Thread: xp pro being discontinued?

Hi Ron

Originally Posted by Ron Dunn

MrFixIt, there are two icons I don't recognise in your tray ... what are the second from the left (next to the Safe Removal icon) and the red swoosh next to Firefox?

Oh dear, now that's a little embarrassing for you .

Fancy not recognising the Logitech logo. (second from left)

...and the Red Swoosh is the Trend Micro Internet security suite icon

... and you do not recognise the Firefox logo in the tray as it is not there. What you have mistaken for Firefox is actually the Google desktop search icon.

You have lead a (Microsoft) sheltered life

You did manage to recognise the Microsoft icons
.
.

I'm not embarrassed at all. I don't have those products, so I don't recognise those logos.

With the exception of anti-virus (because I don't want you to have an unprotected computer) please remove all programs from your startup file ... Logitech, Omnipage, the lot ... and let's see what happens. I'd like to see your tray empty of all but Windows and anti-virus icons, and nothing on automatic startup. That will let us diagnose whether the problems are caused by one of your auto-start programs, then we can work on the exact cause.

Hi Ron

Originally Posted by Ron Dunn

MrFixIt, go to your favourite search engine and run the query:

opscheduler.exe application error


Look at the number of circumstances where that piece of software is involved in problems.

Did that. The first search using opscheduler.exe application error, returned only 202 hits none of which in the first three pages showed any real relevance - too much of a time wasting exercise to read the remaining pages.

The second search using quotes "opscheduler.exe" "application error" returned ONLY 6 hits. NONE of these were relevant.

The error in question is caused because the program (opscheduler, not Windows) has attempted to write to an address which does not belong to that program.

Yes, I know that, but where do YOU think the program obtains the areas of memory it can use?

It is the Windows Memory Manager (MM) that provides the memory. Frequently windows mm gets it wrong.

This post was to highlight the occasional (too many occasions ? ) windows idiosyncrasy.

If it WAS a program error, then the error would happen ALL the time. (It does NOT.)

Application error. Not Windows. Get rid of that program from your auto-start group and you won't see it occur on startup.

Of course I won't get the error! I won't get to use the program either

Ron, that is a typical Microsoft response and equates to "buck passing". That's ok though I am used to that kind of response.

I could offer a similar but reversed suggestion by saying get rid of Windows XP and I won't get the error .

What you are in effect is saying to me, from a one off instance of a (windows MM error) is, DON'T use that program it's no good.

What do you think the response would be from Scansoft (Omniscan authors) if I told THEM that?

By rights, according to your response, the program is not suitable for use (ie remove it from the tray) for the purpose for which it was developed, therefore I now have the right to return the program and claim a refund for the program, as it is not suitable for the purpose for which it was intended.

Sorry Ron, your suggestion is both unsuitable and somewhat irresponsible, as a naive user may take YOUR word for such an error and actually do as you suggest. The error is realistically a one off error unless windows has a Memory Management "spasm" again with THIS program.

You cannot and should not give such advise for one off errors like this. Certainly if the error is consistent then your advise may have some minor merit is as much as the user would most probably need to remove and reinstall the program.

I really believe that you have very limited experience in the real world of computers and have been biased in your thought processes toward MS being better than they really are in REAL life. I do not believe that you are qualified to offer computer/program advice to others, with the POSSIBLE exception of the office system, as (IIRC) that is what you mentioned is your support role.

Thanks for the previous posts, but you have not been able to assist me with any advice. I know from years of experience what works and what doesn't.

I have learned to live (like too many others) with widows of any version and the inherent vagaries of those versions.

Let's just go back to the woodwork posts. I'm very experienced in that area too

Peter, in which languages do you program? I'll help you to reproduce EXACTLY the error which you get from the Omnisoft program, and demonstrate that it is an error in their program code which triggers this problem.

If it was a C program, for example, you'd do something like this:

int main () {
int *i;
i = 0;
*i = 1; // NULL pointer error will occur here.
return (1);
}

We can do the same in most other languages.

The operating system has acted correctly, detected an error where the program attempted to write to memory which did not belong to it, and reported that error.

Hi

Originally Posted by Ron Dunn

I'm not embarrassed at all. I don't have those products, so I don't recognise those logos.

With the exception of anti-virus (because I don't want you to have an unprotected computer) please remove all programs from your startup file ... Logitech, Omnipage, the lot ... and let's see what happens. I'd like to see your tray empty of all but Windows and anti-virus icons, and nothing on automatic startup. That will let us diagnose whether the problems are caused by one of your auto-start programs, then we can work on the exact cause.

It was a ONE OFF instance! It does NOT normally happen! The post was to HIGHLIGHT the fact that Windows DOES "stuff up" occasionally!

There is NO NEED to remove all the programs from the tray! The problem is UNLIKELY to reoccur! I can start my computer again right now and this error will not occur and most likely (hopefully ) NO ERROR will occur at start up. But maybe tomorrow, maybe next week, next month - something with Windows will go awry, it's kind of like that T-shirt saying", "Sh** Happens" We could all have a T shirt that states "Windows Happens" for many of use the phrases are equal

Thanks Ron, but no thanks, I will not be removing all my tray apps for the exercise in futility that would bring.

I'd like to see your tray empty of all but Windows and anti-virus icons, and nothing on automatic startup.

You and Microsoft together would like to see that It WOULD certainly ease the load on Windows and help it run smoother. It's not going to happen.

As I said in my previous post, it's now time to leave this thread alone and go back to woodwork.

