Windows 7 slowly dying - PLEASE HELP...


  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 64 bit Home Premium
       #1

    Windows 7 slowly dying - PLEASE HELP...


    I have a Dell Inspiron 1750 laptop with Windows 7 - 64 Bit.

    A few weeks ago control panel started crashing windows explorer when I first open it. Once it reopens explorer the control panel works fine second time around. I have tried searching for *.cpl files in the windows system 32 directory but none of them seem to be corrupt.

    Yesterday Windows Movie Maker 2.6 was struggling very very badly to work. It was freezing and going hopelessly slow.

    CPU Usage is very eratic - around 15% to 50% when I have nothing open.

    I did a repair install windows from my disc yesterday following these instructions
    Repair Install

    Now things are even worse. I get blue screen crashes every hour or so, the control panel still crashes explorer and windows movie maker (and everything else) are too slow to use.

    PLEASE - there must be a fix to this - it was a very good computer a few weeks ago.

    If I do a system restore to a few months ago will I have to reinstall all the software I have put on in the past few months?

    I have my memory usage attached. 64 processes with all users. Loads of svchost.exe and probably some other unnecceassry processes - how do I stop them from running in the background if not needed. How do I know which are and aren't needed. I'm using 47% physical memory at the moment.

    Thanks
      My Computer

  2.    #2

    First go to msconfig>Startup and uncheck everything except AV and gadgets/stickies if you use them.

    Next install free lightweight MS Security Essentials which acts invisibly with the Win7 firewall.

    If this is a factory install, turn off factory utilities like wireless manager and use the better built-in's in Win7.

    Next burn to CD memtest86 to run 5-6 passes on memory. Or stress test it overnight.

    Next burn to CD the HD maker's diag/repair scan, boot to run a full scan: Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp. Follow that up with Disk Check

    Google repeat errors in Event Viewer>Admin View to find how others have solved them. Same with Performance log on the Advanced Tools page accessed by clicking WEI score link at Computer>Properties. Look for cued issues at top of Tools page, Generate a System Health Report.

    Type "prob" into Start Search box to Check for Problem resolutions, which may also be cued in SysTray.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3,028
    Windows 7 Ultimate (x64) SP1
       #3

    gregrocker said:
    Next install free lightweight MS Security Essentials which acts invisibly with the Win7 firewall.
    Curious as to why you would suggest this when he uses Avast! which is lighter and better all round.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 64 bit Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #4

    So, I've unchecked everything in the msconfig startup apart from Avast, including INTEL CORP stuff.

    I have avast so, as tw33k states, do I really need to install MS Security Essentials?

    I'm not sure what this instruction means...
    Next burn to CD memtest86 to run 5-6 passes on memory. Or stress test it overnight.

    I have a toshiba hard drive and your link says that they do not provide diagnostic tools at the moment.

    Is there anything else I can try? Why would this control panel explorer crash be happening even after a re-install?

    Also, the system restore only offers restores to 2 days ago. This problem is much older than that.

    Thanks in advance for any more help.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #5

    willyontour said:
    So, I've unchecked everything in the msconfig startup apart from Avast, including INTEL CORP stuff.

    I have avast so, as tw33k states, do I really need to install MS Security Essentials?

    I'm not sure what this instruction means...
    Next burn to CD memtest86 to run 5-6 passes on memory. Or stress test it overnight.

    I have a toshiba hard drive and your link says that they do not provide diagnostic tools at the moment.

    Is there anything else I can try? Why would this control panel explorer crash be happening even after a re-install?

    Also, the system restore only offers restores to 2 days ago. This problem is much older than that.

    Thanks in advance for any more help.

    Willy

    1- Possibly. You may need to re-install the entire operating system that is yet to be determined.

    2-Memtest is something to test your RAM, and it needs to be run for a long time.
    Download a copy of Memtest86 and burn the ISO to a CD using Iso Recorder or another ISO burning program. Boot from the CD, and leave it running for at least 5 or 6 passes.

    Just remember, any time Memtest reports errors, it can be either bad RAM or a bad motherboard slot. Test the sticks individually, and if you find a good one, test it in all slots.

    3-There are other things you cn try but was the re-install a clean (read format) install or an upgrade? Was there any other software installed?

    Have you had any Blue Screens of Death (BSOD's)?

    If your restores only go back 2 days they arent going to be useful.

    Let us know if you need further assistance

    Ken
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 3,028
    Windows 7 Ultimate (x64) SP1
       #6

    willy...I read lots and lots about anti-virus software. I have never seen any test results where MSE rates higher than Avast! Of course it's your choice but I wouldn't switch if I was you.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 64 bit Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Ive had one blue screen of deaths since reinstalling windows yesterday.

    I think I'll stick with avast - seems to be ok so far.

    Still have no idea what's causing explorer to crash all the time - and most noticably when I open control panel for the first time after each restart.

    I've created the memtest iso disc and will boot from it and do 5 or 6 passes overnight tonight. Does it produce a report?

    Thanks

    Adam
      My Computer


 

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