Since you posted this in the Windows XP conference, we'll assume for the sake of argument that this is the operating system you have installed. Also, since you mentioned the word "used," it would be helpful to know what kind of Windows XP installation you're working with, and whether you have the XP CD available (you should, and there will more than likely come a point when you'll need it).
Did the seller perform a clean installation of XP prior to giving you the notebook? If not, this should be the first thing you should do for a variety of reasons, not the least of which are security related. (One of those old "don't put that there - you don't know where it's been" things Mom used to lecture us about.) I don't believe the C600 was available from the factory with Windows XP (it wasn't when mine was built), but you should have a certificate of authenticity decal for XP on the bottom of the system with a 25 digit product ID. If you don't, there may be some question as to the legitimacy of your XP installation, which is something you'll have to take up with the seller. To determine when XP was installed, you can try either of the methods below.
Since neither of the problems you're describing are typical of a proper XP installation on a C600, I guess we need to get the above questions answered before it'll make much sense to start recommending fixes. I haven't had any problems updating WMP on C600s with clean installations of XP, and, while I haven't tried Yahoo, I can view videos from a variety of other sources. You may want to make sure that your installed Flash version is up to date, as many of the video sites require that for proper operation. If you're not sure, instructions for determining the current version are here: http://www.macromedia.com/cfusion/knowledgebase/index.cfm?id=tn_14294 You can get the most recent version from the home page at http://www.macromedia.com
Unless XP was clean installed by either Dell or some other reputable source immediately prior to your receiving the notebook, I'd also recommend running malware sweeps using something like AdAware, Spybot Search and Destroy, or the MS AntiSpyware Beta. Trend Micro also has a very nice online scanner which detects most of the bad stuff. http://www.trendmicro.com/spyware-scan/
To determine the installation date of your operating system:
Click Start, Run and type (or paste):
CMD /K WMIC OS GET InstallDate
There may be a slight pause, accompanied by something to the effect of "Please wait while WMI is installed." Following that, you should see the Operating System installation date (in WMI format). The first eight characters give you the installation date (in this case, August 10, 2005).
Method 2: From a Command Prompt (Start - Run - type cmd, press Enter), type systeminfo and press Enter. You should see something like this:
Note: While I can verify that both these methods work for XP Pro, I haven't tried them on XP Home.
The second method pulls up a screen that just says docs and settings with a flashing cusor at the end.
You need to re-read my first response. At the point that you're seeing what you described above. you need to...:
"...type
systeminfo and press
Enter." At that point (which is well before you should necessarily be thinking about reinstalling Windows), you should see the aforementioned information regarding the installation date of WinXP Pro. If the date is significantly prior to when you received the notebook (and the fact that you still need to run a malware sweep notwithstanding), you may then want to consider a clean installation, but let's take this one step at a time.
Ok - I see that I misread your post. The original install day was 3-6-06. It has been awhile since I used the trendmicro site but from what I gather it didn't find anything except vulnerabilities that "could" cause a problem.
Thank you for your response. Here is what I have found out so far- There is an id tag on the bottom of the notebook with a code for XP pro. I could not however get either method to work to find out the install date. The first message pulls up the screen you showed, everything scrolls through VERY fast and then the window disappears. The second method pulls up a screen that just says docs and settings with a flashing cusor at the end. I did update the flash players as well. I will run the scan that you mentioned now. I do have an OS disc from Dell - It says reinstallation CD Windows XP professional including service pack 1.
So I am not sure where to do from here?? I assume that if nothing else works I will have to reinstall the OS? I am really not sure of the proper way to do that!!
Ok - I see that I misread your post. The original install day was 3-6-06. As was previously inquired, how does that date coincide with when you got the notebook. If it isn't within a day or two, I'd seriously consider a clean installation of Windows.
It has been awhile since I used the trendmicro site but from what I gather it didn't find anything except vulnerabilities that "could" cause a problem.
Then I'd be having it repair whatever it found that "could" cause a problem, since you have an issue that "could" possibly be related. This assumes that you're not inclined toward a clean installation of WinXP, which "should" resolve everything. By the same token, and as far as malware is concerned, you shouldn't necessarily be relying solely on one tool. Different malware detection applications find different problems, and (assuming they're running the most recent malware definitions) local apps are usually a bit more reliable.
ok- I got the notebook on saturday. So I guess I am looking to reinstall then?
