Can I downgrade from Win7 to Vista or XP?

[baccusboy]

I tried the individual 2gb sticks of Ram again, and still get the freezing with either one. As for the graphics card, the reason I have the one that I do is because I want to watch blu-ray movies and have full PCM/HD audio capability over HDMI, which many graphics cards claim they can do, but few actually can do. This particular ATI 4550 card CAN do it. I also didn't want to add any more fan noise to my system, as it's noisy enough now. This card has no fan.

A few more questions:

1. If it's a CPU problem, and not overheating, then could it be causing this, or would it just be blue-screening?


I'll have to check more recent information about graphics cards, and see if more are now capable of Full HD PCM audio and 1080p over HDMI.


I appreciate the comments so far. Am not looking forward to dumping tons of cash on parts just trying to figure out what's wrong and what's not.

 

[baccusboy]

Ok, I found that I have had several errors in the event monitor. Some of them are related to me shutting down. Others of interest just from today:

Windows (2464) Windows: A request to write to the file "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows\Windows.edb" at offset 26017792 (0x00000000018d0000) for 32768 (0x00008000) bytes succeeded, but took an abnormally long time (81 seconds) to be serviced by the OS. This problem is likely due to faulty hardware. Please contact your hardware vendor for further assistance diagnosing the problem.

Windows (2464) Windows: A request to write to the file "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows\MSStmp.log" at offset 0 (0x0000000000000000) for 1048576 (0x00100000) bytes succeeded, but took an abnormally long time (63 seconds) to be serviced by the OS. This problem is likely due to faulty hardware. Please contact your hardware vendor for further assistance diagnosing the problem.

The driver detected a controller error on \Device\Harddisk5\DR5.

Activation context generation failed for "C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Photo Gallery\MovieMaker.Exe".Error in manifest or policy file "C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Photo Gallery\WLMFDS.DLL" on line 8. Component identity found in manifest does not match the identity of the component requested. Reference is WLMFDS,processorArchitecture="AMD64",type="win32",version="1.0.0.1". Definition is WLMFDS,processorArchitecture="x86",type="win32",version="1.0.0.1". Please use sxstrace.exe for detailed diagnosis.

Custom dynamic link libraries are being loaded for every application. The system administrator should review the list of libraries to ensure they are related to trusted applications.

The driver \Driver\WUDFRd failed to load for the device USB\VID_05AC&PID_1293&MI_00\0.

Windows detected your registry file is still in use by other applications or services. The file will be unloaded now. The applications or services that hold your registry file may not function properly afterwards.
DETAIL -
0 user registry handles leaked from \Registry\User\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001:

The ICS_IPV6 was unable to allocate bytes of memory. This may indicate that the system is low on virtual memory, or that the memory manager has encountered an internal error.

And a big one from yesterday:

Windows detected your registry file is still in use by other applications or services. The file will be unloaded now. The applications or services that hold your registry file may not function properly afterwards.
DETAIL -
23 user registry handles leaked from \Registry\User\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001:
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Network\Location Awareness
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001\Software\Policies
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001\Software\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\trust
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001\Software\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\TrustedPeople
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001\Software\Policies\Microsoft\SystemCertificates
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001\Software\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\Root
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001\Software\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\Disallowed
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001\Software
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Wpad
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001\Software\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\My
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001\Software\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\My
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001\Software\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\CA
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001\Software\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\SmartCardRoot
Process 4204 (\Device\HarddiskVolume2\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe) has opened key \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-364049868-3007564867-2909647244-1001\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings

Any idea what piece of hardware might be the problem?? I don't understand how it could be the hard drive if it boots fine and all? Am running a WD diagnostics program on the HDD now. It's passed initial quick tests, and about 45 mins of a longer test.

The message about custom dynamic link libraries is likely due to me running Kaspersky, I've read.

 

[baccusboy]

Just an update, for those of you still with me.

I tried addressing the individual problems in the Event Viewer.

The "Custom dynamic link libraries are being loaded for every application" problem seemed to be due to Kaspersky's trial, which I was running instead of MSE. I went back to MSE.

The driver error on HD5 is actually likely from me removing my external HDD.

The one that concerned me, and still kept happening was: "The ICS_IPV6 was unable to allocate bytes of memory. This may indicate that the system is low on virtual memory, or that the memory manager has encountered an internal error."

What I did was go into windows 7 and check on virtual memory allocation. Another post on another site said that Windows 7 is supposed to allocate a certain minimum and maximum while on automatic. For whatever reason I don't understand, my Windows 7 was set to allocate far less than this. I changed it to manual and hard-set the settings suggested by the site. It was something like a minimum roughly equal to your installed memory, and a maximum 3x that amount. That SEEMS to have cleared-up many of my problems, although Firefox still hangs sometimes -- tends to come out a bit more quickly, though.

Another thing I did was install a newer driver for the VIA audio chip. Asrock's suggested install is a few versions behind VIA's. VIA said I should use the vendor's site, but I used VIA's newer one, and all seems to work fine with that.

Also, I unchecked ICS_IPV6 somewhere in my internet connection settings, as another website suggested. Perhaps that will clear up the ICS_IPV6 errors I keep getting?


I still get memory error problems of some sort:

The DNS proxy agent was unable to allocate 0 bytes of memory. This may indicate that the system is low on virtual memory, or that the memory manager has encountered an internal error.

That seems to be due to program called Connectify I use for internet sharing. Apparently, Internet Sharing isn't totally working right in Windows 7, and others have this same issues of such warnings when they try to share. In any case, I wasn't sharing my connection when my problems originally began. I had tried that some time after my problems arose.

