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Subject: Re: CM7000 is it okay to install?

Author: John R. Menke, Sr.

Date: 06:52:07 10/10/99

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I advise caution with CM7000.  If offered the option during installation, I
recommend NOT electing to install Quicktime, DirectX, new video drivers, etc.
You can always try to install them later, if you really want to risk it.

There are no warnings nor cautions in that regard on the CM7000 installation CD.
 In fact, if the CM7000 installer offers you those options, it will say that
they are "required" or "recommended" -- but that's terrible advice!  You should
be fully pre-warned and advised of the possible consequences of making such
major changes to your operating system, which can affect a lot of things on your
computer besides just CM7000.  In effect, they are saying that they will make
your computer compatible with CM7000, if possible, but to hell with everything
else!

The average member of this forum is probably not very interested in the possible
enhancements offered by the Quicktime, DirectX, and video driver changes on the
CM7000 CD.  They are geared more towards the Star Wars crowd, those who require
that their computer jump up & down while making amazing turns & twists in the
air with the greatest of ease, provide almost-realistic 3D videos at
superspeeds, the latest sound effects and hi-fi music quality, etc.  You get the
idea.  Unfortunately many of us have computers which cannot possibly meet such
standards, and that can only lead to problems.

DirectX is a Microsoft product that is supposed to facilitate various multimedia
operations, but causes problems with some computer systems.  At the worst, a
failure can cause a system crash requiring that you reformat your hard drive,
reinstall your op system, all of your software, etc.  DirectX is not normally
uninstallable.  There are ways to uninstall it, but it's risky.  Here's are a
couple of leading references in that regard:
http://www.ebrink.com/dxun/Direct.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/directx/default.asp

I don't know much about Quicktime.  I hear that it is an Apple product that can
cause problems on some PC systems.  I believe that it has something to do with
enhancing videos (movies), but don't know any more.

There are utilities that will take an exact "snapshot" of your computer system
before installing new software.  Then if the software doesn't work properly, you
can easily return your computer to original condition.  Based on my unfortunate
experience and some others, I would recommend using such an utility when
installing CM7000.  Otherwise it's a major chore to find and eradicate
uninstallable residuals and restore original drivers, such as I will be doing
during the coming weeks/months...

--JRM



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