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Can't "Save as" in 32bit applications on Windows 7 Pro 64bit.
Hi folks, have got a really weird problem that I'm hoping someone here might be able to help with, my apologies if this is the wrong board, wasn't sure if I should post here or in Crashes and Debugging...
As the subject line says, I've recently found that I'm unable to use the "save as" function on any 32bit applications as attempting to do so causes the system to hang as it loads the explorer browser to allow me to pick a save location.
I initially discovered the problem about a week ago and originally thought the problem was just limited to Internet Explorer and Firefox, but after poking around my system a bit more, it looks like its affecting everything except 64bit Internet Explorer 8 which can save without any problems.
Have tried looking for help on the Microsoft answers forums, but to be honest a couple of generic template replies later and I can already see that we're hitting the old "I cant figure it out so it must be malware" impasse, and I really cant be bothered flashing my mcse's/mcdst/ccna at the techs there just to convince them I'm not some random timewaster who has no clue and can't follow instructions.
So anyhoo's originally working on the assumption that this was an IE issue, I've so far run through the following troubleshooting steps to no effect...
Random fixes attempted after googling the problem:
- Resetting IE 8 to default with the Mats tool
- Run IE Add on remover
- Removing IPv6 from my network stack
- Moving the default save location via Explorer
- Ticking/Unticking the navigation pane options in Organise> Folder and search options.
- Clean Boot
- Disabling all network shares (which actually did work until the next reboot - once)
Fixes then tested out as suggested by MS answers users:
- Uninstalled all Norton Apps and run Norton removal tool just to be sure
- Reinstalled Norton AV
- IE Advanced settings reset.
- Re-registered all IE DLL's for both versions
- Reset windows update components with the MS Fix It tool
We've then moved on to malware/av scans which are coming up blank, as expected.
For reference, Norton AV, Malware Bytes, Spybot, Windows Defender & MSRT are unable to find anything when run in normal or safemode.
HijackThis is can only find processes that I'd expect to see running.
The system is only used for playing games via Steam, checking my bank and until MS Office 2007 stopped letting me save things, writing reports for work, so I hadn't really expected much to get on there.
Since pretty much giving up on the ms answers community, I've also uninstalled Windows Live Sync which has also not helped.
For those that want a little more history with the pc....
System was built about a year ago, fresh install of everything. Updates are applied pretty much as soon as the pc spots them, driver updates tend to get applied a month or so after release, once I've been able to confirm there's no major issues with them.
Jan this year I added a 1 TB Western Digital USB External Hard disk.
Feb -
PSU upgraded to 650W Dual Rail 80+ model. GFX upgraded from MSI 8600 GT OC 512Mb to Gigabyte GTX 460 OC 1TB. 24 hour soak test came up with no issues and system appeared stable.
Noticed some problems when trying to use Media player and winamp to browse for music on my system as the file menu appeared to hang. Didnt really pay it much attention at the time as I never really play much music on there, the system was just handier than my laptop at the time to use as an impromptu stereo.
Feb 25th/26th ish - SP1 patch installed.
Last week - realised I couldn't use "Save target as" when attempting to download a patch for Mass Effect 2 on my pc as the window would hang as described, in both IE 8 and Firefox....
Other than that I think my system specs are listed on my profile here o.0 all software appears to be up to date. As mentioned I appear to be able to save on IE 8 -64bit with no problems, and can do a quick save in anything, the issue only crops up if the system wants me to specify a save location.
Sorry for the wall of text, but I'd rather make sure all the info is readily available than leave out something important...
Fingers x'ed someone will be able to give me a hand, as whilst I can just reformat and start over, I really hate giving up on a system, especially if the problem isn't resolved and could potentially come back :S