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Calling computer gurus

nepenthes gracilis

Nepenthes Specialist
WIndows xp is xpeeing me off! I installed a new RAM stick to upgrade memory and of course, it required activation...said my paid copy XP key was invalid so I've called the service line and they've given me a code I can put it...problem is I have to re-enter it EVERY SINGLE time I start up the darn thing. Called, back and they said it should be a 1 time process...gave me another confirmation code...same thing, works but you have to enter it every time...is this some kind of cruel joke MS is pulling? Should I just back up my current files and format the darned thing?

Thanks
 
Dontcha love windoze.
Okay let's go with some basics here.
Run a registry cleaner. Clean out crud in the registry.
Also try the goback that is part of XP. And bring it back to a working date.
ewww windoze, I feel so dirty and used now.
 
I added more memory to my computer and never had that happen. Why would you have to do any activation for that?
A registry cleaner is a good idea.
Did you check to see if you have any viruses?
What about scanning for spyware? You can use Adaware or Spybot. Both are free.

I reformat my computer and start fresh at least once a year. I'm a big download junky that like to check out all kinds of programs I do not need. So reformating it cleans everything up.
 
Are you sure the ram stick is compatible with all of your other hardware? But, ya, formating will probably fix whatever the problem is faster than anything else. My sister has had her computer in for service more times than I can count, and thats always the first thing they do.
 
You shouldn't be prompted for any activation for hardware upgrades unless you reinstalled windows as a part of it.

Ditto the registry cleaner, though i don't think thats the problem.
 
It could be some kind of spyware sending out the codes that you enter. >_>

Download and Install these programs...
Ad-aware SE (download.com)
Spybot S&D (download.com)

And some kind of Virus scanner, (avast! Antivirus or AVG Antivirus) They're free and you can also get them at download.com

Install em, update em, scan em, and see what it finds.

If the problem isn't fixed then get a registry scanner, but I have yet to find one that's free so use this as a last resort, if you want to buy it, great, it might fix the problem. I believe that it would be worth it but I haven't ever bought one so I can't say for sure.

If the problem STILL isn't fixed then you might want to back up your good files and reformat. Always reformat as a LAST RESORT.

I hate losing all my files. T-T

I hope that helps.
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (elgecko @ Mar. 19 2006,6:58)]I reformat my computer and start fresh at least once a year. I'm a big download junky that like to check out all kinds of programs I do not need. So reformating it cleans everything up.
I reformat every 2-3 months (sometimes monthly depending). It's crazy how much your registry can screw up in a months time.
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (Amateur_Expert @ Mar. 20 2006,12:38)]
[b said:
Quote[/b] (elgecko @ Mar. 19 2006,6:58)]I reformat my computer and start fresh at least once a year. I'm a big download junky that like to check out all kinds of programs I do not need. So reformating it cleans everything up.
I reformat every 2-3 months (sometimes monthly depending). It's crazy how much your registry can screw up in a months time.
I use to also reformat M$ windows at least once a year. I solved that problem by no longer using windoze.
Best way to solve problem:
1. Format drive
2. Install FreeBSD
3. Install Wine, a windows emulator, if you are desperate to run windoze apps.
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (Understudy @ Mar. 20 2006,1:20)]
[b said:
Quote[/b] (Amateur_Expert @ Mar. 20 2006,12:38)]
[b said:
Quote[/b] (elgecko @ Mar. 19 2006,6:58)]I reformat my computer and start fresh at least once a year. I'm a big download junky that like to check out all kinds of programs I do not need. So reformating it cleans everything up.
I reformat every 2-3 months (sometimes monthly depending). It's crazy how much your registry can screw up in a months time.
I use to also reformat M$ windows at least once a year. I solved that problem by no longer using windoze.
Best way to solve problem:
1. Format drive
2. Install FreeBSD
3. Install Wine, a windows emulator, if you are desperate to run windoze apps.
Windows may have more holes than swiss cheese... it may have a registry that seems to self destruct on a timely basis... but nothing beats the compatibility. Vista will hopefully be more stable.
 
  • #10
I sometimes use my popup blocker counter to tell me when to reformat. When it hits 1000 Popups blocked, it's time to think about reformatting.
 
  • #11
I dunno, I always considered over-formatting, over-defragmenting, over-whatever to be a waste of my time. If you learn to use good habits while on the internet, you can generally avoid many of the unpleasantries that it holds.

