can't download .exe's - please advise

[Jan Lautzenheiser]

When I try to download a program from the internet (e.g. coffecup html editor), after a long wait I get a blue Q (Quicktime?), then I get a message that says my computer doesn't have the right components and they're unavailable. I uninstalled Quicktime, but no improvement. I'm using Win98/IE5.5. Any help fixing my download problem greatly appreciated.

Jan

[diurnal]

One of my friends told me the other day that quicktime is not the best player to run on a windows system,(Jobs getting back at Gates, who knows?)
Have you tried windows media player?

------------------
Sledgehammer will save the day!

[Gallaeglagh]

You probably still have at least remnants of Quicktime on your system. You might need to go into the registry to clean it up.

------------------
So raise your glass we'll drink a toast to the lil' man who sells you thrills along the pier - Moody Blues

[Jan Lautzenheiser]

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately my knowledge of registry editing is zero and I've heard it's difficult and treacherous terrain. Will re-installing Win98 restore my registry? If not, how do I safely find and fix my registry problem?

Jan

[Whyzman]

Hello Jan,

We recently had a discussion regarding the registry and THIS SITE (http://www.jv16.org) was suggested. I downloaded and have been pleasantly pleased (a little alliteration there) with it's ease of use...And, it's FREE!! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

------------------
May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[Gallaeglagh]

There's probably people around here who definetly know more about registry editing than myself, in the meantime you might try this - enter the control panel/add remove programs/Internet Explorer and then you'll get an option to repair - chose that and then reboot.

------------------
So raise your glass we'll drink a toast to the lil' man who sells you thrills along the pier - Moody Blues

[ErnieK]

Jan
The first thing to do when working in the registry (start\run and type REGEDIT) IS TO MAKE A BACKUP OF THE FULL REGISTRY (Go th the REGISTRY button on top left of page and choose EXPORT REGISTRY FILE). Call it backup or some such like. Just save it to your desktop so that it will be easy to find. By doing this if you make a mess of it you can re-isert your backup. To re-insert it just dble click it and it will ask if you want insert into the registry. This will take you back to where you are now.
Next close down registry and re-open it again. Go to EDIT and type in APPLE then click on find. When you find something, right click it and pick delte. After doing full registry search (it tells you when it has finished) do a search for QUICK TIME. Remember though,
So long as you make a backup of the reg you should be OK. Do what I did when I first ventured into the reg. PRAY! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/tongue.gif
This is the advice I was given for working in the reg and it has not let me down (yet).
If you are contemplating a re-installation you have nothng to lose by trying it. Good luck and remember Shut your eyes and pray when you press delete http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

------------------
Ernie

[Whyzman]

Ernie,

Clear and concise...even though I resorted to using the Registry Utility I linked to earlier (fear of the unknown)...I just did as you instructed and went into REGEDIT and exported a copy the registry to my desktop.

Jan I am afraid to go anywhere you can't use a mouse...if I can do this you certainly can! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

------------------
May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[Jan Lautzenheiser]

Thanks, based on your suggestion I tried it, but it didn't fix the problem. However I learned something new and for that, I thank you.

Jan

[Jan Lautzenheiser]

Thanks Whyzman. I immediately went to the website, but catch-22, I couldn't download http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif - Quicktime would have none of it. I'll be trying the registry edit as suggested when I have lots of hours and courage. I'll post my result for others that may have had the same problem.

Jan

[Jan Lautzenheiser]

I appreciate the detailed instructions and warnings. As soon as I get a little time and a lot of courage I'll be bashing my registry.

I have another question if you don't mind, I found 2 slightly different keys to delete - care to comment on the difference? They both recommended exporting then deleting this key:

#1 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Plugins\Extension\.exe
OR
#2 - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet
Explorer\Plugins\Extension

Does the final ".exe" make a difference?

OK, I'm gonna' go for one more question - If I delete this key what's it replaced with?

Pardon my provinciality, but where are the Scottish Borders? (I'm sure everyone in Scotland is having a good laugh right now) - oops, that was 2 more questions http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It all unfolds before your eyes, As Merlin casts his spell.
Moody Blues - quote inspired by Gallaeglagh from the Cracked Windshield State.

[pkrobin]

Hi, I had this same problem on my sister's machine. I am going to be careful what I say here because I don't want to give you advice that I can't definitively say is safe to follow and I can't entirely remember what the fix was - since it wasn't my machine its harder to say what caused the problem.

Regardless, the problem **appeared** to be quicktime as any download link would give you the "quicktime not installed" error or something similar. BUT If I recall I traced it either to the Real Download product or maybe if there is a Quicktime download product it could have been that. It wasn't really the player itself. It was one of these ridiculous downloaders that a few unethical software vendors sneak in their player package.

Anyway I have major issues with anything by Real Networks so I know I definitely did a brute force seek and destreoy mission through the registry on that one. I would have done that anyway. I'm not a fan. I likely did the same with Quick anything. I don't suggest you do this unless you are familiar with registry basics, restore, backup etc. I just wanted to give you another product to take a look at and uninstall if you have it.