First time XP user...Few questions

Hi,

I got a new comp today and am using XP for first time, few questions

1 - I have MSN and Mirc installed, but no-where in the 'add/remove progs' section are they listed, how would I uninstall them?

2 - On the add/remove progs there are things called 'windows xp hotfix', about 10 of them with different numbers after them, Also their is a 'windows SR2.0' and 'WMP hotfix'... am not sure whether to get rid of them?

3 - It keeps telling me I need to install the service pack 2, but it also says 'back up your system'...Is it risky to install it then? Or should I just do it?

4 - It keeps showing the .dll files in program files folders... I have it set not to show hidden or system files but it still shows these, how do I turn these off?

4 - I try and rename some folders in program files but each time it says it can't do it cause another program is using the file etc etc...But I know it isn't, why is this?

5 - I keep on trying to delete moviemaker from a folder but it keeps on rturning to the folder when I close it, any idea why?

Thanks for help

Quote:

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Originally Posted by houllier*

Hi,

I got a new comp today and am using XP for first time, few questions

1 - I have MSN and Mirc installed, but no-where in the 'add/remove progs' section are they listed, how would I uninstall them?

2 - On the add/remove progs there are things called 'windows xp hotfix', about 10 of them with different numbers after them, Also their is a 'windows SR2.0' and 'WMP hotfix'... am not sure whether to get rid of them?

3 - It keeps telling me I need to install the service pack 2, but it also says 'back up your system'...Is it risky to install it then? Or should I just do it?

4 - It keeps showing the .dll files in program files folders... I have it set not to show hidden or system files but it still shows these, how do I turn these off?

4 - I try and rename some folders in program files but each time it says it can't do it cause another program is using the file etc etc...But I know it isn't, why is this?

5 - I keep on trying to delete moviemaker from a folder but it keeps on rturning to the folder when I close it, any idea why?

Thanks for help

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1. Log in as Administrator and check the Add/Remove list again. If they still don't show up there, it's possible the uninstall file is in the same directory as the .exe for the program. If you can't uninstall it, you can just delete the directory the programs are in.

2+3 You only have 10? Hahahaha, better get to windows update and get the rest of them including SP2. When it gives you the option of backing up, choose yes. That way if it hoses your system you should be able to uninstall SP2.

4 That's normal, or at least my system is the same way.

4-2 Computers don't lie. Some other program is using the folder/file you are trying to rename. What exactly are you trying to rename?

5 Hmmmmm...I have MovieMaker listed under E:\documentsandsettings\All Users\Program files.

If you are deleting it from your particular username but it is still listed under your ALL USERS directory I think it recreates it at every login. Try deleting it from the All Users folder and it should be gone for good.

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Originally Posted by imaeditedbysowulo

1. Log in as Administrator and check the Add/Remove list again. If they still don't show up there, it's possible the uninstall file is in the same directory as the .exe for the program. If you can't uninstall it, you can just delete the directory the programs are in.

2+3 You only have 10? Hahahaha, better get to windows update and get the rest of them including SP2. When it gives you the option of backing up, choose yes. That way if it hoses your system you should be able to uninstall SP2.

4 That's normal, or at least my system is the same way.

4-2 Computers don't lie. Some other program is using the folder/file you are trying to rename. What exactly are you trying to rename?

5 Hmmmmm...I have MovieMaker listed under E:\documentsandsettings\All Users\Program files.

If you are deleting it from your particular username but it is still listed under your ALL USERS directory I think it recreates it at every login. Try deleting it from the All Users folder and it should be gone for good.

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1 - Done all that, don't see a uninstaller anywhere...I wanna uninstall MSN but I can't see how.

2 - I'll get the update then although I have been told I maybe don't need it and it sometimes messes things up?

5 - I am just tyring to rename a folder, thats all, like I wanna rename the mirc folder but Mirc isn't even on and it won't let me.

Whats this all users thing??

Also, their is 5gb of space being taken up, but my c drive is only 2.5gb space being used, where is the other lot being used??

I just rebooted and it still won't let me delete certain folders like the msn gaming zone folder and I know nothing in there is being used.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by houllier*

Whats this all users thing??

Also, their is 5gb of space being taken up, but my c drive is only 2.5gb space being used, where is the other lot being used??

