Install Problem on Dell Dimension

[DrDon995]

Windows Media Center 2005 (XP) running on a fully dressed out Dell Dimension. Max Ram.

 

Well, I'm at my wit's end. My computer is quite wrecked and I not only don't have Creator installed, but I've lost all DVD burning functionality from Windows Media Center and can't get it back.

 

Here's what I did.

 

Attempted to install downloaded Creator 2009. Install of .Net Framework 3.5 failed, install failed.

Chat Help had me install .Net Framework 3.5 SP1 first. This caused Creator's install to fail when attempting to install Net Framework 3.5.

 

Removed all versions of .Net Framework.

Followed instructions TO THE LETTER for a clean install.

Clean Install installed, but launching the program caused an instant error message.

 

Read the threads about dsetup.dll and milcore.dll. The milcore file was always present in system32 and there were no instances of dsetup anywhere on the computer. So, that wasn't it.

 

Attempted to uninstall Creator 2009. Uninstall also produced error message. Couldn't run program, couldn't uninstall it.

 

Attempted to rollback computer only to find out Roxio install had wiped out all of my restore points. All of them.

 

Went through by hand to uninstall Creator 2009.

 

Got Roxio Creator 10.1. It installed, but there is no option to burn DVDs of my recorded TV shows. And now, thanks to removing any hint of Sonic during the clean install, Windows Media Center no longer will burn a DVD.

 

In short, about 10 hours of frustration later and nothing works. Programs on my computer are now painfully slow to load and I'm getting error messages with every turn. I will most likely have to reinstall Windows.

 

Now, tell me how I can get things back the way they were or get this freaking program installed.

[gi7omy]

If you had followed the clean install instructions exactly as printed you wouldn't have removed the built in burning of Windows.

 

By removing ALL Sonic entries, you disabled that as Sonic provide the engine for the Windows system and you have actually done that yourself.

 

The advice, if I recall correctly, was to back up your registry before editing - did you not do that?

 

If not, then you are going to have to bite the bullet and format C:\ and re-install Windows as you seem to have damaged it beyond repair

[DrDon995]

If you had followed the clean install instructions exactly as printed you wouldn't have removed the built in burning of Windows.

 

By removing ALL Sonic entries, you disabled that as Sonic provide the engine for the Windows system and you have actually done that yourself.

 

The advice, if I recall correctly, was to back up your registry before editing - did you not do that?

 

If not, then you are going to have to bite the bullet and format C:\ and re-install Windows as you seem to have damaged it beyond repair

The clean install instructions had me remove all things Roxio and Sonic. Yes, I backed up the registry. First thing I did was restore it. That did not bring back the Sonic burner.

 

I don't think I'm at fault for damaging Windows. A well-written install routine would not have needed such under-the-hood work. In fact, no install routine should need this kind of effort and few do. From the looks of what I can see on this board and many others, the failure rate is far above the norm. The program already has a service pack. That tells me the whole thing was either rushed or not properly tested. The install routine certainly was not tested on enough "typical" systems.

 

So, please.. spare the criticism aimed at me. What I do need is either the issue solved or some instructions on restoring my old DVD burning capabilities. I'm out 90 bucks and two days. I now have Windows running about as well as it was, previously. Reinstalling the OS is not an option at this time. Put another way, I don't have enough time off until Christmas.

[Jim_Hardin]

What are these error messages you mention but have left out?

[gi7omy]

Criticism is aimed at where it is needed - it does NOT say anywhere on the Clean Install to remove ALL Sonic references:

 

Remove these keys from the registry:

 

WARNING: THE NEXT STEP INVOLVES EDITING YOUR SYSTEM REGISTRY. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU EXPORT YOUR REGISTRY BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY EDITING. EDITING YOUR REGISTRY INCORRECTLY CAN CAUSE IRREPARABLE SYSTEM DAMAGE.

 

 

Registry Edit instructions for HKEY_CURRENT_USER folder:

 

* Click on Start --> Type "regedit" in the Search field and press Enter on your keyboard.

* Double-click the HKEY_CURRENT_USER folder this will expand or open the folder.

* Locate the Software folder.

* Locate the Roxio folder.

* Right click on Roxio and click delete.

* Do the same for the Sonic folder (if present).

* Close the HKEY_CURRENT_USER folder.

 

 

 

Registry Edit instructions for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder:

 

* Double-click the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder this will expand or open the folder.

* Locate the Software folder

o Locate the Roxio, Sonic, Sonic Desktop Software folders

+ Right click on each folder and click Delete.

o Locate the Wow6432Node folder

+ Right click on the Roxio and Sonic folders and click Delete.

* Close the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder.