In the case of the topic starter, I'd first try switching back to my old RAM to see if the problem persists (I'm sure a lot of people are thinking "but that has nothing to do with..." but let me tell ya, I've been doing this for a while now; it's worth giving it a shot, if for nothing else than hoots and shouts.) After that, if they can't advise you otherwise, a format should do you wonders.
 
  • #12
[b said:
Quote[/b] (Amateur_Expert @ Mar. 20 2006,1:50)]
[b said:
Quote[/b] (Understudy @ Mar. 20 2006,1:20)]
[b said:
Quote[/b] (Amateur_Expert @ Mar. 20 2006,12:38)]
[b said:
Quote[/b] (elgecko @ Mar. 19 2006,6:58)]I reformat my computer and start fresh at least once a year. I'm a big download junky that like to check out all kinds of programs I do not need. So reformating it cleans everything up.
I reformat every 2-3 months (sometimes monthly depending). It's crazy how much your registry can screw up in a months time.
I use to also reformat M$ windows at least once a year. I solved that problem by no longer using windoze.
Best way to solve problem:
1. Format drive
2. Install FreeBSD
3. Install Wine, a windows emulator, if you are desperate to run windoze apps.
Windows may have more holes than swiss cheese... it may have a registry that seems to self destruct on a timely basis... but nothing beats the compatibility. Vista will hopefully be more stable.
"Vista will hopefully be more stable."

ROTFLMAO!

confused.gif


Sorry, but I seriously doubt it.

Tom
 
  • #13
Vista will hopefully be more stable.
I can't stand it. My stomach hurts and I have tears in my eyes.
1laughing%20smiley.gif
 
  • #14
Well whatever the the problem was, reformatting it, it activated itself...so go figure....next problem...says my partition is low on disk space...I think my programs are trying to install on the partition versus the main harddrive space...any suggestions for that?
 
  • #15
[b said:
Quote[/b] (nepenthes gracilis @ Mar. 21 2006,9:14)]Well whatever the the problem was, reformatting it, it activated itself...so go figure....next problem...says my partition is low on disk space...I think my programs are trying to install on the partition versus the main harddrive space...any suggestions for that?
Start over...

Sounds like you have too many big problems to handle individually. Sorry
smile_h_32.gif


~ Brett
 
  • #16
Wow, I can't believe you guys are having to format that often. I did back in the ME/9X days, but not with XP. I'm at atleast 4 years with out a format.

[b said:
Quote[/b] ]You shouldn't be prompted for any activation for hardware upgrades unless you reinstalled windows as a part of it.
- incorrect - Part of the serial number from the processor, memory, Video card, I think one other component as well, are included in the activation process. It is also verified on every start up. If one has changed or something is added it will rerequest activation. (If I am remembering correctly 2 or 3 changes can be made before it asks you to re activate)

---------------------

Registry Mechanic is the best registry tool I have found so far...
 
