pc help please !!!

[la Huerta]

hey all...

i need to remove the instalation of some programs... in other words, when say i download a program it would download to the desktop, i can then doubleclick on this icon or go to the install to start the instalation process...say when i uninstall (via add/remove) a program the setup for this program is still on the pc...take my printer software, it ain't working properly, so i uninstalled it and then reinstalled it, still no good and now i have 2 install programs, so what i want to do is remove the install programs and everything else associated with it, and then do a clean install of the printer software...how can i do this, from the regedit ?, did his once before for something i can't remember now...i know my way around the inside of my windows 98 quite well if someone has some input...

many thanks...la H

[Gumby]

I don't see how you end up with 2 install programs just be re-installing the software. Install programs you download to the desktop aren't doing anything unless you start them. I have a downloads directory wher all the setup downloads are kept. If you remove the program by either it's own uninstall feature of via add/remove programs, it should be mostly gone. You could check the registry for left over bits if you like. But the initial setup file won't be romved by this method. If you want to delete that, just right click on it, hit delete and then empty the recycle bin.

[la Huerta]

that I hey...

can i also remove these install icons from the desktop with programs that i do use, just so i can tidy up the desktop, it won't have any effect on the installed program ?...eg. i have firefox and the install program icon is on the deskop, i can safely remove this ?

la H

[Gumby]

that I hey...

can i also remove these install icons from the desktop with programs that i do use, just so i can tidy up the desktop, it won't have any effect on the installed program ?...eg. i have firefox and the install program icon is on the deskop, i can safely remove this ?

la H

Yes, no problems. They have no effect on the program once it's installed. You could do as I do (I use Firefox as well) and put them in a separate folder and name it 'Set Up Programs' or just burn them to a CD if you need to conserve hard drive space. I keep them so that if I have to reinstall, I don't have to go looking for them again. It's also handy to rename them as well. It's no good having a lot of them called 'Setup.exe' Renaming them won't affect their performance either. (e.g call the prinetr one "Printer setup.exe")

[bennylaird]

Be wary if you play with regedit, make sure it's backed up before you do. Also if you set a restore point before installing new software you can go back if it causes problems.
There is so much crap that gets onto your computer over time that sometimes it's just good to reload and start again, just dont do it too often or else you finish up in a discussion with Microsoft to get the numbers to reinstate your legal XP installation.

Sorry didnt read the Windows 98 reference. No trouble reinstalling the operating system any number of times.

[Gumby]

Be wary if you play with regedit, make sure it's backed up before you do. Also if you set a restore point before installing new software you can go back if it causes problems.
There is so much crap that gets onto your computer over time that sometimes it's just good to reload and start again, just dont do it too often or else you finish up in a discussion with Microsoft to get the numbers to reinstate your legal XP installation.

Sorry didnt read the Windows 98 reference. No trouble reinstalling the operating system any number of times.

I think the bad old days of having to wipe the hard drive every 6 months and start agin are rapidly fading away. Since XP I hardly have to do anything. Maybe it's bigger drives, more memory, less crashing (haven't seen a blue screen of death for years) no kids mucking around on mine (they have their own) etc etc. I had to do a bit of old DOS work the other day :eek: Boy, did that bring back some memories. :D

[la Huerta]

i need another pc soon,this little laptop is getting so full and does'nt leave the desk, will use it just for taking on holidays for digi pics , and can't justify spending a grand or more on a new one, so i'll look around for a second hand desktop, was thinking of a mac???...

[bennylaird]

Yes you are right, have only had to reload mine a few times due to faulty memory chips and a strange virus I think.

Remember the old days when we were expert at fixing everything via Autoexec and config, could find all the probs and fix them.

System Mechanic et al seem to do well with a bit of tweaking as well these days.

[Stuart]

I think the bad old days of having to wipe the hard drive every 6 months and start agin are rapidly fading away. Since XP I hardly have to do anything. Maybe it's bigger drives, more memory, less crashing (haven't seen a blue screen of death for years) no kids mucking around on mine (they have their own) etc etc. I had to do a bit of old DOS work the other day :eek: Boy, did that bring back some memories. :D

I can still bring a computer down to blue screen ;)

I still want one of the BSOD tshirts
http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/wp-images/bluescreenofdeathtshirt_01.jpg

[bennylaird]

Hmm that one seems a bit distorted, might have to manipulate it back to shape?

[la Huerta]

i just got distracted, where was i , looking for the tits, oh i mean drill bits!

[Stuart]

Just priced them - $19.99 Australian, plus $11 postage.

[Gumby]

Remember the old days when we were expert at fixing everything via Autoexec and config, could find all the probs and fix them. .

:D OMG config.sys , autoexec.bat, how long is it since we had to get into those and tweak them :D

It's a bit like modern cars. Can't do a bloody thing with them but my old XW Falcon was easy to play around with. :(

[bennylaird]

:D OMG config.sys , autoexec.bat, how long is it since we had to get into those and tweak them :D

It's a bit like modern cars. Can't do a bloody thing with them but my old XW Falcon was easy to play around with. :(
Welcome aboad fellow Luddite ;) :D

[Gumby]

Just priced them - $19.99 Australian, plus $11 postage.

Is that for each or the pair ? :D :D :D

[savage]

I can still bring a computer down to blue screen ;)

I still want one of the BSOD tshirts
http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/wp-images/bluescreenofdeathtshirt_01.jpg

Have you tried pressing the buttons on the front of each one?....:rolleyes: :D

[Stuart]

I does elicit a reaction!

[bennylaird]

Good to keep abreast of ways to fix up the pc if you make a boob?

[coastie]

Make a good pair of ear warmers on a cold day wouldn't they??:D

[la Huerta]

still having problems...


i went to reinstall the printer software and it just won't work, when it promps me to plug in the printer it does not detect it...usb port is fine and printer seems fine too, all leads are ok. even after uninstalling it the driver is still there, or it thinks it is...i think i need to maybe remove all traces of the printer software via a' la 'regedit' and then reinstall...

anyone...help....please...

la H

[bennylaird]

If your installing it from cd then you might be able to fool it by getting the latest driver from the web? Might override it.

Assuming you have run antivirus and spyware software first?

[la Huerta]

no it not from a cd, from the web, and i tried a couple of times just incase...

i'll do a viris scan now ...


la H

[bennylaird]

I also used to go into Control Panel, device manager and blow away the printer there before reinstalling. Been a while since I played with 98 though.

[la Huerta]

checked device manager, but no sign of it...

[bennylaird]

A long shot, some older bios settings allowed you to set what type of printer.

[Gumby]

Are you sure the downloaded driver setup file is for W98 ? If it's a later version, it may not be compatible.

[la Huerta]

Are you sure the downloaded driver setup file is for W98 ? If it's a later version, it may not be compatible.


checked that and there's a list of downloads for different windows, and i got 98...





think i'ts time to upgrade my ram defficient laptop to a beefier desktop with XP, won't be a new one but hey apart from today's problem this old laptop was working like crap when i got it and i got it running like a pearl...so buying second hand should'nt be a problem...and best thing is there as cheap as chips, only need it for simple business stuff, photo edit and web...

[Wildman]

I rebuild my machines every 6 months or so anyway, keeps them clean and fast and makes you back your stuff up (I am very hard on my machines though). I left win98 in the past long ago, I suggest you do the same. You will be better off for it. Same advice I give to anyone still on 98.

Cheers
Ben