 

It mentions TWO registry entries - NOTHING MORE!!!!!!!

 

If you decided to go farther than that then I repeat, what happened was your own doing

 

[DrDon995]

No, that's exactly what I did. To me, that's "all things sonic and Roxio." Folders were deleted as were registry keys according to instructions. One of the deleted Sonic folders must have contained that which is necessary for WMC to burn discs. I need that back. It appears a clean install is my only option, but I still insist, the install routine should have not behaved this way.

 

To your question about error messages:

 

I haven't gotten any error message that I haven't seen repeated here. Upon first install, everything came to a halt during .NET Framework 3.5 installation with one of those "Windows has detected a problem with this software and needs to close." Followed by the "send information to Microsoft" buttons. Clicking exit brought up the Roxio installer which said "finished." Obviously, it was not.

 

Installing Creator 2009 with NET Framework 3.5 SP1 installed (as suggested by Roxio Chat support) also halted at NET Framework 3.5 installation, only this time the simple message was that NET Framework's installer "encountered an error" and could not continue. Closing that window repeated the "finished" thing I mentioned above.

 

Clean install after removing all of NET Framework (through Add/Remove, then Windows Installer Cleanup) shutting down all startup programs, editing the registry and removing directories got a success message and a desktop icon. Clicking on that icon (or trying to start the program from any other method) brought up the word "SONIC" in a splash screen followed immediately by another "Windows has detected a problem with this software and needs to close."

 

FWIW, I repeated the clean install a second time with exactly the same results. Also searched for issues others had w/r/t removed files (they weren't) and undeleted dll files (none found).

 

I've only had one other debacle quite like this and that happened when I tried to install Norton System Works on a computer that had a previous version of Norton AntiVirus still on it. Granted, this was in the Windows 98SE days, but Symantec eventually refunded my money and admitted they hadn't tried to install their program on a machine that had a much-older version of their utilities still on it. It simply would not install. Been a McAfee user ever since.

 

And apologies for my earlier tone. The frustration level makes me a little snitty.

[gi7omy]

Please listen carefully

 

The instructions in the Clean Install document were VERY specific.

 

If you added to those, then the fault lies with you.

 

I agree that uninstall is ineffective, but that holds true for any software - the installer is provided by Microsoft (hence MicroSoft Installer - .msi)

 

What happened in your case was a faulty partial install - some keys were added during that and they blocked any further install attempts - hence the KB article on clean install.

 

The reason for the partial install was, again, down to a Microsoft update (dotNET 3.5 SP1) which actually removed a needed .dll file. That is the original cause of your problem.

 

This is not the first time (and probably won't be the last) that an update from Redmond has a very severe knock-on effect on application software

[Jim_Hardin]

No, that's exactly what I did. To me, that's "all things sonic and Roxio." Folders were deleted as were registry keys according to instructions. One of the deleted Sonic folders must have contained that which is necessary for WMC to burn discs. I need that back. It appears a clean install is my only option, but I still insist, the install routine should have not behaved this way.

 

To your question about error messages:

 

I haven't gotten any error message that I haven't seen repeated here. Upon first install, everything came to a halt during .NET Framework 3.5 installation with one of those "Windows has detected a problem with this software and needs to close." Followed by the "send information to Microsoft" buttons. Clicking exit brought up the Roxio installer which said "finished." Obviously, it was not.

 

Installing Creator 2009 with NET Framework 3.5 SP1 installed (as suggested by Roxio Chat support) also halted at NET Framework 3.5 installation, only this time the simple message was that NET Framework's installer "encountered an error" and could not continue. Closing that window repeated the "finished" thing I mentioned above.

 

Clean install after removing all of NET Framework (through Add/Remove, then Windows Installer Cleanup) shutting down all startup programs, editing the registry and removing directories got a success message and a desktop icon. Clicking on that icon (or trying to start the program from any other method) brought up the word "SONIC" in a splash screen followed immediately by another "Windows has detected a problem with this software and needs to close."

 

FWIW, I repeated the clean install a second time with exactly the same results. Also searched for issues others had w/r/t removed files (they weren't) and undeleted dll files (none found).

 

I've only had one other debacle quite like this and that happened when I tried to install Norton System Works on a computer that had a previous version of Norton AntiVirus still on it. Granted, this was in the Windows 98SE days, but Symantec eventually refunded my money and admitted they hadn't tried to install their program on a machine that had a much-older version of their utilities still on it. It simply would not install. Been a McAfee user ever since.

 

And apologies for my earlier tone. The frustration level makes me a little snitty.

We do realize this is frustrating but your frustration is tending to blind you…

 

You clicked on the Roxio Creator 2009 icon (which launches the Home app) and it failed to run.

