Certain image editing/viewing software "stopped working" Window close

Hi,
I'm hoping someone can see a pattern between the software that works and doesn't work on my Windows 7 64 bit laptop.

In the past month (Jan-Feb 2011) a lot of the software I use to edit or display images and graphics will no longer run (crashes). System: Windows 7 64 bit SP1. 3 GB RAM, 500 GB HD Acer 6492 laptop with mobile intel 965 express graphics card. Windows Update reports it is up to date.

I don't get BSOD, just that when I start one of the affected programs, it fails to run and shuts down.Windows continues to run fine. I either get "___ has encountered a problem and needs to close" or "___ has stopped working, Windows is searching for a solutio to the problem".

Programs that won't run:
Google Earth neither Directx nor GL
PhotoPlus X4
Paintshop Pro X3
Xara Designer Pro 6

Programs that run fine
Picasa
PanoramaPlus
PanoramaStudio
SmartDraw
World Wind

I wonder what is the pattern or common denominator.

Symptom started roughly when I installed a new 500 GB drive (Seagate Momentus XT with 4GB RAM buffer 7200 RPM) in place of the 500 GB non-hybrid 5400 RPM drive. This is the 4th drive I've had in this laptop 160GB -> 320 GB -> 500 GB -> 500 GB with 4 GB buffer. Each time I had a Norton Ghost image of the C: drive, installed the new drive and restored the image to the C: drive. Windows fires up without a hitch. On some software I had to re-activate the licence as I guess the software noticed a change in harddrive ID number (or something like that).

Things I've tried.
- removed and re-installed the software that won't start
- removed Visual C++ 2005 and 2008, reinstalled 2008 only
- attempted an update of Directx, was told I had the most up to date installedd
- installed OEM (Acer) graphics driver
- let Windows update graphics driver
- removed drivers for a UVG USB video adapters for my 2 external monitors (no effect)
- downloded and did a manual install using the .exe file for Google Earth instead of the small auto installer download file.
- run laptop in dock ad out of dock (no usb peripherals attached).

Without those programs that won't start, I'm without half my tools for work. Another thought, is my 4 year old laptop inadvertently obsolete now with recent Windows7 updates?

Any tips very much appreciated.

thanks,
-Tony

Do you still have restore points to a date before this all began? If you do, that would be my first move.

Have you run sfc /scannow from a prompt to check system files?

You say it started "roughly" when you got a new drive. It doesn't really sound like a hardware problem.

I assume you are satisfied it has nothing to do with SP1?

Are you using the most recent versions of all of those problematic applications?

Have you googled your brains out for people with similar problems with those same applications?

Hi Lee and ignatzatsonic,
Thanks for the rapid responses. In response to your questions:

I'll run a full scan next then sfc /scannow (I've never heard of sfc, great to know).

As far as I know, these are the latest versions of the image editing software, some come only on CDs and update from within the software with no option for downloading a fresh, current copy.

My last resort is to reformat the HD and start again for a couple of reason. I have one GIS (mapping) software that allows 5 activations. I've used up 3, one on this last HD installation. I don't want to get dangerously low. Second, this is my business laptop (self employed) and it'll take several days to reload software, updates etc. from scratch. So I'm trying to avoid that downtime. In fact I'm better off buying another laptop and just pop in CD/DVDs and let software install while I continue working.

As for restore points, I don't use the Windows ones but I have Norton Ghost making 2 images a week. That's an idea, but I'm afraid a Windows 7 update will leave me in the same situation in little time.

Regarding SP1, I installed that yesterday hoping it would offer a solution. It was an update I had to elect manually and it hadn't been installed when it first came out.

Yes, have googled endlessly. Seems there are lots of people for whom Google Earth stopped working recently on their Windows 64 bit machines. Most of those people have desktop computers and are having problems with their ATI or NVIDIA graphics cards and they can resolve by either replacing their video cards or updating drivers, not options for my laptop.

Will update this thread after the scans.

thanks,
-Tony

Hi,
I scanned for viruses, worms and other detritis and only came up with download helper for youtube. Nothing bad was lurking on the laptop. I ran sfc as well and it found no problems.

My next step is to try the Vista video driver in place of the Windows 7 one.

After that, I may end up buying a new laptop. This is my main work PC and not having graphic editing programs working isn't practical.

But I''m still thinking I have a driver incompatibility or something I loaded changed an important setting. I just don't know what.

Hi,
I may have resolved the problem. I used the Services tab in MSconfig to turn off half of the services (with Microsoft services hidden) and rebooted. After Windows started I tested with Google Earth and Photoplus, if those two programs started I would turn on half of the remaining services and try again, eventually I got to appoint where Google Earth and Photoplus failed to start. Then I knew I had turned on an offending service, and by process of elimination identified the service "Tablet Service Pen" I think is associated with mine Wacom Bamboo Pen tablet. I will inquire to Wacom.

With Tablet Service Pen disabled, all my graphic and image editing programs worked again. What a relief.

Hope this helps somebody.
-Tony