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#1
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Updating Me screwed my PC
I thought I was doing the right thing updating my Me
software on the MS web site. I downloaded the latest explorer which they said had to be downloaded separately from the critical updates (20 odd )When I tried to install the new software the PC locked up, I ended up in safe mode with no hope of a system restore and looking like 'another' formating job ( clean Me install) Should I have downloaded the critical updates first? Is this where I went wrong? That was my last of three hard drives which I was able to connect to the internet. Now I have to use some other computer. Anyone else had this problem? |
#2
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Why can't you use System Restore? This is exactly the sort of problem for
which the use of system restore is intended. When you installed your updates did you remember to disable your Anti-virus application? This is essential if using one marketed by either Norton/Symantec or McAfee. -- Mike Maltby MS-MVP zepoiln wrote: I thought I was doing the right thing updating my Me software on the MS web site. I downloaded the latest explorer which they said had to be downloaded separately from the critical updates (20 odd )When I tried to install the new software the PC locked up, I ended up in safe mode with no hope of a system restore and looking like 'another' formating job ( clean Me install) Should I have downloaded the critical updates first? Is this where I went wrong? That was my last of three hard drives which I was able to connect to the internet. Now I have to use some other computer. Anyone else had this problem? |
#3
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Hi Mike, when I tried to use system restore ( in safe mode
using keyboard because no mouse ) there where only about three restore points and each one I tried I was told it was not possible. I also tried deleting the new software and returning to previous explorer but still it starts in safe mode ( starts windows help screen, keyboard only , no mouse ) I did have a recent copt of AVG ( the free one ) which was probably running when I downloaded the software..are you saying this may be the cause of the problem? Thanks Sean |
#4
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Sean,
If system restore isn't working it would appear that maybe you don't have the 290700 patch installed which is required for usable checkpoints to be created. This can happen when Win Me is reinstalled over itself using a Win Me CD rather than by running setup.exe from the windows\options\cabs or windows\options\install folder. For more see later. Your lack of a mouse in Safe Mode is possibly due to your using a USB mouse in which case check whether there is an option in the motherboard bios to enable legacy usb support. If so select this and you should then be able to use a usb mouse when in safe mode. I'm not aware of AVG causing problems when installing updates, McAfee and Norton are the main culprits, nevertheless in future it might be advisable to disable real time AV scanning when installing updates. Turning to your problem. You could try running SCANREG /RESTORE from a command prompt and restoring a copy of the registry that immediately predates your failed update. You can run scanreg /restore either in Safe Mode (Start, Run, enter SCANREG /RESTORE, click OK) and then follow the prompts or by booting to DOS using a floppy and then entering SCANREG /RESTORE at the A:\ DOS prompt. If this works I would advise you to check that the 290700 patch is installed (locate the file smgr.dll in the windows\system folder, right click, select Properties and check the version on the Version tab. If 4.90.0.3003 you are OK but if 4.90.0.2533 you need to install the patch which can be downloaded from http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...290700usam.exe. Install 290700 and then carry out the following quick test: a) Create a shortcut on your desktop to a file. b) Create a manual checkpoint Could you create a checkpoint? c) Delete the shortcut d) Restore your PC to the checkpoint you created. Was the shortcut restored? Did you see any error messages? e) Reboot your PC Was the checkpoint retained? If all is OK and knowing that you now have a working system restore and a usable checkpoint I would return to the Windows Update site and load some of those patches. I would however do just a few at a time, two or three at most, and see no reason why you shouldn't start with IE6 SP1. Best of luck, -- Mike Maltby MS-MVP zepoilin wrote: Hi Mike, when I tried to use system restore ( in safe mode using keyboard because no mouse ) there where only about three restore points and each one I tried I was told it was not possible. I also tried deleting the new software and returning to previous explorer but still it starts in safe mode ( starts windows help screen, keyboard only , no mouse ) I did have a recent copt of AVG ( the free one ) which was probably running when I downloaded the software..are you saying this may be the cause of the problem? |
#5
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FWIW, I routinely leave AVG6 free running while installing updates from
