GOODBYE - off to......................
-
keenart
Well, you can try another tactic I use, although I don't use caddies to swap drives, I do have an extra boot drive in the machine that is there as a backup. It has another Version of ME, and when my system goes down and a partition backup cannot restore, I just unplug one drive and plug-in the other and get on with my work until I have the time to resolve the issure with the other drive. Hard drives are a dime a dozen, someone was selling a 100 GB for $29 in a flyer the other day.
-
sjj1805
- Posts: 14383
- Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 7:20 am
- System_Drive: C
- 32bit or 64bit: 32 Bit
- motherboard: Equium P200-178
- processor: Intel Pentium Dual-Core Processor T2080
- ram: 2 GB
- Video Card: Intel 945 Express
- sound_card: Intel GMA 950
- Hard_Drive_Capacity: 1160 GB
- Location: Birmingham UK
keenart
Basically thats exactly what my system is except they are both plugged in.
If you enter the system BIOS you can select the Boot Order
e.g. CD drive first, then floppy drive, then Primary Master, then Secondary Master etc.
Normally when booting from a hard drive you are booting from the primary master. That hard drive is then assigned drive letter C and the computer loads up the operating system on it.
Secondary Master would probably be assigned drive letter D.
Now change the boot sequence so that after looking for an operating system on the CD, then the floppy, the third place it looks is Secondary Master.
What happens next is that the Secondary master gets assigned drive letter C and the computer loads the operating system on that drive.
Now you will find your primary master has been given a different letter, probably D.
To ensure that both systems remain completely independant of each other what you do is - with a brand new nothing on it yet - hard drive.
Remove the power lead from any other hard drives. Install your operating system. Now you can restore the power leads to the other hard drives.
Basically thats exactly what my system is except they are both plugged in.
If you enter the system BIOS you can select the Boot Order
e.g. CD drive first, then floppy drive, then Primary Master, then Secondary Master etc.
Normally when booting from a hard drive you are booting from the primary master. That hard drive is then assigned drive letter C and the computer loads up the operating system on it.
Secondary Master would probably be assigned drive letter D.
Now change the boot sequence so that after looking for an operating system on the CD, then the floppy, the third place it looks is Secondary Master.
What happens next is that the Secondary master gets assigned drive letter C and the computer loads the operating system on that drive.
Now you will find your primary master has been given a different letter, probably D.
To ensure that both systems remain completely independant of each other what you do is - with a brand new nothing on it yet - hard drive.
Remove the power lead from any other hard drives. Install your operating system. Now you can restore the power leads to the other hard drives.
-
wymjym
wow, this is such a 'work around'
the reason I mentioned making a virtual machine is that I can access it with a few clicks...and still have all of my other things running. I have enough resources that I wouldn't miss some allocated mem(ram) or hdd space.
I'll save this as the very last resort.
Has anyone ever loaded win xp, copied the registry, installed PI-XX and copied the registry, uninstalled PI-XX and copied the registry...then compare the files to determine what was changed during PI setup but not changed back when uninstalled.
the reason I mentioned making a virtual machine is that I can access it with a few clicks...and still have all of my other things running. I have enough resources that I wouldn't miss some allocated mem(ram) or hdd space.
I'll save this as the very last resort.
Has anyone ever loaded win xp, copied the registry, installed PI-XX and copied the registry, uninstalled PI-XX and copied the registry...then compare the files to determine what was changed during PI setup but not changed back when uninstalled.
-
keenart
Thanks for the info Steve. I keep the drive unplugged for security reasons, I need a safety net.
No not to compare Registry entries, since many binary keys are encrypted which you will not be able to decipher. If a programmer there are other options, but I would not get into that.
However, if you want to try to decipher the Registry you can use the ERD from Microsoft. Get the correct version. Do not try to use ERD to restore NTFS partitions, it won’t restore XP unless you are very creative with DOS disks and are running FAT32. I use Norton’s Ghost 2003 for DOS and backup my partitions instead. And, I do mean from a DOS prompt, not from XP. I never do incremental, only full backups. There are tons of backup software out there, choose wisely.
Anyway, you can convert the ERD to a text file. The problems are that if you do that you may run into about 7000 to 10,000 lines of code. I have tried to scan through these text files before and they give me a headache.
Here is what I do, install ME FAT32 on C:\ drive and second FAT32 partition E:\ for Storage. A new drive D:\ NTFS for XP SP2. Now I have a mult-boot configuration. Turn off the Restore feature. I use the Norton Ghost for DOS and backup each partition when necessary. Takes about 5 to 6 minutes for each drive C:\ and D:\ to back up to E:\Storage. I boot to XP and copy each partition backup to DVDs takes about the same 5 to 6 minutes for each DVD. I leave the original backups on E:\ just incase. I keep three months worth of backups, with passwords and any changes to the machine on the outside of the DVD. I may change a video card or something else in the system.
Like Devil, I reinstall all about once every 9 to 12 months to dump the accumulated junk in the Registry and on the Hard drive. That included the code from apps that are bound to trip over each other after running about 3 to 6 months. An inevitable occurrence! I also Hack the registry before installing and after uninstalling an app. I do not recommend this procedure unless experienced. If an app fails and hangs or crashes my system, I don’t uninstall, I drop into DOS with my disk and reparation from a backup. That takes about 7 minutes. Remember all of my current work goes to E:\.
All of the above rather than suffer a three day reinstall, which by the way, before I began this procedure, occurred at least once every 2 to 3 months. A weekend taken out of my schedule to reinstall everything from scratch and often much lost in the process. Once, that included a book I was supposed to finish in another month composed of four volumes, when a friend played a prank on me and sent me a virus in a picture destined for the book. It took three months to rewrite two volumes and the guy is no longer my friend.
I know it sounds like a lot of trouble, but I have three computers, 7 OS’s and I have lost count of how many Graphic Editors. Currently, I have two books on each of two computers I am writing with dozens of tutorials. More than 25,000 images on another, and I don’t even want to talk about all of the rest of the stuff I have on the other computers I cannot afford to loose or reinstall. I don’t take chances anymore.
No not to compare Registry entries, since many binary keys are encrypted which you will not be able to decipher. If a programmer there are other options, but I would not get into that.
However, if you want to try to decipher the Registry you can use the ERD from Microsoft. Get the correct version. Do not try to use ERD to restore NTFS partitions, it won’t restore XP unless you are very creative with DOS disks and are running FAT32. I use Norton’s Ghost 2003 for DOS and backup my partitions instead. And, I do mean from a DOS prompt, not from XP. I never do incremental, only full backups. There are tons of backup software out there, choose wisely.
Anyway, you can convert the ERD to a text file. The problems are that if you do that you may run into about 7000 to 10,000 lines of code. I have tried to scan through these text files before and they give me a headache.
Here is what I do, install ME FAT32 on C:\ drive and second FAT32 partition E:\ for Storage. A new drive D:\ NTFS for XP SP2. Now I have a mult-boot configuration. Turn off the Restore feature. I use the Norton Ghost for DOS and backup each partition when necessary. Takes about 5 to 6 minutes for each drive C:\ and D:\ to back up to E:\Storage. I boot to XP and copy each partition backup to DVDs takes about the same 5 to 6 minutes for each DVD. I leave the original backups on E:\ just incase. I keep three months worth of backups, with passwords and any changes to the machine on the outside of the DVD. I may change a video card or something else in the system.
Like Devil, I reinstall all about once every 9 to 12 months to dump the accumulated junk in the Registry and on the Hard drive. That included the code from apps that are bound to trip over each other after running about 3 to 6 months. An inevitable occurrence! I also Hack the registry before installing and after uninstalling an app. I do not recommend this procedure unless experienced. If an app fails and hangs or crashes my system, I don’t uninstall, I drop into DOS with my disk and reparation from a backup. That takes about 7 minutes. Remember all of my current work goes to E:\.
