Programs Stopped Working as Soon as they are started

Problems: some programs cannot be run, stopped working as soon as it is opened
I came to recognize my problem when McAfee pops up to check database update, but when I click "Check Now" it stopped working. After that I tried numerous times after a few restart tries.
Even in my attempt to uninstall McAfee, the McAfee host UI has stopped working.

Then I came to realise that its not McAfee's thing, other programs are also affected namely Yahoo Messenger, Skype (MSN), Microsoft Windows Repair Disc.
(Browsers are working fine)

What I have done:

Bad thing: I don't have any restore point that I can use.

Some friend told me to try System File Checker & Repair Install.
The latter I have not done because it seems more complicated & I don't have any Windows CD (This notebook came already installed with it)
I did try System File Checker (cmd sfc /scannow as admin), but the result says:
Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.

I don't think I have changed anything in recent times, except there are some windows update going on:
(also have iTunes & iCloud thing update to the latest version)

Recent Windows Update:

said:

Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems

Installation date: ‎20/‎3/‎2013 7:11 AM

Installation status: Successful

Update type: Important

Internet Explorer 10 is fast and fluid, and lets your websites shine and perform just like native apps on your PC.
Internet Explorer 10. Fast and fluid for Windows 7.
• Fast. Internet Explorer 10 harnesses the untapped power of your PC, delivering pages full of vivid graphics, smoother video, and interactive content.
• Easy. Experience the web the way you want to with pinned sites, built-in Spellcheck, and seamless integration with your PC running Windows 7.
• Safer. Improved features like SmartScreen Filter and Tracking Protection let you be more aware of threats to your PC and your privacy.

More information:
Internet Explorer - Microsoft Windows

Help and Support:
Support - Microsoft Windows Help

Click to expand...

There's one update which keeps failing to install:

Creative Technology Ltd. - Streaming Media and Broadcast - Creative Live! Camera

Installation date: ‎17/‎3/‎2013 3:00 AM

Installation status: Failed

Error details: Code 80070103

Update type: Recommended

Creative Technology Ltd. Streaming Media and Broadcast software update released in August, 2009

More information:
Driver Information

Help and Support:
Product Solution Centers

Click to expand...

Verdict:

I am considering to do repair install. But not sure which one should I download from here. (I don't know the difference among Home Premium 64bit Media Refresh, the old one, & RTM)

Version of my Windows: 6.1.7601 SP1 Build 7601

If anyone willing to attend my problem would be more than welcomed & I really appreciate that.

Welcome to the Seven Forums.

Can you uninstall McAfee while in the safe mode?

You will want the "Media Refresh" ISO.

A clean install night be better;
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

And this might interest you:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/85813-windows-7-universal-installation-disc-create.html

Looking at similar threads, I notice this one solved thread - Many programs 'stopped working' - what's the reason.
OP said that he solved his problem by reinstalling windows with upgrade options which keep all programs.

Any idea how is this upgrade done?

Thx.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?ltr=R

this?

Before proceeding with Repair Install, these are the task I need to do:
Uninstall iTunes & find update driver for a storage controller.
(to see the specific number, I need to redo the process because I didnt take not at the earlier try).

The first task is straightforward, how abt the latter..

urgh i hate iTunes.
OOT: Any1 know to backup iTunes' library & all apps?

Regards,

darkw1zard said:

Looking at similar threads, I notice this one solved thread.
OP said that he solved his problem by reinstalling windows with upgrade options which keep all programs.

Any idea how is this upgrade done?

Thx.

Click to expand...

The link to the solved thread has the domain listed twice somehow. For others reading this thread, here is the thread that you wanted to link to:
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/256597-many-programs-stopped-working-whats-reason.html

I'm not sure what the OP is talking about when mentioning "upgrade"... the OP mentions that twice.

Maybe the OP was talking about this:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

And yet, the OP links to the tutorial the benjy206 linked too:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

The drawback to the repair install is: it is not quite as perfect as a clean install. But I understand the headache of re-installing drivers and programs and then setting them all up to run as desired.

UsernameIssues said:

darkw1zard said:

Looking at similar threads, I notice this one solved thread.
OP said that he solved his problem by reinstalling windows with upgrade options which keep all programs.

Any idea how is this upgrade done?

Thx.

Click to expand...

