uninstall & reinstall 4.7

Suddenly, on my home computer (my office computer works fine), my Netscape 4.7 has developed multiple problems: won't allow me to enter "help ", when I click on a link in an email posted to me, nothing happens; etc. When I attempt these things, the screen jitters and then stops -- nothing happens.

I've tried reinstalling 4.7 but doesn't help. So, I thought I would uninstall 4.7 and then reinstall. But I can't find an uninstall button in my Netscape folder. Is there one? Or should I just go to control panel and use the add/remove thing? Or do you have another suggestion?

I may have caused this problem in attempting to clean sweep out my harddisk -- may have deleted & removed some essential files.

 

Hi abay,

You should use the Add/Remove applet to uninstall Netscape.

Before you do anything, back up your Users folder.

Here is a link to tips on how to do a clean install of Netscape:

Performing a "Clean" Install

If you encounter any problem, post back!

Ramona

 

Also, since Netscape 4.7 was released quite a time long ago, I recommend you getting Netscape 4.79, if you want to do the downloading again.

I know I am not allowed to advertise here, however, for your information only: If you are looking for Netscape Communicator with Calendar, you can get it at http://sillydog.org/narchive/ .

 

Well, I tried to perform a "clean" install. After that, I reinstalled 4.7. However, the same problem I had previously is still there -- that is, I can't get "help" in Netscape. Also, I can't click on links inserted in email posts.

Furthermore, I now have lost all my bookmarks. The instructions you referred me to, Ramona, told me to back up my "Users Folder ", which I did. Isn't that where my bookmarks are? Anyway, at first all I got were the original default bookmarks, and then after attempting to import bookmarks from the location I saved the "users Folder" to, I now get no bookmarks at all.

Internet Explorer works fine, but I have always used Netscape, like it, and would like to continue -- but I'm at an impasse.

Any suggestions?

 

Hi abay,

O.K., exactly what did you do when you unstalled/reinstalled? Did you delete nsreg.dat, etc. We'll need to know exactly how you accomplished your install. Did you create a new Profile, or keep the current Profile? The "tried to perform a clean install" has me a little bit worried.

Post back and let us know.

Ramona

 

Actually, I *did* perform a clean install (I think). However, when removing those lines from the registry, there was no HKEY_USERS\Default\Software\Netscape to remove -- meaning there was no "Netscape" file at that location. Had no problem removing al the other lines.

I used Add/Remove. Also, when that didn't help, I used Norton's removal program in SystemWorks.

Did everything else except I didn't deselect RealPlayer and the ohters. Also, the regimen you listed for NEW User Profile Folder, I didn't copy from the OLD user profile, etc. Don't recall being given those choices. So, I musta done something wrong, huh?

Anyway, after reinstalling, Netscape is the same as I described in my initial post.

I doubt if this is related, because I am not having a problem using I.E., but when I logon now, I get an error message that states: Internet Explorer Script Error.

 

Hi abay,

BTW, I lived in Okcy for 37 years! Now, to your Netscape woes.

I used Add/Remove. Also, when that didn't help, I used Norton's removal program in SystemWorks.

Do you mean that Add/Remove wouldn't uninstall Netscape? If so, that is your problem. Let me know.

Did everything else except I didn't deselect RealPlayer and the ohters. Also, the regimen you listed for NEW User Profile Folder, I didn't copy from the OLD user profile, etc. Don't recall being given those choices.

To get your Bookmarks, Address Book, Mail, back to a new install, you must copy those files/folders from the backup copy of the Users folder, which you made, this being the file referred to below as the "OLD user profile ". Do this with Netscape closed. The program itself doesn't give you the opportunity to copy the files, you have to do it manually, as laid out on the Clean Install page:

-------
When the Profile Manager opens and prompts to create a new Users Profile, enter a NEW USER NAME.

Then fill in the appropriate information

Close Netscape

In the NEW User Profile Folder:
(NOTE: If it asks to overwrite the files say YES.)

Copy all the files from the OLD user profile news folder to the NEW news folder.
Copy all the files from the OLD user profile mail folder to the NEW mail folder.
Copy your old bookmarks.htm to the NEW one.
Copy cookies.txt to the NEW one.
Copy all files with an extension of .NA2 to the NEW user profile directory. (This is your address book.)
Copy custom.dic to the NEW user profile directory. (This is your dictionary.)

So, I musta done something wrong, huh?

I think you probably missed a few steps. Try printing out the Clean Install page and then take your time, and follow it step by step.

Post back if anything is unclear to you.

Ramona

 

Ramona,

I knew a "Ramona ": ran a German restaurant/bar in the basement directly beneath my office, rode a Harly. Probably not you, but you never know.

Anyway, I carefully, assiduously, step-by-step followed all your instructions in uninstalling Netscape and reinstaling it, even kept a log while doing so, and . . . IT WORKED! Netscape seems now to be fully operational. Also the error message I told you about while connection to the Internet no longer pops up -- so, somehow, there does seem to be a relationship there.

