Installing Software

On most programs, when you go to install them it says something like:

"It is reccommended that you close all other windows applications before starting setup."

Do you really need to close all other windows programs, or can you do something else worthwile (like browsing the MG site!) at the same time? Its just that its a pain in the rear that i have to close everything, and then start them up again once the installation is done.

Thanks in advance

lil_bugger

 

Also, is it advisable to run programs when your computer is running programs that scan you system, such a defrag, CCleaner, etc....

 

good question. i never understand what they mean by 'close all applications'. i tend to close out of MG or where ever im downloading from, but i dont turn yahoo message off, or the other 'things' that go on in the background. i decided that they weren't windows, but as i said, i dont really understand. same with the scan thingy's. i play spider solitaire whilst they do their thing.

 

Some programs & program types won't install cleanly if another application is running, and may lead to system conflicts. Even more prevelant on poorly- written programs.

A good rule of thumb for a better defrag is to shut everything down except explorer (not Internet Explorer) and systray; anything else running with cause the system tools, epecially the defragmenter, to take much longer to complete its task.

 

star, i love you, but i didn't understand any of that. what explorer? if not Internet explorer ? what systray? what is a systray? where is the systray? defragmenter..........cant even go there laughing too much.

ok, recovered. in england we send the scrap cars to the 'frag'. i was thirty three before i found out it stood for 'defragmentation'. up till that point i thought it was cockney rhyming slang for something. rofl. aloha

 

Hope this helps
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a236/tourangh/Clipboard0.jpg

 

yes i know where the defrag is, i just dont understand what it has to do with the original question? i dont know what it does, but i do it every couple of months 'coz someone told me to

 

If you run defrag with other programs open it will take longer to finish.

 

Defrag, especially in Windows 9x (ME and 98 SE etc) won't run if there are any programs running in the background as they can disrupt it. You can defrag in Safe Mode if it becomes a problem.

Some programs, like Messenger, will close itself when you are installing a new version, then restart when finished.

You can get away with not closing down programs when installing something, but it's better and safer to not risk it.

That doesn't mean you can't have program icons in your systray (the one near the time), but just don't have them open while you are installing something.

 

"A good rule of thumb for a better defrag is to shut everything down except explorer (not Internet Explorer) and systray; anything else running with cause the system tools, epecially the defragmenter, to take much longer to complete its task"

Another option to achieve the same goal is to defragment in safe mode.

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPOR...2001052409420406?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam