Hi guys,

I have a weird problem with Windows XP SP2.

(What's new, I hear you cry).

My Control Panel has disappeared from the start menu panel, nothing 
between "My network Places" and "Printers and Faxes".

I am the only user on the PC, and I have apparently lost Administrator 
privileges.

Does any geek here have a suggestion how I might restore the situation 
other than a complete re-install, with all that entails.   8-(

System Restore fails due to "A component missing", (a .dll file).

Any suggestions before I do something desperate?

Help much appreciated....
-- 
Gordon H

In uk.singles,  (Gordon H) wrote in <+lctniAinIUHFwjR@g3snx.demon.co.uk>::

>Hi guys,
>
>I have a weird problem with Windows XP SP2.
>
>(What's new, I hear you cry).
>
>My Control Panel has disappeared from the start menu panel, nothing 
>between "My network Places" and "Printers and Faxes".
>
>I am the only user on the PC, and I have apparently lost Administrator 
>privileges.
>
>Does any geek here have a suggestion how I might restore the situation 
>other than a complete re-install, with all that entails.   8-(
>
>System Restore fails due to "A component missing", (a .dll file).
>
>Any suggestions before I do something desperate?
>
>Help much appreciated....

http://www.techsupportforum.com/microsoft-support/windows-xp-support/182341-control-panel-missing-xp.html
-- 
Marc

If they were laws of nature, you wouldn't need to create a legal system to support them: 
gravity and thermodynamics work without any help from the government. -- Vicki Rosenzweig

Gordon H wrote:
> Hi guys,
> 
> I have a weird problem with Windows XP SP2.
> 
> (What's new, I hear you cry).
> 
> My Control Panel has disappeared from the start menu panel, nothing 
> between "My network Places" and "Printers and Faxes".
> 
> I am the only user on the PC, and I have apparently lost Administrator 
> privileges.
> 
> Does any geek here have a suggestion how I might restore the situation 
> other than a complete re-install, with all that entails.   8-(
> 
> System Restore fails due to "A component missing", (a .dll file).
> 
> Any suggestions before I do something desperate?
> 
> Help much appreciated....

One of the problems with Windows is that the first user on the system 
becomes the administrator. Having said that, normally you can see the 
control panel (at least on Windows 2000 - which is based on NT the same 
as XP is) even if you are not the administrator. Not being the 
administrator generally only restricts what you can do. In any case, 
check that you haven't created another user inadvertently. This can 
easily be removed if you have.

If that doesn't work you may have to repair the system, this should be 
an option in any XP installation if you insert the original CD.

-- 
John Wright

Aspergers - a different way of thinking.

Gordon H  wrote:

> I have a weird problem with Windows XP SP2.
> 
> (What's new, I hear you cry).
> 
> My Control Panel has disappeared from the start menu panel,
> nothing between "My network Places" and "Printers and Faxes".

I run XP, SP2 on my laptop.  For some reason "my network places" isn't 
on my start menue.

But I can get to Control Panel from My Computer, which is on my Start 
menue.  If you can get there that way, perhaps you can find a way to 
fix it.

Good luck.

Stu

Gordon H  writes
>Hi guys,
>
>I have a weird problem with Windows XP SP2.
>
>(What's new, I hear you cry).
>
>My Control Panel has disappeared from the start menu panel, nothing 
>between "My network Places" and "Printers and Faxes".
>
I've tried RUN control.exe and that doesn't work, reporting that "This 
operations cancelled due to restrictions on this computer".

Coincidentally, my NAV sub runs out in 4 days and I was going to remove 
NAV and try Kasperski Labs AV.

Surely Norton can't have goosed my PC during a "virus defs update"to 
prevent me removing it?

<Disbelief>

I will look at the forum suggested by Marc, but I also need to tidy up 
and bring my back-ups up to date

I am worried that I could have been hacked, even though I use Zonealarm.
-- 
Gordon H
(Remove "Invalid" to reply)

In uk.singles,  (Gordon H) wrote in
<mfCLNmBpxSUHFwD1@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid>::

>Gordon H  writes
>>Hi guys,
>>
>>I have a weird problem with Windows XP SP2.
>>
>>(What's new, I hear you cry).
>>
>>My Control Panel has disappeared from the start menu panel, nothing 
>>between "My network Places" and "Printers and Faxes".
>>
>I've tried RUN control.exe and that doesn't work, reporting that "This 
>operations cancelled due to restrictions on this computer".
>
>Coincidentally, my NAV sub runs out in 4 days and I was going to remove 
>NAV and try Kasperski Labs AV.