  • #17
I ran registry machanic and it screwed me up.  I use Adaware pro with adwatch to keep spyware off the PC.  Then I run window washer on a regular basis.  After that I run defrag.  I have a purchased copy of XP pro, and when I installed new ram it never missed a beat.  It sounds like the registry got corrupted.  Gawd is correct that it uses part of those selcted components to verify it is still on the original computer it was installed on, BUT it shouldn't ask for the reactivation if you change one of the componets.  It asks if you change like 4 or 5 of them.  I would say back up all your info and do a reinstall.  Before I went to that extreem though go to system restore under system utilities and restore the registy back to the last safe point.  That helps me when I do something funky.  There is also a temporary directory under the windows subdirectory that you can delete.  It gets filled with junk.  Window washer clears that I think, but I have had issues not connecting to the internet and when we deleted that it fixxed things.  Are you runnins SP2?  I know alot of people do not run it for one reason or another, but I recomend doing it.  I always hear people not liking XP, but its all I use.  I haven't taken the leap to Linex yet, and duno if I want to at the moment.  I tried Firefox, but that too doesn't have all the Apps that i like using for IE.  Computer associates was offering a free virus program for a year when you do SP2 and the security center comes up letting you know your not running a virus program.  I have a wireless router running so it has my firewall built in to it.  Cisco systems.  I haven;t had to reinstall since I built this computer.  Thats mainly because I have so many programs I have to reinstall, and I haven't sat down to learn how to make a slipstream disk that will install all my programs back to like I had it after a fresh reboot.  If you need window washer or Adaware pro let me know.  Adwatch comes with adaware pro.  It proactively keeps adware and spyware off the PC.  I rarely have one on my PC.  Adwatch also is a popup blocker and registry protector.  It gets a little anying sometimes because when I check my school email I have to turn adware off because my school email pops up in a popup window and it will block it.  It also blocks every registry modifcation so I have the automatic block turned off so I get a propt whenever the registry is attempted to be modified.  If I want it I let it through if not I block it.  You may also want to make sure your settings are propper for the ram.  When I put in the 1 gig stick I am running now I had to go into the bios and bump the ram volts up from 2.5 to 2.6 because the default of the Motherboard was 2.5 and the ram was 2.6 to 2.7 and wasn't working properly.  The computer wouldn't even turn on.  Ever since I bumped up the voltage its been running like a champ. You also may not want to mix different ram sticks.  Sometimes that causes issues.  Unless they are the same brand and same sizes.  Also if your running an AMD processor.  They do not like having all ram banks filled.  Even though your MB has 3 or 4 mem banks AMD chips do not like having it maxxed out.  Sometimes its fine, but many people I talked to said they do not like it.  You could try registy mechanic.  I found it free on the internet, but it was that program or another I ran at the same time that screwed my PC up, and I had to do a system restore to redo the registry back to before I ran the program.  There is just so much that can be wrong.  I have an Ebook that helps with trouble shooting todays PCs.  I just Dled it yesterday so if you want it I can email that to you too.  I have that with me here at work.  If you want the other programs then you need to wait till I get home to email those to you.  The easiest way to fix it and garentee it will run smoothly again though would be to reinstal everything.  It is just a pain in the rear.  If you do it though.  Look on the internet for instructions on how to make a slipstream windows disk.  It allows you to copy your windows disk and insert the programs you want in with the windows install.  Like any drivers and ancilary programs so that if you have to reinstall again you just take your data and back it up.  Then when you install your slipstream disk it will reload all your programs that you added to the disk.  Basicly making your own factory restore disk.  You know how when you buy say a dell or compac and when you do a restore it installs say AOL Compuserve and the other programs that came with the computer from one disk.  You can make your own.  Its called slipstreaming.  I haven't done it yet, but need to.  I definately will do it with the new PC I want to build sometime in the future.  Goodluck

Also just say your partition issues. Is your HD partitioned into seperate HD on one HD? Like say C and D drives on one HD? If thats the case then it sounds like your boot sector got corrupted and its not sure where each of the drives are on your one HD. The only way to fix that would be to start over like another member sujested. You have to format the entire thing and redo the bootsector to fix that. I know many people that have a 200 gig external drive they use for situations like that. They back up all their data on the 200 gig and when they redo the PC the can pull it all back off and put back on PC. With all these magnetic sensative components in PC its a good idea to backup on a CD or something that will be shielded from any magnetic interfearance. Never know when a Mag field will corrupt something. Solar flairs can do strange things. I know it may sound wierd, but anything that causes a magnetic field can corrupt a drive that relies on pos or neg charges on that metal disk to store a one or a zero. I had many 3.5 inch floppies just go bad for no reason, and thats why an unknown mag field, or slight power serge. Many variables can cause hicups. Sometimes those hicups do alot of damage. Sometimes they just cause fragmented files or corrupted data.
 
  • #18
window washer is one of the worst things you can install out there. I remove it on client computers if I find it.
SP2 is swiss cheese to fill other holes in the cheese it is a necessary evil.
I have no problems with firefox cross compatiblity to what IE can do. As a matter of fact Firefox has more functions.
 
  • #19
Well Understudy. I wasn't able to find the intigrated spell chack I use for IE, and many of my school websites do not support firefox. I duno why window washer causes problems it removes cookies, temp internet files and other temporary files. I have NEVER had a problem with it and I bleach all the time with it. I use it all the time and love it. It sure beats me having to go through and doing all the removal od the USELESS data indevidually. Why is it so bad and what would you use in place of it?
 
  • #20
window washer has a nasty tendancy to remove files that it shouldn't. It is wonderful when a client comes in and has lost their customer list because window washer felt like removing it. Also it is $29.95 after the trial period is up. Use Disk Cleanup that comes with XP, it is the same thing.

If you are determined to use a third party software , try ccleaner.

I haven't used IE in a few years so I don't know if the latest version has an intgrated spell check, but none of the versions I used did. there are plug ins you can add to the browser as I understand it, there are plug ins for firefox that you can use that will do the same thing. I don't use a spell checker for mozilla (my browser) because I don't write with my browser.

Yes there are some sites that are not firefox friendly, but those are sites that are either very M$ specific or possibly poorly written. Considering the rate at which firefox users are increasing, writing sites that don't work with other browsers is just going to hurt those who write those sites.
 
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