Tonight, knock-on-wood, things seem to be working about 70% better after the above tweeks.

 

[Pagnarith]

I've been having lots of problems for the last few months with Win 7 64-bit. All hardware is compatible. Worked fine for a few months, then started having freezing issues. I've troubleshot every part inside, accessory, driver, software program, etc., that I can think of, and I'm just tired of dealing with it.

I heard that it's possible to somehow downgrade? What is the process for this? The kicker is that my copy of Win7 64-pro was purchased from Digital River through Microsoft when Win7 was first released. It's called an "upgrade" but will install as a full OS.

Another question... if I just go with a different mainboard, is that possible with the copy of Win7 I have? I'm thinking about just trying to upgrade to a Gigabyte mainboard instead of this Asrock p55m board I have. Suggestions?

Thanks

Yes, you can. But i use a backup dvd for my computer.

 

[fishnbanjo]

Have not read all the responses as yet so forgive me if this has been suggested. My question is, you wrote "I heard that it's possible to somehow downgrade? What is the process for this? The kicker is that my copy of Win7 64-pro was purchased from Digital River through Microsoft when Win7 was first released. It's called an "upgrade" but will install as a full OS." did you install your copy of Windows 7 as an upgrade or a full install?

If you did it as an upgrade you should be able to revert back to your previous OS if it were Vista, if it were XP then you obviously did a fresh installation and unless you totally wiped XP from your system it should still be there and a valid booting OS. I'd love to help further if I can.

 

[zzz2496]

baccusboy, I suspect a bad power supply - it's written bad power supply all over it... RAM works by putting a voltage in your memory chips, if the voltage fluctuates, there goes your data (it will get corrupted by the voltage fluctuations). You said several months ago, it was fine... That even strengthen my suspicion.

HDD too needs voltage to work, if the power fluctuates - there goes your HDD...

The point is, bad power supply can cause many bad weird incomprehensible problems...

zzz2496

 

[baccusboy]

A few things....

I'm noticing a lot of disk controller errors. Does that sound like something that could be caused by a bad power supply? Not sure, honestly. It's not just one one drive... it's on my main HDD and when I plug in an external, or even an SD memory card into USB. I should mention that I RMA'd the same model board from Asrock for controller problems after 1 week. Also got a new power supply at that time.

The virtual ram error seems to have happened again in the event viewer, along with a dozen or more of the above-mentioned issues.

Oh, and I should say... I'm assuming you know that you can do a full install of Windows 7 from an Upgrade disc, right?

And you can do so legally. I wrote to digital river and specifically asked them if this could be installed as a full install, and they said "YES" it can. In fact, it was quite shady how this whole thing was sold. They kept promising it was a "full install" despite having the website say "upgrade" on it. The media I received after the download is also "upgrade." In any case, I happened to have a temp version of XP on my machine -- not yet license-verified -- and my "upgrade DR claimed was full" installed from that. I had installed that XP on there just to see if my new build worked.

A very shady group of people, those Digital River bunch are, if you ask me.

 

[zzz2496]

Bad power supply can cause many many many problems... Including but not limited to: RAM error, GFX error, failing processor, dead HDD, BSOD, stuttering in games, computer hang and many more. You said you bought new power supply, what is the make/model number? I suggest you buy power supply from a well known manufacturer, I personally use Corsair TX series (look at my system specs). They have 5 years warranty, and no problem so far.

zzz2496

 

[baccusboy]

Ok, took the power supply back and got a different one.

Same problems.

Not the power supply.

Also picked up a new graphics card. Will try that next.

 

[baccusboy]

Bad news. New graphics card doesn't help. I'm beginning to think mainboard now.

 

[Max Peck]

baccusboy, I suspect a bad power supply - it's written bad power supply all over it... RAM works by putting a voltage in your memory chips, if the voltage fluctuates, there goes your data (it will get corrupted by the voltage fluctuations). You said several months ago, it was fine... That even strengthen my suspicion.

HDD too needs voltage to work, if the power fluctuates - there goes your HDD...

The point is, bad power supply can cause many bad weird incomprehensible problems...

zzz2496

Absolutely. Power is one of the first things to investigate when your system is "not making sense". A viral infection can also cause this situation to happen but, in my experience, is far less common. Most of the time when things go wrong on these systems they can make sense with a little diagnostic work. As soon as you start seeing major issues leading you in a circle that's the time to back off a bit and consider really BASIC failures.

-Max

 

[baccusboy]

Ok, now I'm going nuts.

Changed-out the mainboard and heatsink. STILL have the problem!

Going to change the HDD next, even though it tested fine using the Western Digital test program. Might try to return the Ram, too, even though THAT has also passed Ramtest. Other than that, the only thing that hasn't been changed is the CPU!

I now have enough used parts laying around here that I may as well invest in a low-cost 780G mainboard and chip and make a home theater PC! Might just buy a new HDD, and if that doesn't do it, use it as an external back-up... or as a HDD in the 2nd machine.

 

[zzz2496]

What's your current power supply make/model?

zzz2496

 

[baccusboy]

Hey! I think the new HDD fixed it! So much for Western Digital's drive checking programs!

I bought another stick of Ram just to try by itself before replacing the HDD, and the system still had issues. After changing the HDD, I haven't had any problems for an hour (knock on wood).

Will see how it goes after this....

BTW, the power supply is a Newzen Green 500w model. You haven't heard of that company because it's a Chinese import to Korea (where I live). There isn't much for brand-name power supplies here. If you want something with a western brand name, you'll pay triple for it.