S.O.S.

[Guest]

Hi my friends, please help me.
Five days ago I bought a new notebook PC - Acer Aspire 5920G -, with Windows
Vista Home Premium as OS. I never met Vista before, so I was curious to try
it: anyway, 99% of the notebook are sold with pre-installed Vista (100% in
the store I got mine), so my choice was compelled.
Well, I think that the Hell, if existing, be similar to my last five days!
It seems to me (personal statistics) that 40% of the existing softwares,
even if well-running on XP, cannot be installed. Another 40% produces
dramatic sytem crashes, in my case:
- Prevx 2.0, Vista release;
- Jetico firewall, Vista release;
- Zone Alarm, Vista release;
- Norton Internet Security, given with the PC and designed for Vista (!);
- Acer e-Data Security Management, given with the PC.
So on, I made 8 (I say, 8) system recoveries.
After installing something that Vista doesn't like, if I'm lucky the system
doesn't crash, but my Wireless connection runs no more.
Luckily, AVG Antivirus and Spybot 7.15 run very well...
Do you know any freeware firewall having no problem with Vista?
I'm seriously evaluating to install XP, since I cannot spend again money to
buy new software because Microsoft sleep creates monsters.
Bye, Francesco

 

[Guest]

Five days to make judgement on a OS, I do not think you have even scratched
the surface, Vista is a sound OS when the user take the time to understand &
learn how things function. The upgrade from 2000 to XP was no different.
Read, learn & patience is required.
A free firewall that operates with Vista, it is already installed Windows
firewall, with Defender, Avast/AVG AV, backed up maybe by Adware/ Spybot are
adequate.
Specificly state the problems you are having with programs and I am sure
there people in these forum that can & will help.
Acer installations are only basic programs and there are manyprograms that
run very well on vista
Details of your wireless setup, will assist in helping to it working OK.
--

Judgments made in haste are often the wrong one's.
Regards
Bob J
If advise given from anyone, solves problem or not, or if solved from
another source,post back & let us know.
Then we all benefit.

 

[peter]

I have an Acer laptop with less RAM than yours and it came with XP
installed...I took the free Vista upgrade from Acer.
Every Acer supplied program works well on this system.ZoneAlarm works well.
I am not familiar with Prevx nor Jetico so I can comment on them.Norton is
bloated software and there are other good free Anti Virus out there.
I have no problems connecting to my wireless router with the build in
Atheros wireless...using the Acer Empowering Technology to set it up.
I installed older versions of MS Money as well as MS Works and they all run
well...even Mozilla Firefox runs well.Every programI have installed has
installed easily once I disabled User Account Control.....which was a real
pain in the ass.
The build in camera was a bit of a problem when switching to Vista as I
forgot to check 1st which drivers it was using under XP and needed to
manually install the Vista drivers...3 choices.

So explain to us exactly what happens when you try to install any of those
you are having problems with.....
peter

 

[ray]

Hi my friends, please help me.
Five days ago I bought a new notebook PC - Acer Aspire 5920G -, with Windows
Vista Home Premium as OS. I never met Vista before, so I was curious to try
it: anyway, 99% of the notebook are sold with pre-installed Vista (100% in
the store I got mine), so my choice was compelled.

FWIW DELL does offer machines with xp installed; also Ubuntu Linux.

 

[Vista User]

Your post is of no help at all to the op who is trying to get there current
machine running.
If your not part of the solution your part of the problem.

