine, but a few days ago something went wrong with the computer and now explorer doesnt work(not internet explorer).  it runs fine when i end explorer on the running proccess sheet in the task managager, and i can navigate slowly through files by constantly creating new tasks, but whenever i TRY to run explorer again it ends up freezing so i jus ctrlaltdelete it and end process... anyways, i DONNO wat could have gone wrong, PLZ HELP :-/oh we do download ALOT, but i manage all of that, and i make sure we r protected, i use avg antivirus, ms antispyware beta,

i am not skilled enough to actually look at what drivers are missing or what the problem could be... hopefully i'll train and learn soon, but i did a virus scan as soon as thsi happened and cleaned out everything that was found... maybe a virus took a nice bite outa windows, where it counts?!?Boot win2k......to the last good config.......just like winxp hold down the down the f8 key on boot and chose the last good config for the on screen list............or if the fails chose START pc from the cmd prompt.
then type help/?.........this will bring up alist of commands....sfc/recover .......etcAre you restarting Explorer from C:\WINNT\Explorer.exethnx fed, but YEA i was doin it

merlin....  so i boot with F8, umm but wut do u mean the last good configHave another read of my reply........

I am having major problems with my computer. It is running very slowly, it can take a few minutes just to open up a browser or other program. It is always freezing up, so I have to turn off the system manualy, which cant be good for it. I purchased my comp about 5 months ago and it ran fine, even better when I upgraded my ram and video card. I recently got a dsl connection and have filled my hard drive almost completly full. I have 500 mb left. I dont know if that could be affecting it or not. I scan for VIRSUS every week using both norton and ad-aware, and norton is my firewall as well. I dont belive its a virus. Other than that I havent did any thing to my comp.

System is-

Compaq Presario SR1403WMSorry for got to post specs

AMD Sempron 1.8 3000+
768 mb ram
70 gig HD
Nvidia GForce 4000mx video card
Windows XP

Please help me you have very high specs for something going so slow.

Well i think its a Virus.

i used Norton a year back and when ever i got a virus it would never be able to delete it. When i got my Anti virus now and scanned it found like 11 viruses that Norton over looked.

Try downloading the Microsoft anti-spyware and running that.

oh and i recommend getting another Anti-virus to back up Norton.

R0SS Quote

I am having major problems with my computer running very slowly. It can take a few minutes just to open up a browser or other program.

It is always freezing up, so I have to turn off the system manualy, which can't be good for it.

I purchased it about 5 months ago and it ran fine, even better when I upgraded my RAM and video card.

I recently got a DSL connection and have filled my hard drive almost completely full. I have 500 mb left.

I don't know if that could be affecting it or not.

I scan for virii every week using both Norton and AdAware, and Norton is my firewall as well.

I don't believe its a virus. Other than that I haven't done any thing to my computer.

Compaq Presario SR1403WM
AMD Sempron 1.8 3000+
768 mb ram
70 gig HD
Nvidia GForce 4000mx video card
Windows XP

I have encountered a serious problem with my pc. It seems that quite possibly the HDD may have given up the ghost. PC kept rebooting while in startup mode and never GOT into windows.

I attempted to replace the faulty HDD with a spare that I have and run the recovery process with this new HDD. Problem is when I try to boot up using the new HDD I get a "NTLDR is missing" message. I realise this MEANS I probably need to SORT out my boot SEQUENCES but for some strange reason I can't access the BIOS to do that.

Anyone have any ideas?? If you have a floppy drive, copy the ntldr, ntdetect.com and boot.ini FILES from another computer to a floppy and put that in the A: drive when booting. It should direct you to the hard drive with the missing ntldr.

Click on the link below and scroll down to Bootdisks.What OS ??
How did you install the OS on the spare HDD ??

More info and someone will be along shortly.

patio.   Quote

I can't access the BIOS

When i put i my computer was broken, i bought a new motherboard to replace it. after i reinstalled my windows xp, i cant go to INTERNET because there is no local area connection....... a LITTLE help plz...i also tried to SET up a new local area connection but wont work, nothing happened.Do you have the Internet Connection WIZARD?

Yes I know Mac XP is in as I have been using it for years as that is where I WORK BUT....at home I do not have a phone, live in the boondocks and am not online.  Plus I can not afford xp right now and the only reason I am using 98 is because I have a LEGAL copy.  I am using this COMPUTER for my music files and all so that is why I need to figure out this sound thing.  Thanks
I am going to check out what you said "2k dummy"
type at ya's later.Form the msdos prompt.........type scanreg/fix.......your internet explorer is damaged..../corupt.or reinstal windows........with out file lost/........ask and you shall recieve the info....WITHOUT file lost?  What do you mean by that?What i have stated..

