Hi everybody,

I have recently bought a new computer with Vista Premium and Windows Mail. Last weekend, I was listening to MIDIs on the Internet. When I clicked on the first MIDI, the Windows Media Player 11 setup screen appeared and I followed all instructions correctly and the player installed correctly (or did it? I can't find the silly thing to repair it because later on I chose a MIDI that I don't like not realizing that this was the one I don't like. I clicked the orange x at the top of Media Player and it closed out.) The next MIDI that I clicked on brought up Media Player 11 again, but this time there was a red x in the white rectangle that is beside the dark "Now Playing" area. This red x had not appeared before. I have contacted HP by e mail and explained the problem to them and the tech told me to go to the Programs and Features icon and choose Media Player and then click "Repair". Well, I did what I was told except I can't for the life of me find Media Player. There is Windows Media Center. I don't think that this would have an option to repair Media Player 11. I have (I think) set the folder options to show all files except the hidden operating system files. In short, I can't find Media Player in the Programs list so that I can repair or uninstall and then reinstall it, but when I choose a MIDI to go with an e card, Media Player appears and plays correctly. I have decided to ask for help instead of getting frustrated and formatting the drive and losing data. This is a last resort. Hellpp!!

Hi Jeannie,

Two thoughts come to mind, have a look in Add and Remove and or put a search in for it, start > search > files and folders. You are sure to find it in one or the other.

Good luck.

regards,

Hi tallin,
Forgot to say in my earlier post that I have already done both of those two things. I'm trying them both again now, however. I have to wonder, did the silly thing install in the first place and maybe that's why I can't find it in the Add Programs list, but if this were true why does it play when I click on a MIDI?? Are we looking at a System Recovery? I do hope not. However, this time I have things to back up my data with (I bought a flash drive when I bought my computer and I also have CDs--a whole stack of them.)

Click on Start->RUN or Search and type in: wmplayer.exe

Found it and I think that I solved the problem (accidentally) by clicking on the blue thing (above the red x). Now the Playlist Pane (that was what the white box was) is gone and there's no red x. However, there is still the question of where is Windows Media Player listed in the Programs and Features Menu? Is it a hidden file? I have not set the folder settings to show all system files yet (I did have them set that way.)

Sure no question where mine is, BUT, I am running XP Pro.

kenneth

Click to view attachment

Hi tallin, Steve, and Kennethr,
I was frustrated when I typed the first post of this thread that I neglected to tell you that what I'm trying to find is the list of programs (you know--the ones that you used to see when you'd click the Add/Remove Programs icon in XP?) Those programs have disappeared and I can't find them anywhere. I know they are here somewhere, but I am about at the end of my rope. I have looked several days (and nights) and I'm just about to the point where I'm not having fun on my new computer--not there yet, but headed there fast. The computer itself is very nice. When things settle down a bit more, I'll post the specs and the model but now between trying to get through the old e mail and learn a new operating system and this disappearing list I've just about had it. Can anyone please let me know where these programs went? There are some extra programs that I want to remove like the ones for the ISPs (I have a great one) and there are some more such as the Instant Messenging. I don't use it. There are some others I know but I'm not sure what they are right offhand. If I could see them all in one place (like that friendly list in XP Add/Remove Programs) I could see what they are and say "I use this one" and "I don't use that program and I never will". The programs that I don't use got uninstalled and the others stayed. Also this next is OT (off topic), but how are we supposed to repair a program? In XP, all we had to do was to go to Control Panel, and Add/Remove Programs and then find the Program and click Repair in most cases. Sometimes you had to uninstall and reinstall, but I can't find the names of the programs that are on this computer listed anywhere so that I can decide what I need to uninstall and what I need to keep. Heelllppp!!!