Also consider AVG, or ClamWin if you want to go the open-source route.

>Surely Norton can't have goosed my PC during a "virus defs update"to 
>prevent me removing it?
>
><Disbelief>

I wouldn't put anything past NAV.  I keep an especially long bargepole
handy, for not touching it with.

There's a tool you can download for getting rid of NAV properly: it gets
its hooks into your system, and often won't go quietly.

>I will look at the forum suggested by Marc, but I also need to tidy up 
>and bring my back-ups up to date
>
>I am worried that I could have been hacked, even though I use Zonealarm.

Those two states are regrettably far from being mutually exclusive.

Zonealarm (Free) suffers from its popularity- a large number of exploits
are aimed at its known weaknesses.
-- 
Marc

Hackers make toys. Crackers break them. (Peter Seebach)

Marc Wilson  writes
>In uk.singles,  (Gordon H) wrote in
><mfCLNmBpxSUHFwD1@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid>::
>
>>Gordon H  writes
>>>
>>>My Control Panel has disappeared from the start menu panel, nothing
>>>between "My network Places" and "Printers and Faxes".
>>>
>>I've tried RUN control.exe and that doesn't work, reporting that "This
>>operations cancelled due to restrictions on this computer".
>>
>>Coincidentally, my NAV sub runs out in 4 days and I was going to remove
>>NAV and try Kasperski Labs AV.
>
>Also consider AVG, or ClamWin if you want to go the open-source route.
>
>>Surely Norton can't have goosed my PC during a "virus defs update"to
>>prevent me removing it?
>>
>><Disbelief>
>
>I wouldn't put anything past NAV.  I keep an especially long bargepole
>handy, for not touching it with.
>
>There's a tool you can download for getting rid of NAV properly: it gets
>its hooks into your system, and often won't go quietly.
>
I have that downloaded, and I have a Kaperski CD with Computer Shopper 
this month - free 6 month trial.    It got a good review in CS a few 
months back especially compared with NAV.

>>I am worried that I could have been hacked, even though I use Zonealarm.
>
>Those two states are regrettably far from being mutually exclusive.
>
>Zonealarm (Free) suffers from its popularity- a large number of exploits
>are aimed at its known weaknesses.

Point taken.

 From the forum you mentioned I gleaned that there is a HKeys setting for 
Control Panel which is set at 1 instead of 2 in my registry.

When I look for help on backing up the register I can't find the subject 
in Help, and Ask Leo forum reveals the instructions for restoring Amin 
Privileges only for XP Pro, not XP Home.   :-(

Still have access to most stuff, but I will need control panel sooner or 
later.
-- 
Gordon H
(Remove "Invalid" to reply)

"Gordon H" <Gordon@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid> wrote in message 
news:RLrIM8BJ5WUHFwFg@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid...
  [Snipped]
>
> From the forum you mentioned I gleaned that there is a HKeys setting for 
> Control Panel which is set at 1 instead of 2 in my registry.
>
> When I look for help on backing up the register I can't find the subject 
> in Help, and Ask Leo forum reveals the instructions for restoring Amin 
> Privileges only for XP Pro, not XP Home.   :-(
>
> Still have access to most stuff, but I will need control panel sooner or 
> later.

In XPHome the administrator account is only accessible from SafeMode. This 
accounts password is by default BLANK (no password)

To get  into Administrator account

1. Turn off your computer.

2. Power on and hit F8 just after the BIOS check is complete (timing can be 
critical here - keep trying). Select Safe Mode from the List.

3. On the next page press ENTER.

4. Work you way to the Desktop. Goto Control panel

5. Double Click on Users Accounts

6. Give your user back admin rights or create a new user with admin rights 
for next time this happens!

7. For security give the administrator account a password (that you will 
remember)

Then restart the system.