It would also be good Ron, (no offense meant by this) if you could refrain from posting on other computer based threads, unless you have something really useful to contribute, but thanks for trying in this thread

I am NOW going to leave this thread in peace
.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/techno...025053470.html

Actually I have to agree with Ron on this...I've always found the biggest cause of system problems were some of the craplets that seem to insist on insinuating themselves into my startup folder/system tray to run on startup and consume resources even if I only use them once every six months.

...actually, Quicktime, thanks for asking (which you didn't), but I think 'Never' is a good time for you to check for updates...does 'Never' work for you? No? Tough. And Adobe...I see you sneaking in a pre-load during Windows startup so you don't look like a slug when launched. Well, I'll just pull all your fancy plug ins out and that way you won't actually be a slug and you won't need to pre-load....grumble grumble grumble...

DJ's Timber, you're right, the ability to embed a contact list below the folder list is not supported in Windows Mail.

You can access the contact list from the toolbar or menu, but that isn't going to achieve the appearance you sought.

Is this because you want a quick check on a contact name, or perhaps that you initiate a message from the user name? An alternative is to create a new message, then type all or part of the person's name. When you move to the next field (ie, subject) the rest of the eMail address will be filled in by Windows.

It isn't the answer for which you were probably hoping, but does it help?

Ron,

In regards to DJ's case I think its just you get so used to it being there in Outlook Express (for XP) that you miss it in Vista. Personally I use Outlook so it doesn't affect me but I do know that sometimes when we change software at work, we get staff complain about the changes, if for no other reason that they are not used to it. Like for example Office 2003 to 2007. The Ribbon across the top of the window has stuffed a lot of users, but personally I sort of like it. Each to their own!

Thanks Ron, in Outlook it's handy, because you can double click on the name and it opens a new mail to be sent whereas in Windows Mail you have to first open Contacts and then double click to get a new email. Just seems a backwards step to me.

DJ's, I agree that the Outlook Express method is nice and easy.

I'm not sure I explained the Windows Mail option easily enough. While it isn't as quick, let me try again.

1. Open Windows Mail.
2. Click "Create Mail"
3. Press "TO:", and you'll get a new dialog to add contacts to the message.

alternatively,

1. Open Windows Mail
2. Click "Create Message"
3. Enter (say) "Greg" in the TO line, and press icon showing head/tick

That will check your contact list and either complete the addressee, or give you a list of matching addresses from which to choose.

But I do agree ... if you're used to thinking person-first, then Outlook Express is much more accessible.

Cheers Ron, understood but I still reckon its a backwards step.

Will you guys get over this. I spent 28 years in the IT industry and I'm bored to tears with this never ending crap. The kind of debate you're having has been going on amoungst users and pros for as long as I can remember on many subjects and like this one with now consensus - ever.

Get over it and stop cluttering up the forum.

Find out what the researchers had to say about their Macs, learn about IBM's plans to expand the program this year, and more here...

http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/0...ating-to-macs/

An exert...

As further evidence of the growing interest in Macs among enterprise customers, IBM’s Research Information Services launched an internal pilot program designed to study the possibility of moving significant numbers of employees to the Mac platform. The study has already found an enthusiastic response from participants and is helping to drive Mac support for IBM’s business applications.

IBM’s Mac Pilot Program.
A summary of the pilot program, detailed in a IBM document obtained by RoughlyDrafted, revealed that IBM is actively working to move away from its dependence upon Microsoft Windows and toward a heterogeneous cross-platform future.

•
The pilot program document outlined a series of reasons for evaluating MacBook Pro laptops as a replacement for the Windows-based ThinkPads currently in use inside the company:

Alternative to Microsoft Windows
Less prone to security issues
Widely used in the academic world with which Research has close ties
Many new hires are more comfortable with the Mac and lately asking for it
Growing Mac community in Research and within IBM that finds the development environment on Mac more convenient
Growing acceptance of the Mac as a consumer and business oriented client platform
WPLC strategy includes significant investments in achieving the Mac platform parity

•
19 of 22 (86%) Users Ask to Keep the Mac.

“When presenting at customer or external meetings, I have been greeted with the ‘wow factor.’ ‘Where’s the ThinkPad, IBM uses Apples now?’”

“I commend IBM on taking this bold step in providing an alternative to Windows. It will definitely allow us to think different.”

“This can free us from the Windows stranglehold.”

“I have been a true PC stalwart for 2+ decades, but after trying Vista, I’m ready for a change.”

“It has been easier learning the Mac than learning Vista.”

“There are a number of features in the Mac that make it much better than a Windows machine. Overall productivity in using the Mac platform is higher. I can imagine that the new version of the operating system will make those features even better.”

“Getting wireless running was a piece of cake on the Mac, much simpler than the PC.”

“The ability to run Windows XP in a VM under Parallels is a great feature.”

“Upgraded to [Mac OS X Leopard] 10.5 to run [Lotus] Notes 8.5 alpha code, and some things broke, especially wireless. Fixed with aid of community from forums.”

“If the remote connection and Sametime issues are worked out, I think that Mac users can be productive in IBM. However, if I had to recommend a non-Windows setup, I would recommend Linux on a ThinkPad. I see the convenience and reliability of ThinkPad hardware as superior, and the Mac OS is still a proprietary OS that seems to require a Windows license for some tasks anyway. I don’t see enough of an advantage in the Mac OS to be worth the incompatibility issues when collaborating with my colleagues.”