My operating system is Windows XP and is now crashing on a regular basis. I forwarded the fault on to Microsoft who reply with possible fault with ATI graphics driver.

I have checked my system information and find that I have a RADEON 9200 SE with the following driver...

ati2dvag.dll version 5.2.3790.2

Do I have to update the driver or should I contact the PC manufacturer for guidance?

I have not installed Service Pack 2 as the first time I tried I finished up having to completely re-install my operating system. I now only download 'critical' Windows updates.

I run a firewall/reliable anti-virus software and a spyware package.

I am sure you will recognise a novice so would appreciate an easy to understand solution if possible.

Regards,

Mike.

i always stick with things that work.?

Does anyone know where i can get a manual download of service pack 2 for winxp

ThanksYou can ORDER a cd-rom from microsoft.comyes, but i really want a download. but thanks anywayYou can download it from microsoft only unless you have a pirated copy of xp, if not the only other way is cd-romhttp://www.softwarepatch.com/windows/index.html Quote

You can download it from microsoft only unless you have a pirated copy of xp, if not the only other way is cd-rom

Why suggest NOT using SP2 ? ?

i need HELP i went to open a zip file and i didnt have winzip and the open with file wgot SET on internet exploroer SOMEHOW now i have winzip what do i do to get it to open with winzip?Locate the file in windows explorer. CLICK on it to highlight. Hold down the shift key and right click on the file. Select open with. Select winzip and CHECK the always open with box.this might sound stupid but where is the windows explorer thing at?i have windows 98 se wheres window explorer? Quote

I went to open a .zip file and I didnt have winzip and the open with file got set on Internet Explorer.

Now I have WinZip what do I do to get it to open with WinZip?

Several months ago I installed updated my windows 98 to windows XP in order to run programs that required it.

Since that install I have lost half of the memory on my computer (I had 16 GB at the time of the install, now I have something like 7.5 GB) I don't know where the rest went.

I didn't partition it on purpose if it is partitioned. I've tried to use partition magic to remove it if I did, but no information about a second section shows up- so I guess there isn't one?

I bought myself a second hard drive as a quick fix, but basically I have absolutely no room on my default hard drive, so I have trouble downloading programs or even surfing the web. Currently I have only the dangerously low amount of about 200KB of free space on my C drive.

Is there a way I could get that memory back? Or is it gone forever?

If it is gone forever, how would I go about making my e drive the default place where all downloads and temp files go?XP takes a *CENSORED* of alot of space up..

All you could do is buy a new Hard Drive.

R0SSI should have clarified. The remaining 7.5 that I mentioned is all that shows up. That is all taken up by the WIN XP program.

The 8.5 GB is completely gone. It isn't referenced as used space or anything. All my C drive has on it is Win XP and what ever else mess comes with it, and my temp files. With that I have only 200KB of free space for my temps.

All of my additional programs are on the E drive that I installed.

The missing memory is just gone entirely from my C drive.Elizabeth,

Memory is RAM (physical memory) unless it is virtual memory, (paging-file).

CLICK on the LINK below, if you will,  and go to the Drive Cleanup section and when all is done post back with the results.

Wow! Thank you so much. I did only some of the things in the section about cleanup. I wasn't sure earlier if that stuff would help me or harm me, but man oh man, it sure did help. I was worried to put anything else onto this poor computer, but those cleaners didn't take up much room at all.

That did it, so Thank you, I now have 1 GB of free space on C, and that is enough for my temporary stuff, giving me time to move things to my other drive.

Thank you so very much. I thought my computer might just be too old and beyond help. Through numerous UPDATES this old box has lasted me eight years and counting, I plan to grow old with it.Good news!

You should always maintain an absolute minimum of 15% free-space in order to run defrag.

I keep a minimum 30% free-space, as the system runs better.

When you have moved data to the E: drive take the time to make a drive image of your C: drive and make backups of your data.You can also get a PERFORMANCE gain and free up a bit more space by moving the swap file to the E: drive.

My USB mouse is not recognized by Win XP on boot if it is plugged into a different USB port than it was in when I first started Win XP.

I have a 1 yr. old eMachine laptop with four USB ports running Windows XP SP2. When I first started up Win XP, I had my USB mouse plugged into a USB port on the side – inconvenient. Now I plug the mouse into one of the two back USB ports, but every time I boot up Win XP I have to unplug the USB mouse and re-plug it in for Win XP to recognize it. I am presuming that if I had the mouse plugged into a back USB port at the very beginning I wouldn’t be having this problem.

It's a pretty generic mouse with no driver cd. And my laptop has no PS2 serial port.

Here is what I tried so far to solve it, after having done some research:
1. I created the environment variable DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES which meant my device manager would show all installed DEVICES, even if they are not currently plugged in. Then I uninstalled all instance of that USB mouse (around 10 of them) in both categories HID devices and Mice.

NOTE: I set this by right-clicking My Computer and choosing Properties.  Click the Advanced tab, and the "Settings" (XP) or Environmental Variables (older Windows) button.  Click the New button, and enter the devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices for the name, and 1 for the value. In device manager you then have to select view/show hidden devices.

2. I tried a different mouse. Logitech, which also did not have an installation cd. Which I connected to a back USB port on my laptop. Still the same problem. As though if Win XP won’t recognize any mouse on boot that is connected to a port on the back of my laptop.

3. I’m wondering if there is some way to access com port settings. I don’t see com ports at all in my device manager! Weird.

Any IDEAS?

Thanks,
Roger


One should not  play with the reg unless you know what to do?

load the usb movse driver.....and then plug it in......why someone would use a usb......movse baffles me.......as it serves little.....Sorry, Merlin. I didn't hit the reply button at first. I'm new to these sites.

For the sake of others.... my USB mouse is a pretty generic one, with no driver cd.

Even after unistallation all instances of themouse in device manager, somewhere Windows is still thinking this mouse should only be plugged into the side USB port of my laptop. BTW, I don't have a PS2 serial port.

Thanks for your time, Merlin_2.
RogerA very usual laptop......with no ps2 ...port......i have to stop as i know to much on emach/gateway......pcs..Check your bios Legacy USB support.
Do you have a MOBO book?

my LAN connection seems to have been erased and when i plug it in nothing happens. but YET i can STILL connect to the internet via wireles. any suggestions on how to re-install MODEMIS the SYSTEM working ok........if so dont worry..Are you trying to REINSTALL a modem or your NIC? I don't get it.

these random ZIP files keep popping up in one of my computer FOLDERS, I delete them but half an hour later they come back. These files are all 523KB, and have an adult file name.

What can I do to get rid of them for good, any suggestions? by the way I have a windows xp.Do you have a spyware / adaware scanner? Do you have a virus scan cleaner? Did you check for registry errors?

By the way Please tell me you don't hit Yes to all those security warning window. I have spyware doctor, spytrooper, sbc yahoo online protection, norton antivirus.

And no I never choose yes.

Here is a picture so you can see
sHaRp12........ all these zip files seem to be dated July 7 , 2005
Have you tried to delete whatever folder they are residing in ?

Do you know the site that they are coming from ?
I would also suggest you D/L and install the following :
Ad-Aware SE ...
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download506.html
Spybot ......
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2471.html
Anti-Spyware Beta ....
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=321cd7a2-6a57-4c57-a8bd-dbf62eda9671&displaylang=en

Make sure you get any available updates for those apps before you RUN them.
I would also suggest you go into Internet options and delete all temp internet files , cookies and history ......

dl65  You probably have a downloader in Add or Remove programs and there is probably a corresponding entry in your msconfig start-up.

You may also need to look in the registry for any untoward entries on any of the Run keys.

You could also search for .exe files and see if you can find the OFFENDING file.

(NB Second thread on this subject.) Hi there:

few months ago I had the same problem whith a web page named www.hotoffers.com that became the owner of my computer; setting all kinds of pornography to my desktop and gambling games and I can not get off of them until I went to microsoft forums and see one person whith the same problem. So to make the story short go to control panel, then to windows foulder, then to system32 or system  foulder and then look for a file named Param32.dll that is the bad guy!!! you need to try to delete him but I tell you is not easy, if you can not delete him from the sam foulder send it to my documents and delete from them, I have to do that in order to get rid of that. Then run you adware, virus scan and you will be fine.   Try using KILLBOX if you find ths file.sHaRp12


I was given a home built computer that was corrupted beyond anything I had ever seen. It was the same way, porn and free stuff, ads, owned it. I watched it download 14 pages in a minute and I had done and touched nothing, and that was after cleaning it enough that it did not freeze up within the first couple minutes of turning it on.

After beating it severely with Spybot, Ad-Aware, CCleaner and Avast Anti Virus Home edition and running disk cleanup, defragging, manually removing programs it had loaded, junk files,  it works fine now.

It was not a one time affair though. It was over and over. I had to load some of the programs from disks to begin with, as it would not even take a download, period.Again, that would have been a GREAT time for a format and reinstall. Months to fix? No way.You don't learn much doing a fresh install, it's no help to those with the 'need to know stuff' attitude.You don't learn much except how to correctly install an operating system, but I thought he wanted a working system.

It helps to avoid porn sites too.   *CENSORED*, reading that list turned me on.

Have you ever thought of bloody reading any of the other threads where people were caught red handed downloading naughty material and all came here to be told to download "Spybot, Adaware-SE, etc, etc.."?

No? Go do so now.I clicked on every one of those files & nothing happened. That's the Raptor we all know and love!

Please bear with me!  My knowledge of computers is limited, but I'm working on that!

I have a Gateway 834GM with Windows XP Media Edition.  Yesterday morning it started inadvertently restarting.  I was getting all SORTS of messages, some of which went something like this; "Checking File System on D", "A Serious Error has occurred...", "Thread stuck in device driver", "Windows installer...".  It was then that I realized I had no anti-VIRUS protection (doh!) and proceeded to dl Norton Internet Security.  It took hours to dl because the computer continued to shut off and restart constantly.  Once I finally got NIS installed, I wasn't able to run the virus scan because, again, the computer kept restarting early on in the scan.  Then, during the rebooting process, I started to see "Bios Setting F2" and "F11 System Recovery".  After spending hours getting nowhere with the tech support from both Windows and Symantec, I decided to hit the F11 and try to do a system recovery.  I've only had the computer for about a month, so there isn't a whole lot of personal stuff that I cared about losing.  During the system recovery, it kept stopping and saying something like, "problem extracting  (such and such file)" and I'd hit "OK" to continue.  Then, when it was about 70% complete, it stopped and there was a blurb about Windows shutting down to prevent serious damage to the PC.  The stop was 0X00000024, and suggested I do a chkdsk /f (though I have no clue how to do that).  Then, it would no longer reboot.  I got the "NTLDR is missing" message, which I Googled and that's how I ended up here.  I read the page on this site regarding this problem, and figured the "Corrupt NTLDR and/or NTDETECT.COM file" was my BEST bet.  It instructs me to "Insert the Windows XP bootable CD into the computer", only I tore my house apart (in the middle of the night) and can't seem to locate such a disc.  Is this something that comes with the pc??  So, I finally came across 5 discs with my husband's writing on them that said "Recovery" on them.  Now, my husband knows less about computers than I do (sadly enough) so I'm not sure how he made these discs or if he knew what he was doing.  He can barely attach a picture to an email without assistance.  Really.  But, I ASSumed at that point it couldn't hurt to try.  I loaded the first disc and it prompted me to choose "R" or "I", I believe.  But, it wasn't ANYTHING like the instructions on this site, so it guess it wasn't the "boot" CD being referred to.  Anyway, I chose "R" and it proceeded to RECOVER the system.  Got all the same "problem extracting" messages, only this time it finished recovering and spit the disc out.  So, NOW (and bless you if you're still reading this) my computer is even MORE screwed up.  Windows is loaded now and I no longer get the F11 thing (still getting the F3), but Windows is HUGE.  The font is huge, everything's huge.  And it doesn't work.  It keeps saying "The system has recovered from a serious error".  So, I'm guessing my husband's "recovery" CD wasn't any good??  Please tell me, what do I do now?!  Do I need to buy a Boot CD?  And if so, where?  I checked eBay, but I'm not sure if that's the best route. Once I put that in will it get rid of all the other garbage that's loaded on there now and start from "scratch", or am I going to have Windows installed on my computer 3 times? Will it magically get rid of the virus or will I still have to figure out how to get rid of the virus while my computer continuously restarts?  Is there somewhere I can buy a boot CD with instructions on how to fix my problem?  I would really appreciate any help at all!!

Thanks a lot,

Andrea Quote

I have a Gateway 834GM with Windows XP Media Edition.  Yesterday morning it started inadvertently restarting.

I was getting all sorts of messages, some of which went something like this; "Checking File System on D", "A Serious Error has occurred...", "Thread stuck in device driver", "Windows installer...".

It was then that I realized I had no anti-virus protection (doh!) and proceeded to download Norton Internet Security.

It took hours to download because the computer continued to shut off and restart constantly.  Once I finally got NIS installed, I wasn't able to run the virus scan because, again, the computer kept restarting early on in the scan.  Then, during the rebooting process, I started to see "Bios Setting F2" and "F11 System Recovery".

