Giveaway of the Day Forums

1. 

   Cinnamon
   Member

   Hi Everyone. Let me just start off by saying i LOVE your site!!!! I've been only coming here now for about 3 or 4 months and I really appreciate what you do; getting awesome programs for free!!

   I'm concerned though about losing the programs that i have gotten. I need to format my computer due to problems and is there ANY way that i can hold on to these wonderful programs? (I especially love the programs that are great for monitoring your system: Windows Care, Hard Drive Inspector, just to name a couple.)

   Thank You
   Karen

   Posted 17 years ago #
2. 

   Wolven
   Member

   Vewy, vewy, intewesting...Are we really supposed to know the answer?

   Karen, if you need to format, backup your registry to another hard drive (not the disk your operating system is on, if that is the disk you intend to format lol!). Also copy your downloaded programs there. For safety, burn the reg backup and programs to cd/dvd too.

   Then PM Lee or BuBBy - They will tell you which registry entries need to be copied back, after you reinstall,..or at least where to find them, ...however, if it is not policy, they may choose not to tell you.

   Good luck.

   Posted 17 years ago #
3. 

   Anonymous
   Unregistered

   I won't show you how to hack the registry.

   Formatting a hard drive is the last resort.

   You firstly tell us your ops you use, example, xp, 2000, me, 98 etc. And what the problem is.

   I will advise a repair install if you have windows xp.

   6 years I have used windows xp professional and not one format.

   Posted 17 years ago #
4. 

   Cinnamon
   Member

   Thank you Wolven & Lee for your replies. I have a7 month old computer running XP Pro with Media Center and I have contracted a virus (which eventually i did get rid of) but i don't think before it did some damage. I created another user account and have been using that but I'm still having a couple of little problems and i feel that i need a fresh start. I've formatted plenty of times on my own and for others which i'm comfortable with, but I really don't want to lose these terrific programs. I knew that if i backed them up and reinstalled them it wouldn't work because i'd have to register them all over again and that wouldn't work. This trojan that i did get probably damaged some files and i feel that's the only way to go. Just curious if there was a way that it could be done (to be able to keep my programs).

   Thank you again
   Karen

   Posted 17 years ago #
5. 

   Wolven
   Member

   Karen,

   Lee is suggesting a system repair from your XP disc - Simple enough and it may just save you a format-reinstall and registry hack (lots of work). If you are only experiencing minor problems at present, don't panic. Wait for Lee to awake from counting rabbits (probably around 1:00AM where he is).

   Also tell him which security / anti-spyware / anti-virus programs you have running. I'm sure he will set you on the right path (freeware wise) if you are not adequately protected against future parasites/attacks.

   Finally, Lee is a huge fan of English cricket. Don't forget to ask how England fared in the recent Ashes series - But leave that one until after your computer program woes are remedied.

   Good luck!

   P.S. Do you still have a repair log, or remember the name of the trojan?

   Posted 17 years ago #
6. 

   Anonymous
   Unregistered

   I get up at 4 a.m. every morning.

   Huhummm commonewealth bank series rugby union world cup uhuuum

   What virus was it you think you got I will ask firstly.

   Posted 17 years ago #
7. 

   ibbit07
   Member

   I would second the suggestion for a system repair. You can do it using your Windows XP CD. My husband is a computer technician and unless the harddrive is completely toast he will always try a repair first. I've done system repairs on my computer many times. I haven't reformatted my harddrive in ages, though I do have a back-up of all my necessary stuff to a large external. Pictures, my Quicken file, etc.

   Posted 17 years ago #
8. 

   NannySamdi
   Member

   Learning that you shouldn't have to reformat xp, and that if you have to you can easily do it with the cd, is all very well and good but it doesn't really help those of us who did have to reformat and who had to have it done professionally because the cd couldn't fix the problem. No, I didn't have a virus, my drive was free of spyware etc and they had no idea why my hard drive crashed...it just did. And even though I have all my want-to-keep programs on another partition and all of them burned to cds as well, some of them (windowblinds for example) refused to reinstall afterwards until I downloaded a fresh copy from the home site. Which wouldn't work with the programs I've downloaded from this site, now would it. So the $250. question (what it cost me to have my computer 'fixed') is, if I lose programs from this site because I absolutely must reformat, and they won't reinstall from my burned disk, how do I get my hands on them again???

