I need computer help! Please?

breathesgelatin · #1 09-19-2004, 05:56 PM

OK--so I tried to install the latest version of AIM. But when I did, it kept getting stuck in the install when it was trying to copy a certain file. So to make a long story short, I ended up uninstalling AIM and trying to reinstall it.

However, now it is STILL stuck on the copying of this particular file. I can't get the installer to finish. So I don't know what to do.... Is the end of my instant messaging days?

AlphaSigOU · #2 09-19-2004, 06:29 PM

BG,

Be sure and temporarily disable any firewall and/or anti-virus programs when installing... some antivirus/firewall programs will think an installing program is malicious and locks up the system.

Likewise, run your defrag program before installing. Some programs run slow or not at all if the hard disk hasn't ben defragged.

If those two steps fail, delete and re-download the install file again... it's possible that the file got corrupted during download. (Why doesn't that surprise me coming from AOHell?

)

Hope this helps.

breathesgelatin · #3 09-19-2004, 10:59 PM

Well, the problem right now is that there is no uninstall file--it hasn't ever finished installing it! I don't understand why it keeps getting stuck on the copying-over of this one file--the mouse changes from an hourglass to a pointer and that point and the installation apparently freezes. I'm just sad because I want my AIM back!

I've never had any troubles with my anti-virus programs before, but I did disable them and it was no help. I can try a defrag but I don't think I'm due for one anytime soon.

I NEED IM!

Rudey · #4 09-20-2004, 02:39 AM

Usually with crap like this, there is no easy answer and it involves fiddling with the computer. You can manually erase the files and remove any AIM references from your registry too. You may want to give it some time also to install...maybe it will take time to get past that file. If all else fails, try tillium.

-Rudey

breathesgelatin · #5 09-20-2004, 04:14 AM

I didn't need a defrag at all... I may try the manual erasing but judging from my past experience doing that it always leaves deadends that just end up slowing the computer down.

I've had trillium before but I ended up uninstalling it.... I used to like it because you could use both ICQ and AIM but then most of my ICQ friends either got AIM or quit going online (Plus all of the ICQ upgrades sucked a lot)... I didn't really care for it when I had it... That was back, say in 2001-2002... Has it improved since then?

I'm actually leaning towards doing a reformat right now. My freshman year I was really dumb with computer and downloaded a lot of crap which slowed down the computer. Really all my important stuff would be easy to just backup and then just start over. I know that sounds like an extreme solution but I'd already decided to do it after graduation in June... what's the difference of a couple months, I figure?

Any other suggestions are welcome...

aephi alum · #6 09-20-2004, 10:21 AM

Computer problems are always tough to debug without actually seeing what's going on, but I'll try to help.

You say you downloaded a lot of crap. Get rid of it - then get rid of the spyware you probably downloaded with it. I recommend Ad-aware. Also, run a virus scan. Then try the installation again.

If you're still stuck, try an older version of AIM.

It should not be necessary to reformat your hard drive.

breathesgelatin · #7 09-20-2004, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by aephi alum
Computer problems are always tough to debug without actually seeing what's going on, but I'll try to help.

You say you downloaded a lot of crap. Get rid of it - then get rid of the spyware you probably downloaded with it. I recommend Ad-aware. Also, run a virus scan. Then try the installation again.

If you're still stuck, try an older version of AIM.

It should not be necessary to reformat your hard drive.

No, the stuff I downloaded was from a long time ago--like freshman year when I was dumb. I've since deleted it all and have Ad-aware and all that stuff. The computer just runs slower than it should because of all that in the past. And I don't have any viruses.

I may go with the option of trying an older version of AIM, but I really just want to do a reformat anyway and maybe I should go on and do that sometime soon due to all this.

BobbyTheDon · #8 09-20-2004, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by breathesgelatin
No, the stuff I downloaded was from a long time ago--like freshman year when I was dumb. I've since deleted it all and have Ad-aware and all that stuff. The computer just runs slower than it should because of all that in the past. And I don't have any viruses.