You need to go to Control Panel, Programs and Features, and take it from there; look at this link for snapshot illustrations:
http://www.netomatix.com/development/VistaAddRemove.aspx

Thanks Dino for the great screenshots and the link to the helpful site. I did put this site in my Favorites list. However, unfortunately Microsoft made one little change (or2?) between the picture where I see a Programs icon listed to what I see in my Control Panel. I did not see an Installed Programs icon, but I found the Programs and Features icon. I clicked on the link that says Uninstall a Program and I was taken to a page with a list containing the following items:

Adobe Flash Player

Adobe Reader 8

Compatibility Pack for 2007 Office

CyberLink DVD Suite Deluxe

CyberLink PowerDirector

Enhanced Multimedia Keyboard

Hardware Diagnostic Tools

HP Customer Experience Enchancements

HP Demo

HP Total Care Advisor

HP Update

HPTCS Setup

Intel Matrix Storage Manager

Java SE Runtime Environment

LabelPrint

LightScribe System Software

LightScribe Template Labeler

Live Update (Symantec)

Microsoft Office Home

Microsoft Office PowerPoint

Microsoft Office C++ 2005

Microsoft Office C++ 2005 x64

Microsoft Works

Muvee autoProducer 6.1

My HP Games

Norton Internet Security

NVIDIA Drivers

Power 2Go

Realtek High Definition Audio

Soft Data Fax Modem

Yahoo Toolbar

These are the only items listed. Beside this list in the upper left are the links

View Installed Updates

Get New Programs Online at Windows Marketplace

View Purchased Software

Turn Windows Features On and Off

That is what is listed in my Programs and Features list. I wish that I could remember how to make screenshots again. Would it help you to see this?

If you read what is written in the link that I gave you, you’ll notice an update at the end of the page:


But everything else should be similar; now from what I understand, you’re looking for Windows Media Player, and that comes installed by default as a Windows’ component. Under Windows XP you can find Windows Media Player when you click on Add/Remove Windows Components, and according to the link that I gave you, this was changed to Windows Features. So go there and you should find Windows Media Player. Another way to find it is to go to C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player, and it should be there.

Hi Dino,
I did indeed read your link but I missed the one at bottom of the page. However, just now I followed the link back to the site and I re-
read everything. I found the Programs and Features icon and when I hovered my mouse above it, I did see the message "Installs and uninstalls programs" without the quotes, so I clicked on it and I found the same items as last night. I did check the File menu, but mine is different. Would you please send me the info on how to make screenshot and I'll make one if you think it is neccesary so that both of us can see what I am talking about. The info in the link was a clear as crystal, and I followed it (the one at the bottom). However, info just is not there or at least I can't find it. Maybe if you could see my Control Panel in a screenshot, you could (please) show me where this list is hiding. I know that this is a little thing, but it's about to drive me nuts as we say here in Georgia.

Hi Jeannie,

Here is a great little screenshot program that is easy to use. Snapshot.exe

OR

Alternatively, use the following to make a screenshot of whatever you like on your desktop.

Say you wanted to send a full list of your running processes in the Task Manager, you would take a screeen shot of it. If you pressed and held down the ALT key whilst you pressed the PrintScreen key, then only the current window would be copied, and not any of your desktop. Then open Paint, start > All Programs > Accessories > Paint > Go to edit > Paste and the Task Manager image would be pasted. Then save as a jpg or jpg file, (not bmp as they are very large), then attach it when replying to this thread.

I know you are running Vista, but the above method could not be too different with Vista. I am still old fashioned and running Windows SP/12&3.

Keek us posted how you go.

Thanks tallin,
I'll download the program and send you some screenshots thisafternoon. I'd do it this morning, but there's the e mail and I'd like to go to see if my check has come.

Hi,

I have accomplished making the screenshot. This is something that I have never done! (or at least I don't believe so). I am working on decluttering my Yahoo account for the last few days (started last week with 9100+ e mails). The screenshot is attached. I did something wrong. The screenshot is in Paint, and I saved the file, but I can't find it.

Jeannie,

Follow my last post then save it to the desktop next time, and put a search in for the one already saved so you can delete it if necessary.

Keep us posted,

regards,

Hi tallin,

Last night I found the missing screenshot of the control panel and deleted it and I am going to follow the instructions in your post when things settle down here.

Hi tallin,

I am giving it a go one more time. I had been taking a break from the search for this hidden list before I went batty.

Now I don't think that there is any danger of that. As a side note, I did e mail HP's tech support last night and explained the problem and they got right back to me within an hour (actually I think it was 30 minutes). The tech said that the programs might be hidden and that I should go "Turn Windows Features On and Off". I know where that is, but what I don't know is which ones to turn on. Some are selected by default. I saw that when I went there before. This may be an extremely dumb question, but what Windows features do I turn on? I need your help, my friend. Thanks in advance.

