Try running the Microsoft Installer Cleanup Utility, free here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;290301

Read this too:
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=sw_xpmedia&message.id=4401

Ron

Message Edited by RoHe on 06-06-200606:19 PM

Thanks, but I am afraid I need more information.

The article refers to the Win install CD, which I do not have. Should I order it?

OK I got the Windows Installer Cleanup. What should I do now? Should I highlight Sonic RecordNow Data and press Remove? Will this fix the problem?

Eustace

If you didn't receive the XP CD from Dell and this is a recent purchase, contact Tech Support right away (use email or chat) and request ALL disks for your system, including XP, utilites, software, etc.

No, you do not want to remove Sonic. You won't be able to reinstall it without the CD. Obviously, if you don't ever intend to store anything on CD you could remove it. Or, if you decide to purchase different (better) CD burning software, you should remove Sonic because they tend to conflict with each other.

If you've downloaded the Microsoft Installer Cleanup utility to your hard drive, just double-click on it and let it run. It'll clean up the mess the Sonic installer left behind. Hopefully that will fix the problem.

Seems lots of people are having Sonic problems and Dell should either fix them once and for all, or stop putting Sonic on PCs. Dell are you listening...?

Ron

Thanks. One more clarification: When in the Windows installer Cleanup utility highlight Sony ReconrdNow Data and click Remove (the other selections are Select All, Clear All, and Exit), it will remove just the installation files not the whole program, right? And if so, would it be a good idea to click Select All and then click Remove to remove all the installation files of all the programs?

BTW, the Update Manager is downloading right now an update for Sony RecordNow Data. Maybe that by itself will solve the problem.

Thanks for telling me to ask Dell for the disks for my system. When I ordered, there was the option to buy an installation disk, but it was optional because they said you could restore the system to its original condition from inside the system.

Sonic, not Sony! ;)

Windows Installer Cleanup Utility, read this:
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;290301

You have PC Restore on the hard drive (press Ctrl-F11 before XP loads to access it) which resets the system to exactly the way Dell shipped it. BUT, BUT, you lose all your personal files and any software you installed. I don't think that's a realistic replacement for an XP CD if you just need to repair the OS without destroying all your files.

And what happens when/if the hard drive dies? You won't be able to access PC Restore and you'd have to purchase a retail copy of XP to install on the new drive. Dell just being CHEAP by not supplying the CDs with the system. Ask for them before they decide you're too late.

Ron

The Dell CD(s?) will arrive in 3-4 business days. I suppose they didn't ship it with the laptop because they wanted people to purchase it ($10), though they didn't recommend it.

I used the Windows Install Clean Up to remove the installation configuration of Sonic ReconrdNow Data, and now the program opens.

Still I do not sure I understand what is the difference of the action of the Windows Install Clean Up compared with the Add/Remove Programs at the Control Panel. Should I reinstall Sonic RecordNow Data when I receive the CD?

Message Edited by emfrilingos on 06-08-200611:05 PM

There's big difference between Add/Remove and Installer Cleanup Utility. Add/Remove actually uninstalls the entire application, eg, Sonic or Word, etc. Cleanup utiltiy only removes temp files and installer software used to install the application in the first place. Each application comes with a program that installs the application by expanding compressed files on the CD, copying them all over your hard drive and making entries in the registry so Windows knows how to run the software and what resources it needs. The installer also puts icons on your Start menu, taskbar, etc. etc. Installers frequently create lots of logs and temporary files too. Some of the logs are needed by Add/Remove to uninstall the entire application.

If everything works correctly, an installer does its job and disappears quietly into the background and you never see it again. Sometimes (thank you Mr. Microsoft), installers refuse to admit they're job is done and turn into monsters that won't go away. They pop up constantly demanding to run or looking for files that don't exist... Cleanup utiltiy does away with the installer, logs and temp files for whichever app you select.

If Sonic is working OK now, there's no need to reinstall it when you receive the CDs. You'd probably end up with another out of control installer and just have to run Cleanup Utility again! Try burning a CD. If that works, there's nothing else to worry about.

:)

Ron

Message Edited by RoHe on 06-08-200610:29 PM

Thanks, Ron. I thought so much but wanted to make sure. Also, from what you write, if the installer files do not cause trouble is better to leave them alone, since they may be needed in case you want to uninstall a program, right? On the other hand, *after* uninstalling a program, it's a good idea to remove any installer files, isn't it? -Eustace

Correct. Unless an installer is misbehaving, there's no need to kill it with the Cleanup Utility because the logs will be removed.

In theory, when you uninstall an app, especially if you use its own uninstaller (many apps come with an installer and an uninstaller), you remove the installer and all the log files too. I never tried using Cleanup Utility on an app that's been uninstalled. I suspect it won't even list the uninstalled app in its list of choices.

My attitude: if it ain't broke, don't break it! ;)

Ron

Yeah.  I had the same problem after the update which ran by the computer automaticly.  It installed a newer version of the Recordnow, actaully it installed a different program called Digital Media.  I am not sure it is the Dell automatic update program dit it or Sonic Recordnow did it.  Anyways, it happened.  When this happened, the easy and best way to do it is to uninstall everything from Add/Remove Program.  Then re-install it.  (You will need the software CD to re-install it. If you don't have it, you should contact Dell to obtain one. )

After re-install the program, go to dell website, download and install the patch for Sonic Recordnow: -

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R114582&SystemID=INS_PNT_PM_710M&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=6998&devlib=0&typecnt=1&vercnt=1&formatcnt=1&libid=25&fileid=150697

Good luck, hope this helps. 

 

Well, Ron's suggestion of using the Windows Install Clean Up worked. Your method seems better, but I don't think I would be able to unistall Sonic even if I wanted to now... I wish I knew about your suggestion before. Thanks.