Why exactly do you need to restart Windows XP after installing some programs (and sometimes not)?

Question

After installing a new software, sometimes it asks you to restart Windows XP, and sometimes it doesn't. I want to know 1) whether it is an arbitrary choice of the software installer or that each time it asks you, you really need to (at some point) to complete the installation; and 2) what kind of changes in Windows XP requires a reboot?

A little background on the question: I am having issues with making Microsoft Activesync 4.1 work with my Cingular 8125 phone (like hundreds of other people). The weird thing is that I successfully made it work on my Thinkpad R40 (with Windows XP), though I can't make it work on my Thinkpad X41 Tablet PC (XP Tablet edition). One of the main difference during the installation between the two is that after installing Activesync on the R40, it asked me to reboot before finishing the installation; whether it didn't ask me to reboot on the X41 (even though they both have Windows XP???). Maybe understanding why would help me to solve the issue...

Thanks Sandy for the pointers. I finally resolved my issue with ActiveSync (after hours and hours with different HTC tech support on the phone!) by uninstalling my VPN software, reinstalling ActiveSync, and then reinstalling my VPN software after ActiveSync was installed... Now it works like a charm...

But I still want to know what makes Windows XP restart sometimes and not other times. Windows gurus out there, any idea?

Answer 1

I'll try to focus on some points I know.
While installing device drivers:
1. Windows XP normally don't require re-starting the system. It has got dynamic driver update feature.
2. Just goto device manager (Start Menu -> My Computer -> Right Click->Manage. You'll computer management utility window. In it select System Tools->Device Manager from the left panel of the window. You'll all get all devices listed on the right pane)
3. Disable the device once and re-enable it again.
4. That's all. You don't require to re-boot.
Windows XP generally does it automatically for you. But, some softwares are not making use of this advanced feature and asking you re-boot the computer just to activate the driver.

Other software installations will ask you to re-start the systems in the following situations:
1. Whenever there are changes in the startup items
2. Whenever there are changes in the driver data or configuration
3. Or any registry changes.

If the changes are so serious so that current operation of the system might interrupted, then immediately the system is to be re-started necessarily to get smooth functioning. But not required all the time.

Some times, memory page locking, free and idle memory blocks are not available and can be made available on re-booting. But, this problem can be avoided by installing a dynamic memory manager that can free up memory while running system and other applications. So, that your applications won't suffer from the non-availability of memory, while the memory still sitting idle without any use.

Answer 2

I don't know how to exactly answer your question, but I do have two resources for you. The first is a read-me file about ActiveSync 4.1 installation, system requirements, and so forth. The second is an ActiveSync 4.1 troubleshooting guide.

It is possible that you are not asked to reboot after installing on your X41 because the installation of the software did not complete, or was blocked (by a firewall), or was corrupted or damaged. Just a possibility.

http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/c/5/1c541c3d-c8c7-4899-81fd-1b8e9bac09ed/readme.doc

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/help/activesync/default.mspx

Answer 3

Any program that needs to restart, needs to so some files can be installed and 'incorporated in the Windows OS itself. Parts of that program actually become part of Windows. Some of these programs may start running when you start Windows again each day.

Those programs that don't require a re-start only put files in your machine. Some will also place a graphic on your screen somewhere that when clicked on Windows then starts running the program.

The above are not 100% of the time, but most of the time.

Answer 4

it really is gonna sound slightly strange before each little thing and may be slightly demanding to do, yet you should get admission to that BIOS. even as domicile windows is beginning it commonly says something like "press DEL or F8 to run set-up" even as that takes position press that key. you've to do it some cases reason that is slightly quick, yet you receives in. go by the menus, regrettably i don't have it proper in the front of me, and seek for the start-up order or something to that impact. commonly the start-up order is going A: pressure (the floppy pressure), IDE pressure (The demanding pressure itself), and then the C: pressure (the CD-ROM pressure). The letters would properly be diverse, yet those are the defaults. you want the replace the order employing the arrow keys so as that the CD-ROM is earlier the IDE demanding pressure, then keep the alterations and go out. After that run the comp with the domicile windows disk contained in the pressure and set up domicile windows. Pardon for the vagueness, yet i do not do all of it the time. i comprehend a thanks to notwithstanding. good success.

Answer 5

If a program that is being replaced un the update is one that is in use, such as a driver or base operating system program, then a reboot is required for the new program to be read in to memory. Otherwise, you don't need to reboot.