Win98, Application Installation Problem

[MikeLacey]

Hello all.

A real simple question, sorry everybody - I'm more of a UNIX person really.

One of my users seems to have half installed something. <sigh> And to make matters worse it's something downloaded from the Internet as well...

On boot an installation routine asks if it can install an application. Whether you answer yes or no the question will be asked when the PC next boots.

Installing and uninstalling makes no difference.

Only good thing is - it doesn't seem to be doing any harm.

Anyway -- my question is:

Where is this installation routine that won't go away and how do I get rid of it? Mike

Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at faq219-2884

 

[mainegeek]

Click Start, Run <type in > MSCONFIG

Look in the autoexec.bat
or
Win.Ini, [Windows], Load= or Run=
or
Startup
If you find it, uncheck it.

 

[chaps]

With Win 98, startup problems can be fixed by going to Run and type in mscomfig. Look at the startup screen and see if there is a reference to the problem software program that is trying to startup-uncheck the box and restart the computer. Often the problem device or software is referenced (written in) the win.ini file, system.ini, or registry files. You will have to search to find it. At the run box type in regedit and do a search for the offending reference in the registry. You should backup the registry before you make any changes.

At boot up if you tap on the f8 key while booting normally you will get an option screen at boot that will allow you to do a step by step start, a safe mode start etc. Often the problem code can be found by doing step by step confirm each line until you get the error.

Some times when all else fails you will have to re-install windows into the same windows directory in order to fix the problem. Most of the time a normal re-install will keep all of your current settings and drivers. But this is a last resort and due to unforeseen variables problems can occur requiring a clean install, or requiring an install of windows into a different file folder. You will loose everything (settings) and have to re-install all other software/ drivers.

Messing with registry files can also cause problems that could require a complete system re-install. You need to know about backing up and re-installing the registry. MSCONFIG is the safest method to use when trouble shooting a startup problem. You can easily access MSCONFIG and make changes by using safe mode at startup. Repeat the steps using safe mode and normal startup checking and unchecking boxes in msconfig until the startup problem is found, or fixed.

Mike

 

[MikeLacey]

Thanks both, much appreciated; msconfig - I'll have a look in there. Mike

Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at faq219-2884

 

[gargouille]

Hi Mike:

Might make a difference, too, if you'd tell us WHAT application is doing this. There are some almighty determined marketers out there these days that are not above hijacking your browser/system. Some of them have specific steps to removal.

There are some very good &quot;spyware/bot&quot; finders...and it might be prudent to get one.

There are also some settings you can adopt with IE (IF that's your browser) that help ward off persistent apps.

I'd also make a trip through the registry searching for the &quot;names&quot; (both the app and its authors, if known) of the application, removing them. That's one place I think you'll find it.

 

[MikeLacey]

It's something called VocalRemover, apparently it removes vocals, and whatever else is in the centre of the mix, from a recording of a song. Looks, to me, to be a legitimate program that's simply failing to install correctly. Mike

Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at faq219-2884

 

[mudskipper]

Mike- Everybody has you on the right track. I would just about put money on you finding the offending entry from within MSCONFIG. If, by chance, you can not find anything there, then you might try the following.

Click Start, Run, type regedit, hit enter
(Back up the registry in case anything horrible happens)
Now expand (in order)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Software
Microsoft
Windows
Current Version

Now look through Run, RunOnce, etc. These should be listed in MSCONFIG, but check just for good measure.

What we really want to look at is RunServices (and like entries). These do not always show up in MSCONFIG (or are just not obvious in there). Mudskipper
___________________________________________________________________________________

Groucho said it best- &quot;A four year-old child could understand this! Quick! Run out and find me a four year-old child: I can't make heads nor tails out of this!&quot;

 

[gargouille]

Hi Mike:

Now we're getting somewhere.
There's a plug in for Winamp with the name and another for Cakewalk...and would be revealed with a simple search (apologies if it's something you've tried and lead to dead ends) for it with your local search engine.

But these fellows have you well on your way to finding where it is and how to get rid of it