In uk.singles,  (Gordon H) wrote in
<RLrIM8BJ5WUHFwFg@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid>::

>Marc Wilson  writes
>>In uk.singles,  (Gordon H) wrote in
>><mfCLNmBpxSUHFwD1@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid>::
>>
>>>Gordon H  writes
>>>>
>>>>My Control Panel has disappeared from the start menu panel, nothing
>>>>between "My network Places" and "Printers and Faxes".
>>>>
>>>I've tried RUN control.exe and that doesn't work, reporting that "This
>>>operations cancelled due to restrictions on this computer".
>>>
>>>Coincidentally, my NAV sub runs out in 4 days and I was going to remove
>>>NAV and try Kasperski Labs AV.
>>
>>Also consider AVG, or ClamWin if you want to go the open-source route.
>>
>>>Surely Norton can't have goosed my PC during a "virus defs update"to
>>>prevent me removing it?
>>>
>>><Disbelief>
>>
>>I wouldn't put anything past NAV.  I keep an especially long bargepole
>>handy, for not touching it with.
>>
>>There's a tool you can download for getting rid of NAV properly: it gets
>>its hooks into your system, and often won't go quietly.
>>
>I have that downloaded, and I have a Kaperski CD with Computer Shopper 
>this month - free 6 month trial.    It got a good review in CS a few 
>months back especially compared with NAV.
>
>>>I am worried that I could have been hacked, even though I use Zonealarm.
>>
>>Those two states are regrettably far from being mutually exclusive.
>>
>>Zonealarm (Free) suffers from its popularity- a large number of exploits
>>are aimed at its known weaknesses.
>
>Point taken.
>
> From the forum you mentioned I gleaned that there is a HKeys setting for 
>Control Panel which is set at 1 instead of 2 in my registry.
>
>When I look for help on backing up the register I can't find the subject 
>in Help, and Ask Leo forum reveals the instructions for restoring Amin 
>Privileges only for XP Pro, not XP Home.   :-(

To back up the registry, you merely need to export whatever part of the
registry you're planning to fiddle with.  It will be saved as a .reg file.
If you double-click on a .reg file, it will be re-applied, overwriting any
changes to that branch.
>
>Still have access to most stuff, but I will need control panel sooner or 
>later.
-- 
Marc

"When utensils were invented, the Catholic church condemned them. 
And we're supposed to be discouraged? Oh please. 
We're being opposed by people who denounced the fork" (Robin Morgan)

In uk.singles,  (Steve Purdy) wrote in
<47517f17$0$510$5a6aecb4@news.aaisp.net.uk>::

>"Gordon H" <Gordon@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid> wrote in message 
>news:RLrIM8BJ5WUHFwFg@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid...
>  [Snipped]
>>
>> From the forum you mentioned I gleaned that there is a HKeys setting for 
>> Control Panel which is set at 1 instead of 2 in my registry.
>>
>> When I look for help on backing up the register I can't find the subject 
>> in Help, and Ask Leo forum reveals the instructions for restoring Amin 
>> Privileges only for XP Pro, not XP Home.   :-(
>>
>> Still have access to most stuff, but I will need control panel sooner or 
>> later.
>
>In XPHome the administrator account is only accessible from SafeMode. This 
>accounts password is by default BLANK (no password)
>
>To get  into Administrator account
>
>1. Turn off your computer.
>
>2. Power on and hit F8 just after the BIOS check is complete (timing can be 
>critical here - keep trying). Select Safe Mode from the List.
>
>3. On the next page press ENTER.
>
>4. Work you way to the Desktop. Goto Control panel
>
>5. Double Click on Users Accounts
>
>6. Give your user back admin rights or create a new user with admin rights 
>for next time this happens!
>
>7. For security give the administrator account a password (that you will 
>remember)

For *real* security, don't call it "administrator".

>Then restart the system.
>
>
-- 
Marc

"When utensils were invented, the Catholic church condemned them. 
And we're supposed to be discouraged? Oh please. 
We're being opposed by people who denounced the fork" (Robin Morgan)

Steve Purdy  writes
>
>In XPHome the administrator account is only accessible from SafeMode. This
>accounts password is by default BLANK (no password)
>
>To get  into Administrator account
>
>1. Turn off your computer.
>
>2. Power on and hit F8 just after the BIOS check is complete (timing can be
>critical here - keep trying). Select Safe Mode from the List.
>
>3. On the next page press ENTER.
>
>4. Work you way to the Desktop. Goto Control panel
>
>5. Double Click on Users Accounts
>
>6. Give your user back admin rights or create a new user with admin rights
>for next time this happens!
>
>7. For security give the administrator account a password (that you will
>remember)
>
>Then restart the system.
>
Thanks Steve.  I have been in Safe Mode but can't find Local User 
Accounts.