   Posted 17 years ago #
9. 

   AlexSJ
   Member

   Hello NannySamdi:
   I had a little situation with my son's PC. Had a bunch of GOTD games installed, but his dad came to visit and uninstalled them in a fit, which made my son very unhappy because he hadn't finished several of them. I thought, going back to some system restore point would be good, but Windows didn't let me. So I tried a reinstall from the unzipped Setup Up files and horray, it did work in some cases like Rip and Star Defense. Other like Master of Defense, which did not have an Activate file attached, well I am still in the same boat as you.
   Pura vida

   Posted 17 years ago #
10. 

    triphammer
    Member

    I would always go with a system repair before formatting or reinstalling windows. Almost everything can be fixed. But in the rare occasion when you have no other choice, and it must be done, you're kinda up the creek with what you had. It comes with the territory of making the decision to reformat your disk.

    But then again... we're all potential customers of those software companies that give away that software for a day. We can always BUY the software if we like it that much. That's almost the point of giving it away for just one day...no? Either that wait for the latest version of the program to pop up in the giveaway. I've seen updated versions of programs rotate through for giveaway.

    Posted 17 years ago #
11. 

    BillW50
    Member

    Well I have to be careful what I say. As it it is really easy for those that know what they are doing to create activated installs. Well 99% of the time anyway. Although I can't talk about doing things this way. And I hope you understand why.

    Rather what I can say should work like 95% of the time is to export your registry with regedit (comes with Windows). This holds 99% of the varies program activation codes. Then back up your Program Files folders. Some program installs will drop DLLs into your Windows\System32 folder. So backing up this folder will help for the few programs that do. And this should cover about 99% of the programs offered here.

    Now if you have to do a reformat (last time I did was back in 2002 installing a newer OS). Just double-click on your registry export and restore your Program Files. And you should be all set. Don't import those registry files I talked about above in another computer! This will totally screw it up.

    Another way is to get a backup program (no good free ones that I know of - well there is the one that came with Windows)and do backups that way. Also don't restore this one on another computer either. As this will also screw it up.

    Posted 17 years ago #
12. 

    Kat
    Member

    I accidentally reformatted my laptop (I was VERY tired!) The screen looked exactly like the first time I fired her up. I crossed my fingers and loaded my backup (windows BACKUPNT from XP) and I got all my GOTD programs back. I know that probably doesn't help you now-but for the future, backup! Make sure you check off system state and that you backup to an external drive that won't be affected by reformatting. I didn't lose a single thing!
    Kat

    Posted 17 years ago #
13. 

    SArunSR
    Member

    Why cant the software companies be convinced to give us an activation code each time so that we can d/l the trial versions from their sites and register using the codes.My system was reformatted a week back without my knowledge!I lost all Giveaways but was able to get back the ones provided by AVS Software as they provide a code each time.

    Posted 17 years ago #
14. 

    NannySamdi
    Member

    Unless the program I'm installing doesn't give me a choice, I install it to a file I created on another drive and run it from there. I'm pretty certain that over 95% of the programs that I have installed onto my computer MYSELF (as in not a win xp file or update, scanner or webcam files or that sort of thing) are in that file...I'm old and practicing going senile and I absolutely no patience for searching hell and high water for a file so if it is in this file of mine, I know exactly where it is. Not only that, because it isn't on C drive, when I do have to reformat, it doesn't get wiped out as well. But still the problem remains, when C got reformated, some of the programs in D refused to work afterwards without a just downloaded installer. Are you saying that if I make a backup of my Program file and my Windows file and then restore them after a reformat, that my programs will work again?

    SAunSR, reformatting a computer is a big deal and it can't be done by just anybody who happens to be using your 'puter. You have to have Admin rights and even the gents...professionals by the way...who reformatted my computer had to have my passward before they could do a reformat. Are you not logged as the sole Administrator?? Really, unless you trust them totally and completely, anyone else who uses your computer should be logged on as a limited or guest account. Saves a lot of hassle and wear and tear on your nerves.

    Posted 17 years ago #
15. 