In the absence of answers to the other questions, I certainly would.
It's a very simple procedure on a C600, as you don't have to mess with chipset drivers (or much of any other drivers, with the possible exception of whatever third party network/modem gear you might have in the PCMCIA slots). Just make sure the BIOS is current (A23), boot to the CD, follow the instructions to format the partition, and install Windows XP. Once that's done (and particularly since your CD is marked SP-1), Windows Update should be your first and only internet stop until you've installed all Critical Updates. I'd also recommend installing the ESS audio driver update that Windows Update will offer for that system, and you should be able to update Windows Media Player without any difficulty at this point, too. (Be sure you run Windows Update again after that's done, as there will be some new Critical Updates related to the new WMP.) Once you get all the Windows Update stuff done, I'd recommend staying away from the internet until you have your anti virus app installed and updated.
jmwills
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April 24th, 2006 08:00
Flooby
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3K Posts
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April 24th, 2006 12:00
Since you posted this in the Windows XP conference, we'll assume for the sake of argument that this is the operating system you have installed. Also, since you mentioned the word "used," it would be helpful to know what kind of Windows XP installation you're working with, and whether you have the XP CD available (you should, and there will more than likely come a point when you'll need it).
Did the seller perform a clean installation of XP prior to giving you the notebook? If not, this should be the first thing you should do for a variety of reasons, not the least of which are security related. (One of those old "don't put that there - you don't know where it's been" things Mom used to lecture us about.) I don't believe the C600 was available from the factory with Windows XP (it wasn't when mine was built), but you should have a certificate of authenticity decal for XP on the bottom of the system with a 25 digit product ID. If you don't, there may be some question as to the legitimacy of your XP installation, which is something you'll have to take up with the seller. To determine when XP was installed, you can try either of the methods below.
Since neither of the problems you're describing are typical of a proper XP installation on a C600, I guess we need to get the above questions answered before it'll make much sense to start recommending fixes. I haven't had any problems updating WMP on C600s with clean installations of XP, and, while I haven't tried Yahoo, I can view videos from a variety of other sources. You may want to make sure that your installed Flash version is up to date, as many of the video sites require that for proper operation. If you're not sure, instructions for determining the current version are here: http://www.macromedia.com/cfusion/knowledgebase/index.cfm?id=tn_14294 You can get the most recent version from the home page at http://www.macromedia.com
Unless XP was clean installed by either Dell or some other reputable source immediately prior to your receiving the notebook, I'd also recommend running malware sweeps using something like AdAware, Spybot Search and Destroy, or the MS AntiSpyware Beta. Trend Micro also has a very nice online scanner which detects most of the bad stuff. http://www.trendmicro.com/spyware-scan/
To determine the installation date of your operating system:
Click Start, Run and type (or paste):
CMD /K WMIC OS GET InstallDate
There may be a slight pause, accompanied by something to the effect of "Please wait while WMI is installed." Following that, you should see the Operating System installation date (in WMI format). The first eight characters give you the installation date (in this case, August 10, 2005).
Method 2: From a Command Prompt (Start - Run - type cmd, press Enter), type systeminfo and press Enter. You should see something like this:
Flooby
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April 24th, 2006 15:00
robindenise12
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April 24th, 2006 15:00
Ok - I see that I misread your post. The original install day was 3-6-06. It has been awhile since I used the trendmicro site but from what I gather it didn't find anything except vulnerabilities that "could" cause a problem.
Robin
jmwills
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April 24th, 2006 15:00
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
http://www.djdenham.com/Install%20Procedures.htm#Install
Both of these are good reinstall sites.
robindenise12
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April 24th, 2006 15:00
Flooby
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3K Posts
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April 24th, 2006 17:00
robindenise12
4 Posts
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April 24th, 2006 21:00
Flooby
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3K Posts
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April 24th, 2006 22:00
jmwills
2 Intern
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12K Posts
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April 25th, 2006 02:00
Download all those drivers from Dell and burn them to a CD and along with your XP disc, that should be all you need.
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
http://www.djdenham.com/Install%20Procedures.htm#Install