I have printed out your instructions and will try tomorrow, been 
backing-up most of today...
-- 
Gordon H
(Remove "Invalid" to reply)

Marc Wilson  writes
>In uk.singles,  (Gordon H) wrote
>>
>> From the forum you mentioned I gleaned that there is a HKeys setting for
>>Control Panel which is set at 1 instead of 2 in my registry.
>>
>>When I look for help on backing up the register I can't find the subject
>>in Help, and Ask Leo forum reveals the instructions for restoring Amin
>>Privileges only for XP Pro, not XP Home.   :-(
>
>To back up the registry, you merely need to export whatever part of the
>registry you're planning to fiddle with.  It will be saved as a .reg file.
>If you double-click on a .reg file, it will be re-applied, overwriting any
>changes to that branch.

Cheers.   I know it's basic stuff, but I haven't had any real registry 
problems and have risked one or two minor edits without backing up.
;-)
I'm not sure what the significance of changing this particular key will 
be.
-- 
Gordon H
(Remove "Invalid" to reply)

In uk.singles,  (Gordon H) wrote in
<WQY568EEucUHFwFu@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid>::

>Marc Wilson  writes
>>In uk.singles,  (Gordon H) wrote
>>>
>>> From the forum you mentioned I gleaned that there is a HKeys setting for
>>>Control Panel which is set at 1 instead of 2 in my registry.
>>>
>>>When I look for help on backing up the register I can't find the subject
>>>in Help, and Ask Leo forum reveals the instructions for restoring Amin
>>>Privileges only for XP Pro, not XP Home.   :-(
>>
>>To back up the registry, you merely need to export whatever part of the
>>registry you're planning to fiddle with.  It will be saved as a .reg file.
>>If you double-click on a .reg file, it will be re-applied, overwriting any
>>changes to that branch.
>
>Cheers.   I know it's basic stuff, but I haven't had any real registry 
>problems and have risked one or two minor edits without backing up.
>;-)
>I'm not sure what the significance of changing this particular key will 
>be.

I've not had this particular problem, but it seems you're not the first.

With a bit of luck, it will make your control panel come back.
-- 
Marc

The Hacker Attitude:
1. The world is full of fascinating problems waiting to be solved.
2. No problem should ever be solved twice.
3. Boredom and drudgery are evil.
4. Freedom is good.
5. Attitude is no substitute for competence.                        - Eric S. Raymond

In message <+lctniAinIUHFwjR@g3snx.demon.co.uk>, Gordon H wrote:

> Hi guys,
> 
> I have a weird problem with Windows XP SP2.
> 
> (What's new, I hear you cry).
> 
> My Control Panel has disappeared from the start menu panel, nothing
> between "My network Places" and "Printers and Faxes".
> 
I thought Marianne had custody of the Control panel now?

-- 
Dave
mail da ve@llondel.org (without the space)
http://www.llondel.org
So many gadgets, so little time

Dave {Reply Address in.Sig} <noone$$@llondel.org> writes
>In message <+lctniAinIUHFwjR@g3snx.demon.co.uk>, Gordon H wrote:
>
>> Hi guys,
>>
>> I have a weird problem with Windows XP SP2.
>>
>> (What's new, I hear you cry).
>>
>> My Control Panel has disappeared from the start menu panel, nothing
>> between "My network Places" and "Printers and Faxes".
>>
>I thought Marianne had custody of the Control panel now?
>
I dunt know no Marianne.   :)
-- 
Gordon H
(Remove "Invalid" to reply)

Gordon H  writes
>
>My Control Panel has disappeared from the start menu panel, nothing 
>between "My network Places" and "Printers and Faxes".
>
>I am the only user on the PC, and I have apparently lost Administrator 
>privileges.
>
I downloaded Spybot S&D today and scanned.   It found a ZLOB downloader, 
two BOTS which disabled the CP on startup, and the usual tracking 
cookies.

After deleting them a reboot brought up the Control Panel.

