how to reinstall without disk ('program files' folder still exists)

[adamgram]

I recently reinstalled windows and all the programs on my computer to clean things up. I didn't realize there was no installation disk (or else I lost it) for my DVD burning software. I'm really not even sure what version it was or anything... it came with my computer along with 8957393 other programs from Dell, most of which are worthless, but apparently I lumped this one in with MSN and AOL and all the other stuff I wanted rid of, not realizing what it was. I've never actually used the program before.

 

The 'Roxio' folder in my 'Program Files' folder on the C drive still exists, but when I click on the application file ('MyDVD') it gives me an error message saying it can't find a file called 'PX.dll' and that reinstalling the program might fix the problem. So does anyone know a way to reinstall using the files saved to the 'Program Files' folder without having a CD? Or is there any way to download a new copy if I can verify that I purchased the software with my computer using something in the 'Program Files' folder or elsewhere on my computer?

 

Thanks.

[james_hardin]

I recently reinstalled windows and all the programs on my computer to clean things up. I didn't realize there was no installation disk (or else I lost it) for my DVD burning software. I'm really not even sure what version it was or anything... it came with my computer along with 8957393 other programs from Dell, most of which are worthless, but apparently I lumped this one in with MSN and AOL and all the other stuff I wanted rid of, not realizing what it was. I've never actually used the program before.

 

The 'Roxio' folder in my 'Program Files' folder on the C drive still exists, but when I click on the application file ('MyDVD') it gives me an error message saying it can't find a file called 'PX.dll' and that reinstalling the program might fix the problem. So does anyone know a way to reinstall using the files saved to the 'Program Files' folder without having a CD? Or is there any way to download a new copy if I can verify that I purchased the software with my computer using something in the 'Program Files' folder or elsewhere on my computer?

 

Thanks.

IF you didn't buy the Retail version you will have to contact your OEM provider for the disc.

 

Depending on the time, you may be out of luck just like you would after the trash was picked up…

[adamgram]

Depending on the time, you may be out of luck just like you would after the trash was picked up…

 

That's a pretty great analogy considering the program files are still on my hard drive

[james_hardin]

That's a pretty great analogy considering the program files are still on my hard drive

Noooo, the trash was pickedup up and all you have left is the box it came in…

 

This is a self inflected problem, one that we have all done. Contact your OEM provider to see if they can help you.

 

Otherwise consider it is tuition for the school of hard knocks.

[adamgram]

Noooo, the trash was pickedup up and all you have left is the box it came in…

 

This is a self inflected problem, one that we have all done. Contact your OEM provider to see if they can help you.

 

Otherwise consider it is tuition for the school of hard knocks.

 

How is having all the program files except one .dll file analogus to an empty box? Most of the .exe files from the other programs I didn't reinstall with the new OS still work. This is the only one that I tried that gives an error, so it must be something specific about this program that works differently. I'm guessing that this PX.dll has something to do with a driver or some other piece of software that is installed on a part of the hard drive that did get erased.

 

I'm aware that waiting on hold for a Dell intern to tell me half correct information and send me a CD that will take 6 weeks to get to me is an option, but I'd rather have a lesson in computer science than the school of saying 'aww shucks, the zeros and ones have beat me again'

[grandpabruce]

How is having all the program files except one .dll file analogus to an empty box? Most of the .exe files from the other programs I didn't reinstall with the new OS still work. This is the only one that I tried that gives an error, so it must be something specific about this program that works differently. I'm guessing that this PX.dll has something to do with a driver or some other piece of software that is installed on a part of the hard drive that did get erased.

 

I'm aware that waiting on hold for a Dell intern to tell me half correct information and send me a CD that will take 6 weeks to get to me is an option, but I'd rather have a lesson in computer science than the school of saying 'aww shucks, the zeros and ones have beat me again'

 

So, you are saying that when you installed Windows again, you didn't format the hard drive? If you installed it over the existing Windows version, then you didn't clean up anything, you cluttered it up, more.

 

Do any of the programs work, if you try to open them? If they do, you could at least get which version of the software you have.

 

In the interim, I would try contacting Dell, even it is a PITA.

[adamgram]

So, you are saying that when you installed Windows again, you didn't format the hard drive? If you installed it over the existing Windows version, then you didn't clean up anything, you cluttered it up, more.

 

Do any of the programs work, if you try to open them? If they do, you could at least get which version of the software you have.

 

In the interim, I would try contacting Dell, even it is a PITA.

 

When I put in the XP disk, I chose the option to replace the existing operating system. Only the programs I reinstalled show up in the start menu, but all the old files are still in the 'program files' folder. In most cases, these programs still work. Roxio is the only program I encountered that does not. The 'My Documents' folder now takes me to the folder set up under my new user name, however the old 'my documents' folder was still on the hard drive in the folder named after my old user name on the C drive. I deleted this folder and refragmented the hard drive.

[bimicher]

When I put in the XP disk, I chose the option to replace the existing operating system. Only the programs I reinstalled show up in the start menu, but all the old files are still in the 'program files' folder. In most cases, these programs still work. Roxio is the only program I encountered that does not. The 'My Documents' folder now takes me to the folder set up under my new user name, however the old 'my documents' folder was still on the hard drive in the folder named after my old user name on the C drive. I deleted this folder and refragmented the hard drive.

 

Just because the old files are still in the programs folder after reinstalling windows does not mean that any of them will work properly if at all. The registry has at the least been modified if not completely recreated.

 

In your initial post you asked "So does anyone know a way to reinstall using the files saved to the 'Program Files' folder without having a CD?" There is no way you can install EMC from the files in the "programs folder" since those files were placed there by the install of EMC and are the EMC executables for running EMC

[grandpabruce]

When I put in the XP disk, I chose the option to replace the existing operating system. Only the programs I reinstalled show up in the start menu, but all the old files are still in the 'program files' folder. In most cases, these programs still work. Roxio is the only program I encountered that does not. The 'My Documents' folder now takes me to the folder set up under my new user name, however the old 'my documents' folder was still on the hard drive in the folder named after my old user name on the C drive. I deleted this folder and refragmented the hard drive.

 

You didn't do a clean install of Windows, then. If you only have one partition on the drive, then I would backup any files that need to be saved, then when you put the Windows CD in the drive, prior to booting up again, when it finally gets to the screen for the install, I would delete the partition that Windows is on, then create a partition with the free space, then have Windows format it and install to that new clean partition.

 

I have 4 partitions on my main hard drive, and I only install Windows, and a few programs on that partition. Everything else, including other programs and all of my important files, go on other partitions.

 

I do backup my e-mail daily, from the main OS partition, to a folder on another partition. Doing all of this allows me to format the C: drive, when I have to, and I lose none of my important files. I have to reinstall all of my programs again, but once that is done, I am good to go with that clean install.