Installation Woes

[Bobert]

Consider very carefully before you buy this product. You will note many installation problems in this forum. 1. Installation stalls and hangs up your computer. 2. Well into your installation you will get an 'Insert the Disk" box, but it won't tell you what disk to insert and neither of the installation disks will work. 3. You will get through the installation (you think) but you will be unable to regester your product and you will lock up your computer when you try. 4. If you try to re-install to fix whatever the problem was, you will get an incorrect CD Key error. 5. You can uninstall your bad installation and try again, but then you'll get the CD Key error again. 6. You can uninstall all versions of EMC, disable your virus protection, disable your antispyware protection, disable you firewall, download the 'fix' for CD Key error, defrag your hard drive, do a regestry repair, and disable all your startup programs and try a new install. It still will not work. And, it will have placed over 200 errors in your registry. After you have done all this as directed by various posts in their support forum and you ask for further help, Roxio will quit responding to your requests for assistance. I guess you could try calling them and pay the $37 for telephone assistance. I have had several previous versions of EMC and have come to expect difficult installation, but this product is ridiculous. I have experienced every one of the problems listed; I am not just listing other peoples' problems.

[FwFdfireman]

Like that "Spoon" story, that's a keeper

 

 

I made that up off the top of my briliant little mind! One minute I am brilliant the next dumb as dirt! Go figure!

[twhtow]

Yes Roxio does 'offer' a 30 day refund however in most contries they are required by law to offer refunds for non-merchantable quality products or products that do not or can not preform as advertised for 12 months from the date of purchase.

 

No reputable company now suggests that antivirus software or firewalls should be disabled prior to installing their products, many do recomend that no other programs should be running while installing software. I have been using computers extensively for about 25years at all levels and would never recomend that anyone install any program without some form of basic protection. I have recomended where known conflicts exist with certain software that the users might consider changing their antivirus software or installing a trial version of a different antivirus program prior to installing the software.

 

While I will be the first to agree that many people expect too much from older hardware, I rarely have encountered the same level of problems while installing other software - such as Nero, which installed fine on my system and runs as advertised. While I would prefer a better suite of products such as offered by Roxio I can not accept that a solution may be forthcoming, if ever.

 

For the sake of any further arguements about the hardware related issues I am using a system that is very comperable to your own, the only real possible difference may be that I actively beta test products for Microsoft and have many of their upcoming releases installed - most are however past their very shakey and trouble prone early days and are in the final stages of their development. I did of course consider that these programs may be causing some sort of conflict and spent a considerable amount of time uninstalling and then reinstalling these applications to ensure that they where not the cause of my troubles.

 

The only thing I have noticed that may be causing some sort of problem is that many of the people having similar problems are using Windows MCE (unsure which release, I am running 2005) while I can not say that this is definitly the problem I am left wondering if it may be a registery entry that I have overlooked - MCE 2005 did have a few applications licenced from Sonic included, I can not remember if the previous release also included these, but I believe that it probably did.

 

If anyone is aware of any known issues with Roxio Easy Media and Windows MCE please let me know as I would still prefer to be using Roxio over Nero on my machine

[silver]

You might also want to warn folks that the installation goes through, without a hitch for most people, but those people sure the hell aren't going to post in these forums, because THEY don't have a problem.

 

FWIW, not a single problem during installation. I bet the EU has McAfee installed.

 

You might also want to warn folks that MOST users can get some great help in these forums, if they ask a question.

 

But in order to ask a question one needs to have a clue as to what the actual problem is. Most people don't take the time to learn anything beyond the most basic of details on their system. How many times have I hears "Error code ? What's that ? when referring to a BSOD !

 

You might also warn folks that if you don't ask a question, you won't get help.

 

Telepathy is a requirement of tech support. Always has been. Now as to exactly how someone is supposed to read the mind of a zombie ...... !

 

You can also tell them that posting a rant is okay with most folks. Hell, we are users just like you and don't work for Roxio.

 

One thing I still lile about the USENET is filters

 

I dont necessarily think that the system configuration is a problem, but there may be some other software on the system causing a problem.