There may be a few ragged ends, but I have Admin back, and have put a 
password on the Login and added a Guest user for when grandson Alex is 
staying here at Xmas.     ;-)
-- 
Gordon H
(Remove "Invalid" to reply)

Gordon H wrote:
> Gordon H  writes
>>
>> My Control Panel has disappeared from the start menu panel, nothing 
>> between "My network Places" and "Printers and Faxes".
>>
>> I am the only user on the PC, and I have apparently lost Administrator 
>> privileges.
>>
> I downloaded Spybot S&D today and scanned.   It found a ZLOB downloader, 
> two BOTS which disabled the CP on startup, and the usual tracking cookies.
> 
> After deleting them a reboot brought up the Control Panel.
> 
> There may be a few ragged ends, but I have Admin back, and have put a 
> password on the Login and added a Guest user for when grandson Alex is 
> staying here at Xmas.     ;-)

I have Spybot on all the machines here, and all the work laptops, too. 
I've not come across anything else that is as good at nuking malware.

-- 
Steve

steve  writes
>Gordon H wrote:
>> Gordon H  writes
>>>
>>> My Control Panel has disappeared from the start menu panel, nothing 
>>>between "My network Places" and "Printers and Faxes".
>>>
>>> I am the only user on the PC, and I have apparently lost 
>>>Administrator  privileges.
>>>
>> I downloaded Spybot S&D today and scanned.   It found a ZLOB 
>>downloader,  two BOTS which disabled the CP on startup, and the usual 
>>tracking cookies.
>>  After deleting them a reboot brought up the Control Panel.
>>  There may be a few ragged ends, but I have Admin back, and have put 
>>a  password on the Login and added a Guest user for when grandson Alex 
>>is  staying here at Xmas.     ;-)
>
>I have Spybot on all the machines here, and all the work laptops, too. 
>I've not come across anything else that is as good at nuking malware.
>
I must admit that I was impressed.    After all, Norton, AVG Spyware, 
and AdAware had failed to find it.

The outstanding issue is that I cannot switch on Windows Update, and 
cannot start up the Security Centre in Services.
(Due to "restrictions placed on this machine, see you Sys Admin").
;-)

Backup user stuff etc and re-install WinXP after Xmas holiday period, I 
think.
-- 
Gordon H
(Remove "Invalid" to reply)

In message <C92fRHBPbDYHFw0n@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid>, Gordon H wrote:
> 
> The outstanding issue is that I cannot switch on Windows Update, and
> cannot start up the Security Centre in Services.
> (Due to "restrictions placed on this machine, see you Sys Admin").
> ;-)
> 
> Backup user stuff etc and re-install WinXP after Xmas holiday period, I
> think.
>
As a practical thing, what do you use your PC for? You could try installing
Linux if you want to avoid the worst of the nasties. I run VMware Server
(free version) under Linux and run a Windows machine via that for the
occasions where I have to use Windows. So far it's coped pretty well, and
has the advantage that you can snapshot the image and restore to it if
necessary.
-- 
Dave
mail da ve@llondel.org (without the space)
http://www.llondel.org
So many gadgets, so little time

Dave {Reply Address in.Sig} <noone$$@llondel.org> writes
>In message <C92fRHBPbDYHFw0n@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid>, Gordon H wrote:
>>
>> The outstanding issue is that I cannot switch on Windows Update, and
>> cannot start up the Security Centre in Services.
>> (Due to "restrictions placed on this machine, see you Sys Admin").
>> ;-)
>>
>> Backup user stuff etc and re-install WinXP after Xmas holiday period, I
>> think.
>>
>As a practical thing, what do you use your PC for?

I follow your line of thought...
Looking up info on the web, Home Banking, I have a photo site, email 
contact with family/friends, newsgroups to a decreasing extent.
I pass some time on patience games or flight sims if I have nothing 
better to do.   ;-)

> You could try installing
>Linux if you want to avoid the worst of the nasties. I run VMware Server
>(free version) under Linux and run a Windows machine via that for the
>occasions where I have to use Windows. So far it's coped pretty well, and
>has the advantage that you can snapshot the image and restore to it if
>necessary.

You mean instal Linux on my old 933Mhz W98 machine and connect them via 
a router?     I should have added that I will replace the USB modem with 
a router in the new year, I think it is too "wide open" for real 
security.
-- 
Gordon H
(Remove "Invalid" to reply)

In uk.singles,  (Gordon H) wrote in
<O0M15KGUDQYHFwEu@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid>::

