Messages

26

General Computer Support / Re: MS Security Essentials -- Fails to Install

« on: March 26, 2013, 07:58:51 pm »

Ran all repairs. Still can't install MSE.  Same error message.

Just as well, I guess.  MSE let malware get through 3 weeks ago that forced me to repair install Windows 7.

I'm switching to your recommendation AV.  Avast (free).  Do you still recommend it?

27

General Computer Support / Re: MS Security Essentials -- Fails to Install

« on: March 26, 2013, 05:12:51 pm »

Yes. Finished Steps 1-4. Just hit 'Start Repairs'.

After reboot, will try MSE install again.

Back shortly with results.

28

General Computer Support / MS Security Essentials -- Fails to Install

« on: March 25, 2013, 10:53:15 pm »

Why won't MSE install?  (See attached pic of error message.) 

Posted the question in the MS Forum here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/forum/mse-protect_start/installation-failure/55a7c2f2-18a4-4fce-a2ad-4c5f7ac3d01b

Solutions offered did not work.

Am now running the all-in-one repair tool.  Any shortcut solutions?  Thanks.

29

General Computer Support / Re: the way to go

« on: March 25, 2013, 11:26:05 am »

Excellent. You're going to put all those nice Microsoft T/S agents out of business

Wish I knew then what I know now, but I'm glad I know now what I'll need to know for the next then.

Thanks for being a great geek.

30

General Computer Support / Re-Install of Win 7 fix

« on: March 24, 2013, 05:18:43 pm »

Here's the link used by the Microsoft Techie to download the re-install tool:

http://superb-dca3.dl.sourceforge.net/project/sevenzip/7-Zip/9.20/7z920-x64.msi

31

General Computer Support / Volume Shadow Copy -- no longer Caput

« on: March 24, 2013, 04:52:15 pm »

As you suspected, the problem was indeed "elsewhere".

Somehow my product id for Windows 7 was changed a few weeks ago.  (Don't ask me how. Virus? Windows 7 came pre-installed with the Dell computer almost 3 years ago. Never a problem.)

While the Action Center still showed I was running Windows 7, Microsoft no longer recognized the product id.  This led to the failure in VSS and an occasional popup "not genuine" error message (pic attached).  Everything else worked fine.

Solution --
A higher level Msft Techie (3rd rep) took me through installation of a Windows 7 Repair (re-install without losing programs or files).  Didn't think that was possible, but it worked.  Don't know where the tool came from. After re-install, I was able to enter the correct product id. Result -- no more "not genuine" nor VSS errors.

A painful process of searching for solutions.  At least I found your awesome site.  I've already recommended it to a few self-employed Windows-challenged folks like me.

32

General Computer Support / Re: Volume Shadow Copy is Caput

« on: March 24, 2013, 08:13:05 am »

Thanks, Shane.  Will give the link a try and rerun the repair tool. Beats calling Microsoft TS and having them run your repair tool. 

Glad there are a few guys like you are "out there". 

33

General Computer Support / Volume Shadow Copy is Caput

« on: March 23, 2013, 09:39:59 pm »

For about two weeks I've been wrestling with volume shadow copy error. See attached screenshot.

I've run multiple Check Disks and Scans and they haven't fixed it.  I've also tried most of the repair strategies listed here http://www.tomahawkbackup.com/faq/content/5/117/en/volume-shadow-copy-service-vss-troubleshooting.html.  Didn't work.

A Microsoft Tech Support agent ran Windows Repair All v1.9.12 and even that didn't repair the problem.

I am not running any other backup or shadow copy service.  And the drive for the backups is fine.

The Windows 7 Action Center will not let me change the backup location (an external drive) nor restore a backup.  Maybe registry keys for VSS have been fouled up by some registry cleaning about two weeks ago.  But how to repair it?

Short of reloading Windows 7, any repair ideas?  Thanks.