Hi Jeannie,

I do not use Vista, so perhaps Dino will appear again and give you assistance, but in the meantime I would turn on whatever Programs and Features you want to run.

Where is the screen shot you mentioned you were sending in an earlier post. It would help us immensely.

Keep us posted.

kind regards,

Thank you for bringing me back to the spotlight.
Now Jeannie I’m assuming that you’re looking for Windows Media Player; if this is correct, then can you please follow my previous advice in post #10 and let’s know what happens:

Hi everybody!

Guess what? I saved the screenshot to my desktop (yea, me!!!) and I am posting it as an attachment to this thread.



Edit: Slight problem. The jpg is 1440 x 900 and that is too big. I'm going to download Irfanview and see if I can do better.

Jeannie,
Good work re the screenshot, but please follow Dino's advice quoted below to perhaps finalise your original question to all our satisfaction.

kind regards,

Jeannie, are you looking for the list of programs that's on your computer, so you can add or remove a program, like the add/remove program in Win XP???

Screen shot below of Win XP -- add/remove programs.... I don't have Vista, just Win XP

Click to view attachment

Hi Lorraine,
Yes. In Vista I notice that the Add/Remove Programs list is called the Programs and Features list but to keep everything clear, we can call it the Add/Remove Programs list. I have a very short list of programs under what would be the Add/Remove Programs list. I was wanting to uninstall some unnecessary programs. What started this thread was that I wanted to repair Windows Media Player and then it went from there (there was no Media Player listed. There are many things not listed. My list of programs that appear in my Programs and Features list (Add/Remove Programs list) is listed in Post #9 of this thread. I did not know how to make a screenshot so I typed the names of the programs instead. Can you help me please? Thanks much.

In XP, windows media is NOT in the add/remove list, but in the windows component wizard section. I do not know about Vista, but look around.

Click to view attachment

when you click on the add windows components , you get this:

Click to view attachment

Ok Jeannie, let’s try this and see if it will work:
1- Go to Control Panel.
2- Double click on Programs and Features.
3- Double click on Installed Programs to see what’s installed on your system.
4- Repeat steps 1 and 2, and then double click on Windows Features to see if you have Windows Media Player on your system or not.
Let’s know what happens.

Dino,
I did as you asked and Windows Media Player is not anywhere in Programs and Features. Thanks for replying.

Try C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player, and see if you can find it there.

I found it. It is also on my Start menu and my Quick Launch bar. However that leaves several programs that appear on my Start menu, but appear nowhere in the Programs and Features list (Add/Remove Programs).

Thank you Jeannie, as I was about to install Windows Vista to see what is going on.
Try to look again, but harder this time, under Programs and Features to find the rest of your installed programs.

Dino,
I checked again and I looked really hard and my installed programs are the same as those I listed in Post #9 of this thread.

Updates from HP: According to HP, I should edit the Registry to remove the programs. (Update 1)

According to HP, I sent them the wrong model number. I did not. I triple checked and then I checked again. When I answered their e mail I also send them the product number, service number, and software build number. (Update 2)

According to HP, these programs I can't find are ophraned (sp?) programs and I will have to delete them from the Registry (are they kidding?! I know enough to stay out of the Registry unless someone very knowledgeable is guiding me.) Update 3

According to HP just a few minutes ago, I am supposed to have installed all these programs (apparently before I bought the computer.
Geez, how do y'all reckon I did that??) Update 4

Latest update from me: I have contacted the Mom and Pop computer shop here and I'm getting this downgraded to XP Pro 64 bit. I have Vista Home Premium 64 bit now.

Thanks to each and every one of you for all your help. I couldn't have done what we accomplished without y'all.

Thanks for the feedback Jeannie, these updates from HP don’t make any sense as you already bought this computer with all the software on it preinstalled and preconfigured; so what kind of orphaned programs are they talking about? Another thing is that as a technical support person you generally don’t advice people to go into the registry, as this may cause a lot of serious problems to their machines. Good luck with the downgrade to XP, and let us know if you have any issues with it.

Hi Dino,

You're right. The updates from HP tech support make exactly no sense. I just thought that I'd put them there so you could see what I've been dealing with re HP.