>Dave {Reply Address in.Sig} <noone$$@llondel.org> writes
>>In message <C92fRHBPbDYHFw0n@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid>, Gordon H wrote:
>>>
>>> The outstanding issue is that I cannot switch on Windows Update, and
>>> cannot start up the Security Centre in Services.
>>> (Due to "restrictions placed on this machine, see you Sys Admin").
>>> ;-)
>>>
>>> Backup user stuff etc and re-install WinXP after Xmas holiday period, I
>>> think.
>>>
>>As a practical thing, what do you use your PC for?
>
>I follow your line of thought...
>Looking up info on the web, Home Banking, I have a photo site, email 
>contact with family/friends, newsgroups to a decreasing extent.
>I pass some time on patience games or flight sims if I have nothing 
>better to do.   ;-)
>
>> You could try installing
>>Linux if you want to avoid the worst of the nasties. I run VMware Server
>>(free version) under Linux and run a Windows machine via that for the
>>occasions where I have to use Windows. So far it's coped pretty well, and
>>has the advantage that you can snapshot the image and restore to it if
>>necessary.
>
>You mean instal Linux on my old 933Mhz W98 machine and connect them via 
>a router?     

No, install it on your main machine and then run VMware and run XP under
VMWare.  It means you can run two or more OSs on one machine, one as a task
within the other.

>I should have added that I will replace the USB modem with 
>a router in the new year, I think it is too "wide open" for real 
>security.

$DEITY, yes- USB modems are the work of Satan (or possibly Stan, it's
theological grey area).
-- 
Marc

Good literature is about Love and War. Junk fiction is about Sex and Violence. (Ofer Inbar)

Gordon H wrote:
> Dave {Reply Address in.Sig} <noone$$@llondel.org> writes
>> In message <C92fRHBPbDYHFw0n@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid>, Gordon H wrote:
>>>
>>> The outstanding issue is that I cannot switch on Windows Update, and
>>> cannot start up the Security Centre in Services.
>>> (Due to "restrictions placed on this machine, see you Sys Admin").
>>> ;-)
>>>
>>> Backup user stuff etc and re-install WinXP after Xmas holiday period, I
>>> think.
>>>
>> As a practical thing, what do you use your PC for?
> 
> I follow your line of thought...
> Looking up info on the web, Home Banking, I have a photo site, email 
> contact with family/friends, newsgroups to a decreasing extent.
> I pass some time on patience games or flight sims if I have nothing 
> better to do.   ;-)
> 
>> You could try installing
>> Linux if you want to avoid the worst of the nasties. I run VMware Server
>> (free version) under Linux and run a Windows machine via that for the
>> occasions where I have to use Windows. So far it's coped pretty well, and
>> has the advantage that you can snapshot the image and restore to it if
>> necessary.
> 
> You mean instal Linux on my old 933Mhz W98 machine and connect them via 
> a router?     I should have added that I will replace the USB modem with 
> a router in the new year, I think it is too "wide open" for real security.

Linux generally uses a lot less system resources than windows, so it can 
give your old machine a new lease of life.

-- 
John Wright

Marc Wilson  writes
>In uk.singles,  (Gordon H) wrote
>>
>>You mean instal Linux on my old 933Mhz W98 machine and connect them via
>>a router?
>
>No, install it on your main machine and then run VMware and run XP under
>VMWare.  It means you can run two or more OSs on one machine, one as a task
>within the other.
>
I'll have to read up on that.     If I try anything drastic on the main 
PC I will want to get the old one onto a BB connection first for 
essentials.
-- 
Gordon H
(Remove "Invalid" to reply)

John Wright  writes
>Gordon H wrote:

>>  You mean instal Linux on my old 933Mhz W98 machine and connect them 
>>via  a router?     I should have added that I will replace the USB 
>>modem with  a router in the new year, I think it is too "wide open" 
>>for real security.
>
>Linux generally uses a lot less system resources than windows, so it 
>can give your old machine a new lease of life.
>
So I hear.    It's the choice between a business-like efficient system 
which doesn't have too many S/W houses writing 'fun' stuff for it, and 
Windows, which is more vulnerable and does allow a wider range of user 
S/W.
-- 
Gordon H
(Remove "Invalid" to reply)

Gordon H wrote:
> John Wright  writes
>> Gordon H wrote:
> 
>>>  You mean instal Linux on my old 933Mhz W98 machine and connect them 
>>> via  a router?     I should have added that I will replace the USB 
>>> modem with  a router in the new year, I think it is too "wide open" 
>>> for real security.
>>
>> Linux generally uses a lot less system resources than windows, so it 
>> can give your old machine a new lease of life.
>>
> So I hear.    It's the choice between a business-like efficient system 
> which doesn't have too many S/W houses writing 'fun' stuff for it, and 
> Windows, which is more vulnerable and does allow a wider range of user S/W.