Out of curiosity how long ago was your last clean install of windows. The problems you describe seem to indicate to me that things just arent quite right on your system.

 

Prior to running a full OSRI, run System File Checker by clicking Start > Run > SFC /SCANNOW. Reboot and clear MSCONFIG's Startup. Start > Run > MSCONFIG uncheck Load Startup Items. Also if you have McAfee anything installed, uninstall it completely.

[gi7omy]

No reputable company now suggests that antivirus software or firewalls should be disabled prior to installing their products, many do recomend that no other programs should be running while installing software. I have been using computers extensively for about 25years at all levels and would never recomend that anyone install any program without some form of basic protection.

 

Is that not slightly contradictory? After all - if it is recommended that no other programs should be running during an install - just what is that A/V symbol doing lurking in the task bar if it's not running?

 

Seriously tho - when it's recommended that no other programs be running - it means EXACTLY that - NONE.

 

I would shut down A/V, all IMs, anything that may scan the computer during the install - for safety disconnect from the internet and once the program is in - then shut down, reconnect the internet and reboot - so that all stuff comes back running and your protection is on.

 

If you are worried about a trojan, virus or anything going in with an install (which is about as likely as a blizzard in the Sahara) - scan the installation discs with the A/V

 

btw - I've been working with these funny boxes since the days when a home computer ran on a Z80 with 1K or RAM

[FwFdfireman]

another flyby poster who is incorect on this product, you may have an issue , but there are 100,000 plus users who dont , so until you get your facts right, im thinking you dont know what you are talking about (only done 2 posts) you sure you dont work for Nero?

 

I installed Nero7 and couldn't get it to work. No matter what I tried........nada, IF, and that is a very slim IF, I could burn a disc.......quality was poor in video and/or audio. After several weeks of trying to fix it with NO success, I gave up.

 

Now everyone I talked to recommended Roxio. Purchased EMC9, installed PERFECTLY fine and operated as advertised.......PERFECTLY fine. Finished creating my project after a small learning curve of EMC9's terminology and interface and burnt my project to disc, all PERFECTLY fine.

 

And you know.......I never once lambasted Nero for not working on my machine as such is the nature of the beast.......which is computers, Operating Systems, programs installed on each machine in the world, what's running, up to date this and that and on and on and on.

 

To suggest that "No reputable company recommends shutting down this or that prior to install" tells me that THAT person is full of hot air, as MOST of the larger but I guess not very reputable software developers, including your major PC game distributors that are in a multibillion dolloar industry, they all recommend shutting down all anti-virus and unnecessary programs PRIOR to install. But hey, what do they know?? Obviously not as much as the individual I am alluding to!

 

Have any of the people that are having trouble installing Roxio........or ANY software.....made sure they are installing under an "Administrator Account"? Lots of software out there have this requirement in order to operate properly.

 

Have any tried installing in "Safe Mode"? Solves a lot of installation issues.

 

ANY software will work on some peoples machines and not on others.......and it's well written and tested, but think of the MILLIONS of different set ups and variations out there. Could you write code to work on all those systems?

 

ANYONE that comes on a board like this and tells everyone else that such and such software is crap and they better stay away from it JUST BECAUSE it didn't work for them is definately a RED FLAG for me and someone I put in my IGNORE list, as that individual hasn't been around long in this computer world or has but thinks they have the answers for all of us.

 

Thousands of years ago when the SPOON was invented.......there were a few hundered people that visited the "SPOON" forums and they posted such topics as:

 

1] The spoon is great!

2] The spoon is crap.....it isn't big enough and doesn't hold enough food.

3] I couldn't get the spoon to work as it was too big for my mouth.

4] I had trouble with the spoon, contacted tech support and they said try this and try that. Nothing worked. Then I realized I was holding the spoon upside down. Stupid spoon developers, they make a product and don't even supply us with a good diagram of how to use the #$^@ thing!

5] What's a spoon.......got a link?

6] Not me......I don't trust product developers, they don't really care about putting out a good product, they are just in it for the money......as for me, I am sticking with my hands!