The orphraned programs HP refers to are the programs in the start menu that I can't find on the Add/Remove Programs list (Vista calls it the Programs and Features list). The advice to edit the Registry came in my first answer from HP. I'm not about to do that, because it could kill my computer.



Yesterday I got in touch with the tech at the Mom and Pop computer shop here and I asked him if a Vista computer could be downgraded to XP. I said that this computer had Home Premium and it was 64 bit. Keith (the tech) said that he and Jerry (owner and other tech) could downgrade the computer, but that didn't have a 64 bit XP Pro. I asked if he (Keith) could order one and he said that Jerry could and Keith said that Jerry would be there around 5 or 6. I called just after 5 and asked if Jerry had come in. Keith said that he had but that he had left to take his daughter to work and he wasn't sure Jerry was coming back. I then asked Keith if he would make a note for Jerry to order the XP Pro 64 bit and he said that he could order it himself--he had just wanted to make sure of the price. XP Pro 64 bit is ordered and I'm supposed to get a call when it comes in. Then Jerry will come and pick up my computer and install the XP Pro 64 bit. I told Keith that this is a great system except for this problem with the software. I said that I guessed when HP manufactured the computer something went wrong. Keith said, "Yeah, kind of like a sour apple." I replied, "Yes."

Good luck with that; I’m not sure how the downgrade process will be, but I think that they’re going to wipe the hard drive clean and start from scratch. If this is the case, then I think that it’s a good idea if you don’t get all the HP programs back on your system. The hardware drivers should be fine, but you don’t need programs like HP Customer Experience Enhancements or HP Total Care Advisor, for example, as we have seen already what kind of care they provide.

I bought a computer last year and it had Windows Vista on it and tons of other trial and unnecessary programs; it took about ten minutes for it to boot and load whatever junk that came with it, and I ended up wiping the hard drive clean and installed Windows XP on it.

Dino,
Thanks for replying so soon. Those programs that you mention were two of the ones that I was trying to uninstall. I'm glad to hear that the drivers won't be any problem because I was a little worried about that. I will ask Jerry if he can just start from scratch. That is what I believe he is going to do anyway.



It's not so bad anymore. I can see a faint glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel .

Don’t worry about anything; here is what you need to know about companies like Microsoft and HP, they load their software with a lot of unnecessary functions that most people don’t need or use. For example, I have an HP PSC 1610 All-in-One printer that came with a driver CD. The CD doesn’t just install the print driver for me; rather, it installs tons of things that I don’t need and I don’t even know what they’re all about. What I did is go to HP’s website, download a standalone driver, and run it every time I need to do so. As a result the installation time is very little, if I remember correctly the CD takes about half an hour to install everything, and now I’m a happy camper.

Hi Jeannie,

I have been following this saga along with what has happened to you re your new computer and the problems you have been having with it.

In Australia/Queensland, where I live every computer new to the customer has a warranty of at least 12 months and more if the customer decides to pay for the extended warranty which I always do making the complete warranty 3 years.

As your computer seems to be a new one with Vista loaded, why then would you not claim under warranty if the same rules apply where you live.

Just a thought, if under warranty it is the warranty agents job to get the computer going to your satisfaction with no cost to yourself.

Hope this helps and do keep us posted.

kind regards,

tallin,
I asked if this computer could be downgraded to Vista, and the answer was "No" but I'm going to ask again, because this is a brand new computer. It is just a few days over a month old. It has an extended warranty.

I talked to the Mom and Pop computer shop this morning and Keith (one of the techs) said that Jerry (owner and tech) said that he'd have to charge around $200. Keith recommended I go NewEgg and I thanked him but said that I didn't have a credit card or a debit card (it's true) and I probably would not be able to order it. Anyway, Keith said that if I'd pay him in advance, he'd order it for me. He also said that Microsoft is not making any more of the XP Pro 64 bit CDs and when these run out, that's all there will be. I told Keith that I'd send the money to him. I'd have to send a money order.

I will contact (again) HP and let them know that this computer is not working to my satisfaction and they should downgrade it.

Hi Jeannie,

As you have an extended warranty you are in the box seat here.

So as the computer is not working to your satisfaction put pressure on HP to tell you where to take it for warranty work. I had an HP once and they were marvelous, the battery in the Laptop failed just after purchase, I contacted them, they told me where to send it, I sent it back and within no time it was returned and never missed a beat thereafter. All at no cost to me whatsoever.

