Don't do it
 

Don't install the beta version of Media Player 11. Against my better
judgment I installed a MS beta version of MP11. After installing the
software, I started to have problems with Windows Media Center and
Comcast Photoshow.

I have rolled back my software and I am still having problems with the
software.

I have always considered MS final release to be beta until it has been
on the market for at least 6 months, I should have known better.

Don't do it
 

"Reginald P. Smithers" wrote in message
ps.com...
Don't install the beta version of Media Player 11. Against my better
judgment I installed a MS beta version of MP11. After installing the
software, I started to have problems with Windows Media Center and
Comcast Photoshow.

I have rolled back my software and I am still having problems with the
software.

I have always considered MS final release to be beta until it has been
on the market for at least 6 months, I should have known better.



Actually, don't install the beta of ANY software, unless the machine you're
using is reserved for experiments, and is not used for generating income.

Don't do it
 

Harry Krause wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers wrote:
Don't install the beta version of Media Player 11. Against my better
judgment I installed a MS beta version of MP11. After installing the
software, I started to have problems with Windows Media Center and
Comcast Photoshow.

I have rolled back my software and I am still having problems with the
software.

I have always considered MS final release to be beta until it has been
on the market for at least 6 months, I should have known better.




I don't seem to have programs called "Windows Media Center" or "Comcast
Photoshow."

Harry, Windows Media Center comes with XP only on newer multimedia
PC's. Comcast Photoshow is a download if you are a Comcast Cable
internet subcriber.

Don't do it
 

Reginald P. Smithers wrote:
Don't install the beta version of Media Player 11. Against my better
judgment I installed a MS beta version of MP11. After installing the
software, I started to have problems with Windows Media Center and
Comcast Photoshow.

I have rolled back my software and I am still having problems with the
software.

I have always considered MS final release to be beta until it has been
on the market for at least 6 months, I should have known better.

Look into PC Tools website, and download a free edition of their
registry mechanic, it works, here is the URL:
http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/offer.php

Don't do it
 

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
"Reginald P. Smithers" wrote in message
ps.com...
Don't install the beta version of Media Player 11. Against my better
judgment I installed a MS beta version of MP11. After installing the
software, I started to have problems with Windows Media Center and
Comcast Photoshow.

I have rolled back my software and I am still having problems with the
software.

I have always considered MS final release to be beta until it has been
on the market for at least 6 months, I should have known better.



Actually, don't install the beta of ANY software, unless the machine
you're using is reserved for experiments, and is not used for generating
income.

Horsepuckies. I install betas all the time. It's the alphas that are
scary. I'm running a beta of VISTA right now on one of my other machines,
and I haven't had any serious trouble with most of it, and the trouble I
have had has nothing to do with my income-earning apps.

I've been messing with Windows OS betas for, hell, 20 years, going back to
the early alpha-beta distro releases of 1.0 on packs of floppies.


You will pay. It's not a question of if. It's a question of when.

Don't do it
 

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
basskisser wrote:
Harry Krause wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers wrote:
Don't install the beta version of Media Player 11. Against my better
judgment I installed a MS beta version of MP11. After installing the
software, I started to have problems with Windows Media Center and
Comcast Photoshow.

I have rolled back my software and I am still having problems with the
software.

I have always considered MS final release to be beta until it has been
on the market for at least 6 months, I should have known better.



I don't seem to have programs called "Windows Media Center" or "Comcast
Photoshow."

Harry, Windows Media Center comes with XP only on newer multimedia
PC's. Comcast Photoshow is a download if you are a Comcast Cable
internet subcriber.



Gee. My PC isn't a "multi-media" PC? I wonder what it is missing? :-)
Actually, when I bought my PC parts, I had a choice of OS's, and "media
center" was one of them. If memory serves, it was "missing" some
interesting networking components, so I went with XP Pro instead.

Thanks.

Have you poked around the MS site to see if you can download the thing?

Don't do it
 

Gee. My PC isn't a "multi-media" PC? I wonder what it is missing? :-)
Actually, when I bought my PC parts, I had a choice of OS's, and "media
center" was one of them. If memory serves, it was "missing" some
interesting networking components, so I went with XP Pro instead.