After spending hours getting nowhere with the tech support from both Windows and Symantec, I decided to hit the F11 and try to do a system recovery.  I've only had the computer for about a month, so there isn't a whole lot of personal stuff that I cared about losing.  During the system recovery, it kept stopping and saying something like, "problem extracting  (such and such file)" and I'd hit "OK" to continue.  Then, when it was about 70% complete, it stopped and there was a blurb about Windows shutting down to prevent serious damage to the PC.

The stop was 0X00000024, and suggested I do a chkdsk /f (though I have no clue how to do that).  Then, it would no longer reboot.  I got the "NTLDR is missing" message, which I Googled and that's how I ended up here.

I read the page on this site regarding this problem, and figured the "Corrupt NTLDR and/or NTDETECT.COM file" was my best bet.  It instructs me to "Insert the Windows XP bootable CD into the computer", only I tore my house apart (in the middle of the night) and can't seem to locate such a disc.

Is this something that comes with the PC?  So, I finally came across 5 discs with my husband's writing on them that said "Recovery" on them.  Now, my husband knows less about computers than I do (sadly enough) so I'm not sure how he made these discs or if he knew what he was doing.  He can barely attach a picture to an email without assistance.  Really.  But, I assumed at that point it couldn't hurt to try.

I loaded the first disc and it prompted me to choose "R" or "I", I believe.  But, it wasn't anything like the instructions on this site, so it guess it wasn't the "boot" CD being referred to.  Anyway, I chose "R" and it proceeded to recover the system.  Got all the same "problem extracting" messages, only this time it finished recovering and spit the disc out.

Now my computer is even MORE of a mess.  Windows is loaded now and I no longer get the F11 thing (still getting the F3), but Windows is HUGE.  The font is huge, everything's huge.  And it doesn't work.  It keeps saying "The system has recovered from a serious error".  So, I'm guessing my husband's "recovery" CD wasn't any good?

Please tell me, what do I do now?!  Do I need to buy a Boot CD?  And if so, where?  I checked eBay, but I'm not sure if that's the best route. Once I put that in will it get rid of all the other things that are loaded on there now and start from "scratch", or am I going to have Windows installed on my computer 3 times?

Will it magically get rid of the virus or will I still have to figure out how to get rid of the virus while my computer continuously restarts?  Is there somewhere I can buy a boot CD with instructions on how to fix my problem?  I would really appreciate any help at all!
 
Thanks a lot,
 
Andrea

No, I didn't press F11 this time, but I did do the F11 Recovery last night, if that makes a difference.  No floppy drive.

"Just how big is the drive, and can you get hold of an XP CD to use for partitioning and formatting?"

I don't know?!?  Sorry!

I realized that I still have the internet connection plugged in the computer when I did the recovery.  So, I disconnected the internet and tried again.  In the middle of disc 5 it suddenly shut down.  Now it's back to the "HTLDR is missing" and it won't start Windows at all.

I'm about ready to throw this thing out of the window!  If all else fails, would I need to take it to a professional?  Or buy a new hard drive or something?

Thanks again.

Hi,

I have a wired question. What do you guys do with the old computers and circit boards without polluting the enviroment? What is a good way to dispose them? Where do you take them?

Richard

there is recycle centers.

we have one at our Dump. Or the politically CORRECT term now "Public Waste And RECYCLING CENTER"

There will probably be one at yours.

Don't PUT your HDD in there though because they can get credit card numbers and STUFF of them.

R0SSHow many pc have to dispose of/? Quote

Hi,

What do you do with old computers and circuit boards without polluting the environment? What is a good way to dispose of them? Where do you take them?

Richard.

On my old Gateway with ME, somewhere through the years in my dial up box, the small boxes that can be checkmarked to ALLOW you to save your password or dial up automatically have became SHADED and cannot be checked.

I don't care about the dialing up automatically, but I would like to be able to save my password.

I just reformatted and reloaded the ME OS, but it did not clear this particular issue up.

I have searched around in the "dial up CONNECTIONS" areas, but have seen nothing that caught my eye to restore these.

I am going to give the Gateway to my Dad to use and it would make things easier for him.

Thanks,Anyone?

I'm talking about the Iternet connection box where you type in your user name and password then click connect to dial up.


Thanks,Have you set up at least one connection in the dial up networking FOLDER? Have you tried using the the connection wizzard to set it up?I guess when you say "dial up networking folder" you mean installing a internet provider?

If so yes.

And when I wiped and reloaded with the Gateway disks, I used the Wizard to set up my IP provider. But it did not change the display in this box. It SEEMED like it wiped and changed everything back to like when I got it except that dial up box.

thanks,

I am having a really annoying problem with my video settings on my computer.  

