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System very unstable, flashing, shaking
Since a few days my system is very unstable, the windows of various applications constantly shake and flash, jump and refresh. The title bar and taskmanager show that these apps alternate almost endlessly and very fast between 'running' and 'not responding'. So far I have the impression that Outlook 2007 triggers the problem: during my use of the laptop nothing is wrong as long as no additional Outlook window or box is opened. But once that happens (compose new mail, open recurring appointment, dialogue box when backing up .pst file) everything starts flashing. After that firefox and explorer windows and other apps start doing the same. And the buttons on the taskbar also shake and flicker.
Stopping the flashing is almost impossible. Activating the task manager shows the running/notresponding for several apps, the application can not be stopped - only in the 'stop process box' the shaking application can be killed. Strange: sometimes the taskmanager looses all its tabs and buttons: only the first (main) screen is visible) and the taskmanager cannot even be stopped. Once Outlook has been stopped, the flashing/shaking in other apps is less. But only a restart of the computer stops all shaking - till Outlook is used with more than one window.
The instability makes working terrible Typing an address in the firefox address bar or in a google search box is often impossible: after 5 or 10 letters the screen is gone and when it comes back the cursor is elsewhere. While typing this message I constantly 'loose' my screen and other open windows are shown randomly.
I have no clue where the problems come from. I can just describe the situation, hopefully experienced users recognize the symptoms and have a cure. If you can help: I am not a programmer or specialist - please give 'help for dummies'.
This is my trouble history so far:
- A few weeks ago a friend installed Windows7 on my Acer 6935G laptop - previously it ran under Vista.
- Since then I am gradually installing the many programs that I use and/or think I need. Up till a few days ago everything was perfectly normal: no flashing/shaking, normal functionality of computer, windows7 and all apps.
- I have no clue when the shaking/flashing began: which new apps or settings could have caused the trouble.
- I did 2x system restore, back to the earliest possible date - no change
- I repeatedly tried to repair Office, impossible: error message that Windows Bootstrapper had stopped working. No clue what that meant, searched on the internet, lots of abacadabra, found no solution.
- Tried to un-install Office, impossible - also because of the stopping Bootstrapper. Then I saw in the error message details that APPCRASH was caused by OSETUP.DLL, version 12.0.4518.1014
- Searched on internet and found out that OSETUP.DLL is often a source of trouble. Can easily be damaged and then prevent normal Office functionality and also prevent installation/repair/uninstall.
- Downloaded a fresh copy of OSETUP.DLL and copied it to all locations where it was found in my system. Restarted computer and outlook: no change.
- Was advised to copy all my Office installation cd-files to harddisk (including the fresh OSETUP.DLL) - was still not able to do a repair, but finally could UN-install Office and do a 'fresh installation'. Still the same problem.
- Altogether I used 791 spyware and virusscans, registry cleaners and optimizers - nothing remarkable found.
- Nothing seems to be wrong with memory (capacity and functionality) and the graphic card (NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT 512 MB)
- I don't have more options left, I think.
- Anyone still has suggestions?
Thanks!
Wim/Yogyakarta
Last edited by WimYogya; 13 Aug 2010 at 14:37.
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