Programs have stopped running

Before I start, my handle says it all. I am a retired computer programmer/engineer/network engineer/maintenance instructor/etc. I've been using Windows since it was a pimple on DOS. So, the obvious questions should be eliminated. What I need is some serious help to avoid a total wipe-out of my system.

I've been running Win 7 since beta. I have a clean install of Ultimate (many moons ago) that recently began having problems with IE deciding not to run, and requiring a reboot to clear it up. The situation has escalated until now most programs won't run (amazingly enough IE does run) but the most obvious symptom is that a command prompt is simply a blank window. There is a serious delay between trying to close the cmd window and when it actually closes - in excess of 5 seconds. It should be almost instantaneous.

My initial thought was a root-kit. So I downloaded Sophos on another computer and installed it on a lockable USB so it wouldn't get corrupted when I ran it on the failed computer. It came up clean. I also ran an anti-virus from the USB with zero results.

My system is always protected by Avast and ThreatFire and I basically don't get viruses, but I did a thorough scan, again with zero results. I've been online with MS service, created a new user account which seemed to help for awhile then quit, and I'm at the point of doing the infamous format C:. I don't want to do that because my wife is a Korean user and I don't want to have to go through the hassle of reinstalling her programs.

I have tried several programs, including the Spotmau Power Suite to try to find the problem, but have no clue. So, here are the major symptoms.

I will try to run a program, including some of the internal Windows utilities, the wait icon will run for a few seconds, then nothing. If I look at task manager, I can find the program as a process, but not an application. Running the program again results in a second process, but again no program. Everything works fine in Safe Mode. In fact, that is how I've run some of the utilities. Sometimes a program like mmc will run, but most of the time not.

I tried reinstalling Ultimate from the CD doing an upgrade install, hoping it would write over any faulty windows programs, but no luck. I've disabled all the services that I think I safely can, but it still won't work.

Something is missing or I've got a bug I can't find. Not sure which. My system is an el-cheap-o Compaq with 2 G AMD dual, 4 G RAM running Ultimate.

Any ideas?

Retired Geek said:

Before I start, my handle says it all. I am a retired computer programmer/engineer/network engineer/maintenance instructor/etc. I've been using Windows since it was a pimple on DOS. So, the obvious questions should be eliminated. What I need is some serious help to avoid a total wipe-out of my system.

I've been running Win 7 since beta. I have a clean install of Ultimate (many moons ago) that recently began having problems with IE deciding not to run, and requiring a reboot to clear it up. The situation has escalated until now most programs won't run (amazingly enough IE does run) but the most obvious symptom is that a command prompt is simply a blank window. There is a serious delay between trying to close the cmd window and when it actually closes - in excess of 5 seconds. It should be almost instantaneous.

My initial thought was a root-kit. So I downloaded Sophos on another computer and installed it on a lockable USB so it wouldn't get corrupted when I ran it on the failed computer. It came up clean. I also ran an anti-virus from the USB with zero results.

My system is always protected by Avast and ThreatFire and I basically don't get viruses, but I did a thorough scan, again with zero results. I've been online with MS service, created a new user account which seemed to help for awhile then quit, and I'm at the point of doing the infamous format C:. I don't want to do that because my wife is a Korean user and I don't want to have to go through the hassle of reinstalling her programs.

I have tried several programs, including the Spotmau Power Suite to try to find the problem, but have no clue. So, here are the major symptoms.

I will try to run a program, including some of the internal Windows utilities, the wait icon will run for a few seconds, then nothing. If I look at task manager, I can find the program as a process, but not an application. Running the program again results in a second process, but again no program. Everything works fine in Safe Mode. In fact, that is how I've run some of the utilities. Sometimes a program like mmc will run, but most of the time not.

I tried reinstalling Ultimate from the CD doing an upgrade install, hoping it would write over any faulty windows programs, but no luck. I've disabled all the services that I think I safely can, but it still won't work.

Something is missing or I've got a bug I can't find. Not sure which. My system is an el-cheap-o Compaq with 2 G AMD dual, 4 G RAM running Ultimate.

Any ideas?

Have you checked the hard disk for problems? Corrupted NTFS volumes can sometimes cause this issue.

Also, if you open Task Manager, what is your reported CPU usage? If it is a high number, try to find the process and/or service that is using up so much CPU time and attempt to eliminate it...

Have you tried a 'repair' install?