Nice try. Windows XP Media Center Edition is built on the XP Pro chassis.
The splash screen at boot is the same black splash screen of XP Pro. XP
Media Center has every single component of XP Pro, with the Media Center
interface added. The Media Center part of the OS is a supplementary layer
of the OS. If it is not invoked, you are running a standard XP Pro machine.
If it is invoked, it runs as an application under XP Pro. Media Center is
only available as an OEM install, and only available on PC's which meet MS
hardware standards for a Multimedia PC. These standards include a minimum
hard drive size, ram, processor speed, and video card performance
specifications, as well as the required TV Tuner and multimedia ports.

I have two HP Multimedia Desktops that I bought in 2005. I wasn't really
looking for a Multimedia PC per se, but as it turns out it was a very
convenient way to buy a box equipped with much better than average
componentry packaged together, and HP was damn near giving the things away
at the time. But I have to say that the Multimedia part of the OS turns out
to be a nice addition to XP Pro.

Don't do it
 

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
. ..
RG wrote:

Gee. My PC isn't a "multi-media" PC? I wonder what it is missing? :-)
Actually, when I bought my PC parts, I had a choice of OS's, and "media
center" was one of them. If memory serves, it was "missing" some
interesting networking components, so I went with XP Pro instead.


Nice try. Windows XP Media Center Edition is built on the XP Pro
chassis. The splash screen at boot is the same black splash screen of XP
Pro. XP Media Center has every single component of XP Pro, with the
Media Center interface added. The Media Center part of the OS is a
supplementary layer of the OS. If it is not invoked, you are running a
standard XP Pro machine. If it is invoked, it runs as an application
under XP Pro. Media Center is only available as an OEM install, and only
available on PC's which meet MS hardware standards for a Multimedia PC.
These standards include a minimum hard drive size, ram, processor speed,
and video card performance specifications, as well as the required TV
Tuner and multimedia ports.

I have two HP Multimedia Desktops that I bought in 2005. I wasn't really
looking for a Multimedia PC per se, but as it turns out it was a very
convenient way to buy a box equipped with much better than average
componentry packaged together, and HP was damn near giving the things
away at the time. But I have to say that the Multimedia part of the OS
turns out to be a nice addition to XP Pro.

Nice try what? I bought my pieces and parts from an OEM. Ergo, I was
offered several flavors of XP, including XP Pro and XP Media.


Nice try claiming that XP Media Center Edition lacked networking features of
XP Pro, which is the sentence in your previous post (purposefully clipped by
me) immediately preceding my comment, the reason you stated that you passed
on it in favor of XP Pro, and the main point of my reply. You really don't
want to dance with me.

Don't do it
 

Harry,
It might not have been the Media Player that caused the problem, but
both problems popped up the same day I installed MP11. I keep telling
myself, I need to let you and others play with the betas, there is a
reason they call them betas.

Don't do it
 

Media Center is a silly idea. It is MS trying to make Windows a do
everything OS and make it more user friendly, I think they failed on
both accounts. I prefer using individual applications to do everything
MS Media Center offers.
You are better off with XP Pro.

Don't do it
 

I usually drive around Brokeback Mountain.

It took you 50 minutes to come up with that? You're off your game, Krause.
I know you can squirm better than that.

Don't do it
 

Thanks, I kept rolling it back until I solved the problem. I had to go
back 2 weeks to correct it.

Don't do it
 

On 19 May 2006 05:14:42 -0700, "basskisser" wrote:


Reginald P. Smithers wrote:
Don't install the beta version of Media Player 11. Against my better
judgment I installed a MS beta version of MP11. After installing the
software, I started to have problems with Windows Media Center and
Comcast Photoshow.

I have rolled back my software and I am still having problems with the
software.

I have always considered MS final release to be beta until it has been
on the market for at least 6 months, I should have known better.

Look into PC Tools website, and download a free edition of their
registry mechanic, it works, here is the URL:
http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/offer.php

I keep thinking of doing that, but then get worried about screwing up the
whole mess. One of these days...
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

Don't do it
 

On 19 May 2006 05:14:42 -0700, "basskisser" wrote:


Reginald P. Smithers wrote:
Don't install the beta version of Media Player 11. Against my better
judgment I installed a MS beta version of MP11. After installing the
software, I started to have problems with Windows Media Center and
Comcast Photoshow.