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All users folder overides all the other user folders. Meaning if a program is in the all users folder, every time a user logs on everything from the all users folder is copied into the folder of the person logging on. So you must delete it from All users before you delete it from your own folder.

Here's a pic of my directory tree, yours might be on a different drive letter but essentially it should look about the same.





http://tinypic.com/a769i

Quote:

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Originally Posted by houllier*

I just rebooted and it still won't let me delete certain folders like the msn gaming zone folder and I know nothing in there is being used.

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Is it saying the folder is in use and can't be modifiied or is it giving a different error?

Thanks for your help so far

Where can I find the 'all users' thing? Sorry I can't see it.

Still can't uninstall MSN for some reason, and one last thing

I wanna put the volume control in task bar, but when I click that option it says it can't do it cause colume control program hasn't been installed, how do I do that?

Thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by houllier*

Thanks for your help so far

Where can I find the 'all users' thing? Sorry I can't see it.

Still can't uninstall MSN for some reason, and one last thing

I wanna put the volume control in task bar, but when I click that option it says it can't do it cause colume control program hasn't been installed, how do I do that?

Thanks

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The all users folder depends on where XP was installed, but typically on your main hard drive there will be a folder named "Documents and Settings". In that folder will be your Administrator, All Users, and any individual users you have setup. Go into the All Users folder and click on Program Files and delete the stuff from in there.

For uninstalling MSN, try
this link Not sure if that's the same MSN you are referrring to...

Is audio working on your computer? Usually that message means either you don't have a sound card or the drivers are correct. Can you play mp3's or wav files?

Ok, found the all users folder, everything in both folders are set right, everything thats in them is in the program files etc?

The volume control was there earlier, but rebooted then it went, the sound is working, can play wavs ok.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by houllier*

Ok, found the all users folder, everything in both folders are set right, everything thats in them is in the program files etc?

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If there's a program in there that you want out of your individual user program list, you must delete it from both of these locations. If it isn't in the all users list you should be able to just delete it from your user folder.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by houllier*

The volume control was there earlier, but rebooted then it went, the sound is working, can play wavs ok.

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If your sound is working properly, go into Control Panel and click on Sound and Audio Devices and doubleclick on it. You should be able to put a checkmark in Place Volume Icon in Taskbar and all will be well.

Nah, doesn't let me.

Say's

''Windows cannot display the volume control on the taskbar because the volume control program has not been installed.''

click me

Thnx, but it says

''To resolve this issue, extract a new copy of Sndvol32.exe from the Windows XP compact disc to the system_root\System32 folder on your computer's hard disk''

I don't have XP disc as I bought the comp second hand and it came with it pre installed, but no disc as he wanted it for his new comp.

Maybe I should just buy one?

Also, I noticed the scrollbars are pretty big, why is this and how do I make them smaller? Other things seem big too like the 'x' in the corner and some file images, like when I save a .txt file.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by houllier*

Thnx, but it says

''To resolve this issue, extract a new copy of Sndvol32.exe from the Windows XP compact disc to the system_root\System32 folder on your computer's hard disk''

I don't have XP disc as I bought the comp second hand and it came with it pre installed, but no disc as he wanted it for his new comp.

Maybe I should just buy one?

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I'll try hosting that file somewhere for you. I pm you a link.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by houllier*

..I don't have XP disc as I bought the comp second hand and it came with it pre installed, but no disc as he wanted it for his new comp...

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So errrm errr that makes your software probably illegal, but lets just forget I said that ;) (Either his is or yours is anyway, just be aware !)

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Originally Posted by confus-ed

So errrm errr that makes your software probably illegal, but lets just forget I said that ;) (Either his is or yours is anyway, just be aware !)

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Why is it? He said he bought the XP disc but wants to keep his so just sold the comp with it pre installed...That not allowed?

Anyway, I have one last question

I can't seem to be able to print screen, I have pressed the prnt screen button loads of times but it never works...I wanna take screenshot of the files in my documents as they seem large and I wanna make them smaller, or maybe that sjust default in xp to be big?

Thnx

Quote:

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Originally Posted by houllier*

Why is it? He said he bought the XP disc but wants to keep his so just sold the comp with it pre installed...That not allowed?

Anyway, I have one last question

I can't seem to be able to print screen, I have pressed the prnt screen button loads of times but it never works...I wanna take screenshot of the files in my documents as they seem large and I wanna make them smaller, or maybe that sjust default in xp to be big?

