Serious Application Problems

nana22 · 28 Jan 2010

The Lenovo G550 Notebook I was given for Christmas came loaded with Win 7 Home Premium 64-bit and, despite MS claims to the contrary, it will not properly run my existing applications, all of which are 32-bit.

Those that will load and run quickly hang, requiring continual rebooting. Others, some of which were orginally quite expensive, will not even start despite whatever settings (if any) the Windows Compatibility Checker recommends.

Microsoft's Anytime Upgrade Program does not offer a 32-bit option as a replacement. Meanwhile, as I am living on a limited fixed income, there is no way I could possibly afford a full 32-bit version.

Upgrade does include a Home Premium 64 to Professional 64 at $90, for me quite a significant amount to risk on the possibility that the problem will still not be resolved.

Any assistance would be welcome and most appreciated.
TIA

richc46 · 28 Jan 2010

I do not think that it is your OS, I think that it is your compuer. Fill out the system specs, RAM, etc, and then we can make an intelligent prognosis,

Most of the programs should run.

Tepid · 28 Jan 2010

It depends on the Programs... provide a list of them,, and yes, fill out specs.

No, not all 32bit apps will run under 64bit OS.
Since it is OEM, you might contact Lenovo and see what they might do in way of providing a 32bit Install disk at a reduced price. Never hurts to check.

Also, it might be possible, Maybe, to install the 32bit XPMode if you did decide to upgrade to Win 7 Pro.
They might run better under that, but I am not certain.

You could also check for 64bit upgrades to the software you have.
You can sometimes get a discount on the upgrades. Yes, it still costs, but.......
Keep in mind that 32bit (hopefully) is on it's way out.

nana22 · 29 Jan 2010

Thanks for your responses.

As I was attempting to reply a bit earlier, MSIE 8 crashed. So, I rebooted and am now hoping Firefox 3.6 will hold out long enough to finish this time ...

Spec Sheet has been completed with available information.

In addition to MSIE and Firefox, other affected software includes:

Opera
Chrome
Avant Browser
Mozilla Thunderbird mail client [ver 3]
Corel Graphics Suite [update cost entirely beyond reach]
Open Office [most recent version]

These are the most important right now.

Thanks, again.

Tepid · 29 Jan 2010

I think you have a different problem.. Those apps.. ( i would think) should run fine under x64.
Maybe find a 64bit version of them all, but they should be fine.

Only thing I can think of is,,, sometimes, factory installs of an OS are not all that great to start with.
I would backup data and start from scratch.

I generally try to find an OEM copy (Like System Builder OEM or something, however it may not like the key you have. You can't use HP, Dell or other big OEM, you need a Generic OEM install disk, hope that makes sense) of the OS, through friends or something, One that will work with the key you have and use that to isntall and not use the OS disk or image provided by the OEM (lenovo in this case).

Frostmourne · 29 Jan 2010

Can you type psr.exe into the start menu and then start the apps. Upload the resulting .zip file. This is the problem steps recorder. Also, have you checked for problem updates via the reliability monitor? Update all your drivers with the guide in my sig too, but from the manufacturer's website.

stevieray · 29 Jan 2010

Perhaps your WOW64 files got corrupted somehow. Does anyone know if the old faithful "sfc/ scannow" repairs those files? Its probably worth a shot... couldn't hurt to run it.

Tepid · 29 Jan 2010

if you have the 7 disk,,

You might want to run some hardware diags also,,,, Start with Memory Diagnostics Tool

Let the memory diags run for NO Less than 4 to 6 hours.
If you get any errors before then,,, you probably have bad memory
There can be false positives and negatives, but Windows Memory Diags is pretty darn good.
You will want to run the diags on individual sticks if you do get errors,.. again, for the same amount of time if an error does occur to be sure that each stick is not bad.

Also,, you will want to switch slots with individual sticks to be sure the slots are not bad, yes, memory slots on the motherboard can and do go bad.

If no errors after the 4 to 6 hour time frame... you can be pretty darn sure your memory is not bad.

Then run these ... http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=702&sid=30〈=en

nana22 · 30 Jan 2010

Unfortunately I don't have a 7 disc ... Lenovo doesn't ship discs with their machines.

BTW and solely FYI: Neither Zone Alarm Extreme Security nor Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus found any indications of malware/viruses.

Also, running MS System Restore and Lenovo's OneKey Recovery a couple of times each failed to provide any improvements.

I do want do a reinstall and, as I don't know anyone who has a disc, I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and buy one from MS or Lenovo.

Anyway, that seems to me the best route to take, as the only other means I'd have for getting an OEM would be from the Net ... not an option.

Thanks again, all of you, for your interest and suggestions ... I do appreciate it!:)

Tepid · 30 Jan 2010

The system comes with a Recovery partition that you should be abel to make a recovery disk
Contact Lenovo for assistance in creating that disk.

Also,,, click the Link above for Memory Diags and read it, Run them.

Next, uninstall the following,,.,, Zone Alarm Extreme Security nor Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus
I have seen both of these apps cause problems.

Did the system come with Norton or Mcafee preinstalled?