All of the above rather than suffer a three day reinstall, which by the way, before I began this procedure, occurred at least once every 2 to 3 months. A weekend taken out of my schedule to reinstall everything from scratch and often much lost in the process. Once, that included a book I was supposed to finish in another month composed of four volumes, when a friend played a prank on me and sent me a virus in a picture destined for the book. It took three months to rewrite two volumes and the guy is no longer my friend.
I know it sounds like a lot of trouble, but I have three computers, 7 OS’s and I have lost count of how many Graphic Editors. Currently, I have two books on each of two computers I am writing with dozens of tutorials. More than 25,000 images on another, and I don’t even want to talk about all of the rest of the stuff I have on the other computers I cannot afford to loose or reinstall. I don’t take chances anymore.
-
sjj1805
- Posts: 14383
- Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 7:20 am
- System_Drive: C
- 32bit or 64bit: 32 Bit
- motherboard: Equium P200-178
- processor: Intel Pentium Dual-Core Processor T2080
- ram: 2 GB
- Video Card: Intel 945 Express
- sound_card: Intel GMA 950
- Hard_Drive_Capacity: 1160 GB
- Location: Birmingham UK
That sounds like a good system and I can see your reasons for keeping the other hard drive unplugged to avoid virus attacks and perhaps damage from a sudden mains power failure. In fact it is in many respects similar to my method. I can keep all of my hard drives plugged in because I have a few more hard drives sitting in a drawer out of harms way, and already set up with my operating system and program files.
Should disaster strike I can simply turn off the computer. Slide the master hard drive out, then slide in a ready prepared hard drive and be back up and running in minutes.
I also concur that it is good practice to wipe a hard drive clean and re-install from scratch (well almost from scratch - I have my methods but too deep to explain here. Also dangerous if you don't know what you are doing so I won't go into that.)
I have several IT literate buddies and they all do the same - wipe clean and re-install. Its a good way of clearing out the cobwebs.
As you say though - it's a lengthy process that could take a week to complete.
By the way you may be interested in the tutorial I am creating which contains a lot more information concerning how I set up my computer
http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=13421
and also
http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=13950
Should disaster strike I can simply turn off the computer. Slide the master hard drive out, then slide in a ready prepared hard drive and be back up and running in minutes.
I also concur that it is good practice to wipe a hard drive clean and re-install from scratch (well almost from scratch - I have my methods but too deep to explain here. Also dangerous if you don't know what you are doing so I won't go into that.)
I have several IT literate buddies and they all do the same - wipe clean and re-install. Its a good way of clearing out the cobwebs.
As you say though - it's a lengthy process that could take a week to complete.
By the way you may be interested in the tutorial I am creating which contains a lot more information concerning how I set up my computer
http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=13421
and also
http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=13950
-
wymjym
Keenart...I really feel your pain. Sorry you lost so much work and a friend.
Steve, my approach is similar to yours in that I use a score of removable racks. Once a week a current backup of all work (data) is done and stored on a removable drive and alkso onanother machine. I cycle 4 drives, once a week the oldest gets the newest data. A backup machine is only connected to my network during backup and I keep 8 weekly backups of data on it. I also completely qhost my OS drive once a month and I keep two months worth of that around the place.
I have also lost much data and time because of others but,
there still must be a resonable way of getting UL PI to run on my machine without an OS reinstall, if there is not then I would like a simple explanation as to why this is the only product that has refused to function even with all of the support that knowledgeble individuals are offering up.
I remember the 'shut down' patch for win 98 and se.....it sort of worked for most people but if it didn't resolve the problem you were SOL. Is this what I have with UL?
wj
Steve, my approach is similar to yours in that I use a score of removable racks. Once a week a current backup of all work (data) is done and stored on a removable drive and alkso onanother machine. I cycle 4 drives, once a week the oldest gets the newest data. A backup machine is only connected to my network during backup and I keep 8 weekly backups of data on it. I also completely qhost my OS drive once a month and I keep two months worth of that around the place.