That's not always true, for example you can run Second Life on most 
Linux systems, and many windows *fun* applications will run under Wine 
in Linux. And I haven't found Open Office to be any less good than 
Micro$oft Office, and its a damn sight cheaper - like free. We even run 
it on an XP machine too!

Mind you there aren't many native games for Linux that's true.

-- 
John Wright

In uk.singles,  (John Wright) wrote in
::

>Gordon H wrote:
>> John Wright  writes
>>> Gordon H wrote:
>> 
>>>>  You mean instal Linux on my old 933Mhz W98 machine and connect them 
>>>> via  a router?     I should have added that I will replace the USB 
>>>> modem with  a router in the new year, I think it is too "wide open" 
>>>> for real security.
>>>
>>> Linux generally uses a lot less system resources than windows, so it 
>>> can give your old machine a new lease of life.
>>>
>> So I hear.    It's the choice between a business-like efficient system 
>> which doesn't have too many S/W houses writing 'fun' stuff for it, and 
>> Windows, which is more vulnerable and does allow a wider range of user S/W.
>
>
>That's not always true, for example you can run Second Life on most 
>Linux systems, and many windows *fun* applications will run under Wine 
>in Linux. And I haven't found Open Office to be any less good than 
>Micro$oft Office, and its a damn sight cheaper - like free. We even run 
>it on an XP machine too!
>
>Mind you there aren't many native games for Linux that's true.

There's Oolite- for anyone who has fond memories of Elite.
-- 
Marc

Work like you don't need the money, 
Love like you've never been hurt, 
Dance like nobody's watching.

In uk.singles,  (Gordon H) wrote in
<fukuHbALIYYHFwm+@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid>::

>Marc Wilson  writes
>>In uk.singles,  (Gordon H) wrote
>>>
>>>You mean instal Linux on my old 933Mhz W98 machine and connect them via
>>>a router?
>>
>>No, install it on your main machine and then run VMware and run XP under
>>VMWare.  It means you can run two or more OSs on one machine, one as a task
>>within the other.
>>
>I'll have to read up on that.     If I try anything drastic on the main 
>PC I will want to get the old one onto a BB connection first for 
>essentials.

Well, get a router whatever, and ditch the modem.  You know it makes sense.
You can get a passable ADSL modem/router/switch/firewall for about 30 quid.
-- 
Marc

Work like you don't need the money, 
Love like you've never been hurt, 
Dance like nobody's watching.

John Wright  writes
>Gordon H wrote:

>>  It's the choice between a business-like efficient system  which 
>>doesn't have too many S/W houses writing 'fun' stuff for it, and 
>>Windows, which is more vulnerable and does allow a wider range of user >>S/W.
>
>That's not always true, for example you can run Second Life on most 
>Linux systems, and many windows *fun* applications will run under Wine 
>in Linux. And I haven't found Open Office to be any less good than 
>Micro$oft Office, and its a damn sight cheaper - like free. We even run 
>it on an XP machine too!
>
I don't use Office, but I use M$oft Works for all spreadsheet/database 
stuff, etc.   I have used it since I first bought a DOS based PC from my 
employer, ICL.
-- 
Gordon H
(Remove "Invalid" to reply)

Gordon H wrote:
> John Wright  writes
>> Gordon H wrote:
> 
>>>  It's the choice between a business-like efficient system  which 
>>> doesn't have too many S/W houses writing 'fun' stuff for it, and 
>>> Windows, which is more vulnerable and does allow a wider range of 
>>> user >>S/W.
>>
>> That's not always true, for example you can run Second Life on most 
>> Linux systems, and many windows *fun* applications will run under Wine 
>> in Linux. And I haven't found Open Office to be any less good than 
>> Micro$oft Office, and its a damn sight cheaper - like free. We even 
>> run it on an XP machine too!
>>
> I don't use Office, but I use M$oft Works for all spreadsheet/database 
> stuff, etc.   I have used it since I first bought a DOS based PC from my 
> employer, ICL.