For a while I was having steadily slower, and slower operating SPEEDS.  I am also having a problem playing games on my pc.  Every time I WENT into a game the screen would get way darker, to the point of not being able to see anything properly.  But then I would exit the game and the color would correct itself.

I have an ATI gaming card, with its control center. I couldnt adjust the gamma or contrast of the game, but I could on the DESKTOP.  Yesterday I downloaded an updated VERSION of the control center and my computer started running even shitier.  So TODAY, I took all of the ATI  software off my computer, and voila, my computer is running up to speed and crruuisin!

I have minimized all of my of my graphic software to Adobe Gamma, and the basics for my monitior and  card.  I still can not adjust the gamma or brightness during gaming.

I need to know if there is anything I can do, because I dont want to run ATI software again.  Or, am I just not doing anything correctly?

Sorry if this was long

Hi,

In the RUN dialog box ( Win key + R ) there is a checkbox name "Run in separate memory space".

What does this do.

ThanksI'd assume it would make the SAID application run in KERNEL space but I have no idea who would EVEN CONSIDER that a feature in an Operating System. Don't touch it  is the best I can give you.Good Guess   SHOW RUN IN SEPARATE MEMORY SPACE OPTION

I'm trying to create a BATCH file in Windows XP that I can put in my startup folder that will start a program after a certain time delay after Windows starts. I NEED this for a messaging program we use at work that I always forget to start but it NEEDS to wait until I get connected to the work network. This would require about a 5 minute delay to give me time to get connected then automatically start.

I've tried creating the batch file but the start command just opens ANOTHER DOS window with the command prompt in the My Documents folder. Does anyone know why the start command is not starting the program?

I ALSO could use some ideas on how to delay the command once the batch file runs.

Thanks,
Munkey
Some help is available Here

Please post your .bat file.

Is there a KEYBOARD alternative to DOUBLE clickingPressing enter.

R0SSAnd you can change the double-CLICK ACTION to single click...

Hi,

I'm a new IT admin. I was wondering if anyone would be able to tell me what kind of specific symptons we're getting when a computer is being hacked. What should i do in the case of that incident? What're the best ways for prevention ( i think i know the answers for this one i.e to have firewall, antivirus, anti spyware, adware. Anything else that i need to know and haven't mentioned here)?

Thank you in advanceYou start noticing damages to your server or computer?You can sorta tell these things .

Well have a firewall is a MUST, an antivirus wont really stop a HACKER once he gains access.

Unplug your ethernet as soon as you think he gained root (Administrator :/) but be cautious that the backdoor from which he entered may still be PRESENT in the form of a software exploit or just simply a trojan horse or something.

The best thing to do is try to find the source (listed some possibilities above) and try to either SHUT them down and then start a LOG of incoming and outgoing packets on your network to see how and what he's using to communicate with your computer. Be it ssh, telnet, etc..

HTH,
Nelson

Hi,

Recently, i have installed a software called merak mailserver on to my laptop that 's running windows XP PRO. Note, this is a 30 day trial version.

What's happening is that when i downloaded it for the first time, i was making a mistake that there was something i needed to tweak to make the software to work. Anyway, i missed that.

So now i'd like to uninstall the software completely but it said that there are some files i need to remove manually. That's fine.

Then, i went to ms-dos to remove the program "merak" from the program files.

in ms-dos, i typed in c:\program files\merak\del *, it sais that

c:\program files\merak\regex.dll
Access is denied
c:\program files\merak\config.exe
Access is denied
c:\program files\merak\libeay32.dll
Access is denied
c:\program files\merak\libss132.dll
Access is denied

I was wondering if there is any other way APART from reformatting the whole hard-drive.

I were to go to the registry to have them removed, what are the precautions i should take?

Any easy way out?

Thank you very much in advanceSign in as administrator if you don't already.

Go to the file/s in question and right CLICK on each in turn.
Then properties. Then the security tab.
Make sure your account name in the list at the top has Full control admin rights, if not add your account and then click in the top box 'Full Control' to GIVE yourself that right.

Then click on Advanced and then the owner tab. Highlight your name in the list at the bottom and click apply. You have now taken ownership of that file and should be able to delete it.  

Do the same with all of the others.
Hi, Thank you for your reply.

I tried to do as you said. However, i couldn't find the security tab under properties. Yes, i log in as a computer administrator and all i can see is the general tab. Am i missing anything?

Thank you in advanceAssoc:

The security tab is only available in Windows XP Professional, and then only if you disable Simple File Sharing.  To do this in Windows XP Pro, open up the folder options applet of the control panel, click the view tab, remove the checkmark from the last checkbox, and click OK.

