Problems install new programs

[Desmodus rotundus]

I have a problem that is messing me up a lot. I would like to have a
list of programs that need to be running when you do an install of a
new program on a windows 2000 professional computer. I have a program
called "End It All" that I use for Windows 95 and 98 computers. I does
a wonderful job of closing all programs. When used on Windows 2000
Pro. It also does a wonderful job of closing all programs except
Explorer. I think this is way overkill, and don't dare install any
programs with this extent of operating programs shut down. Any
assistance would be appreciated.

 

[DL]

Unless yr version of 'End it all' is designed for win2k it is probably
inadvisable to use it.
Personally I have only ever found it necessary, sometimes, to end/stop AV
apps when installing new software

 

[Dan Seur]

Most program installs, especially those that modify the OS such that a
subsequent reboot is required, simply recommend you shut down all
running windows applications before installing. That seems pretty easy
to do from the desktop without any automation.

I have no idea what that "End It All" software does, but if it is a
DOS-based program (written for W3.x/W9x) it may make some serious errors
on an NT-class system - like shutting down processes that should not
ever be shut down, or trying to. It may be much safer for you to shut
down your other apps manually (which means W2k does so properly without
killing itself). The Explorer process, I believe, should never be shut
down. In W2k Task Manager you will always find the explorer process
running, but the explorer application will only appear when you have
started the explorer application display. There's a difference between
apps and processes.

I think there may be an NT-class app floating around the web with a name
like "Kill All." Maybe that would do what you want, if you insist... On
the other hand, if what you have works, no problem.

I don't understand your comment about "way overkill".

 

[Gary Smith]

I have a problem that is messing me up a lot. I would like to have a
list of programs that need to be running when you do an install of a
new program on a windows 2000 professional computer. I have a program
called "End It All" that I use for Windows 95 and 98 computers. I does
a wonderful job of closing all programs. When used on Windows 2000
Pro. It also does a wonderful job of closing all programs except
Explorer. I think this is way overkill, and don't dare install any
programs with this extent of operating programs shut down. Any
assistance would be appreciated.

If the install program will run after you've run "End It All", then
there's no problem. Windows typically won't let you shut down anything
that's necessary for the system to run. On the other hand, a program
written for 95/98 probably doesn't have a full understanding of NT-based
systems, so running it could get you into trouble not directly related to
install issues.

If this is the PC-Magazine program written by Neil Rubenking, it claims to
be compatible with Win 2K so that's not an issue. You probably can't go
to far with it if you don't attempt to force anything. When I do install,
the only things I typically shut down are the applications which have
buttons on the Task Bar. I don't normally bother to shut down anything
that's running in the System Tray except for Mailwasher, if I happen to
think about it. My antivirus is McAfee, which is sufficiently
well-behaved not to interfere with installs, so I usually leave that
running as well. I've never had a problem operating this way.

 

[Desmodus rotundus]

Thanks for the answers. It looks like I am over causes in shutting
down programs, and will follow the advice of ending the programs
running in the tray.