Drives....+winRar

I'll just stick this over here as well.....sorry this seems to be a bit of a recurring story.





Hi,

Breifly, in the last 6 months my computer (Mesh) seems to have developed an issue with drivers (8 of them in varying capacities)......its along story.....

I had a punt on an internet company called "Driver Detective" which seemed (initially) to be retreiving the situation. The idea being that the "Driver Detective scans your computer, detects where drivers need updating or renewing and finds them for you.

The downloads indicate I should be purchasing a "winRAR licence" (which I think comes out at 50 pounds for a single computer).

Has anyone experience of here....?

i.e.

1) corrupted drivers

2) the driver detective?

3) WinRar Licences?


The downloads I have done to date are apparantly for 40 days only (but don't seem to be lasting that long....although they worked well to start with)

Is there a better way of approaching this thing?





tia





David

 

You'd be mental to pay £50 for WinRAR. What type of compressed files are you working with - zip, rar, arc, ace, etc? Based on what you need you can choose a freeware program from here.

Uninstall WinRAR from the add/remove programs menu before you install anything else.

 

Who is Winrar?


is it an Incan God?

 

I'm clearly missing something here.

The only compressing I've been doing is with photographs in JPG format.

I have the option of using zip compression with photographs too.

 

There is a free version of WinRar - I have used it for the last 5 years or so and have never had any nag screens or system problems by not buying it!

What exactly are the problems the PC is experiencing?

 

Can we define what you think drivers are?

Drivers are normally thought of as the basic software that help a piece of hardware compunicate with the operating system.

Winrar in a software package for creating and viewing compressed files.

 

The scanner doesn't work....despite reloading its disc......and the picture capture wizard has gone on strike

 

Thats about what I'd have said.

 

So, you don't need to spend £50 on a piece of software for creating and viewing file you don't use.

Nothing whatsoever to do with WinRAR, but beyond that I can't help I'm afraid. Good luck!

 

Some ideas:

First, go into device manager and see if any drivers are recognised by Windoze as not working (will either be listed as 'unknown' - a yellow "?" or will have a yellow circle (or is it triangle?) with a '!' in it)'. Any that meet this criteria, try updating the driver (right click > "Properties" > Driver details tab > update - select update from internet).

If this doesn't work. Disconnect the scanner, reboot and start in "safe mode". Uninstall the drivers for the scanner and the interface (USB? SCSI?). Power down. Plug in scanner and restart - PC should re-install drivers.

Boot up the PC in "Safe Mode" and unins

 

hmm, winrar has nowt to do with drivers.

As Seeker said, look in device manager and see what drivers are not working.

 

Yes, done that already.....acccording to that everything is working.

 

I was kinda thinking the "driver detective" might reinstall corrpted drivers for me (the stated promise).....which seemed to necessiate this licence.

The fact that this winRar licence suddenly cropped up made me small a rat.







Thanks for the inputs....putting me right

 

Odd connection ?

How do/did you/have you installed/updated drivers before now ?
From a disc...etc or did you /have you uploaded them in RaR ?

 

David,

You may like to read this review :

http://www.techpin.com/driver-detective-review-the-truth/

They do actually like the software but only the paid-for version, their view of the trial version being uncomplimentary! If you follow the process they followed, I think you would stand a good chance of sorting out your driver issues.

Once you're happy I would advise uninstalling WinRar - I can think of no good reason why you should be paying for compressed file handling when it comes as standard in XP! If you do need to handle non-standard compressed files, then get 7zip from here : http://www.7-zip.org/ . You need to download the top choice, in the download box, which is for 32bit Windows. The file will be called 7z465.exe when it gets to your computer. Just double click it, accept all of the default choices and you're good to go.

Hope this helps

Bob

 

Its a connection THEY suggested.

I either use the disc supplied with the equipment or xp usually has the driver(s) in its own software.

In the case of the scanner and and the capture wizard....neither has worked.

 

Hmmmm....

Very interesting.

"They do actually like the software but only the paid-for version"

....you mean paying for the licence?

But yoiu sort of wander what other bills will be 5 mins down the line.

Yes those tales sound very familiar......like many say I think I've got accept I've been had.

Thanks for the link.

At least I know i am not the only one.

 

Not sure I agree with your sentiments, David. It's a common practice for trial software to give you a 'taster' but restrict functionality - they want to sell you something, after all!

I don't think you've been 'had', as such. If you are not confident to tackle this job yourself, then they are offering you a way of getting it done. It's gonna cost you, though - nothing unusual there! Having bought the software I can't really see where there will be further expense - hardware manufacturers don't charge for their drivers.

 

You could be right!


I did pay my 20/30 dollars ...+10 for 2 years membership.....then discover they want another 50 quid for a licence....(they didn't mention that to start with)

So, do you think the 50 for the licence is a wise investment (for some one as you say isn't that good with these things) or throwing good money after bad?

(of course there are no guarentees the downloads will work if I fork out for the licence!)

 

If I understand your earlier post correctly, David, the licence Driver Detective (DD) is suggesting you buy is the one for WinRar. Winrar is a program, not a driver. This could be construed as a little 'creative thinking' by DD! Obviously, if DD is hunting around your system looking for unregistered software then they are looking to earn a little extra from 'partners' fees.

My advice would stay the same. If you've paid for DD then there is nothing else to be bought. Drop them a line and tell them that you didn't buy their program so that it could hunt around your system looking for ways to part you from your money!

Uninstall WinRar and install 7Zip. Run DD as per the previous post and keep your fingers crossed!