Once you let the local shop touch it, you void the warranty and then you will be out on your own.

Let's know how you go, but I would not be shelling our any money on a one month old computer if there is a warranty with it from HP.....

Just an observation, as you have a warranty, HP will not downgrade it but by law have to get it to run to your satisfaction as it was offered to you forsale in the first place.

kind regards,

tallin,
There was a one year warranty on the computer and I purchased a two year warranty making a three year warranty from HP. I have not spent any money yet on the computer, but I'd just be happy to see that list of programs in the Add/Remove Programs (XP) or Programs and Features (Vista). Instead HP keeps going around in circle hoping that I'll give up. They don't know me very well. All they are doing is to making me more determined to get this problem fixed.

Okay Jeannie,

Go for the warranty, demand to send the computer back to them for assistance.

Good on you Gal, go for it and don't give in.

Here we have a Department of Consumer Affairs Ombudsman that sought out the good from the bad so all reputable firms do their job correctly by the customer and so do the not so reputable.

Good Luck and please post back to let us know the outcome.

I don't know what that thing is a screenshot of. The message I got was that the file was too big and I didn't think that there was anything on the boards until I saw this. (This refers to an earlier post.)



Jeannie

Hi again!

I have been corresponding by e mail with HP for the last few days. I had suspected what they finally admit--the OS files are corrupted. But (there had to be a but, right?) they say that it is O.K. that the OS is corrupted. (really) I sent them an answer demanding that HP repair the computer since the OS files were corrupted. I have not heard anything from them yet. I will let you know.

Hi Jeannie,

Just stick to your warranty, demanding they reinstall the OS and let you see it working before taking delivery again....

All the best

Hi

I just heard from HP again. They are nothing if not prompt. This time the tech sent me a link to the back up utility so that I could back up my files before I performed a System Recovery. (I performed a System Recovery last night and I still have the same problem). I thought "Well, I'll follow this link and see where it leads" (today). It led to an article telling about the backup utility that is included on Vista Ultimate and another version of Vista (I forget just which one, but it's not the one that I have--I have Vista Home Premium and the article says that this backup utility is not included in copies of Vista Home Premium. So, in answer to this e mail from HP, I said that I had alread performed a System Recovery and the problem was not corrected and then I said that since we had gone that far (the tech said that the only thing left was to perform a System Recovery) I said the following: "Since the backup utility referred to in the article is not included in my version of Vista (Home Premium), this brings up an interesting question: Is HP going to repair my operating system or not?" I have just sent this e mail off and I will hear something by tomorrow morning.

Hi Jeannie,

If I may suggest, ask HP where to send the computer for warranty work. You, as the customer are well covered as you explained in one of your previous posts in this thread, so should not be asked to do the work.

If it was my computer I would demand the address to send it to, along with and including all costs paid by HP. This of course would include postage to and from their workshop

Good luck.

Hi tallin,
I heard from HP this morning and they say to back up the files and do a System Recovery. I replied that I had already done a System Recovery twice and as the OS is corrupted, they should fix the computer because the results of the System Recovery would be corrupted too. I have done two different System Recoverys and both times rhe problem is not corrected. If the answer this time is the same as before (the OS is corrupt and that's OK--do System Recovery),
I am going to demand the address and the costs. I have hinted at that in my last post. Maybe they'll take the hint?

They didn't take the hint that they should fix the computer, but we are not though yet. In this state, we have the Governor's Office of Computer Affairs, which can help.

Hi,
The original question is resolved. I now know where Windows Media Player is. Re the thing with HP, I asked my friend if he could help me with the problem and he fixed it. He said that what I was looking for in the Programs and Features list were actually shortcuts and they could be deleted from the Start menu, and that is what he did. He also took all the HP junk off. Computer runs fine and I am happy .

That's great Jeannie, I'm glad you have it all sorted out.

Now take your friend out to lunch or dinner.

Hi Jeannie,

I am glad you have resolved your problem with the help of a friend.

However, what if something really goes amiss with your computer? You got no offered warranty assistance from HP this time so I would be concerned that if you actually do need warranty work, will it be there for you?

Myself, I would be very unhappy with the lack of HP service you received...............nill in your case.

kind regards,