    Bobby
    Member

    Nanny ... from someone down to her last brain cell, I love the comment about practicing being senile :)

    Nanny, SAunSR, et al ...
    In regard to formatting by other than owner, it can be done if the administrator's account is not password protected; otherwise, any user can simply switch to an admin profile and carry out dastardly deeds. Also, one should never be surfing the internet under an admin profile! Using a limited or guest profile may stifle your access to certain processes but by the same token, it limits damage from hackers. An admin profile opens you up to comprehensive assaults and should be used sparingly.

    As for reformatting and losing programs, any program that you use is going to be in the registry in some form or another.

    I do not recommend registry edits for the uninitiated, but you CAN export a backup copy of your registry by these steps:
    Start > Run > Regedit ...
    the window that pops up is your registry. In the upper left corner, choose
    FILE > EXPORT.
    The file can then be saved to another hard drive or CD; note that the file can be exported in registry or text formats. If you do so in registry format, opening the file will RESTORE that registry over the one you are currently using. Text will allow you to read the file, but unless you are proficient in the mysteries of regedits, comparing and editing entries is best left to more knowledgeable techs. The information you seek is, quite often, encoded and would require decompiling.

    On the subject of Restore: there are generally two types, a 'hard' restore and 'soft' restore.

    In a hard restore, or format, ALL information is wiped and replaced with original factory-installed conditions.

    In a 'soft' restore, the registry is rebuilt to original keys, and original software is reinstalled BUT your documents, videos and music remain intact. Programs YOU installed on the computer will remain, but their registry keys will be overwritten. In other words, you will be able to locate your program files on the start menu but getting them to work is another story.

    The only way to resolve that problem is to rebuild the registry keys ... or completely reinstall the program. While re-installation may not be a problem for purchased software, the Giveaway games -may- be another story. The exception may be when the Giveaway pop-up window actually lists the activation key. If you have copied that, you may be able to reinstall the program and reactivate.

    Posted 17 years ago #
16. 

    Bobby
    Member

    AlexSJ ... put a password on your account and on your son's account. Use alpha-numeric format that temperamental Dad cannot easily guess.

    You can also make certain files 'private' by right-clicking on the file itself and choosing 'Properties.' When the Property window opens, check the 'Make This Folder Private' option and set a password.

    Here's the step by step procedure:

    1. Go to Trend Micro's website (in my opinion, the only security software worth having), and run a *free* House Call test for security violations and keyloggers. Why? I would be willing to bet that if the ex would dump a child's games in a fit of pique, said ex would also put a keylogger program on the computer. Keyloggers would allow him to monitor every keystroke made on your machine.

    http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/free_security_tools/housecall_free_scan.php

    2. Make non-admin accounts for yourself and your son;
    3. Password-protect all accounts;
    4. From the admin account, open My Computer ... and drag 'n drop (or copy 'n paste) any document, music or video file that you use often onto the Shared Folders icon;
    5. Create shortcuts to your son's games and drop them onto the 'Shared Folders' icon;
    6. Close out of the admin profile and switch to your new profile .. give things a test run.

    You and your child have a right to privacy and security, even on your computer. If you need ideas on how to set up easy-to-remember passwords, you can PM me by clicking on my profile and clicking the 'PM USER' link. I am a former AOL host and can share a few tips 'n tricks in this regard.

    Posted 17 years ago #
17. 

    Anonymous
    Unregistered

    Bios boot password is the best solution for those nervous about their systems, yes of course removing the battery in most cases gets rid of the password.

    Posted 17 years ago #
18. 

    AlexSJ
    Member

    yep, those are the steps, everybody got downgraded to limited account and passwords are new. Still missing to set up a seperate user account for myself, but I don't really use his coputer. Will do the check for the keylogger too.
    There is one point about the admin accounts though and I really have not gotten that resolved at any level. I have him set up as Admin so that he can install the Giveaways and Games under his account and they will be fully activated, limited accounts have a problem there. In the beginning I installed them under my admin account, but then he on his account they would not be fully activated.
    I wish I could just install them under Admin and have them fully activated for all users.

    Anyway, there is one more thing I did. I purchased ChildControl from http://www.salfeld.com/ which effectively puts a stop to the kid or the ex messing with the pc or settings. They complain, because now they cannot even change the wallpaper. The ex is effectively banned from messing with the game folder, but the kid can still install the games under his account. And everybody has their allotted pc and internet time (seperate setup for both). Educational software can be played anytime, games only at certain times. Still have to tweak all the settings, but if the 2 hours of time are up, computer gives warning, then shuts off. Now they all go,... but you are doing this on my time .... jejej

    on an afterthought: work laptop toshiba has a seperate boot password (toshiba app), Lee. Is this one affected by the battery removal = loose password?