I have also lost much data and time because of others but,
there still must be a resonable way of getting UL PI to run on my machine without an OS reinstall, if there is not then I would like a simple explanation as to why this is the only product that has refused to function even with all of the support that knowledgeble individuals are offering up.
I remember the 'shut down' patch for win 98 and se.....it sort of worked for most people but if it didn't resolve the problem you were SOL. Is this what I have with UL?
wj
-
sjj1805
- Posts: 14383
- Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 7:20 am
- System_Drive: C
- 32bit or 64bit: 32 Bit
- motherboard: Equium P200-178
- processor: Intel Pentium Dual-Core Processor T2080
- ram: 2 GB
- Video Card: Intel 945 Express
- sound_card: Intel GMA 950
- Hard_Drive_Capacity: 1160 GB
- Location: Birmingham UK
Yes I think we are losing sight of the goalpost here, we are that busy describing how we have all set up our computer systems that we are ignoring your problem.
I came across this a couple of days ago
http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=12599
and after tearing the whole computer to pieces, registry and every sub-directory I could think of I had to give up in the end.
Its 2am here in the UK now so about to get off to bed, but I will take another look at your issue as soon as I get the chance.
I came across this a couple of days ago
http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=12599
and after tearing the whole computer to pieces, registry and every sub-directory I could think of I had to give up in the end.
Its 2am here in the UK now so about to get off to bed, but I will take another look at your issue as soon as I get the chance.
-
keenart
One More Time:
The *.cfg files gfill.cfg and gfill8. cfg are the files causing the mfc42 problem. They are created when Ulead installs. No association concerning mfc or these cfg files to Ulead is placed in the Registry. When Ulead tries to open it calls *cfg, which then calls mfc42. Ordinarily, during uninstall these files are deleted from the drive, which are stored in the Program Files Ulead System Folders. Ulead leaves about 20 to 40 keys remaining in the Registry, which usually do no damage. If you install a new version it rewrites a new *.cfg.
Here lies the problem:
If you install several versions of the same makers software, and then uninstall one of the versions, a passive uninstall may occur. That means one version may not completely uninstall because it detects another version. When you try to uninstall the last version, it too may not uninstall remnants left behind from the other version. What complicates this matter is the installation of an Upgrade which can cause even more damage during an uninstall.
There are two possible remedies:
1. Try to uninstall everything related to Ulead, everything, delete every Ulead Folder on every hard drive. Make sure there are no *.cfg files remaining. You might use Devil’s software suggestion and run a Registry Cleaner. Open the file to a text editor and compare, see if there are any Ulead deletions and save them for future reference if you have to add them back.
2. Turn off all of your Anti-virus software, shut down any DVD software in the background, InCD, Drag & Drop, that type of thing and reinstall the software. One Ulead Program only. If the program starts then go to preferences and uncheck “Check the Ulead Web Site daily for updates, “ this is important since IExplorer calls mfc42 to open an Internet connection. If the program does not work, then you have a damaged Registry.
If none of the above work then try to install Ulead on another multi-boot drive.
The *.cfg files gfill.cfg and gfill8. cfg are the files causing the mfc42 problem. They are created when Ulead installs. No association concerning mfc or these cfg files to Ulead is placed in the Registry. When Ulead tries to open it calls *cfg, which then calls mfc42. Ordinarily, during uninstall these files are deleted from the drive, which are stored in the Program Files Ulead System Folders. Ulead leaves about 20 to 40 keys remaining in the Registry, which usually do no damage. If you install a new version it rewrites a new *.cfg.
Here lies the problem:
If you install several versions of the same makers software, and then uninstall one of the versions, a passive uninstall may occur. That means one version may not completely uninstall because it detects another version. When you try to uninstall the last version, it too may not uninstall remnants left behind from the other version. What complicates this matter is the installation of an Upgrade which can cause even more damage during an uninstall.
There are two possible remedies:
1. Try to uninstall everything related to Ulead, everything, delete every Ulead Folder on every hard drive. Make sure there are no *.cfg files remaining. You might use Devil’s software suggestion and run a Registry Cleaner. Open the file to a text editor and compare, see if there are any Ulead deletions and save them for future reference if you have to add them back.