 

[Guest]

Bob, Peter, thank you for your kind replies (and, by the way, sorry for my
awful English; please consider I don't often know the correct translation of
technical words).
Since you asked me for something more precise, this is a larger description
of the operations I did after first boot:
1. installed AVG 7.5 and AVG anti-rootkit tools - all right;
2. set up the Wireless connection OK - Explorer running normally;
3. Windows update - all right after the reboot;
4. installed Prevx2Agent.1.0.2.107.Vista - after the reboot, general slowing
of the system, prevx doesn't run and the Acer net management program is
unable to connect to wireless net (nor Vista's connection center do);
5. system recovery - as before Prevx installation; another try to install
Prevx, again slow system and wireless connection failure, another system
recovery;
6. wireless connection OK, Internet OK;
7. try of installing Norton Internet Security (90-days version) - during
installation system crashes, deep blue monitor and message from Vista
declaring system instability; normal reboot impossible, so I made a system
recovery from Vista's "provisional modality";
8. all right as before Norton installation;
9. CC Cleaner installation - all right;
10. try of installing Zone Alarm zlsSetup_70_337_000_en.exe - the setup
doesn't run, old version;
11. installed Jetico's firewall trial version for Vista - after the reboot,
general slowing of the system and the Acer net management program is unable
to connect to wireless net (nor Vista's connection center do); when I launch
Jetico to set up the firewall, a system crash occurs: deep blue monitor and
message from Vista declaring system instability; normal reboot impossible, so
I made a system recovery from Vista's "provisional modality";
12. all right after recovery, net OK;
13. try of installing PCADLT2006.exe (it's an Italian CAD I use for work) -
the setup doesn't run, old version;
14. installed STR Smartoffice Suite (it's an Italian program I use for work)
- after the reboot, the program doesn't run (the system cannot find a dll
file);
15. uninstalled STR, the system is unstable (blue monitor, and so on) -
system recovery from provisional modality;
16. now all right;
17. installed Acer e-data security Management - after reboot, error message
from Vista, "the program Acer etc. doesn't work", the computer cannot connect
to the net;
18. uninstalled Acer e-data bla-bla, after reboot the computer cannot
connect the net;
19. system recovery, the reboot - all comes back to normality;
20. unistalled Microsoft Office 2007 Home edition - trial version;
21. installed Office 2003 Professional - all right;
22. Office 2003 update - all right;
23. I find on the net the beta 7.1 release of Zone Alarm firewall for Vista:
when I launch setup, a system crash occurs (blue monitor and so on) -
recovery from provisional modality.
Maybe I forgot something, anyway I'm exhausted. Am I so unlucky? Did I get
an "unlucky" copy of Vista?
Bob, Iagree that read, learn and patience is needed, but I have to work and
my job isn't IT manager or informatic technician or something like that. Do I
need to pay a technician if I want to install a "two-way" firewall (Vista's
firewall is "one-way", isn't it?) or when I install an Acer utility given
with my notebook? This isn't written in the Vista package, nor in the
Microsoft site; and I paid for Vista licence, expecting it works. Now, it's 5
days I cannot use my new PC for job since 50% of my job software doesn't
match with Vista.
When a buy seller gives me a new car, I turn the key and run; when I buyed
two notebooks with XP, five years ago, I "turned the key and ran": no
crashes, no recoveries, minimum old software upgrading.
Microsoft sells its OS telling the consumers: "We solve your problems";
Vista is so complex and sophisticated since it has the aim to make things
smooth for users, isn't it? Well, 5 days are enough to me to say that
Microsft is very far from its aim.
Anyway, Peter, I'll try to disable the UAC, giving another chance to Vista.
Best regards
Francesco

 

[Guest]

Vista's firewall is 2-way.
but, it is beyond you to set it up at this stage.

 

[Charlie Tame]

Your post is of no help at all to the op who is trying to get there current
machine running.
If your not part of the solution your part of the problem.

Neither was yours

 

[Charlie Tame]

Francesco,

You said you had tried to recover several times (8?) and this has not
really helped you.

If the system came with a factory "Recovery" CD / DVD or whatever
consider using it, it sounds as if you have a combination of problems
now and may need to reinstall Vista or return the machine to the store
and get them to do it for you. You will probably lose any recent work or
emails but of you only had it 5 days then you may not be too worried
about that.