 

Now this is very important! Is that what happened?

 

If it is, go through the Start – All Programs – Roxio Creator 2009 – Applications and pick Classic:

 

 

Does Creator Classic run?

 

If it does click on Help – Check For Updates

 

It should find SP1 for Creator 2009. Run it and your 2009 problems will be over.

 

Each message is specific and leads to specific course of action to be followed.

 

[DrDon995]

We do realize this is frustrating but your frustration is tending to blind you…

 

You clicked on the Roxio Creator 2009 icon (which launches the Home app) and it failed to run.

 

Now this is very important! Is that what happened?

 

If it is, go through the Start – All Programs – Roxio Creator 2009 – Applications and pick Classic:

 

 

Does Creator Classic run?

 

If it does click on Help – Check For Updates

 

It should find SP1 for Creator 2009. Run it and your 2009 problems will be over.

 

Each message is specific and leads to specific course of action to be followed.

I will have to reinstall the product. After much work, I have it off of my system, now and (minus the old Sonic software) everything back the way it was. What I don't understand is why the install routine won't skip over a newer edition of .NET Framework than what comes on the disc.

 

To answer your question, I do not recall seeing "Classic." In fact, my folders did not say "... Ultimate."

 

The disc came in the mail, today. I will now remove NET Framework 3.5 and 3.0, follow the clean install instructions one more time (but using the disc, this time) and let you know. I'll jot down the error messages. Stand by.

 

[DrDon995]

Once again, install hung at "installing Microsoft NET Framework 3.5" After a few seconds, this:

 

"Net Framework has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry.." you know the rest.

 

Closing that dialog caused some disc activity followed by the Roxio install window indicating success. I then clicked "Finished."

 

There are no icons on the desktop. There is no Roxio folder under c:\Program Files nor in the Documents and Settings folders indicated in the Clean Install instructions. No Roxio registry keys were added, either.

 

There IS a directory in All Programs for Creator 2009 and a subdirectory for Programs. But that subdirectory is empty.

 

Clean install was followed again TO THE LETTER. Even checked off things as I went, this time, to make sure.

 

This is what happens every time. The only difference was when I removed all NET Frameworks and THEN followed clean install. That's when everything appeared to install but nothing would run. Removing ALL NET Frameworks caused a lot of issues with the computer that were not resolved until I reinstalled NET through version 2.0 SP1

 

So, once again, I'm open to suggestions.

 

UPDATE: Possible success thanks to a different support chat person (well, different name. I imagine they all use the same handful of names)

 

First, I had to download and install NET Framework 3.5 SP1

 

Next, finding and installing Directx Runtime 9c, which took a long time to find. The install routine you get from Microsoft fails when trying to download the rest of the product. So you have to find the distributable full version and install it. Chat had a link.

 

Next, copy Roxio Creator 2009 CD to hard drive. Trust me, the downloaded file won't install.

 

Install as normal. It will hang twice as it looks for Net and Directx. No error messages, but it will finish.

 

Upon completion, trying to start anything in the Creator director did nothing and brought up the "Windows has detected a problem with this program and needs to close" message. However, under that pops up a registration window. Closed the error message and finished the registration. After that, could open up Creator Classic, download and install the service pack. At this time, all appears to be running fine.

 

I will be back should anything fail. Plan to put it through its paces over the next few days.

[grandpabruce]

I hope it all keeps working for you! If everything works, "Ghost" you hard drive, so you don't have to go through all the frustration again.

 

I use Norton Ghost to clone my hard drive. Others use Acronis.

[DrDon995]

I hope it all keeps working for you! If everything works, "Ghost" you hard drive, so you don't have to go through all the frustration again.

 

I use Norton Ghost to clone my hard drive. Others use Acronis.

I will absolutely do that.

 

Meanwhile, new problem. Rebooting the computer results in a minute or so "hang" at the end of boot-up. Any programs running show "not responding." But if I just sit there for two minutes, everything resolves itself. Issue did not exist before installation of Creator 2009. Something is still amiss. Looks like I get to spend some time with Bootvis.

[grandpabruce]

I will absolutely do that.

 

Meanwhile, new problem. Rebooting the computer results in a minute or so "hang" at the end of boot-up. Any programs running show "not responding." But if I just sit there for two minutes, everything resolves itself. Issue did not exist before installation of Creator 2009. Something is still amiss. Looks like I get to spend some time with Bootvis.

 

Disable all Roxio startup items, in msconfig.

[DrDon995]

I will try that. Thanks tremendously.

[grandpabruce]

I will try that. Thanks tremendously.

 

You're welcome. Let us know if it works.