I have rolled back my software and I am still having problems with the
software.

I have always considered MS final release to be beta until it has been
on the market for at least 6 months, I should have known better.

Look into PC Tools website, and download a free edition of their
registry mechanic, it works, here is the URL:
http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/offer.php

Help. I just downloaded and ran Registry Mechanic. It found 2205 problems.
I'm hesitant to tell it to 'repair' them. I'm afraid the program may think
that reformatting my hard drive may be the solution.

Did you just hit the 'repair' button after running Mechanic?

I'll do nothing until I hear from you.
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

Don't do it
 

On Sun, 21 May 2006 08:55:31 -0400, Harry Krause
wrote:

JohnH wrote:
On 19 May 2006 05:14:42 -0700, "basskisser" wrote:

Reginald P. Smithers wrote:
Don't install the beta version of Media Player 11. Against my better
judgment I installed a MS beta version of MP11. After installing the
software, I started to have problems with Windows Media Center and
Comcast Photoshow.

I have rolled back my software and I am still having problems with the
software.

I have always considered MS final release to be beta until it has been
on the market for at least 6 months, I should have known better.
Look into PC Tools website, and download a free edition of their
registry mechanic, it works, here is the URL:
http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/offer.php

Help. I just downloaded and ran Registry Mechanic. It found 2205 problems.
I'm hesitant to tell it to 'repair' them. I'm afraid the program may think
that reformatting my hard drive may be the solution.

Did you just hit the 'repair' button after running Mechanic?

I'll do nothing until I hear from you.
--
'Til next time,

John H


The problem with most of these "registry repair" software suites is that
their "intelligence" is limited. They do their searches, and then
sometimes present you with a very long list of "errors." Unless you
intervene, look over the list, and determine what is truly an error and
can be deleted, you might well delete something important. The fact that
you can "go back" and reinstall what you deleted is of limited help,
because then you are where you were before you ran the suite.

2205 problems, though, is an interestingly high number, and is an
indicator you have installed and uninstalled a lot of software in a
search for the "ideal" programs. Almost every time you uninstall
software, it leaves behind little calling cards in the registry.

If I had a computer coming up with that many problems, I'd save my data
onto a backup drive and format and reinstall the OS on the main drive,
download and apply the MS updates, and then reinstall only that software
I was actually using.

On the other hand, if your computer is not misbehaving, don't worry
about it.

Most of the crap I've uninstalled was on the machine when I got it. Dell
loads the machine with garbage, and by looking at the registry problems, I
can see that many of them have the word 'dell' embedded therein.

A great many of the problems have to do with 'invalid values' and many of
those refer to programs, like AOL, which were installed by Dell. If all
these are read and actions are attempted, wouldn't that make the boot-up
process slow? The only 'problem' I'm having is what I perceive to be
'sluggishness'.
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

Don't do it
 

On Sun, 21 May 2006 09:44:08 -0400, Harry Krause
wrote:

JohnH wrote:


Most of the crap I've uninstalled was on the machine when I got it. Dell
loads the machine with garbage, and by looking at the registry problems, I
can see that many of them have the word 'dell' embedded therein.

A great many of the problems have to do with 'invalid values' and many of
those refer to programs, like AOL, which were installed by Dell. If all
these are read and actions are attempted, wouldn't that make the boot-up
process slow? The only 'problem' I'm having is what I perceive to be
'sluggishness'.
--
'Til next time,

John H


Interesting. I had a Dell machine a few years ago, and the first thing I
did when I got it was to format the HD and reinstall an OS I did not
obtain from Dell. The problem with these box makers is that they load up
their machines with all sorts of crapola.

Before killing off troublesome registry entries, you might want to see
which processes are actually initiated during startup. Do you have
"StartupCop Pro" or anything like that? It lists the software that
starts up when boot up your computer and gives you the ability to
temporarily or permanently stop individual programs. At the very least
you need a list of what software programs are running during your boot
up and while your machine is sitting idle and waiting for you do do
something.