However, problems persist. For one, the old problem (error message & inability to assess "help" etc. in Netscape) remain unless I terminate all running programs. I think Winfax is the culprit, but I will have to play with them for awhile to be sure. I only have 4 or 5 going (like Palm HotSync, a program called Popup Stopper, another program called Connection Keeper, and Norton Anti-Virus -- plus Winfax).

The other problem is with my bookmarks. I had saved my bookmarks to a floppy, and I tried importing them, but what I got seemed to be the original ones that came with Netscape -- not mine.
somehow, I can't figure out how to follow your "Setting Up a New Users Profile" regimen. How to I get to the "New user profile directory "? Is it called that, with the "New "? I found the "User Profile Direcotry ".

I don't know --maybe I'm just not smart enough to know how to follow directions. I would really appreciate your patience and perserverence in assisting me.

Abay

 

Ramona,

Here's a follow up. In case I didn't copy the correct Bookmark.htm file (it's possible), I do have my old bookmarks in two other places: 1) imported into I.E., and 2) in my office computer.

So, can you tell me how to get them back into my home computer in Netscape?

abay

 

Hi abay,

No Harley or German restaurant!

Do you get an error when you try to access Help? Do you have JavaScript enabled, in Edit|Preferences|Advanced? Do you get an error when you click on Help?

The other problem is with my bookmarks. I had saved my bookmarks to a floppy, and I tried importing them, but what I got seemed to be the original ones that came with Netscape -- not mine.

Don't use the "Import" feature.

Copy, i.e., right click the bookmark.htm file on your floppy, select "Copy ".

Then browse to:
C:\Program Files\Netscape\Users\yourusername

Right click on the "yourusername" folder, select "Paste "
When Windows prompts:
The folder already contains a file named bookmark.htm. Would you like to replace the existing folder?
Answer "YES ".

somehow, I can't figure out how to follow your "Setting Up a New Users Profile" regimen. How to I get to the "New user profile directory "? Is it called that, with the "New "? I found the "User Profile Direcotry ".

When you reinstalled Netscape, the first time you opened the program, the Profile Manager opened and prompted for a User Name. It prompted you to "Click New" to create a new User Profile. This is where you enter a unique User Name. If you were using "abay" for your User Name, then at this point you should have changed it to something unique.

Assuming you did this, then the "New User Profile Directory "=
C:\Program Files\Netscape\Users\yourNEWusername

When referring to the "Old" profile, that is the Users folder you backed up. The "New" profile is the one you created when you installed Netscape, with a different User Name than the previous profile. To answer you question, it is not named "New User Profile ".

I'm not familiar with the programs you mentioned. One thing you might want to check however, is your setting here:
Edit|Preferences|Mail & Newsgroups

If there is a tick beside:
"Use Netscape Messenger from MAPI based applications "
Remove that tick. Fax programs, such as your Winfax can cause problems.

Feel free to ask as many questions as you wish, we're here to help!

Ramona

 

Sorry you're not the Ramona with the Harly. She was a very unique and interesting lady -- but then, perhaps so are you.

I must have resaved the wrong bookmarks.htm over the original one I had. Anyway, my bookmarks on my office computer are almost identical to the ones I had at home -- so I copied the office one to my home computer via PCAnywhere, and now I have them.

I also unticked the "Use Netscape Messenger from MAPI based applications ". Also, the little freebie program, "popup stopper" was definitely causing the error message I referred to. I uninstalled that program, and now that's fixed.

However, I am still having a major problem with Netscape. When I attempt to logon, it connects and gets to the place where my home page should pop up, but instead it just sticks -- that is, it keeps trying and trying, but the home page never pops up, and in the meantime it won't allow me to go to any web page. What I have to do to get Netscape to work, is then X out, but without disconnecting, and then click the Netscape icon in my desktop again, and then the home page will pop up and the browser becomes fully functional. So, do you have any suggestions?

Abay

 

abay,

You are definitely gaining on your Netscape problems. Way to go!

Do you by chance have a third-party download manager installed, or do you use a Hosts file for adware/spyware prevention? That might be your problem with the hang on startup.

Does this happen every time you start Communicator? Even on a cold boot, starting Communicating for the first time?

Lemmeno!

Ramona

 

Ramona,

I'll try to answer:

"Do you by chance have a third-party download manager installed, or do you use a Hosts file for adware/spyware prevention? That might be your problem with the hang on startup. "

I don't know what a third-party download manager is, so can't answer that one -- but I don't think so. Same with regard to "Hosts file for hardware/spyware prevention ".

"Does this happen every time you start communicator? Even on a cold boot, starting
Communicating for the first time?"

Yes, happens every time -- even from a cold boot.

Ramona, now that I know how to work around the problem, it really isn't too much of a bother. Still, if it can be fixed, that would be great.

abay

 

Hi abay,

If you don't know what a Hosts file is, then you don't have one.

A third-party download manager would be a program to supposedly speed up your downloads. Gozilla, Download Accelerator Plus, etc., are just a couple of the titles. You don't need one for Netscape!

