A computer query

[Appleyard]

I have a CD Rom which covers what is in effect the workshop manual for my car.It is very detailed and useful. However..it has an expiry date of September 2004 ,which means in effect that it will not play any more.I can get around this by "winding" the date on my PC back a couple of years.This is OK,but when I reset to the correct date,I have to reset all passwords etc. Is there a way that I can view the CD rom without turning back the date?

 

[srp]

Without seeing what files are actually on the cd it's difficult to say. It's likely that the answer is that it can't be done. However, that's not to stop you trying - if you're lucky, the files with the actual manual pages on are in a seperate folder, and if you're even more lucky, can be opened with something like a media player, Acrobat reader or maybe a web browser.
More info needed before anyone can answer your question definitively.

 

[SoulFireMage]

What cd is it? Is it an autodata one?

If you've a pc sufficient to run virtual pc or vmware it's possible to install an operating system within an operating system and run that on the old date. That's probably pushing things a little. The autodata cd's do have a patch which may be findable in the less salubrious realms of the internet. Seems a silly restriction on a cd manual-stupid idea.

 

[Appleyard]

It's called "rave" as far as I can tell..and contains workshop manuals for all MG-Rover models. There is a date printed on the label which indicates 09/2004 to be the cut off date.I acquired the CD from an employee of the ex-company,so I don't think that it was available generally to buy.Will I cause any damage if I continue to reset the date on my PC back and froward?

 

[lenseman]

Firstly, have you tried START - CONTROL PANEL - INSTALL OR REMOVE PROGRAMS or WINDOWS COMPONENTS and then done a Re-Boot??

When you first 'installed' or looked at the CD on your PC, the common trick is that the installation program 'writes' to the Registry effectively 'Time-Stamping' the install.

You can look at this by going START - RUN - and typing in the word < regedit > and then hitting the Return.

This will bring up the registry file and by doing a search by EDIT - FIND along the top toolbar.

You should be searching for a word string which will include the Vendor or author or specific software.

The F3 (Function key) will cause the computer to carry on searching if it stops on a word that it finds in which you are not interested.

For example, if the software manufacturer 'GREENSOFT' supplied the disc then a search for < Greensoft > will turn up all instances of Registry entries for that software.

Once you have found any entry, you are looking for something in the RIGHT HAND WINDOW that says something like " Greensoft = TRUE" and possibly a date.

If you think that the date is the date to which you have to set the PC clock back, it is worth a try changing it to any recent date this month and year.

Do search the whole Registry as often the entries appear TWICE. Note the position of the slider (lift) on the RHS of the window.

Right Click to edit entry and hit Return to complete. A Re-Boot will be neccessary to re-install the modified Registry.


MAKE A NOTE OF EVERYTHING YOU ALTER SO YOU CAN RE-INSTATE IF IT DOES NOT CORRECT THE 'PROBLEM'?

If you are really brave and you have to know what you are doing, then delete all Registry entries refering to that particular software.

Copying the Registry to a Floppy, CD (DVD) or ZIP Drive or USB Flash Memory is a *very good idea* before you start in case you get into difficulties and have to get a PC Engineer in to sort out the problem.

I hope this helps ?

Regards David

 

[Appleyard]

Thanks David..I will try this, carefully!