All that being said, I still believe the best thing to do is to clean
off the hard drive and reinstall a clean OS without the Dell crap on it.

I don't have 'start up pro', but have gone into msconfig, startup, and
disabled most of the programs that were starting up.

Cleaning the drive and reinstalling Windows is an option, but things
haven't gotten that bad yet. I still can't type faster than the machine can
show the letters!
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

Don't do it
 

Dell has really screwed up with all the advertising software crap they
put on their computers. I just purchased and returned a Dell Desktop
w/ Dual Core that was running slower than my old P3 computer.

I purchased a Gateway with a Dual Core AMD CPU, it has blazing speed.

After screwing around with their "customer service" dept. I will never
purchase another Dell.

I had a 3 year in home warrenty, but you will never see a technician in
your home. They had me disconnecting and reconnecting ever single
connection inside my CPU. After the second time, I asked why this was
not being serviced under my 3 yr in home contract (the computer was
less than a week old), I was informed that the in home technician would
only come out to fix the problem once we had finished our
"troubleshooting". I asked how long did we have to "troubleshot"
before I would see a technician and I was told as long as it takes.

At that point, I packed up and returned the product.

The AMD is a far superior product, and Gateway kept the crap add ons to
a minimum.

Don't do it
 

After screwing around with the computer and its preloaded junk, I
formatted the hard drive and reloaded WinXP Pro and all the drivers.
This helped a bit, but after a few days, I got a blue screen of death
saying there was a "HARDWARE PROBLEM" and please contract my vendor.
After 3 hrs. of tinkering around, the "non service" rep. stated he
thought it was a software problem. I had to argue strongly, that it is
not a software problem, but a hardware problem. At this point he told
me he would need to call me back in an hour. Only after waiting 3 hrs,
did I call up to get a RA number.

Part of the problem with Dell "non service" dept was the Indian accent.
I have no problems understanding 99% of those with an accent. I
really had a problem with this "non service" rep. accent.

I honestly believe Dell has decided it is cheaper to have a customer
return the product, and lose the sale, than to send out a technician.
I had always purchased Dell and was always satisfied with Dell. I will
never buy another one.

Check out:

http://www.ihatedell.net/

Supposedly this is set up and run by employees of Dell who are trying
to help Dell solve their problems.

Don't do it
 

On 21 May 2006 09:07:19 -0700, "Reginald P. Smithers"
wrote:

After screwing around with the computer and its preloaded junk, I
formatted the hard drive and reloaded WinXP Pro and all the drivers.
This helped a bit, but after a few days, I got a blue screen of death
saying there was a "HARDWARE PROBLEM" and please contract my vendor.
After 3 hrs. of tinkering around, the "non service" rep. stated he
thought it was a software problem. I had to argue strongly, that it is
not a software problem, but a hardware problem. At this point he told
me he would need to call me back in an hour. Only after waiting 3 hrs,
did I call up to get a RA number.

Part of the problem with Dell "non service" dept was the Indian accent.
I have no problems understanding 99% of those with an accent. I
really had a problem with this "non service" rep. accent.

I honestly believe Dell has decided it is cheaper to have a customer
return the product, and lose the sale, than to send out a technician.
I had always purchased Dell and was always satisfied with Dell. I will
never buy another one.

Check out:

http://www.ihatedell.net/

Supposedly this is set up and run by employees of Dell who are trying
to help Dell solve their problems.

I've been lucky. Haven't had to call Dell for anything, nor have I had to
take it in. As I've not built a machine for about 8 years now, I'd be
hesitant to start from scratch. Maybe the thing to do, next time, is copy
one the Dell ads and then go to a local vendor to see how close they can
come to Dell's prices.

I'd never buy a computer from CompUSA, having had a miserable experience
with their ineptitude.
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

Don't do it
 

JohnH wrote:
On 19 May 2006 05:14:42 -0700, "basskisser" wrote:


Reginald P. Smithers wrote:
Don't install the beta version of Media Player 11. Against my better
judgment I installed a MS beta version of MP11. After installing the
software, I started to have problems with Windows Media Center and
Comcast Photoshow.

