Replies

I used Opus 6 several years ago but got lost in the settings – that version was very complex to set up.
I was going to use Opus 10, but resurrected my old xplorer2 and updated it. (I haven’t used Explorer since Windows 95!).
I can corroborate the response times from Opus – usually less than 12 hours (and Opus is in Australia – I’m in UK).

I had a problem with Vista last week – Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Vista (KB2586448) managed to make my computer ‘hang’ on restart at the point where it was updating ‘3 of 3 – 0%’.

The machine would start in safe mode after a forced shut-down (AKA switch off) from where I could use system restore – successfully.

After several tries to install, (having to use system restore each time to get back to the start point) I went to the Microsoft help site (more in hope than anticipation) and was directed to ‘Fix It’ – surprise surprise this worked, telling me that Windows Update had corrupted, and then restoring it.

The update then downloaded and installed appropriately.

The list of updates and the recommendations is probably very valuable, but when I am logged in to Windows Update, the update numbers are not shown, neither are the KB numbers until the list of ‘updates applied’ is shown.
Trying to cross-reference the updates is time-consuming and frustrating, so I have just been avoiding .NET updates and anything whose description seems inappropriate.
I still get episodes of ‘funny’ behaviour after updates however, and perhaps twice a year I need to use a restore point.
The next update seems to be OK, and probably corrects the fault!

If you want to stay uncontaminated, do not use social sites.
Man has survived for thousands of years with word of mouth and writing – both of which require some element of thought.
Social networks seem to be just a form of diarrhoea – not even verbal – it just comes out!

Very interesting article – non-destructive recovery is such an important feature that (like others) I wonder why Microsoft has not made it more obvious.
HOWEVER – I see that it needs an original Vista or 7 disc – HP in their collective wisdom(?) have decided not to provide an OEM disc but to put all the info on a hard-disk partition. ASUS has too.
As I have no contacts who would be able to lend me an appropriate disk, are there any ways that the recovery partition ‘stuff’ could be used for a non-destructive recovery? Failing that, would the procedure work if one created a recovery disk from the partition?

Started with Texas 99/4A in 1985, then Amstrad 9512 instead of a QDOS machine (quick and dirty operating system), then W 3.11/DOS 6.22, on to 95, 98, Me, XP, Vista and now 7 (at work, NT4 and 2000).
Preferred the Texas for CP/M, and 3.11 and XP for Windows.

Many many thanks to all who have made suggestions – been away from computer for some time.
The system (7 Home Premium) seems to have gradually got better in that the ‘funnies’ now limit themselves to an occasional spontaneous opening of ‘calculator’ (usually after being idle for about 30 minutes), and occasionally opening Thunderbird at the ‘Inbox’ on start up (not set to do so!).
I’ve decided to put up with this – manageable!
Again, thanks to all.

The machine puts any programs I load into Program Files(x86) – for example MGI (a picture manipulation program).
That program saves its data to a folder in its subdirectory in Program Files(x86). I have been prevented from saving files back to that folder after manipulation, and I cannot clear the ‘read only’ setting.
The questions boil down to 2:
1) Why does Windows 7 start programs/applications spontaneously when I have not set them to do so? and
2) how do I get over this read-only business – i.e. sort out my authority over the computer (I am grateful to all who have given me signposts towards that end which I will be following when time allows).
Question 1) is now the priority.
(problems worse since installation of SP1 – took 3 hours)

Thank you for correcting me – it was an error as I was working on another computer (that works as I expect it to – even though it’s Vista) it should have read Program Files (x86).
The comments stil stand, but substitute Program Files(x86) for the erroneous one!

Thanks for further responses.
The comment that program Files (64) is not a default file puzzles me – it was present when I bought the computer, and was where the machine put programs on installation – also where programs seem to look for relevant files, as well as the (to me) stupid ‘My Documents…………etc’.
I do not have time to play around with a machine which should work as described ‘straight out of the box’.
Most unsatisfactory. Any personalisation should be straightforward and simple to do.
Just have to put up with it.

Thanks for response.
1) The files are anywhere on the disk – can be in any directory. I need to be able to unprotect a directory or folder so that I can add files to it.
2)Looks like the protection is too prescriptive – most of the problem files are in directories in ‘Program Files(64)’ but the directories concerned are programs that I have loaded! I had no problem with XP, 2000, NT, Me, 98, 95, or 3.11. There is no UAC prompt. Things seem to work, but on checking file or folder properties the read-only box is filled and I cannot write to the file or folder.
3) I am unable to save files even into many folders that I have created! The only place I seem to be able to save files is my C:Downloads directory (which I also created).
4) The spontaneous programs are random and seem to be unassociated with any other program.
5)It seemed to start after a very long (3 hour) installation of SP1.
6) My comment about Mac was not because I think it is better, just to stop supporting Microsoft.

I need to be able to re-set the attributes of files in ‘Properties’. Each time I try the set-up reverts to ‘write protected’ despite my being nominally an administrator.
I am told in a previous reply that my being an administrator does not mean that I am an administrator!
How can I make my computer do what I want despite Microsoft’s stupidity?
All the keyboard keys seem to work – it’s a brand-new computer.
I must admit that if Windows 7 keeps on being as it is, I will ditch a lot of cash and go to Mac.

Thanks for response.
1) The spontaneous program etc start can be at any time.
2) I am the only user, and the word ‘administrator’ is shown after my log-in picture and username.
I know nothing of ‘built-in’ administrator accounts – what are they and why are they?
How do I get myself in the position that I can USE the computer?
I have another laptop running Vista – sort of!
I only got this Windows 7 machine because I could not replace my XP machine!
Wireless mouse but built in keyboard.
Already scanned with Malwarebytes Antimalware on a full scan – no change

Just call me ‘Ludd’.

I’ve been using Windows since 3.11 – and the IE that was around then!
The updates and upgrades that have happened since then ( and I have used 95, 98, Me, 2000, NT, XP, Vista and 7) may have been quicker and safer, but I have not found any of them easier to use than 3.11 and XP.
The others are not ‘me-friendly’.