    Pura vida!

    Posted 17 years ago #
19. 

    BuBBy
    Teh adnim

    The battery referred to in this case is one of the type normally used in watches or calculators (sometimes known as a lithium coin battery such as CR 2032). This battery normally cannot be accessed without a screwdriver & removing the cover or back from the PC / laptop.

    This battery powers the CMOS memory that stores settings such as boot passwords, drive types, device boot order etc.

    Removing the main laptop battery or allowing it to "run flat" will not erase the laptop BIOS settings.

    Posted 17 years ago #
20. 

    juggerknaut
    Member

    well after reading this I have to say that as an A+ certified computer tech, there are times when an XP repair is not possible, as a matter of fact if you find a technician who is worth their salt they will tell you that a "repair" is a 50-50 crap (as in dice) shoot at best and more likely as not it will fail or make things worse, other times a repair is not possible if the disk is damaged as in my case, I have several bad sectors, and the drive crashes every time I access the USB to much and a couple other on line programs, there a format is the only option to rebuild the MBR, sometimes cloning to a good disk will help, but pot luck there too.

    but bottom line is this from what I have been reading, in the event of a system crash, or upgrade, or what ever, where the installed programs are no longer accessible, how would one reinstall the application or game?

    Posted 17 years ago #
21. 

    BuBBy
    Teh adnim

    "in the event of a system crash, or upgrade, or what ever, where the installed programs are no longer accessible, how would one reinstall the application or game?"

    You have 3 Options.

    1. Download and install a shareware trial from the official programs website.
    2. Purchase or Register a full license from the software developer.
    3. Do without and wait, hoping that GOTD might offer the same program (or a more recent version) at some stage in the future.

    That's about it.

    Posted 17 years ago #
22. 

    juggerknaut
    Member

    You have 3 Options.

    1. Download and install a shareware trial from the official programs website.
    2. Purchase or Register a full license from the software developer.
    3. Do without and wait, hoping that GOTD might offer the same program (or a more recent version) at some stage in the future.

    That's about it.

    so the programs though "free" at download, are not totaly free after all, just basically an extended trial, and hope that nothing goes wrong with your computer or that you don't get a new one.

    Posted 17 years ago #
23. 

    Anonymous
    Unregistered

    Option 1 does not always work.

    The file offered for PDF to Image Converter v1.9.9.5 may have the same build number but is a different file.

    The one released here is specific to GAOTD.

    However todays release works with the file from the authors site.

    Posted 17 years ago #
24. 

    BuBBy
    Teh adnim

    @juggerknaut

    so the programs though "free" at download, are not totaly free after all, just basically an extended trial, and hope that nothing goes wrong with your computer or that you don't get a new one.

    Correct. The software is completely free. The nature of the giveaway isn't limited by disabling program features or an enforced timeout. The giveaway is based around the developer giving permission to GOTD to distribute a full version of their software - but restricting installs for a 24 hour period.

    If losing the program because I had to setup my PC I would question how much do I like this program - is it worth registering?

    Rather than criticize the developers for letting you use their software for an open period of time, but wanting to withold the ability to install again at a later date - I would be appreciative for the use I did get from their app, and if I liked the software enough - I would consider purchasing a license.

    Remember without the 24 hour restriction, many (or all) of the developers may refuse to support GOTD as effectively their software would become (from a users viewpoint) equivalent to freeware.

    If this is likely to be a problem it would probably be best to uninstall all of the giveaways immediately before becoming too attached to them.

    Every day I hear the complaints, "I just hate it when I am 'taken advantage of' as part of a sinister marketing exercise. These companies are just like drug dealers - The first hit is free... the next one you pay for..."

    @Lee
    Option 3 also does not always work.

    That just leaves Option 2.

    (What I meant by option 1 - was to install the Shareware version instead of the GOTD version. Therefore you would have the latest version - but would also be subject to all of the restrictions that go with the public shareware version-including possibly a 14 day time limit.)