You may be receiving the error because the DLL files are in use.  TRY booting to Safe Mode as the Administrator, then use windows explorer to browse to the folder and delete the Dynamic Link Library files.  Make sure you uncheck the options to hide hidden and system files in the Folder Options  dialog box before you attempt to find and delete the DLL files you mentioned.

Doc

I've written a batch file that works fine when each command is pasted into CMD but when I double click the batch file it just loops half WAY through.  When I run the batch file it stops halfway through.

I found that the variable %CMDCMDLINE% is the point of the problem but I haven't been able to fix this.

Here's my batch file:

ECHO Step 1
ECHO Create Destination Folder for Executables
cd %PROGRAMFILES%
md "Symantec Game Pack"

ECHO Step 2
ECHO Create Destination Folder for Shortcuts
cd "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\"
md "Symantec Game Pack"

(Steps 1 and 2 WORK fine)

ECHO Step 3
ECHO Copy Executable Files
%CMDCMDLINE%
cd "Game Files"
copy * "%PROGRAMFILES%\Symantec Game Pack"

(The 3rd line in this step is the issue.  When I run the batch out of the CMD by typing in the batch NAME I get this line:

"cmd.exe" /k "cd C:\Symantec Game Pack Installer"

If I use %CMDCMDLINE% in the line-by-line process it works normally.)

ECHO Step 4
ECHO Copy Shortcuts
%CMDCMDLINE%
cd "Shortcuts"
copy * "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Symantec Game Pack\"

ECHO Step 5
ECHO Exit Script
%CMDCMDLINE%

Any ideas?OK, I've found that %CMDCMDLINE% returns the path where CMD is started and not the folder of the batch file.I re-wrote the batch file using Xcopy RATHER than the longer approach.  Feel free to delete this thread.Why Delete?

It gave me a good idea.

Hi hope I am in the correct place for this question.
I have a toshiba 2595xdvd LAPTOP. Windows ME.

I had to manually delete some files to de-install something. When I got done, I had 2 problems: DNS error (which I managed to correct), & now in my computer, it shows disc D, my dvd/cdrom drive as a local disc. The icon even changed.

In device manager properties cdrom shows working properly, drivers updated etc, but in performance, it shows there as operating in ms dos compatibilty mode.

In device manager, it does not show as local disc D, it still shows as cdrom drive toshiba sd-c2102
If I click drive D in my computer, it pops up w a message "D;\ refers to a location which is unavailable"...etc.
If I pop in a cd, same pop up.

I have powerdvd in this, & I can play a dvd in file mode, if I create a playlist from it, so I believe the drive is good, especially since it worked before the files got deleted. If I pop in a dvd, & go to dvd mode, it shows "no disc in drive" through powerdvd. Eject does not work through powerdvd, but it does from right click menu on drive D. I also have realplayer, that plays a dvd fine, IF thedisc is inserted before I open it. Autoplay will not work.


If anyone is wondering what I deleted, & what started all this, it was zonealarm SECURITY version 6 point something, which seems to be a big problem all over, look at their boards. I followed their clean uninstall directions to a T

I'm pretty much a beginner with computers, have not found any REFERENCES to this sort of problem after days and days of googling.

Can anyone point me in the right direction please?

thanks, budtry againSome error has changed that drive back to PIO mode...this will not be very good on burn projects.
I would go to Control Panel/System/ Device Manager and delete the drive. You will get a warning message ignore it.

Then go back to Explorer and do the same as well as My Computer.
Re-boot the system, Windows will re-detect it in the correct mode. In the Add Hardware window point it to your drivers and re-install them. Your shortcuts to the drive will be recreated automatically as well.
Then return to Control Panel...etc. and check to see the settings are correct.

I almost forgot. If your CD drivers are on a CD copy them to a Dir on your HDD so you can find them on re-boot to re-install them.

patio.  "Some error has changed that drive back to PIO mode...this will not be very good on burn projects.
I would go to Control Panel/System/ Device Manager and delete the drive. You will get a warning message ignore it."


Does this mean to 'remove' the device? If so, I have done that a bunch of times, in safe mode too.  Whaat do you mean 'ignore it'? I get a warning I am about to remove a device, boxes for either yes, or no. Which one should I be clicking? Clicking no just cancels, but I see no way to ignore it. So exactly what do you mean by  'delete', & 'ignore' ?



"Then go back to Explorer and do the same as well as My Computer."

Well I am a beginner for sure, but there is no option to delete or remove anything in 'My Computer', maybe I am missing it, if so how do I do that?