Well I think you'll find Open Office better than Works all round. If its 
as good as M$ Office, its bound to be better than Works

-- 
John Wright

In message , John Wright wrote:

> Gordon H wrote:
>> John Wright  writes
>>> Gordon H wrote:
>> 
>>>>  It's the choice between a business-like efficient system  which
>>>> doesn't have too many S/W houses writing 'fun' stuff for it, and
>>>> Windows, which is more vulnerable and does allow a wider range of
>>>> user >>S/W.
>>>
>>> That's not always true, for example you can run Second Life on most
>>> Linux systems, and many windows *fun* applications will run under Wine
>>> in Linux. And I haven't found Open Office to be any less good than
>>> Micro$oft Office, and its a damn sight cheaper - like free. We even
>>> run it on an XP machine too!
>>>
>> I don't use Office, but I use M$oft Works for all spreadsheet/database
>> stuff, etc.   I have used it since I first bought a DOS based PC from my
>> employer, ICL.
> 
> Well I think you'll find Open Office better than Works all round. If its
> as good as M$ Office, its bound to be better than Works
> 
I always thought Microsoft Works was an oxymoron anyway.
-- 
Dave
mail da ve@llondel.org (without the space)
http://www.llondel.org
So many gadgets, so little time

John Wright wrote:
> And I haven't found Open Office to be any less good than 
> Micro$oft Office, and its a damn sight cheaper - like free. We even run 
> it on an XP machine too!

I use Open Office as the default on theis machine - but sadly it's just 
not compatable enough with M$ Office in a corporate environment to make 
it a full replacement - to do so would be a political act, not a 
practical one. It has issues with formatting Word documets, font kerning 
and dealing with Excel macros.

But if you don't collaborate between OO and Office, just producing 
things for your own use, then OO is brilliant.

With regard to the infection, have you tried rolling back to the last 
know good recovery point?

-- 
Steve

steve  writes
>John Wright wrote:
>> And I haven't found Open Office to be any less good than  Micro$oft 
>>Office, and its a damn sight cheaper - like free. We even run  it on 
>>an XP machine too!
>
>I use Open Office as the default on theis machine - but sadly it's just 
>not compatable enough with M$ Office in a corporate environment to make 
>it a full replacement - to do so would be a political act, not a 
>practical one. It has issues with formatting Word documets, font 
>kerning and dealing with Excel macros.
>
>But if you don't collaborate between OO and Office, just producing 
>things for your own use, then OO is brilliant.
>
>With regard to the infection, have you tried rolling back to the last 
>know good recovery point?
>
If you are referring to my original post, yes, I tried, but there were 
no valid checkpoints offered.    :-(

Ditto for Norton GoBack, which had a 48 hour regression available, but I 
suspect the infection had probably occurred before that point.
-- 
Gordon H
(Remove "Invalid" to reply)

Dave {Reply Address in.Sig} wrote:
> In message , John Wright wrote:
> 
>> Gordon H wrote:
>>> John Wright  writes
>>>> Gordon H wrote:
>>>>>  It's the choice between a business-like efficient system  which
>>>>> doesn't have too many S/W houses writing 'fun' stuff for it, and
>>>>> Windows, which is more vulnerable and does allow a wider range of
>>>>> user >>S/W.
>>>> That's not always true, for example you can run Second Life on most
>>>> Linux systems, and many windows *fun* applications will run under Wine
>>>> in Linux. And I haven't found Open Office to be any less good than
>>>> Micro$oft Office, and its a damn sight cheaper - like free. We even
>>>> run it on an XP machine too!
>>>>
>>> I don't use Office, but I use M$oft Works for all spreadsheet/database
>>> stuff, etc.   I have used it since I first bought a DOS based PC from my
>>> employer, ICL.
>> Well I think you'll find Open Office better than Works all round. If its
>> as good as M$ Office, its bound to be better than Works
>>
> I always thought Microsoft Works was an oxymoron anyway.


Too true, its a bit like the one which goes, if a train stops at a train 
station, what happens at a work station.

-- 
John Wright

Duhg: Captain Gatso's gang 'Motorists Against Detection' (MAD) have
 >> > > destroyed some 1,000 speed cameras and the Government have labelled
 >> > > them 'terrorists' but how many have been sent to prison so far, 
unlike
 >> > > those poor animal rights activists who are merely seeking to protect
 >> > > animals from mass torture ...
 > >
Someone else:  ... by digging up people's dead grannies,
 > >
Duhg: Its just a body. Bodies are being dug up all the time by the
authorities. So what?
 > >

How Duhg justifies animal rights terrorism.