Vista does not like a lot of older software, but on it's own it is
stable and does not crash or Blue Screen without reason. Installing a
bad program should NOT cause these things to happen, and what you are
seeing may be a hardware problem with the machine or something the store
or manufacturer can help you with.

When you reinstall or get it back do this...

Go to Windows / Microsoft update and get all updates, do this first and
then wait and see how it runs. Be careful about emails but if you prefer
install AVG next and do NOT install any others.

Wait and see how it runs.

Please do NOT install Norton, it is really terrible and I notice that it
gave you trouble, I am not surprised.

If you really feel you must have something other than the built in
firewall see if you can ask someone who uses Zone Alarm or Jetico with
Vista and pick one of them but NOT both.

What I think probably happened is that you installed items that fight
with each other and you have parts of several "Left Over: that are
causing the instability.

Then try the business software you need for work BUT look at the company
website first to see if they have updated versions or patches /
instructions for Vista.

Each thing you install be patient, wait and see how it runs... that way
of a problem appears you can make a good guess that it is the last thing
you installed and try uninstalling that only to try and fix the problem.

Vista is not like XP, there are many issues with drivers and older
software and if you cannot install / upgrade to new versions you may be
wise to install XP instead, it depends on your choice of what you need
to have for work, but please do NOT try installing too many things and
be very careful trying those you already had problems with.

 

[Guest]

Thank you Charlie. I'll try your suggestions.

Francesco,

You said you had tried to recover several times (8?) and this has not
really helped you.

If the system came with a factory "Recovery" CD / DVD or whatever
consider using it, it sounds as if you have a combination of problems
now and may need to reinstall Vista or return the machine to the store
and get them to do it for you. You will probably lose any recent work or
emails but of you only had it 5 days then you may not be too worried
about that.

Vista does not like a lot of older software, but on it's own it is
stable and does not crash or Blue Screen without reason. Installing a
bad program should NOT cause these things to happen, and what you are
seeing may be a hardware problem with the machine or something the store
or manufacturer can help you with.

When you reinstall or get it back do this...

Go to Windows / Microsoft update and get all updates, do this first and
then wait and see how it runs. Be careful about emails but if you prefer
install AVG next and do NOT install any others.

Wait and see how it runs.

Please do NOT install Norton, it is really terrible and I notice that it
gave you trouble, I am not surprised.

If you really feel you must have something other than the built in
firewall see if you can ask someone who uses Zone Alarm or Jetico with
Vista and pick one of them but NOT both.

What I think probably happened is that you installed items that fight
with each other and you have parts of several "Left Over: that are
causing the instability.

Then try the business software you need for work BUT look at the company
website first to see if they have updated versions or patches /
instructions for Vista.

Each thing you install be patient, wait and see how it runs... that way
of a problem appears you can make a good guess that it is the last thing
you installed and try uninstalling that only to try and fix the problem.

Vista is not like XP, there are many issues with drivers and older
software and if you cannot install / upgrade to new versions you may be
wise to install XP instead, it depends on your choice of what you need
to have for work, but please do NOT try installing too many things and
be very careful trying those you already had problems with.

 

[Guest]

You were right, Charlie, thank you very much.
It is likely that the crashes during the installation of Jetico and Zone
alarm firewall damaged the OS. They are beta releases, it is apparent they
create problems.
Yesterday I tried a recovery to factory settings, then a step-by-step
installing of software: every installation, a reboot and a check of PC
performances. In particular, I checked whether the system recognizes the
wireless net and an external USB HDD, since these devices gave me troubles in
the past. I avoided to install every software which had caused system crashes.
Now the installed applications are:
- Acer empowering suite;
- AVG 7.5 all right;
- Spybot 7.15;
- Skype 3.2.0.175;
- Office 2003 Pro.
I uninstalled the Internet Security, Yahoo Toolbar and Office 2007 trial
version.
System is now fully stable, so wireless connection and HDD recognizing.
Hardware seems 100% right.
Office 2003 is giving me some secondary troubles, anyway it can be used.
For my other business software I have no choice: wait until Vista updates
are released.
Maybe an XP emulator could help me in the meanwhile (any suggestion?).
Regards
Francesco

 

[Charlie Tame]

Thanks very much for replying, it helps others if we find out what works
and what doesn't. Sometimes you just have to give up and start over, but
nobody likes to recommend doing that.