The link to the solved thread has the domain listed twice somehow. For others reading this thread, here is the thread that you wanted to link to:
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/256597-many-programs-stopped-working-whats-reason.html

I'm not sure what the OP is talking about when mentioning "upgrade"... the OP mentions that twice.

Maybe the OP was talking about this:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

And yet, the OP links to the tutorial the benjy206 linked too:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

The drawback to the repair install is: it is not quite as perfect as a clean install. But I understand the headache of re-installing drivers and programs and then setting them all up to run as desired.

Click to expand...

Didn't notice that, thanks for the fix.

Yeah I would leave clean install as the last resort.

Btw, Dell has this Dell DataSafe Local Backup which is also there to restore to factory while keeping files I would like to keep.

Update:

Now even Repair Install stopped working.



This is exactly what happened with those programs I mentioned (McAfee, Skype, YM).

And here is the compatibility issues found:


IF this have to come down to a clean install, maybe ..
I will try not to rush fixing this problem, as I can still work with the laptop.

Do you think other antivirus (if i uninstall McAfee) will also stopped working like this?
:sarc:

Uninstall McAfee ... Uninstall McAfee

Do you have another Anti-virus program on your computer?

Jacee said:

Uninstall McAfee ... Uninstall McAfee

Do you have another Anti-virus program on your computer?

Click to expand...

Only McAfee. So uninstall it then Install MSE?

Anyway, find 1 more program having the same sympton.

McAfee,Skype,YahooMSG, repair install, & this ...



I wonder where's their similarities..

Did you read this about WD smartware? Remove ‘WD SmartWare’ from your Western Digital Passport or MyBook « Let Me Teach You Something
and this How to Remove WD SmartWare | eHow.com

Jacee said:

Did you read this about WD smartware? Remove ‘WD SmartWare’ from your Western Digital Passport or MyBook « Let Me Teach You Something
and this How to Remove WD SmartWare | eHow.com

Click to expand...

Thanks for links.
I always stopped it via taskmanager if it uses up too many CPU.

Lets get back to the main problem, i try again doing Repair Install. But the same thing happens. (it stopped working when displaying compatibility issue.)

So is it really not possible to do Repair Install at this stage?

That depends - were you able to uninstall McAfee?

The McAfee Uninstaller's host UI stopped when I run it.
Just to be sure I run MCPR (McAfee Consumer Product Removal) tool.
Aftr I restart, it looked like its success since I got warned that I have no anti-virus running.

You can try for a clean boot...
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html
...to see if you can find an app that is crashing other apps.

If you cannot stop apps from crashing - then get your files off and do a clean install:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

I tried a clean boot, and ...
The problem is still there.

Today I found out that mediainfo also has the same problem.

My suggestion is to use Ninite Revo Unattended Silent Installer and Updater

and select which program you want to uninstall it will remove

hope this will help you..
http://ninite.com/revo/

You can try a scan with WDO:
What is Windows Defender Offline?

Or go ahead with your repair install.

abhinani24 said:

My suggestion is to use Ninite Revo Unattended Silent Installer and Updater

and select which program you want to uninstall it will remove

hope this will help you..
http://ninite.com/revo/

Click to expand...

My issue is not about uninstalling some programs, rather there are programs which stopped working as soon as I started them up.
e.g. skype, Yahoo Messenger, MediaInfo.

UsernameIssues said:

You can try a scan with WDO:
What is Windows Defender Offline?

Or go ahead with your repair install.

Click to expand...

I will give that WDO a try, but repair install can't be done as I have written here before..

darkw1zard said:

Update:

Now even Repair Install stopped working.

View attachment 260429

This is exactly what happened with those programs I mentioned (McAfee, Skype, YM).

And here is the compatibility issues found:
View attachment 260430

Click to expand...

then a clean install is in order:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

I would be tempted to see if Process Monitor and Process Explorer showed anything of interest.

Guys!! Finally...

I have successfully done a repair install on my problematic PC.
So far it seems that all programs have worked normally.

As in this guide, I unchecked automatically activate Windows online.
Do I continue with disk cleanup at step.22?

Btw, pls give me suggestion on the best way to keep a backup in case some error happens again & I want to revert back to current state?
In Ctrl Panel > System & Security > Backup & Restore, I found options like:
(1) Set Windows Backup
(2) Create System Image
(3) Create System repair disc

whats their difference? or should I use a 3rd party programs?

thanks to all who have replied here.