 

Oh crap, wife just kicked my soapbox out from under me! Be smart, do your research and decide for YOURSELF. Roxio worked for me as it has for thousands.........Nero wouldn't, for me anyway......but it is working great for many.

[Larry]

Like that "Spoon" story, that's a keeper

[John at Roxio]

I dont necessarily think that the system configuration is a problem, but there may be some other software on the system causing a problem.

Out of curiosity how long ago was your last clean install of windows. The problems you describe seem to indicate to me that things just arent quite right on your system.

[twhtow]

Funny - the company line is have you tried this have you tried that - disable your antivirus, spyware, firewall - something that reputable companies stopped suggesting years ago

 

While yes the install may work ok for many users, it does seem strange that each new version seems to have the same old problems - just made worse with each release. Roxio was a great product but since Sonic purchased them and rolled in their own product the installation of the suite generally does not work as advertised, I am happy that I live in Australia where even purchases made online are protected by law and must be of merchantable quality and work 'as advertised'.

 

While Roxio's official line is that refunds will not be given on this product once it has been used, they in fact have no choice within Australia but to issue full refunds. I am certain that many other countries also have similar laws (and government departments) in place that do help the consumer when large companies such as Roxio wish to wipe their hands of all responsibility to resolve product issues rather than actively work at fixing them.

 

May I also suggest that anyone affected by this product contact the local tech media who seem to love running stories that show well known brands not offering the quality product or customer service that people expect (eg A.P.C., PC User, Atomic, etc, etc)

 

I also now note that I have 'joined' today 11th Jan 2007.

This will be the 4th time I have joined these forums as my details seem to keep 'disapearing' this has only been happening since Easy Media Creator 6 was released - about the same time the installation issues started - strange isn't it

[grandpabruce]

Consider very carefully before you buy this product. You will note many installation problems in this forum. 1. Installation stalls and hangs up your computer. 2. Well into your installation you will get an 'Insert the Disk" box, but it won't tell you what disk to insert and neither of the installation disks will work. 3. You will get through the installation (you think) but you will be unable to regester your product and you will lock up your computer when you try. 4. If you try to re-install to fix whatever the problem was, you will get an incorrect CD Key error. 5. You can uninstall your bad installation and try again, but then you'll get the CD Key error again. 6. You can uninstall all versions of EMC, disable your virus protection, disable your antispyware protection, disable you firewall, download the 'fix' for CD Key error, defrag your hard drive, do a regestry repair, and disable all your startup programs and try a new install. It still will not work. And, it will have placed over 200 errors in your registry. After you have done all this as directed by various posts in their support forum and you ask for further help, Roxio will quit responding to your requests for assistance. I guess you could try calling them and pay the $37 for telephone assistance. I have had several previous versions of EMC and have come to expect difficult installation, but this product is ridiculous. I have experienced every one of the problems listed; I am not just listing other peoples' problems.

 

 

You might also want to warn people to read the "pinned" topics at the top of this forum, because it lists a fix for the incorrect CD Key error.

 

You might also want to warn folks that the installation goes through, without a hitch for most people, but those people sure the hell aren't going to post in these forums, because THEY don't have a problem.

 

You might also want to warn folks that MOST users can get some great help in these forums, if they ask a question.

 

You might also warn folks that if you don't ask a question, you won't get help.

 

You can also tell them that posting a rant is okay with most folks. Hell, we are users just like you and don't work for Roxio.

[grandpabruce]

Funny - the company line is have you tried this have you tried that - disable your antivirus, spyware, firewall - something that reputable companies stopped suggesting years ago

 

You have evidence of that? I think not, since antivirus, spyware, and firewalls are much stronger and more complicated than they were in the past, and can cause a multitude of problems with the installation of software like Roxio, Nero, and others.

 

(Snip)While yes the install may work ok for many users, it does seem strange that each new version seems to have the same old problems - just made worse with each release. Roxio was a great product but since Sonic purchased them and rolled in their own product the installation of the suite generally does not work as advertised.

 

Many of the problems are bugs in the software, like any software out there. More problems are created when the computers that the software is being installed on, aren't up to snuff to run the programs.

