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OK, Dave, just to clarify one more time…

Install ALL critical updates even if they are the one’s from late last year? Don’t some of the ‘cumulative patches/updates’ cover the earlier ones? I hate to keep harping on this, but when it comes to Win XP, I’ve learned (the hard way), not to do anything blindly. Thanks!

Well, I guess the distinction i was trying to make, Dave, was which critical updates do I need to install? I know that there have been a few since October, 2001, and then there have been some cumulative patches. Do I need to install every single critical update or be selective, and if I should be selective, then which ones should I install? Thanks in advance for your advice!

I think I understand. Reboot after every installation!!!

Does anyone have any suggestions/advice on which Windows Updates I should install?

I understand what you are saying about updating all the drivers, but i’m a little queasy about doing that without being very careful, just because of the fact that my system has been screwed up twice to the point that I’ve had to reinstall Win XP both times. The first time, the same thing was happening, the system freezing up. Now, after I’ve installed the second time (I think I’m ok on this reinstall), I just want to be very careful as to how I upgrade the drivers and also install the windows XP updates. Any suggestions?????

IE being “tightly bound” to Windows XP? That’s an understatement…LOL.

Anyways, my instincts were right than. I’m using outlook express for a few days before I install Office XP. Also, I’m only going to install the Outlook XP and Word 2000, the programs that I actually use!

Regarding SystemWorks, I haven’t had a problem since installing it. I needed to install it right after I installed Win XP so that I could surf the internet. I wanted to have a antivirus program, so I just installed the minimum set of programs. Although Norton Utilities was installed, I haven’t activated it. I’m scared of that program, because I think it might be the culpret of many of my earlier problems.

Regarding System Restore, when my system was really having a bad time of it, I couldn’t even get System Restore to restore to an earlier configuration. It gave me an error message saying it couldn’t restore to an earlier restore point.

I just want to make sure that I install nothing that is going to conflict with Windows XP, and have a smooth running system, that’s not too much to ask, is it?

Any other suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks…d

Actually, if the installation program does not ask me to shut down, I don’t shut down. Should I be shutting down after each and every installation of a new program? Also, how about installing new drivers? Should I shut down after each new driver install (although I think I have no choice but to shut down)?

Well, since my system froze up twice before, I decided to install it again (Windows XP pro) and then start adding programs, one at a time. How long do I need to wait between installs to determine which program (if any) was freezing my machine?

OK…very stupid question…I’m running Norton Utilities via Norton SystemWorks SystemWorks 2002, but I’m not quite sure if its the Professional addition or not. Any suggestions on how to determine this?

Moss — how did you identify the problem as having to do with your modem and its driver? Just curious, because I’ve been having a lot of problems with my computer locking up.

So Dave…you don’t think that Java is causing my system to freeze up?

Thanks for the advice, MaryJ.

I actually was able to use Nero (their latest version) to burn the iso to a cd. The only problem is is that I had to “finalize” the cd, or close the session. Do the other programs require that I close the disk from further burning?

Mary and Mark — thanks for your suggestions on what to do with files I have with the .iso extension.

I have a follow-up question: what do I do once the image is burned to a cd? As you can tell, I’ve never heard of iso images, nor have I ever dealt with them. I’m pretty much clueless, as a matter of fact!

Please advise. Thanks!

Hlewton,

I’m running XP Pro, like you, but only have one machine, and am connecting to the net via a dsl connection. Although I probably have a less complex system then you, the same problem persists on my computer. DSL is supposed to give me an “always on” connection, or close to it, which I thought meant that if you connect in the morning, you should stay connected the whole day until you powerdown or until you disconnect your connection. I have experienced the problem, though, that if the computer has been idle for a certain period of time (read: a few hours), then I cannot surf the web (get a dns error) and I cannot retrieve or send any emails. Its a pain in the a**, and I don’t know what the fix is either, except to be patient and just reboot the computer.

Al, thanks very much for your input and suggestions, and LINKS! You’re Awesome!

Hi Al…

4 quick questions:

1) Can you tell me a little bit more about the Cheyenne Backup program?
2) Do you backup to tape or to a cd? I would like to backup to a cd.
3) Also, what commands would I put in the batch file if I want to backup only the data on my computer?
4) Lastly, re: PowerQuest’s Drive Image. How does that work? Does it take up a lot of space?

Please advise. Thanks…d