Clean Windows7 x64 Install not running ANY 32-bit apps

Hey all,

I just did a fresh install of Windows 7 x64, the most current 16385 Build. Set-up was perfectly smooth, detected a lot of my drivers, etc.

I go to install Firefox, so I download it, and try to install but nothing happens. I tried to download it again, save the .exe, click on it, and nothing happens.

I check my task manager and I see "Firefox 3.5.1 Beta Setup.exe *32" and then the actual "setup.exe *32" process running, but they do absolutely nothing. None of these installs work (I've tried Firefox, foobar2000, you name it)

This is obviously an absolute useability killer right now. Everyone I know who is running x64 has never ran into this problem, and I'm wondering if you all could give your advice here.

Thanks,

Mike

Actually, here's an update:

It appears to be something with the HsMgr.exe *32 process. The computer is starting up with it. If I end the process, all the 32-bit processes all work. I took it out of startup w/ msconfig and now everything works!

However, could someone maybe enlighten me on what exactly that process is and if it is necessary for any Windows 7 functions?

Zidane2424 said:

In just did some research...and it seems to be apart of ASUSTeK drivers...something to do with GX2.0 features...but on other sites it has been sited as something that isn't malicious but troublesome for other processes

Actually it is part of the C-Media chip drivers that both Asus and Azuntech use, i would suggest if you are not running the current drivers to download the latest from Azuntech support. The drivers there and at C-Media state they are for RC 7100 so they may or may not help.

Cool, thanks. I was about to say that I didn't have Asus hardware, but the sound card drivers make sense.

I do have the latest drivers on the site, perhaps this is something I should e-mail them and inform them about? The weirdest thing is that even without that HsMgr.exe starting up, audio still works as well as the sound card interface.

Thanks for your help guys

Am not certain as to what the hsmanager actually does but if it is a wrapper to enable "direct sound" support then you really wouldn't notice any difference unless you run some older applications that would need it ie: some older games.