I have rolled back my software and I am still having problems with the
software.

I have always considered MS final release to be beta until it has been
on the market for at least 6 months, I should have known better.

Look into PC Tools website, and download a free edition of their
registry mechanic, it works, here is the URL:
http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/offer.php

Help. I just downloaded and ran Registry Mechanic. It found 2205 problems.
I'm hesitant to tell it to 'repair' them. I'm afraid the program may think
that reformatting my hard drive may be the solution.

Did you just hit the 'repair' button after running Mechanic?

I'll do nothing until I hear from you.
--
'Til next time,

John H


That's what I did! If it's the free version it won't fix everything
anyway. But, I would back up the registry first, just in case.

Don't do it
 

On 22 May 2006 05:35:59 -0700, "basskisser" wrote:


JohnH wrote:
On 19 May 2006 05:14:42 -0700, "basskisser" wrote:


Reginald P. Smithers wrote:
Don't install the beta version of Media Player 11. Against my better
judgment I installed a MS beta version of MP11. After installing the
software, I started to have problems with Windows Media Center and
Comcast Photoshow.

I have rolled back my software and I am still having problems with the
software.

I have always considered MS final release to be beta until it has been
on the market for at least 6 months, I should have known better.

Look into PC Tools website, and download a free edition of their
registry mechanic, it works, here is the URL:
http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/offer.php

Help. I just downloaded and ran Registry Mechanic. It found 2205 problems.
I'm hesitant to tell it to 'repair' them. I'm afraid the program may think
that reformatting my hard drive may be the solution.

Did you just hit the 'repair' button after running Mechanic?

I'll do nothing until I hear from you.
--
'Til next time,

John H


That's what I did! If it's the free version it won't fix everything
anyway. But, I would back up the registry first, just in case.

Yeah, I found out. The free version fixed about 450 errors, leaving 1700+
unfixed. So they got my $29. Now they're all fixed. And, the machine boots
noticeably faster!

I didn't make a back up, but I did establish a restore point first.
Everything went very smooth though.
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

Don't do it
 

I can promise you, there is no way CompUSA could be any worse than
Dell's Customer Non Service.

Hopefully you will not need to contact their customer service dept.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/computers/dell_svc.html

Don't do it
 

"Reginald P. Smithers" wrote in message
oups.com...
I can promise you, there is no way CompUSA could be any worse than
Dell's Customer Non Service.

Hopefully you will not need to contact their customer service dept.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/computers/dell_svc.html


Some of those people have obviously never heard of getting their credit card
companies involved in disputes. Stupid, in other words, even though they
have legitimate complaints.

Don't do it
 

JohnH wrote:
On 22 May 2006 05:35:59 -0700, "basskisser" wrote:


JohnH wrote:
On 19 May 2006 05:14:42 -0700, "basskisser" wrote:


Reginald P. Smithers wrote:
Don't install the beta version of Media Player 11. Against my better
judgment I installed a MS beta version of MP11. After installing the
software, I started to have problems with Windows Media Center and
Comcast Photoshow.

I have rolled back my software and I am still having problems with the
software.

I have always considered MS final release to be beta until it has been
on the market for at least 6 months, I should have known better.

Look into PC Tools website, and download a free edition of their
registry mechanic, it works, here is the URL:
http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/offer.php

Help. I just downloaded and ran Registry Mechanic. It found 2205 problems.
I'm hesitant to tell it to 'repair' them. I'm afraid the program may think
that reformatting my hard drive may be the solution.

Did you just hit the 'repair' button after running Mechanic?

I'll do nothing until I hear from you.
--
'Til next time,

John H


That's what I did! If it's the free version it won't fix everything
anyway. But, I would back up the registry first, just in case.

Yeah, I found out. The free version fixed about 450 errors, leaving 1700+
unfixed. So they got my $29. Now they're all fixed. And, the machine boots
noticeably faster!

I didn't make a back up, but I did establish a restore point first.
Everything went very smooth though.
--
'Til next time,

John H

Yeah, I like using it. I've never had a problem and it does speed up
your machine to get all of the extraneous crap out of your registry.