Windows Update in ME - with no bad effects yet. I have yet to attempt an ME update with AVG7 free, though. -- Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows) Nil Carborundum Illegitemi http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm http://tinyurl.com/6oztj Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's "Mike M" wrote in message ... Sean, If system restore isn't working it would appear that maybe you don't have the 290700 patch installed which is required for usable checkpoints to be created. This can happen when Win Me is reinstalled over itself using a Win Me CD rather than by running setup.exe from the windows\options\cabs or windows\options\install folder. For more see later. Your lack of a mouse in Safe Mode is possibly due to your using a USB mouse in which case check whether there is an option in the motherboard bios to enable legacy usb support. If so select this and you should then be able to use a usb mouse when in safe mode. I'm not aware of AVG causing problems when installing updates, McAfee and Norton are the main culprits, nevertheless in future it might be advisable to disable real time AV scanning when installing updates. Turning to your problem. You could try running SCANREG /RESTORE from a command prompt and restoring a copy of the registry that immediately predates your failed update. You can run scanreg /restore either in Safe Mode (Start, Run, enter SCANREG /RESTORE, click OK) and then follow the prompts or by booting to DOS using a floppy and then entering SCANREG /RESTORE at the A:\ DOS prompt. If this works I would advise you to check that the 290700 patch is installed (locate the file smgr.dll in the windows\system folder, right click, select Properties and check the version on the Version tab. If 4.90.0.3003 you are OK but if 4.90.0.2533 you need to install the patch which can be downloaded from http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...290700usam.exe. Install 290700 and then carry out the following quick test: a) Create a shortcut on your desktop to a file. b) Create a manual checkpoint Could you create a checkpoint? c) Delete the shortcut d) Restore your PC to the checkpoint you created. Was the shortcut restored? Did you see any error messages? e) Reboot your PC Was the checkpoint retained? If all is OK and knowing that you now have a working system restore and a usable checkpoint I would return to the Windows Update site and load some of those patches. I would however do just a few at a time, two or three at most, and see no reason why you shouldn't start with IE6 SP1. Best of luck, -- Mike Maltby MS-MVP zepoilin wrote: Hi Mike, when I tried to use system restore ( in safe mode using keyboard because no mouse ) there where only about three restore points and each one I tried I was told it was not possible. I also tried deleting the new software and returning to previous explorer but still it starts in safe mode ( starts windows help screen, keyboard only , no mouse ) I did have a recent copt of AVG ( the free one ) which was probably running when I downloaded the software..are you saying this may be the cause of the problem? |
#6
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Hi Mike, hi Noel...
Phew you guys are clever....yes my mouse is a usb but now I fitted an adapter to connect to main pc (instead of monitor )and I now have the use of mouse in safe mode. Also yes I installed Me from a windows cd and never got round to updating it. I tried 'scanreg/restore' but it says 'windows cannot find 'scanreg restore'... try search but it's not there either.. So what I've got is a grey desktop with 'big' icons..so do you think all I can do is just save the files I want and do a clean install? |
#7
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It looks like you mistyped the command....
SCANREG /RESTORE (note the space between the G and the /) try that and see if it helps -- Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows) Nil Carborundum Illegitemi http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm http://tinyurl.com/6oztj Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's "zepolin" wrote in message ... Hi Mike, hi Noel... Phew you guys are clever....yes my mouse is a usb but now I fitted an adapter to connect to main pc (instead of monitor )and I now have the use of mouse in safe mode. Also yes I installed Me from a windows cd and never got round to updating it. I tried 'scanreg/restore' but it says 'windows cannot find 'scanreg restore'... try search but it's not there either.. So what I've got is a grey desktop with 'big' icons..so do you think all I can do is just save the files I want and do a clean install? |
#8
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Hi Noel, Mike, thanks yes when I added the space it worked
fine, back to a normal looking desktop. Also I have since then been able to reconnect to the internet with that HD which I am really pleased about. I downloaded the 290700 file you recommended and ran the restore checks you suggested and everything checked out fine. The smg.dll file is also showing the correct version 4.90.0.3003. Many many thanks guys. Just one more question on updating, it says under critical updates there are two more to download but no details are given and when I click install nothing happens. |
#9
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No, sorry they've just come back.....Explorer 6 and GDI +
detection tool do you recommend these? |
#10
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Which two?
Can you download any of the non-critical ones? -- Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows) Nil Carborundum Illegitemi http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm http://tinyurl.com/6oztj Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's "zepolin" wrote in message ... Hi Noel, Mike, thanks yes when I added the space it worked fine, back to a normal looking desktop. Also I have since then been able to reconnect to the internet with that HD which I am really pleased about. I downloaded the 290700 file you recommended and ran the restore checks you suggested and everything checked out fine. The smg.dll file is also showing the correct version 4.90.0.3003. Many many thanks guys. Just one more question on updating, it says under critical updates there are two more to download but no details are given and when I click install nothing happens. |
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