Windows Installer
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,968
Likes: 104
From: Devon
Windows Installer
A few months ago the old PC was replaced with a nice, brand spanking new one. Complete with integrated printer and scanner. Every thing worked well - and still does. But....
Recently (in the last week or so) every time I power up the computer I get a "Windows Installer" icon on the screen saying "Preparing to Install". It appears to be installing something and then goes away again after a few seconds. The same thing happens every time I turn the printer on or off.
I was prompted to reinstall the software for the printer and didso, by my new friend Window Installer keeps coming back?
What's going on? And how do I sort it out?
PS I am curently having problems with connecting to the internet, being disconnected etc but this is probably due to audible noise on the line - must phone BT....
Recently (in the last week or so) every time I power up the computer I get a "Windows Installer" icon on the screen saying "Preparing to Install". It appears to be installing something and then goes away again after a few seconds. The same thing happens every time I turn the printer on or off.
I was prompted to reinstall the software for the printer and didso, by my new friend Window Installer keeps coming back?
What's going on? And how do I sort it out?
PS I am curently having problems with connecting to the internet, being disconnected etc but this is probably due to audible noise on the line - must phone BT....
The Oracle
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 0
From: Naples, Florida U.S.A.
WE Branch Fanatic,
The amount of information you gave amounts to a question in aviation terms like this:
"My friend has a problem with his airplane. The plane has a propeller on it. What do you think is wrong with it?"
Take Care,
Richard
P.S. It would really help having the specs on your hardware and OS.
The amount of information you gave amounts to a question in aviation terms like this:
"My friend has a problem with his airplane. The plane has a propeller on it. What do you think is wrong with it?"
Take Care,
Richard
P.S. It would really help having the specs on your hardware and OS.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,968
Likes: 104
From: Devon
HP Pavilion a330.uk
260+ (1.91GHz)
AMD Athlon XP
256MB DDR
HP DVD writer
NVIDIA GeForce4 MX-440
64 MB video memory
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Microsoft works suite 2003
v92 ready modem
IEEE 1394 interface
Wish it would stop disconnecting and needing to reconnect...noise on the line.
260+ (1.91GHz)
AMD Athlon XP
256MB DDR
HP DVD writer
NVIDIA GeForce4 MX-440
64 MB video memory
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Microsoft works suite 2003
v92 ready modem
IEEE 1394 interface
Wish it would stop disconnecting and needing to reconnect...noise on the line.
The Oracle
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 0
From: Naples, Florida U.S.A.
WE Branch Fanatic,
The only thing I could find on the HP Site was:
Multiple Windows Installer Windows Appear at Startup After Uninstalling Software
I do not think it is much help though,
Richard
The only thing I could find on the HP Site was:
Multiple Windows Installer Windows Appear at Startup After Uninstalling Software
I do not think it is much help though,
Richard
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 13
From: UK
Strange that, I spent a while last night with the same symptoms. On switch on, a windows installer dialogue box would appear, appear to do something for a while and then disappear. Evry time I tried to print anything it went into the queue and stayed there.
Eventually I realised that there was a copy of my printer installed in the printers and faxes section of the control panel and that it had become the default. I deleted the copy and reset the original one to be the default. The installer and printing problems have all gone.
Interestingly, Richard, that link is to the HP website and I have a HP printer. I had been visiting the HP site but had not installed or uninstalled any software. I had just done a windows update however.
Eventually I realised that there was a copy of my printer installed in the printers and faxes section of the control panel and that it had become the default. I deleted the copy and reset the original one to be the default. The installer and printing problems have all gone.
Interestingly, Richard, that link is to the HP website and I have a HP printer. I had been visiting the HP site but had not installed or uninstalled any software. I had just done a windows update however.
The Oracle
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 0
From: Naples, Florida U.S.A.
Background Noise,
The plot thickens. Thanx for the heads up. I think it would be a good idea for WE Branch Fanatic, to uninstall any HP Printer Software. Then go into Printers and Faxes and remove any printers listed in there.
Then from there, do a fresh install of the latest HP Printer Drivers. (That is if, the printer is not already native to WinXP.)
Take Care,
Richard
The plot thickens. Thanx for the heads up. I think it would be a good idea for WE Branch Fanatic, to uninstall any HP Printer Software. Then go into Printers and Faxes and remove any printers listed in there.
Then from there, do a fresh install of the latest HP Printer Drivers. (That is if, the printer is not already native to WinXP.)
Take Care,
Richard
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: UK
WEBF
The noise on your phone line can be reduced by having BT turn the gain down. Downside to this is that your connection speed will drop too. If the noise issue doesn't fix the problem, given the cheapness of components, I would swap out the modem for all of the tenner it will cost you from someone like Aria (provided that this doesn't invalidate your warranty if you have one).
GM
The noise on your phone line can be reduced by having BT turn the gain down. Downside to this is that your connection speed will drop too. If the noise issue doesn't fix the problem, given the cheapness of components, I would swap out the modem for all of the tenner it will cost you from someone like Aria (provided that this doesn't invalidate your warranty if you have one).
GM
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,968
Likes: 104
From: Devon
1. Phone line replaced - noise and data rate problems solved.
2. Windows Installer keeps coming up and going away after a few seconds at power up and when turning the printer on/off?
3. Would e-mailing HP help?
4. Does it matter? Can I safely ignore it?
2. Windows Installer keeps coming up and going away after a few seconds at power up and when turning the printer on/off?
3. Would e-mailing HP help?
4. Does it matter? Can I safely ignore it?
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
From: Red Red Back to Bed
WEBF
Now your phone line has been replaced and therefore your connection problems sorted, you might want to think about phoning your local telephone exchange and asking them to turn OFF the (I think it is called) automatic levelling control. This feature basically ensures that the volume of anyone calling you (in your phone speaker) is kept constant even though as we know different people speak at different volumes. Ever noticed this on a phone, how the voice volume remains the same even with different people?
Anyway by getting this feature turned off, you can increase your data-rate. The downside is that it wont now be regulating the volume of your voice comms, however a small price to pay (just turn down the volume on the handset if able).
Now I know where you live, it is quite close to where I used to live and I got this thing turned off and as a result my data-rate went up 20%. You have to phone your local exchange and talk to an engineer, not BT residential services (as they wont understand what you are going on about). Just a thought.
Oggin
Now your phone line has been replaced and therefore your connection problems sorted, you might want to think about phoning your local telephone exchange and asking them to turn OFF the (I think it is called) automatic levelling control. This feature basically ensures that the volume of anyone calling you (in your phone speaker) is kept constant even though as we know different people speak at different volumes. Ever noticed this on a phone, how the voice volume remains the same even with different people?
Anyway by getting this feature turned off, you can increase your data-rate. The downside is that it wont now be regulating the volume of your voice comms, however a small price to pay (just turn down the volume on the handset if able).
Now I know where you live, it is quite close to where I used to live and I got this thing turned off and as a result my data-rate went up 20%. You have to phone your local exchange and talk to an engineer, not BT residential services (as they wont understand what you are going on about). Just a thought.
Oggin
