Page Contents:
Considerations for MAC users
Cleaning up Internet Explorer
Setup problem on Windows 2000
Microsoft Service Packs
Windows XP Rollback/Restore Points
Re-Format and Re-Install Windows
We know of very few people using LMS on a MAC (or iMAC). According to available information LMS will work by using a product called "Virtual PC" from "Connectix" (click link to find out more). As of 5/1/2005 we now have two users who have proven that LMS runs just fine on a properly configured MAC.
A G3 or G4 MAC (or higher) is recommended with 256M of RAM and 10GB of free hard disk space (minimum).
Please let us know if you try this. Also we would be interested in a detailed description of your configuration and how it works for you.
"Power Point presentation: How to clean up Internet explorer to enhance performance and reliability. Download this file to your desktop, then create a new folder and move it to that folder before you unzip it. Once unzipped, click on the extracted file named: 'PNGSETUP.EXE' to install and run the presentation."
On some computers running Windows 2000 the LMS installation routine will offer to update certain files in order for setup to complete and will appear to replace files and offer to restart your computer. After re-booting and running install again, the problem persists and will not allow the installation to complete. In most cases updating Windows 2000 to the latest service pack (Currently SP-4) will resolve this problem. If you installed SP-4 previously and are still unable to install LMS, try re-installing SP-4. If you are still unable to install LMS call support and we can help you get LMS installed and working manually.
We strongly recommend that you check the Microsoft web site frequently and keep your computer current with their most recently posted Service Packs for your Windows Version as well as your version of Microsoft Office.
Specifically ensure that you have the Microsoft Jet Database (Version 4 - Service Pak 7 or higher) installed on your computer. If you have any doubt about the version of the software on your PC, call support. Use below link (instructions are also on this page):
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q282010
Windows XP Service Pack 2
Windows XP (Windows ME, also) has a feature that allows you to "turn back the clock" on your computer and actually return it to the state it was in at a predetermined point in the past. To access this feature click the Start Button->All Programs->Accessories->System Tools->System Restore. We strongly recommend that you set a restore point after you install LMS and have entered your personal information, etc. Assuming your computer was working properly before you installed LMS this should create a safe restore point should something go awry with your system in the near or not so near future.
Should you ever need to set your computer back to one of these "restore points", make sure you:
- Don't go back to a point prior to installing LMS*...or
- Arrange for a new unlock code prior to this action.
*WARNING! Should you set your computer back to a restore point that was created prior to your installed copy of LMS, you will destroy the record of your original purchase and unlock procedure on your computer. In that case, you will need to obtain a new unlock code from LMS Support.
We want to preface this information by saying that a complete re-format and re-installation of your operating system (OS) should be a last resort and is usually only required when a computer system has just become too damaged to continue attempting repair. Also, it's a very time consuming process that should be scheduled (if possible) for when you can afford at least a couple days of downtime. There are a number of causes such as viruses, spyware/adware/malware, and other internet threats as well as installing and uninstalling programs, and errors that compound themselves, etc. that can eventually bring even the fastest computer to a grinding halt. Many avid computer users plan a complete restore once every year or two just to clean-up files/folders and registry growth left behind when software is installed and subsequently removed to keep things running smoothly. Having said this, there are a number of steps you should take before re-formatting, as well as things you can do to help speed up the process the next time the most important of which is backing up your critical data to some other media such as CD-R's, DVD-R's or supplemental internal or external hard drives.
Keep in mind that re-formatting and re-installing Windows (depending on whether you have a recovery partition or CD(s) or a Windows XP Original CD) brings your computer back to the state it was in the first day that you used it or to a clean Windows install. Either way, you will lose everything that you installed and saved to your hard drive since that first day. This includes any online updates you obtained either from Microsoft or from other hardware and/or software vendors. It is extremely important that you have backed up all the data that you want to bring back to your computer. Word documents, photographs, music, address books, and e-mail are some examples of the things you might want to save. Don’t assume your backups are good. Double-check backups by selectively restoring a few known files back to your computer to an alternate location and viewing them. Always make sure that your Anti-Virus software is installed and up-to-date prior to restoring any data and if possible run a complete virus scan on your saved data to prevent bringing back any virii that you may have had (make sure to set your Anti-Virus software to scan compressed files, too).
A few notes on backup: There are a number of methods and programs available for backing up data. Check each of the programs that you use for a built-in backup routine. Programs such as Quicken and Act! have their own backup routines (usually under the file menu). If you use Outlook for email you can down load a backup routine from Microsoft to save your emails and address books. Windows XP Pro also has its own backup program under Programs-Accessories-System Tools. XP Home does not come with a backup program by default, but is available on the original installation CD.
Second: Check to make sure that you have all the installation disks for the hardware that you mentioned as well as any software that you originally installed. Download and save to CD all updated drivers and software for your Video Card, printers, scanners and any other hardware that you plan to use. If you have downloaded any programs, you will need all your Key codes for them as well.
Ok, let’s get started on the reformat and restore process. You did not mention the make or model of your computer, so there is one of four possible methods available to you.