    Posted 17 years ago #
25. 

    kevinyunlai
    Member

    I will advise a repair install if you have windows xp.

    6 years I have used windows xp professional and not one format.
    Lee

    WOW, I reformatted 49 times in one year (I swear to you, I'm not joking)

    Posted 17 years ago #
26. 

    BuBBy
    Teh adnim

    WOW, I reformatted 49 times in one year (I swear to you, I'm not joking)

    But were all those reformats necessary? If a repair was possible - would you take that option - or reformat as a "first step" to fixing the problem?

    I guess you must be pretty good at taking backups by now then? :)

    Posted 17 years ago #
27. 

    kevinyunlai
    Member

    About a third were not necessary
    I learned a lot though
    And, reformat is always my first option
    1. for ex, if I get a virus, I reformat, it takes 30 min to do a system restore that reformats, but it takes 60 min to scan for a virus
    2. I good to clean my computer once in a while.....:)
    My computer has survived for more than one month now, hope it can still that way:)

    Posted 17 years ago #
28. 

    BigThunder1
    Member

    @ kevinyunlai:

    WOW! You can't be serious!! How do you ever get anything done?! Sounds like you spend the better part of your time re-installing everything. Is the 30 minutes you save not running a virus scan worth the hours upon hours you invest in such a procedure/philosophy? I've heard some interesting philosophies over the years about dealing with PC issues, but yours takes the cake!! Tell me your joking... please! Excuse me, but that's just ignorance, or a 'major' case of paranoia IMHO. Like BuBBy said, you must be pretty good at taking backups by now. Forgive me, but that comment/philosophy just blows me away! *Look of shock and disbelief on his face.*

    Do you not use a firewall, an anti-virus application, and some care about where and what you do on-line? Sorry, but that comment just left me bewildered!!

    Posted 17 years ago #
29. 

    kevinyunlai
    Member

    People have different views Bigthunder1
    It takes 30min to make my computer new, and it takes 60 to run a scan, which one is faster?
    My computer is skill is "above average", reformatting takes no time at all for me
    and I have a legal version of norton and mcafee install on my computer, The only things I need to backup are my homework, which are all word doc, the music,movie,pictures are backed up on three computer at home
    I'm a teenager, they do weird stuff :)

    Posted 17 years ago #
30. 

    BigThunder1
    Member

    Hi kevinyunlai,

    Your right, no question people have different views on doing things. Your skills may be above average. One can only take your word at that. From what you stated in your reply, it would seem that you've obviously got things down to a science. I won't say my 'puter skill is other than what it is, and I know my way around one ...eaaa fairly well. You must have a fairly fast sys all things considered or a small drv to reformat, re-install the OS, and what apps you use. Sounds/appears like you keep it to the bare necessities for what you do with it. Your math time-wise is of no question, 30 being faster than 60, but for me to wipe and reinstall everything (as for most) is a dreaded daunting task not only reinstalling, but reconfiguring 'all' the way I want it. I didn't mean any portion of my post as an insult and hope you didn't see it that way. I (as I'm sure many are) was just shocked beyond belief that someone would do such a thing and had never heard of one doing that on such a regular basis. I'd be interested to learn more about what your doing out of curiosity if you'd be kind enough to PM me here. Old dogs can learn new tricks, and you may show me a thing or two. Thanks for your reply and I hope to here from you through a PM here at GOTD. If not, or you don't have time (or desire) to explain what and how your doing this I won't be offended. I'm always looking for new and improved ways to do things, or just a different perspective on the issue at hand or old/current ways. I mess with PC's quite often helping others, rebuilding whatever I can get my hands on to give to others or help someone get started. Always open for new ideas.

    Regards... 8-)

    Edit: It seems PM'g is only to admin and moderators which is another big shock/surprise to me today (unless I missed something). I sent a PM to admin questioning the inability to PM other members or if I just missed the boat somehow and am waiting a reply. PM's to other forum members is standard fare on most forums today, so I was quite surprised at this.

    It will be very understandable if you don't want to discuss your process or concept here in the open forum, and is the reason I suggested a PM in the first place. This could become a somewhat lengthy conversation and some aspects about my system and what not I don't care to make public knowledge. That and this isn't a topic concurrent with what this forum is about IMHO. More related to technical rather than software.

    Posted 17 years ago #

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