I hate going back to factory settings if it can be avoided, but at least
you should end up with something that actually works.

 

[Mark Peterson]

Hi,
having same problems, want to change operating systems on my acer aspesire. Has this computer been set up to run on vista? Hope to put windows xp. How can I change operating system? there is no uninstall

Thanks,
Mark


EggHeadCafe - .NET Developer Portal of Choice
http://www.eggheadcafe.com

 

[Richard in AZ]

Hi,
having same problems, want to change operating systems on my acer aspesire. Has this computer been
set up to run on vista? Hope to put windows xp. How can I change operating system? there is no
uninstall

Thanks,
Mark


EggHeadCafe - .NET Developer Portal of Choice
http://www.eggheadcafe.com

You would have to buy a Windows XP disk.
Then set your BIOS to boot from the CD first.
Then with the Windows XP disk in the drive, follow the on screen instruction for a clean
installation.
This means format the disk and install XP.

But first.
Backup all your personal data.
Make sure you have the Windows XP drivers for your hardware.

 

[Guest]

i had the same problem!! get rid of zone alarm asap!!!! it crashed me about 3
times until i was finally able to get into safe mode and uninstall it..once i
uninstalled i was still dead, then i turned my machine off for about 5 mins
and rebooted...the thing acted like nothing had ever happened!!i found a good
free one at pcdoctor....no problems with vista at all and from what i have
heard and seen about zone alarm just as good...

 

[JCS]

The problem isn't Zone Alarm. It's the fact that the OP was running both
Jetico AND Zone Alarm at the same time. Probably had the Windows Firewall
on as well. If you use a software firewall, you should only use one, same
as with anti-virus software. Zone Alarm runs perfectly on all of my
machines.

 

[Charlie Tame]

Used to be that if you tried to install ZA without first stopping it
from loading at windows startup and then rebooting you would uninstall
the control panel but the firewall would protect itself and you would
end up with the firewall still running but no way to control / change
it's settings.

The fix was to reinstall, disable run at startup, reboot and check -
then uninstall.

I don't know if this is still the case so suggest you recheck what you
have done to ensure complete removal.

And I agree with others that any 2 firewalls together is a risky idea.

Software firewalls are not infallible so if you have a router in line
that is probably a good defense by itself and too much else should not
be needed.

 

[Guest]

Hi.
Just a clarification: Jetico and ZA were not installed at the same time.
First, I installed Jetico, then I had a crash and did a system recovery at
the point before Jetico installation; after that (and after a lot of other
installations and crashes and system recoveries) I tried to install ZA.
About Windows Firewall, I'm used to XP's version, which disables
automatically when another Firewall is active. Is this feature changed in
Vista?
Regards
Francesco

 

[Guest]

Hi,
having same problems, want to change operating systems on my acer aspesire. Has this computer been set up to run on vista? Hope to put windows xp. How can I change operating system? there is no uninstall

Thanks,
Mark


EggHeadCafe - .NET Developer Portal of Choice
http://www.eggheadcafe.com

Mark:

Before loading another OS on your computer, make sure and burn a copy of the
current OS loaded because you won't be able to load it back after you've
wiped out the hard drive. Press ALT and F10 to bring up the Acer eRecovery
Management screen and choose the option to "Burn Disc" down at the bottom. It
will likely take 2 disks or so. This way you have a copy of the OS to load
back on if you ever choose to. (Acer's OEM version of Vista is loaded from
the hard drive, so when you wipe it out with another OS, it's gone, gone,
gone!)
Also, remember to get all the drivers you will need to install for XP.

Good Luck,
~C~