"Re-boot the system, Windows will re-detect it in the correct mode. In the Add Hardware window point it to your drivers and re-install them. Your shortcuts to the drive will be recreated automatically as well."

I never see any indication of windows finding new hardware, like say adding a PnP USB device would show.
When I reboot, no matter what mode, it is just there again...




"Then return to Control Panel...etc. and check to see the settings are correct."

Wish I had a nickel for everytime I had done that, I could buy a brand new computer for all of us.

I almost forgot. If your CD drivers are on a CD copy them to a Dir on your HDD so you can find them on re-boot to re-install them."

Again, this is waaaay over my head. According to everything I have found, the drivers are already in the laptop, or the device does not need one. The model number of the DVD/CDROM is sd-c2102. Tyhe laptop is a 2595xdvd. Excatly what driver does it need? The thing shows the best driver is already installed when I UPDATE the driver. When I have added one anyway, it shows with a yellow exclaimation point
I find no drivers for it at toshiba support's website for this model.

Anyone out there wanna try repairing this thing for me? I am about ready to try the fine adjustment tool, you know, the one that looks like a 3 LB sledge...What would a reasonable fee for this be IF I could find someone locally?

what does each do? ex: does ONE stop the cpu fan while the other stops the cpu too?Hibernate is similar to shutdown just remembering what it was doing last time.
So on booting again you will see those programs again.

Standby is just a power saving option.I understand, I was wondering what all it SHUT down though. Ive since found out that standby stops the hd, cpu&fan, and monitor but all temp data will be gone if power is lost. hybernate stores the temp data on the hd and SHUTS down but will load windows faster from the data on the hd and skips the BOOTUP screens.Answered own question./He He

Yesterday the computer worked fine,  Today, when I right-click the mouse, it takes a second for the screen to appear - ghostly at first, then comes on.  Then I noticed the problem with other stuff - even my hearts card game's slow, and that's scary because it came with Windows.  I ran virus check, negative.  I have plenty of free memory.  I tried system restore, no luck.  Even when I click on All Programs and try it, it takes a couple of seconds - and the ghostly screen.   I use a Dell Dimension XPS, WIN XP and it worked fine.  Any help would be great.  Thanks. Quote

I ran virus check, negative.

Tell us what you used for this?

Norton, just updated

By elimination, I think my problem is with the graphics accelerator

So you have diagnosed the problem
(This will be fun)

I wouldn't say diagnosed, just think that's what it is.

Leave this thread going, everyone checks in this forum and it gives people an insight into your problem.

I'm still not quite sure why you suspect the vid card though.
Is this a wireless mouse ? ?

patio.  

I don't understand why under system tools "activate windows"isn't there.  We haven't been able to update anything on TWO of our computers DUE to saying not validated windows need to activate now.  When trying to activate over the internet we can't find "activate windows."  Each computer has its own COPY of windows xp.  Two work FINE and under system tools "activate windows" is there but not on the other two.  Can any one help here.  We have had these computers with windows xp PRO for a few years now.  Why lately are we having problems?Have the 2 systems had any hardware replaced  recently?or anything added?

You can reset the activate option, but it means a registry edit.

Satrt> run> regedt32.
Click file then export - this will export your regsitry in case you make a mistake and allow you to copy it back later.

Then got to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\WPAEvents
then
'Right' click OOBETimer and select modify - change at least one of the number/letter data bits.

This disables the present product key

Now close the registry
Click start> run and type in:
C:\windows\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a and press OK

this will start the Windows Activation Screen.OH thank-you I will get back to you when I can,No I didn't go your way I reinstalled xp and was able to activate it right then and it was sone less than a minute and Activate windows is in system tools.  so I really don't  know what happened all this time but I will do the same to the other computer and will be fine, I hope.  thanks any way

I'm using OUTLOOK for task management where I work.  I'd like to know if it is POSSIBLE to designate SPECIFIC tasks to share, (and how), or do I have to OPEN up my ENTIRE task list for sharing?

This comes up after "explorer" kicks me off and then the system is locked up. DR. WATSON post mortem debugger.

What is this??

I finally got BACK on line again.

I can get on line by connecting through my phone connection independently and then select search for help through MICROSOFT and then I type in this site.  

Any time I attempt to use a "explorer" function it locks up.

Thanks for the earlier help ideas.  There was no other config file for me to select from (PRESSING f8 on start up)Whats the log of dr watson................its strange to think that winme has this program......and winxp users use it....the all singing and dancing o/s......that does it all......pie in sky..........as you will all see........Ever heard of marketing......winvis.........