I failed to ask some very basic maintenance questions. Check this page, and make certain you are following this routine: Preventive Browser Maintenance for Netscape 4.X Your problem could be this simple. If not.........

A known issue with netscape communicator is that it mysteriously hangs if you configure it to start with messenger as default, in combination with a default user defined encoding.

Right click on your Netscape Deskto icon. Select Properties.
In the "Target" entry, is there any text following netscape.exe "?
If not, then that isn't your problem. If so, remove the text following the .exe "

If that wasn't a solution, then . . .

Try this and see if it helps:

With Netscape closed:

Do a "Find" for nsreg.dat
Start|Find|Files or Folders

When the nsreg.dat file appears, delete the file

Open Communicator
The Profile Manager will prompt for a new User Profile name
Use the same User name that you are currently using

Let us know if this helps.

Ramona

 

Ramona,

Did everything you suggested. No problem in executing those instructions.

However, it still "hangs" as before.

No great problem, really. Still, if it can be fixed . . .

abay

Oh, anothing thing (this is an add on to the above which I sent earlier).

Somehow, in all the uninstall/reinstalls I did, my Communicator has lost the capacity to insert photos. That little icon has disappeared. Can you help me restore it?

 

Hi abay,

On your hang on startup. You might try this:
Run msconfig
Click on the Startup tab
Tell me what entries have a tick beside them other than:
SystemTray
LoadPowerProfile
Pointer (Mouse)
NAV (or other AV)
TweakUI

It's possible that something in your startup is keeping Navigator from starting properly.

Are you talking about the "Insert" drop down menu in Messenger? If so, your settings may have been lost in Mail & Newsgroups.

Edit|Preferences|Mail & Newsgroups|Formatting
Insert a tick in the radio button beside:
"Use the HTML Editor to compose messages "

Ramona

 

Ramona,

In Run|misconfig, there is no Pointer, NAV, or AV to check. TweakUI is unchecked.

In addition the following were checked (besides SystemTray and LoadPowerProfile):

scanRegistry
Norton eMail Protect
NProtect (checked twice!)
Task Monitor
Norton Auto-Protect
RealTray
SchedulingAgent
Iomega Watch
HotSync Manager
Controller
Iomega Disk icons
Refresh

Also, "Use the HTML Editor to compose messages" was already checked.

Yes it is the drop down thing where the insert icon or button or whatever it is called was located before (now there's no drop down at all).
However, I found a way around the problem, by using Composer.

Also, now, I cannot insert in Outlook Express either. Is there a connection?

abay

 

Hi abay,

NAV=Norton Anti Virus which includes:
Norton eMail Protect
NProtect (checked twice!)
Norton Auto-Protect
ScanRegistry
Leave all the above in your startup.

You don't need any of this in your startup
Iomega Watch - Zip Drive
HotSync Manager - Zip Drive
Iomega Disk icons - Zip Drive
Refresh - Zip Drive
Controller - Winfax Pro
RealTray - RealPlayer

Do you use these? If not, they don't need to be in your startup either.
Task Monitor
SchedulingAgent

These are some sites that list programs that can be safely deleted from Startup:

My favorite, although Dell related, lists most programs:
http://www2.whidbey.net/djdenham/Uncheck.htm

These are good sites too:
http://www.pcforrest.freeserve.co.uk/startups.htm
This one contains a full list of programs:
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_pages/startup_full.htm

Now, after all that information, removing those programs may not help your Netscape problem, but it certainly will improve your startup.

Yes it is the drop down thing where the insert icon or button or whatever it is called was located before (now there's no drop down at all). However, I found a way around the problem, by using Composer.

Guess you missed it, but I gave you the configuration, in the above post:

Edit|Preferences|Mail & Newsgroups|Formatting
Insert a tick in the radio button beside:
"Use the HTML Editor to compose messages "

 

Hi, Ramona,

Well, once again I have egg on my face. There was nothing wrong with insert in Messenger after all. When I clicked on for a new post, the page came up somewhat minimized. When I maximize it, then the button to activate that drop down box with the insert icon appears. So, it was there all along. Sorry to have bothered you with this non-problem. My fault again.

I followed your insructionswith respect to all the start up programs, unchecking all but the ones you stated. However, everytime I boot up, some of the ones I uncheck show up checked, to wit: Iomega Watch, Controller, Iomega Disk Icons, and Refresh. They just won't remain unchecked.

Anyway, my one and only problem now with Netscape remains the same: it hangs just before the home page should appear. When I X out of Netscape while remaining connected and then click Netscape in desktop, then the home page appears and Netscape is fully functional.

So -- any other suggestions?

abay

 

Hi abay,

On the reappearance of the Iomega programs: Check your startup folder in Windows, and if there are shortcuts for those programs there, remove them.
C:\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Glad your "Insert" problem is solved!

Your hang on startup may be the "Phantom Netscape" bug. I've had it happen on occasion, but certainly not every time I start Netscape. When that happens the next time, before you restart Netscape, do this:

Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and if there is an entry for netscape, click "End Task ". Let me know if it's there. If so, then you can pretty well nail your problem down to the Netscape "ghosting ".

Ramona