 

While Roxio's official line is that refunds will not be given on this product once it has been used, they in fact have no choice within Australia but to issue full refunds. I am certain that many other countries also have similar laws (and government departments) in place that do help the consumer when large companies such as Roxio wish to wipe their hands of all responsibility to resolve product issues rather than actively work at fixing them.

 

Roxio does give refunds if a consumer purchases the product from them and asks for a refund within 30 days.

 

I also now note that I have 'joined' today 11th Jan 2007.

 

This will be the 4th time I have joined these forums as my details seem to keep 'disapearing' this has only been happening since Easy Media Creator 6 was released - about the same time the installation issues started - strange isn't it

 

These boards are on a new server, as of January of last year, so if you haven't signed up since then, your details wouldn't be here. Nothing strange about that now, is there?

[Bobert]

I contacted Roxio three times on 11/24/06. I got answers each time with things to try to make the installation work. None worked for me. I tried every suggestion. After many install/uninstall/reboot/registry cleanup ,etc. I became frustrated. I tried contacting Roxio on 11/26/06--no reply. I tried contacting them on 11/28/06, 12/01/06, and 12/02/06--all with no reply.

[REDWAGON]

Boy, after all the trouble you have gone to to solve your problem (And I'm not really sure what your problem is at this point), including Roxio support, I really think that there must be something else going on in your computer. Agreed, there are a few people that are having problems getting EMC to work right or installed, but there are way more, and I mean WAY MORE, that have installed it correctly and are using it without problems.

 

Also, not sure what hardware and other software you are running on your computer that might be the problem, as you haven't shown that in your post as far as your Signature goes. But seriously, all that has a lot to do with getting EMC correctly installed and up and running right.

 

And as Bruce has suggested, we are only users like you and certainlt don't work for Roxio and do our best to help others as best we can. And certainly there are problems that others have that we just can't figure out because we have no idea what's on that OP's computer, and that includes support from Roxio. That's why I still suggest that there must be some other things going on on your computer that we nor Roxio doesn't know about.

 

 

 

Frank....

[displayname]

A lot of what I do involves computers and software. I make DVD movies of bike rids, ski trips, hikes, outdoor stuff..People who see the DVD's always want to know how easy it was to do, and if I have any suggested software that they shoud buy.

I have to tell them to avoid Roxio, as it just has too many strange DLL issues that cause the product to operate incorrectly, or to not operate at all.

 

EMC version 9 is a good example. It promises the world, but it won't make a copy of a DVD or a CD.

Is the problem with my computer? Could be. But its a new laptop, with the latest updates. And the average user should NOT have to know anything about their hardware or arcane software related issues if their system is not more than a year old.

 

Any software that requires end users to solve each others problems (as we are doing here in these forums) should be avoided...

 

I bought the EMC 9 software because I had some success using version 7, but quickly found out that the EMC 9 doesn't recognize version 7 files very well..Now neither product will make a copy of a DVD or CD (note, these DVD's are not copy protected or commercial..all made by me using my camera and Roxio software).

 

The problem is caused by an HP dual TV tuner, but it came with the system, and the system came with the Roxio software..So you would think one or the other would patch it..But neither company seems to care. They don't have to refund your money, so why bother.

 

Avoid Roxi until they get their act together.

[Bobert]

My system:

e-machine T3085 with 1.5 GB RAM

160 GB Hard Drive (not even half full)

Windows XT Service Pack 2

AMD Athalon 3000+ 2.17 GHz Processor

NVIDIA GeForce 4 MX Integrated GPU

NVIDIA nForce Sound

CD ROM Drive

DVD/CD RW Drive

Visioneer 9120 Scanner

Logitech USB QuickCam 10

External 160 GB Hard drive (Western Dig)

Wireless mouse and keyboard (Memorex)

HP LaserJet 1022 Printer

Epson Photo 925 Printer

Epson PictureMate Printer

Cable Modem through Time-Warner

 

Does anyone know a reason why this system configuration could be the problem?

[The Highlander]

another flyby poster who is incorect on this product, you may have an issue , but there are 100,000 plus users who dont , so until you get your facts right, im thinking you dont know what you are talking about (only done 2 posts) you sure you dont work for Nero?