2. Turn off all of your Anti-virus software, shut down any DVD software in the background, InCD, Drag & Drop, that type of thing and reinstall the software. One Ulead Program only. If the program starts then go to preferences and uncheck “Check the Ulead Web Site daily for updates, “ this is important since IExplorer calls mfc42 to open an Internet connection. If the program does not work, then you have a damaged Registry.
If none of the above work then try to install Ulead on another multi-boot drive.
-
sjj1805
- Posts: 14383
- Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 7:20 am
- System_Drive: C
- 32bit or 64bit: 32 Bit
- motherboard: Equium P200-178
- processor: Intel Pentium Dual-Core Processor T2080
- ram: 2 GB
- Video Card: Intel 945 Express
- sound_card: Intel GMA 950
- Hard_Drive_Capacity: 1160 GB
- Location: Birmingham UK
wymjym
You appear to have tried everything else, have you tried this
http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=13950
You appear to have tried everything else, have you tried this
http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=13950
-
wymjym
Oh so many new things to try out, thank you!
The internet connection might be part of this fiasco. I do not use IE but it is on the machine and blocked by PCIllan. I use Firefox.
I also use incd, something else to look at.
I thought I had renamed all of the cfg files but I’ll look again tomorrow.
Steve, I think the new profile might work.
Keenart and Steve, you all might appreciate this approach.
In frustration today I grabbed a clean hdd and installed an instance of win2kpro sp4 onto it. I loaded all mobo drivers, I then installed all video drivers (for three monitors) and two different cards.
I then…gasp… installed UL-PI 10. It worked. Then I installed the wacom drivers for my tablet. It still worked. I unchecked the check www every xxx seconds. I rebooted. It still worked.
Now then this is not a windows multiboot system rather one where you assign the boot drive via the bios.
I changed the bios around to boot my regular H sata drive that has xp-pro on it. It started up fine, found the other drive. I went to the programs folder in the ‘new’ drive and made a shortcut for iedit.exe and brought it over to my xp-desktop. Breath heavy now……click click and UL PI-10 started up. I used it for 30 min tonight. I’m going to bed on that high note and we’ll see what the morrow brings.
wj
The internet connection might be part of this fiasco. I do not use IE but it is on the machine and blocked by PCIllan. I use Firefox.
I also use incd, something else to look at.
I thought I had renamed all of the cfg files but I’ll look again tomorrow.
Steve, I think the new profile might work.
Keenart and Steve, you all might appreciate this approach.
In frustration today I grabbed a clean hdd and installed an instance of win2kpro sp4 onto it. I loaded all mobo drivers, I then installed all video drivers (for three monitors) and two different cards.
I then…gasp… installed UL-PI 10. It worked. Then I installed the wacom drivers for my tablet. It still worked. I unchecked the check www every xxx seconds. I rebooted. It still worked.
Now then this is not a windows multiboot system rather one where you assign the boot drive via the bios.
I changed the bios around to boot my regular H sata drive that has xp-pro on it. It started up fine, found the other drive. I went to the programs folder in the ‘new’ drive and made a shortcut for iedit.exe and brought it over to my xp-desktop. Breath heavy now……click click and UL PI-10 started up. I used it for 30 min tonight. I’m going to bed on that high note and we’ll see what the morrow brings.
wj
-
wymjym
-
keenart
No, that information is written to the Registry in the form of Dwords and other binary coding. I would try to uninstall all of Ulead and cleanup the Registry and reinstall, before I would try hacking the Registry.
Something else you might try. If you have a working versioin of Ulead on another drive then copy the gfill.cfg and gfill8.cfg over to the drive where the Ulead version is not working and overwrite the old cfgs and see if that Ulead will start.
If interested and you have the time, you can alway install a good Registry Tracker on a working system with a version of Ulead that is also working. Takes a lot of patience and some understanding of the Registry.
