Download and install Malwarebytes and update it to the latest version. Start the program (do not start the trial), and run a full system scan for viruses/malware. Post back the results.
Also, do you have the same theme shared between the two computers? Is it a custom theme?
See if any of the steps (minus hardware upgrades) provided in Optimize Windows 7 resolve the COM Surrogate crash.
Thanks. Malwarebytes didn't find anything.
That looks like a sweet list of optimization for general purposes also.
I have the feeling that windows should work with all of them enabled still because I didn't change anything from the default and on other computers all the transparency etc also works together with the windows photo viewer (at least I presume so...).
Things I can think of that are the same between the two computers are:
- I use "autoruns". I tried to enable everything again that I had disabled with that program and the problem still persisted though.
- I have the same desktop (SAMSUNG B2430H Glossy Black 24") one with DVI (work) and one with VGA (home) cable connected to the system. Is there any driver that is installed with a new desktop?
- I have obviously the same external harddrive drivers (Western digital and Toshiba)
- I have some of the same software c.f. list of software attached with some of my earlier threads.
- I didn't download any extra themes except for firefox. I used to have the same theme but use different now
- I recently made my theme with the same landscape pics and the same screensaver. i think the problem was there before though.
- I can't really think of anything else...
Is there anything on that list that you think might cause the problem?
Also on a different note; My friend has an old laptop which used to have windows vista home premium (I think 32 bit) and she still has a license key but not the install CD. She needs to reinstall this. I tried googling for ISO images but I can't say what is genuine and what isn't. Do you know where I could find a genuine version?
Thanks!!
Unfortunately, the Vista version of the ISOs are no longer available to my knowledge. She could try posting in the VistaForums which are a neighbor site to these forums. There is not as much activity there, so no guarantees help will be given.
If anyone else knows of a genuine Vista ISO that is allowed to be linked, please share.
As to your problem, it could be the themes you use. Try a basic Windows 7 theme and see if it persists. If so, that would rule that out as a likely candidate. I am with you that it is likely something else underlying, but I am not able to discern what. Do you have any explorer based applications built in (winRAR, for instance, can cause problems like these if it is not functioning properly)? If you right click on a file, can you provide us with what options you are given? That may lend some clue to what might be interfering.
Thanks for the tip! I'll tell her.
I tried a basic theme and it didn't work... Attached are screenshots for right clicks on Folders and a Word document for Work and home respectively (the text for the work Pc is weird because I connected remotely).
What I did for the moment is download Picasa and work with that. If I have time I can maybe reinstall windows from scratch on my home PC where I don't have to run around (that far) to get all the software back together. Then I could slowly build up the system and check at every step if the problem occurs.
If I was to do that, I need to two things though:
- When I bought the PC pre-installed, will there be any issue when I reinstall windows? If not then I might need a Windows Home Premium SP1 ISO
- One thing that bugs me is: My Laptopt came with a test version of Microsoft office Pre installed (in English; the language that I would like it in). I upgraded that with a license from a CD purchased in Germany
. Because the test version was English, the language pack remained English. For my work PC where I used the same German office CD to install MS office, (it was one of those disks with 3 licenses) I had to buy an English Language pack. Now, if I was to reinstall windows on my Laptop I would need to install office from the CD and end up with having to buy another language pack. I could see two solutions (maybe you have another?):
- I find out how I can get the original installation with the test office version back. The laptop did not come with an install DVD. Maybe I can ask someone if they provide ISO images...
- OR is there any way of getting an official, free, English trial office version install file that I could then activate with the (German) key I have?
Sounds complicated.
Sorry that list was in another thread...
Here is a list both for home and for work including windows features that are turned on and off.
Other tweaks than that are
- themes but changing my PC to a basic theme didn't change anything.
- Make windows ask me before installing updates. (so disable "automatic" updates. I have been good on updating though.
- I can't even think of anything else (maybe some energy things like "never shut down" etc)
https://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-d...ms-work-3.html
c.f. post by john129d: He said the Intel graphics HD driver may be the problem. I do have that driver installed but it wasn't an "update" as such. For the home PC it was on the Laptop before I bought it and for the work PC I think it was one of the drivers that I installed as part of setting the system up. I searched through "windows updates" and didn't find any updates that have been done for that driver.
if I was to uninstall that, I feel I need some kind of alternative...
Hi PrinorB,
I did have that problem a few months ago and I tracked it down to the codec pack I was using (k-lite) which was causing the issue. But if you're getting that error on a clean install that's a different story.
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