FAQ and newbies

[Jaytee]

Hi
I have made two bad posts without meaning to. I did not see any refence in the faq.
Is there any way a newbie can can out whatis hot and whats not without getting into trouble :o :o :o

[maxximilian]

Hi Jaytee,

Sure...we have an acceptable use policy on this page:

http://www.cybertechhelp.com/html/termsofuse.shtml

:)

If you are new to these forums, feel free to ask questions. We understand that sometimes people are unfamiliar with how they work. Your question about a windows reg key was out of bounds because exchanging those keys is illegal and places this board in jeopardy of losing it webhost. We kill all such threads to protect ourselves.

[ 24 May 2002: Message edited by: maxximilian ]

[Jaytee]

Thanks max.
I will study the link you gave me.

I am just a bit frustrated with a puter I am helping with. I tried the hp way and got all the old faults back so thought I would install my old win98 (which I do own btw)then put on a few usefull programmes. my friend is 82 yo and is very unfamiliar with computers. She is the probable cause of most of the problems.
I thought if I knew the exact setup then I could remedy any future hassles more easily. I need to go to work now and will check back after. Thanks again! :) :)

[maxximilian]

You're welcome...

I have an HP and I know that the restore discs with all the proprietary junk is a major hassle. However...you almost have to use them because all your hardware drivers and some other freaky stuff are on those discs. You will find it very difficult to find that stuff on the net and I don't know where they are on the discs. Not even sure if the HP restore discs are browsable to get at them.

I had alot of trouble when I first got this HP. There were way too many programs running in the background. Including that garbage Mcafee anti-virus. I started disabling, and uninstalling and before I knew it my winME HP was running like a top.

[Dodge]

No, the HP recovery disk are not browsable.

I tried using a OEM version of 98 to get rid of the HP crap. Didn't work. Everything worked good, except I could find the PCI Bus Master drivers, So I couldn't burn any cd's. The system wouldn'g manage the memory correctly.

So if you are using an OEM version of 98, Goodluck.

[Jaytee]

Thanks for your imput on this guys, I appreciatte the help.
So maybe I should do a format and restore instead of the other option which I used to reinstall (I think it was called restore win only)
One further problem may be that the C/D is about to quit. I got around fifteen "cant read C/D" messages abort retry fail? After five <r> it started to read. Do you think I should install a new C/D rom drive first? If I do I should still be able to go from the C/D's or will the new drive cause me a problem. The poor old girl only want to do five things. Go online (+mail) Play the card games (hearts etc) play music C/D
write the odd letter and view the family pics she gets from her kids (ifran view?)
Finally is the original question not a good one to ask anywhere???? :)

[maxximilian]

You will probably see any question regarding Windows Reg Keys getted slapped with a lock or worse, at most every reputable forum, I'm afraid. Forum administrators and moderators have to follow a policy and make no exceptions. You can call Microsoft and ask them if you like. They will likely need some proof of purchase, though, and you would also likely be in violation of the MS license agreement if you are using the OS on 1 machine already.

I can't really advise on the CD-Rom drive except to say that if windows is so badly screwed up that a reinstall is necessary, it is possible that the drive isn't bad and it is still a windows problem. CD drives do go bad sometimes, though. Feel free to go into the hardware forum and ask another question about what would be the best course of action regarding the CD-ROM drive. Some of the hardware folks would be better suited to answer such a question.

This forum exists to help people as best we can. Even if we believe 100 percent that your question is genuine, we can't discuss certain things. :(

[Jaytee]

Thats fine I will go with your sugestions on the full hp install then try some uninstalls if it goes in clean.
The other thing I will forget as I dont personally need it for anything and I not not keen on breaking laws.
I will write back here in a few days with my progress. ;)

[Jaytee]

Hi Again.
Abit off topic but just writing to say a good outcome after all the drama.
The C/D had little bits of plastic strinf around the disc holder causing the disc to spin off centre (Yeah!!no wonder I was confused) Thanks to Max and Dodge for your input, much appreciatted.
If you want to add a list of hp get rid of's please feel free.....Otherwise This will end the string from my point of view.
:) :D :D

[Dodge]

Depends on what Antivirus you want to run on that system, You can most likely get rid of the McAfee that is included. It probably isn't of any good now anyways.

You can get rid of the HP help center, Reminders, Most likely the HP internet center (I always get rid of it), In the Start menu/Programs/HP Tools, you can get rid of the HP Desktop Tour also.

There may be some other programs, but I'm not sure what all is listed on that PC.

The best way to get rid of any of these programs is to Find a copy of McAfee Uninstaller 5.0.... It is a great program that runs perfect in Win/95/98/and some ME...

I got mine at Wal-mart for $9.99... But make sure it is the 5.0 version. The 6.0 is about the worst program around....(Well unless you include anything from Norton.)....LOL

[Dodge]

Depends on what Antivirus you want to run on that system, You can most likely get rid of the McAfee that is included. It probably isn't of any good now anyways.

You can get rid of the HP help center, Reminders, Most likely the HP internet center (I always get rid of it), In the Start menu/Programs/HP Tools, you can get rid of the HP Desktop Tour also.

There may be some other programs, but I'm not sure what all is listed on that PC.

The best way to get rid of any of these programs is to Find a copy of McAfee Uninstaller 5.0.... It is a great program that runs perfect in Win/95/98/and some ME...

I got mine at Wal-mart for $9.99... But make sure it is the 5.0 version. The 6.0 is about the worst program around....(Well unless you include anything from Norton.)....LOL

[Jaytee]

Hi Dodge'
I killed mcafee it was WAY old, installed Grisoft AVG which seems pretty user freindly and is free.
Your comment about Walmart> I have not been within 9000 miles of a Walmart since I left the Interstate truck driving job I had over in the States. Used to live in them because I could get whatever I needed. Liked Kentucky and its folks too. Whoops I am off topic again.
You dont think I should use windows uninstaller to kill off those programs??
I usually hunt down the bits it leaves behind and manually delete them. :) :)