BG, downloading porn is not a crime and does not make you dumb. What makes you dumb iss when you actually pay for sites the way Rudey does...that is just dumb. but then again, he did go to a great school and is an investment banker and will never get either of the Bush twins because I will cockblock his ass immediately , so I guess its not actually that dumb for him to pay for sites

oh yeah, i recommend what rudey said. manually deleting everything and fiddle around. if not, just hit the motherboard with your fist several times and curse at it. then when someone comes in the room to see what the hell is wrong, just act like they are crazy and say " dude, I have no clue what you are talking about"

Rudey · #9 09-20-2004, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BobbyTheDon
BG, downloading porn is not a crime and does not make you dumb. What makes you dumb iss when you actually pay for sites the way Rudey does...that is just dumb. but then again, he did go to a great school and is an investment banker and will never get either of the Bush twins because I will cockblock his ass immediately , so I guess its not actually that dumb for him to pay for sites

oh yeah, i recommend what rudey said. manually deleting everything and fiddle around. if not, just hit the motherboard with your fist several times and curse at it. then when someone comes in the room to see what the hell is wrong, just act like they are crazy and say " dude, I have no clue what you are talking about"

Dude if you were about to hook up with one of them, I would pee on you from behind just to block. You will never get them.

-Rudey

breathesgelatin · #10 09-20-2004, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rudey
You will never get them.

Whatever! I am probably closer to the Bush twins via 6 degrees of separation than either of you!!

I still need computer help

decadence · #11 09-20-2004, 01:56 PM

1) Ensure you have free disk space. Both enough for the software and also for the install software to install temp files as it goes. This could include xxMB for temp files.

2) Re-download AIM version 5.9 installer as the install file may be corrupt.

3) Temporarily disable firewall if you think it might be a concern. You should make sure you're using one if you aren't already. E.g. Sygate's.

3) Run both Ad-aware and Spybot S&D. Ensure you use the in-built update features to download new reference files before using. Fix any faults found.

4) Ensure you have an up-to-date virus checker. Either one from Symantec or McAfee or even a free one from Grisoft. Update product & run virus check. You may then temporarily disable the product if you believe it might interfere with the installation.

5) Purge your cache, temp files etc of all the "material" that downloaded over the course of your filthy freshman year. Suggested tool is Window Washer, available as shareware.

6) Use the add/remove programs feature in Windows (if you're using a Mac you should've stopped reading much earlier) to remove any unecessary programs and their files.

7) For remaining unecessary programs use the uninstall program in their directory; usually called unwise.exe.

8) Attempt to re-install the AIM program.

9) Attempt to re-install in Safe mode if problems experienced (F8 at Windows startup).

10) Hook me up with the Bush Twins that you're close to if the above works.

Rudey · #12 09-20-2004, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by breathesgelatin
Whatever! I am probably closer to the Bush twins via 6 degrees of separation than either of you!!

I still need computer help

My friend's friend -sorta my friend - was in the same chapter at Texas.

-Rudey

decadence · #13 09-20-2004, 02:00 PM

Rudey I don't care whether you or BG hook me up with them just so long as we're partyin' by Tuesday.

KSig RC · #14 09-20-2004, 02:04 PM

Another thing to consider, if the problem is actually 'freezing', is that it is most likely at root a memory issue (def related to 'downloading a bunch of crap,' usually) - before you run the install, clear out any programs set to boot at start that might be running in the backround via cntl-alt-delete. If this helps, you'll want to permanently prevent them from loading, which we can get into later - this will also require you to use spybot and ad-aware.

breathesgelatin · #15 09-20-2004, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rudey
My friend's friend -sorta my friend - was in the same chapter at Texas.

-Rudey

I am casual friends with one of their good friends from high school. Or so I hear, I've never actually talked about it with this person but I heard that she was in their group. A lot of people from their high school go to W&L actually, and my ex-boyfriend was from Austin via Houston so he knew people that knew them since he was the same age and went to one of the elite Austin high schools.

Supposedly, one of them (Jenna?? not sure) really wanted to come to W&L but the security office here told her they just didn't have the resources to deal with it. Sad!

I am doing some massive computer maintenance and will update with my progress after my required philosophy majors meeting! woo.