Thnx

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XP can only be installed on one machine per license. Not sure which one is legal, but I would think he would be the one to have problems if he tries installing it on another machine.

After you hit the print screen button you have to open Paint or a similar program and then Paste it into the document. You say everything is bigger than what you're used to, any chance you just need to adjust your screen resolution to a higher setting? What resolution are you running at now?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by imaeditedbysowulo

XP can only be installed on one machine per license. Not sure which one is legal, but I would think he would be the one to have problems if he tries installing it on another machine.

After you hit the print screen button you have to open Paint or a similar program and then Paste it into the document. You say everything is bigger than what you're used to, any chance you just need to adjust your screen resolution to a higher setting? What resolution are you running at now?

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Ive tried pasting it into paint and photoshop but neither work, it's weird.

And nah, my resolution is same as I had on old comp, 1024/768 o 17' monitor.

It's only the files in my documents it seems, they are quite big and not as small as when they are on the desktop.

BTW, might wanna sort out ya PM box, just tried replying to ya pm and got

''imaeditedbysowulo has exceded their stored private messages quota and can not accept further messages until they clear some space''

Quote:

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Originally Posted by houllier*

Why is it? He said he bought the XP disc but wants to keep his so just sold the comp with it pre installed...That not allowed?

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Well no, but the original receipt for the machine was in his name pressumably so unless he's given you that you don't 'own' it, & as I said s/w isn't generally transferable, & I'll give you just one guess on what he wanted the disk for ;) ( i don't care, I just wanted you to be 'aware' that strictly speaking etc ..)

Printscreen's a dos thingymabob really .. here's how you 'fiddle it' (all those spinny round graphics etc can't be handled ;))

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To make Print Screen work, you must save an image of what's displayed on-screen to the clipboard and then paste it into a document where it can be printed.

Windows Help: Print Screen

To do this, follow this procedure:
1. Maximize the window you'd like to capture.
2. To copy/capture the current window, hold down ALT + Print Scrn at the same time. To capture the entire screen, just press Print Scrn.
3. Open a new document in MS Word, MS Photo Editor, or Adobe PhotoShop.
4. Paste the screen shot by holding down CTRL and V at the same time.
5. Print the document when you're finished pasting screen shots.

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& as for reason for doing it, that sounds like you want to pick the 'appearance tab' on properties of your display & get experimenting a kb for you

Quote:

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Originally Posted by houllier*

Ive tried pasting it into paint and photoshop but neither work, it's weird.

And nah, my resolution is same as I had on old comp, 1024/768 o 17' monitor.

It's only the files in my documents it seems, they are quite big and not as small as when they are on the desktop.

BTW, might wanna sort out ya PM box, just tried replying to ya pm and got

''imaeditedbysowulo has exceded their stored private messages quota and can not accept further messages until they clear some space''

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Pm box cleared....thanx.

For printing the screen you could temporarily use Analog X's capture program, you can capture the active window or the entire desktop. capture program


How bout this for the size....click on View and then click on Details. Does that make it any better or are you talking about something else? Maybe you could take a snapshot of what it looks like and post it if I'm on the wrong track.

*edit*....or try what -ed said ^^^^^.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by imaeditedbysowulo

..For printing the screen you could temporarily use Analog X's capture program ..
*edit*....or try what -ed said ^^^^^.

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As a btw there's zillions of screen capture programmes about, just google ;) & quite a bit of cross posting going on too ! :D

http://www.google.com/search?q=Free+...n&lr=&ie=UTF-8

confus-ed - Tried all that, it just keeps bringing up printer options, it just won't paste into photoshop....I'll try another prog, annoying tho as it should work!

Seems I solved the size thing, I went to view and clicked on 'icons', before it was on 'tiles'...Thnx

New prob tho :]

Outlook express won't let me configure my email accounts...On windows 98 I just downloaded the auto config from my servers cpanel and double clicked it and it worked in OE, but it won't work now for some reason...Any ideas?

Thnx

Also, whats best way to theme my desktop? How would I do it? Thanks

Houllier - go sort yourself out a legal copy of xp. What the seller did was illegal. You will need your xp cd to do a number of things.

As for the oe problem the download was from your isp? Did you get the one for xp - do they even have one for xp? They should have instructions on how to do it manually.