- Built in Restore – Many newer computers come with a built-in restore process saved to a second partition on the hard drive. This can usually be accesses by pressing a key during the boot process. For Example: Pressing F10 during boot on HP computers will bring you to a restore menu. Check your computers manual or online to see if you have this option.
- Restore CD’s – Some computers come packaged with a set of Restore or Recovery disks. The first disk is a bootable CD and is inserted into the CD drive during boot-up.
- Original Windows XP Disk – If you don’t have either of the above, then you will have to use your original Windows XP disk (you will need your Installation Key Code). If your XP CD is an upgrade version, then you will need an old Windows 95, 98, ME disk as well.
- No CD’s and No Restore Partition – If you have lost your Restore CD’s or never received any and your computer does not have a restore partition, you can usually order a set of Restore CD’s from the manufacturer of your computer for a minimal charge of about $20.
STEP-BY-STEP
If you have built in restore
- Backup All Data.
- Unplug all USB devices like printers, scanners and palm pilots. If you have several internal cards that you added after you purchased the computer, you may need to remove these.
- Check Manual for proper key to press for restore or it may show up on the opening screen.
- Enter restore mode.
- Follow onscreen instructions. (takes about 30 min)
- Install Drivers for special hardware (hardware that did not come with computer)
- Check Device Manager for any Yellow Exclamation Points indicating missing drivers or errors. Click START-CONTROL PANEL-SYSTEM-HARDWARE-DEVICE MANAGER. (Select Classic View) If you have any Yellow Exclamation Points, you will probably need to install drivers for these devices from your CD for that piece of hardware.
- At this point you have a fairly clean installation and it is time to Update windows. Download and install all Windows updates, especially Service Pack 2 (if not already at SP2).
- Install and setup any additional external hardware like printers, scanners, Palm pilots, etc. Install each one at a time and reboot and test before installing the next item.
- Install additional software that you have on CD like Office, Quicken and Photoshop, except Antivirus software. Again install one at a time, reboot and test before going on to the next.
- Once you have all the hardware and software installed and running, it is now time to install any security products that you may have like antivirus software, Software Firewalls and Spyware/popup blockers. (you don’t want to have too many redundant programs running)
- With Antivirus software up and running and updated online with the latest virus definitions installed, you can now go online and look for updates for other software or download programs that you want to reinstall.
- Using whatever method you used to backup your data, you can now restore your data back to your computer. Don’t do this until you have antivirus software running. You don’t want to bring back viruses that may have caused your original problems.
- You can now go in and tweak your settings to what ever you like, add screen savers and set things up the way you want.
- Now that everything is up and running just the way you like it, it is time to backup your settings. I prefer to use something like Norton Ghost to make a disk image of this state. If you want to reformat and restore your computer again in the future, you can restore it back to this point instead of all the way back to the beginning, saving a huge amount of time. You could also use Windows XP Pro Backup to make a recovery set. I also recommend using Windows Restore to save a Restore Point at this point. Some people like to set a restore point after each of the steps above in the event that something goes wrong along the way.
If you have Restore/Recovery CD’s
- Backup All Data.
- Unplug all USB devices like printers, scanners and palm pilots. If you have several internal cards that you added after you purchased the computer, you may need to remove these as well.
- With computer running, insert Recovery CD in drive and restart computer. Note: Make sure your CD’s are clean of any finger prints and smudges by wiping them from the center out. If recovery window does not come up you may have to go into your bios and change your boot order to boot from CD first. (Check your manual for exact key sequence to enter the bios settings)
- Enter restore mode.
- Follow onscreen instructions. (takes about 30 min)
Follow Steps 5 thru 15 above
Using Windows XP Disk
- Backup all data.
- Unplug all USB devices like printers, scanners and palm pilots. If you have several internal cards that you added after you purchased the computer, you may need to remove these as well.
- With computer running, insert Windows XP Installation CD in drive, ignore the installation screen and restart computer with the CD in the drive. Note: Make sure your CD’s are clean of any finger prints and smudges by wiping them from the center out. A short message will display “Press Any Key to boot from CD” Press key quickly. .If your computer will not boot from the CD, you may have to go into your bios and change your boot order to boot from CD first. (Check your manual for exact key sequence to enter the bios settings)
- Windows will now load some setup files and if you need some 3rd party disk drivers such as those required for some SATA drives you will have only a moment to press F6 to do this. Otherwise wait until you see the Welcome to Setup screen. This screen will display your current disk partitions. I would suggest using the ”D” key to delete the current windows partition and then use the “C” key to recreate the partition. NOTE: If you have a fairly large hard drive I would suggest creating 2 partitions. One for the windows operating system and another for your data. This way if you want to reinstall windows again in the future, you data will be safe on the 2nd partition.
- Once you have created the partition or decided to keep the original partitions, Windows will format and start to install windows as well as prompt you for your Code Key for the CD case. This should take about 30 to 60 minutes.
Follow Steps 5 thru 15 above
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