Something else you might try. If you have a working versioin of Ulead on another drive then copy the gfill.cfg and gfill8.cfg over to the drive where the Ulead version is not working and overwrite the old cfgs and see if that Ulead will start.
If interested and you have the time, you can alway install a good Registry Tracker on a working system with a version of Ulead that is also working. Takes a lot of patience and some understanding of the Registry.
-
wymjym
Hi,
I am still trying to find the unfriendly files that are preventing UL-PI from running on my new system. No luck so far.
I have a little hiccup that I need some help with.
Originally the system was set up with only two sata drives.
This is my boot ini file
[boot loader]
timeout=1
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
My workaround involved installing win2kpro and UL on a separate hdd and then booting to one or the other via the bios settings.
The only way I could actually load win2k to a hdd (any drive on this system) was to unplug the sata drives until I was up and running (or else win2k would say there was a newer OS found and that it was shutting down).
The hdd with win 2k is an ata133 hdd and when I was finished I noticed that its boot ini file also said
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
What now occurs is that if I leave the ata drive connected and boot to the sata it takes around 4 minutes for xp to start and some of my little apps do not load because of the time element. I believe this delay is caused by xp trying to figure out which disk (0) is which. What change can I make to the boot ini file on the sata drive that will allow me to choose the os from within windows?
Thanks
wj
I am still trying to find the unfriendly files that are preventing UL-PI from running on my new system. No luck so far.
I have a little hiccup that I need some help with.
Originally the system was set up with only two sata drives.
This is my boot ini file
[boot loader]
timeout=1
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
My workaround involved installing win2kpro and UL on a separate hdd and then booting to one or the other via the bios settings.
The only way I could actually load win2k to a hdd (any drive on this system) was to unplug the sata drives until I was up and running (or else win2k would say there was a newer OS found and that it was shutting down).
The hdd with win 2k is an ata133 hdd and when I was finished I noticed that its boot ini file also said
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
What now occurs is that if I leave the ata drive connected and boot to the sata it takes around 4 minutes for xp to start and some of my little apps do not load because of the time element. I believe this delay is caused by xp trying to figure out which disk (0) is which. What change can I make to the boot ini file on the sata drive that will allow me to choose the os from within windows?
Thanks
wj
-
J_fike
You are correct. DAZ released a version of DAZ Studio which killed Bryce 5 (which is also a DAZ product and is linked to Studio for passing objects from DS to Bryce.) They changed a dll that Brcye used but now it was no longer compatible (with Bryce.)Devil wrote:This shows the stupidity of shared/common files. I have 11 different instances of MFC42.DLL installed on this machine, of 4 different sizes. They are all Microsoft but are used for different proggies. I suggest that it is totally ridiculous to have versions in ...\system32 and elsewhere, even in c:\windows\... (other than in system32). Some MS (and other) proggies have it also in their specific directories. Including C:\windows\..., 3 versions and 8 instances are used for MS applications.
I maintain that the only correct way of programming (and, yes, I have been a professional programmer) is a) NEVER, EVER, have common files relative to a family of non MS applications (e.g., each app must be self-contained and never sharing a dll between apps) and b) where poss, copy MS common files into each app directory and use that one, not the one in Windows\...
Their approach to fix the problem was to provide a local dll.
-
keenart
J_fike
I pitched my DAZ and Bryce a long time ago, and now will burn my Carrera Disc since DAZ bought them. Go to Vue, you won’t be sorry.
wymjym
I wouldn’t waste your time with all of the Bios Boot scenario’s. Get a copy of System Commander, Boot Commander, or one of the other Multi-boot programs that will hide one hard drive and boot the other. No longer will you have any problems with multi-boot.
I pitched my DAZ and Bryce a long time ago, and now will burn my Carrera Disc since DAZ bought them. Go to Vue, you won’t be sorry.
wymjym
I wouldn’t waste your time with all of the Bios Boot scenario’s. Get a copy of System Commander, Boot Commander, or one of the other Multi-boot programs that will hide one hard drive and boot the other. No longer will you have any problems with multi-boot.