T43p Software Installer acting funny

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kduniverse · #1 Post by **kduniverse** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 7:05 am

I always check the Software Installer at least once a week to see if there are any necessary packages I need to install. Last week I noticed a lot of packages, some windows updates "mandatory" along with all my Thinkvantage programs, Access IBM, and a few Sonic programs that were all marked "Recommended".

My question is why are they showing up mandatory and recommended and not installed when I already have them installed? There's even one or two that are older versions than what I already have.

Also, what's the difference between Software Installer and System Update 2? SU2 shows packages that I already have as recommended packages also. What gives?

#2 Post by **GomJabbar** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 9:31 am

Sounds like you are a victim of the recent PC Doctor 5 upgrade. Please read following thread for information on this.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=32675

kduniverse · #3 Post by **kduniverse** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 10:28 am

I must confess, i'm totally not computer literate.

I did however install that PC Doc 5, and I'm assuming that's the cause of all my problems. There's a lot of info in that thread you posted. I don't think system restore will work because it's been over a week and a half now.

#4 Post by **GomJabbar** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 10:40 am

I was also a victim of this. System Restore from SAFE MODE worked for me, and I had to go back about a week. Really, if you have the default setting for hard drive space allowed for System Restore, I believe it will work for you. System Restore is great in one respect in that if it encounters problems, it will not change anything. Additionally, System Restore should not cause you to lose any documents you have saved after the restore point chosen.

Boot up into Windows SAFE MODE then try System Restore and choose a restore point from before when PC Doctor 5 was installed. To choose a restore point from the previous month, when you get to the calendar, click on the < on the top left of that calendar.

kduniverse · #5 Post by **kduniverse** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 10:45 am

I am pretty sure I downloaded it when it was first available. Would the 1st of Nov. be far enough, or further?

#6 Post by **GomJabbar** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:03 am

I downloaded PC Doctor 5 on Oct. 23rd, but I don't think I got it the first day it came out. When you launch System Restore and click on a date in the calendar, it will show you which restore points are available on that date. Most software installs set a System Restore point, but I did not see this to be the case with PC Doctor 5. Try and see if you see another software install that you did around the same time, and use that for a reference.

This thread really belongs in the Thinkpad - General HARDWARE/SOFTWARE questions forum. I am going to move it there soon. Although you have a T43p, this is really a software issue not limited to the T4x series, that is why it belongs in the other forum.

kduniverse · #7 Post by **kduniverse** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:08 am

Ok, thanks a lot.

kduniverse · #8 Post by **kduniverse** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 2:24 pm

Huge disaster.

For some reason, after all the system restor, safe mode, etc. the thinkpad has an error. I have a windows error now, saying it's missing a file.

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \Windows\system32\c_1252.nls

#9 Post by **GomJabbar** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 4:26 pm

Wow, do I feel like a heel.

I have never had System Restore do that to me.

First try booting into SAFE MODE. If you can do this, then click on Start > Run, and type sfc /scannow in the text box. Then click on Ok. This should replace any damaged or missing system files. If you can't boot into safe mode, then....

Try this. Press F8 at the beginning of the boot sequence and choose Last Known Good Configuration.

EDIT: I could email you the missing or damaged file if you can understand how to copy it to the C:\Windows\System32 directory. This can be done from Rescue and Recovery. The only problem is, is that there may be many other files that appear missing or damaged after you replace that one.

kduniverse · #10 Post by **kduniverse** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:08 pm

what a nightmare.

I got everything back and running. I don't know what was up with the system restore. I aslo tried the Rescue and Recovery, but for some reason I could only use a restore point from June!!!

Anyway, I'm back up. I'm going to set up a restore point after I get all my files back. I did lose a ton of emails, favorites, etc. but whatever I guess.

Thanks for all the help. I wish I could have found this board when I first bought my T43. There's a ton of valuable info here. Thanks.

#11 Post by **GomJabbar** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 9:08 pm

Few people back up their hard drive often enough - if ever. You should do a complete backup to an external hard drive, DVD's or CD's whenever you have made several updates to your system. Generally you should make incremental backups every week, maybe even every day, and at the minimum every month. Backup all personal files to other media as soon as they are created. The more irreplaceable the data, the more important the backup. At least this is my opinion on the subject.

It is also a good idea to set a System Restore point in Windows System Restore before upgrading or installing software.

Finally, make a set of Product Recovery Discs as soon as you get your ThinkPad. Use high-quality media, as you can only make one set. However, each time you restore your computer to the original factory state, the software allows you to make another set. The preferred method is to use one CD for the first disc, and one DVD for the second. You can burn these to an external USB DVD drive if you have one. If you don't have a DVD burner, then you can use all CD's. It takes about 7 CD's to make the set.

T43p Software Installer acting funny

T43p Software Installer acting funny

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