Oscheck.exe error at startup

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21

I'm glad it was resolved in the end. Thanks for the feedback.

 

I think mcullet has gone on a bit strong at you since you didn't blame NIS2008 and your first message did say:

 

<<  the error report mentions sending an appcompat.txt file, & there was also a version number, either 15.5.0.23, or 15.5.0.23. >>

 

which happens to be the version number of the latest NIS 2008 <s>

 

How right you are about the Norton support here -- it's impressive, not just the people themselves but that company policy allows them to admit to bugs and to tell us when they are working on solutions and ask for our help.

22

Hi Huwyngr,

 

Many thanks for the reply!

 

My desktop PC is a HP Pavilion & is about 5 years old now, & running Win XP. I have been so impressed that I purchased a HP Notebook last year. I like the fact that HP allows you to create a complete set of recovery discs, & also has a recovery drive partition which has been a huge help in the past. The trouble is it is a case of then having to install every Win XP update & software/drivers since 5 years back, & all the other programs that I use today.

 

About 4 months back I noticed the XP defrag was not completing, so after trying many things, I was advised to try Defraggler which fixed that, & then I installed XP`s SP3, & soooooooo many other things such as Adobe updates & java, so I can`t say with any certainty was caused this oscheck Symantec application error to appear. The only real worry I have regarding computers is that my system is as secure as it can be, & everything else is easily backed up & reinstalled if need be.

 

I am just glad that there are people like yourself out there when these problems occur!

 

Many thanks.

 

Ian.

23

Hi Ian,

 

Thanks for the added info. 

 

My apologies if I offended you in any way.  You have been most courteous and professional at all times - which IMHO is always deserving of assistance no matter what.  I need to work on my written communications (my issue).  The point I tried to make is still valid - it was poorly expressed though, my bad.

 

Windoze Defrag can cause problems all by itself based on a quick google.  Your system is 5 years old which is getting old by IT standards.  Loads of people have way older systems purring happily away on Linux / so it was not a comment about new versus old - more about driver availability and operating system support etc. 

 

From what you wrote, it's becomming increasing burdensome to reinstall your OS / software as time passes.  Perhaps this might help you out ...

 

In case you were unaware, you can create your own customised XP install DVD / CD's with whatever updates you like.  I have not tried it with a HP system but can't see why it wouldn't work so long as you can locate the necessary drivers to slipstream onto your custom CD.  Go to Windows Updates Downloader (WUD) and download the main file and the update lists.  The latest one looks like this:

 

 

 

If you are unfamiliar with creating your own customised XP install CD / DVD this site might help.  The walk-thru is pretty straightforward so you *should* be OK ... besides, there are plenty of alternate sites with this info all over the place.

 

If you want an alternate method look here in "Slipstreaming Windows XP" which contains a link to the nLite deployment tool used to create an unattended windows ISO. (There are plenty of other tools for this too.)

 

This stuff *should* help make life a little easier with maintaining your system.  Windows has had plenty of changes since you bought your PC. 

 

I've got a slew of valid licences for heaps of MS products all of which require gigs of patches.  I called Microsoft (Australia) and bought the latest media off them - best value for a couple of bucks ever.  It brings you to a set point in time (eg: today :) and from there your task of creating custom boot disks gets quite easy.

 

That handles the issue about getting your system up to date when things go south.  Have you considered getting a good backup solution - Ghost, for example.  The Symantec tech folk would be better placed to advise you of the best solution for your needs - they recommended Ghost Solution Suite for me (I'm lazy ... wanted to be able to recover from a saved image and just keep going).  Just a thought ... your call.

 

Symantec System Works has a defragging tool that is good.  It'ss the only defragging tool I'd use (personal preference / experience).

 

BTW - it might be worthwhile getting into the habit of doing a chkdsk / f of the disk you want to defrag.  This way you check and fix errors before getting into difficulties defragging.

 

These are all off topic, sorry folks.  I hope that the info (creating custom XP / VISTA install disks) may be helpful per se.

 

TTFN

24

I'm impressed with HP laptops too. I bought one for a family member and set it up a while ago. As you say you can easily make a recovery DVD (once but I duped mine to keep here since the laptop was going out to Wyoming) and you can buy a factory DVD for about $20 deleivered so I did that too <g>

 

Important not to try and save disk space by deleting the recovery system after you have made the DVD since HP say you can use it for things you cannot do with the recovery DVD which only does a full restore I believe. According to HP you can get individual files and drivers from the recovery partition and you can do a repair of VISTA and not just a full install.

 

If you are not using NTFS (but I imagine you are if this is a factory installation) then I'd definitely convert to it.

1 Like
25

Hi Mike & Huwyngr,

 

Many thanks again, you have both been a HUGE help!

 

The first I did on both machines when I purchased them was to start them up, & create the recovery discs, & I still have the recovery petitions on both. I did convert the XP over to NTFS when it was about a year old following advice on forums & the Windows newsgroups.

 

I shall certainly look into the Windows Updates Downloader, I never new such a program exhisted. Here in the UK, I think XP SP2 was available free from Microsoft via our PC superstores, but I managed order it on disc from Microsoft direct, so I shall see if they are doing the same for SP3 aswell.

 

Anyway, thank you both again for your help.

 

Ian.