Here’s Advice for All That New Software

Originally published in the News Press on 01/08/2007.

Here’s Advice for All That New Software
By: Al Winchell

Because of the volume of e-mail from Good Booters who have experienced problems installing software they received from Santa, I thought it appropriate to provide novice-friendly software installation guidelines.

Before installing a program if you're using XP:

• Be sure the software is XP compatible

• Back everything up

• Be sure XP has the latest critical updates installed

• Close down all programs you have opened

• Run your pointer over your Taskbar "Notification Area" to determine what programs are running in the background. With exception of your anti-virus program, right click on their icons and temporarily deactivate them.

• Temporarily deactivate your anti-spyware program (not anti-virus). Often anti-spyware programs can interrupt an installation trying to make changes to Windows' System.
• Temporarily turn off your screen saver.

• Do a Belarc and print it out should it be needed by your technician

• Create a System Restore Point. It's not infallible but it can be your court of last resort.

Then during installation:

• Pay attention to the information presented during the installation.

• Do not attempt to do anything on your computer other than answer questions asked during the installation.

• Try not to abort an installation.

After installation:

• You'll probably be asked whether you want to reboot your computer to activate the installation changes made to your Windows System. Don't delay a reboot unless you absolutely need to perform a trivial pursuit such as saving a document you forgot to save and close before the installation.

• Create a new System Restore Point just in case.

Novice friendly guidelines should there be a problem after an installation reboot:

1. If you receive a warning message when you arrive at your Desktop. Do nothing until you call and read the content of the message to your technician. Or if your technician is unavailable, write down the entire content of the message so it's available when you can contact your technician.

2. For additional information your technician may deem valuable, click Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Component Services > Event Viewer > Applications. Look for yellow triangles with Warning (!) and red circles with an Error (x). Often there's valuable information about the source and category of the problem. In fact, I suggest anytime you experience an unusual happening you access this utility for information on what may have caused the problem.

2. If you believe you're a "a bit beyond beleaguer" novice:

• Try uninstalling the program followed by a reboot.

• If this doesn't solve the problem try a System Restore.

3. If after an installation reboot you cannot get to your Desktop.

• Reboot to Safe Mode and try a System Restore. If you do not know how to access Safe Mode, you're not a "bit beyond beleaguered" novice.

In fact, I recommend you do as I do. If anything unusual happens and even if it seems the problem has been resolved, speed dial your technician for a consultation.
Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.