Win 7 isn't working right AT ALL

[Scott2010]

Man, can somebody please tell me they have Windows 7 64-bit working properly, and make me feel a bit better about buying it? At the moment it looks like I'm stuck with a bunk OS and am out $200. I'm not happy at all.....

Here's a summary of the main problems I'm having:

System restore doesn't work - I make a save point, but it doesn't see it when I try to restore. I had XP Pro before 7, and the restore function didn't work on that OS either.

IE 8 32-bit doesn't work, it freezes after viewing a page for about 20 seconds. The 64-bit works fine, but I want to use the 32 bit if I can, mainly because I use roboform and that doesn't work on the 64 bit browser.

My surround sound only works if set up as a 2 speaker system.

No video files will play at all. Regardless of the type of video, they give the same error "server execution failed"

I use Impulse, from Stardock, which is basically a service like Steam. Impulse runs, but only minimized, it won't come up to the desktop. I had the 32-bit version of 7 installed, and it worked fine there.

There's more, but this is all I can think of atm. I've been working on this sh*t since last Saturday, and am starting to burn out. I need to make a list of the problems so I don't forget what they all are. So far I've installed Windows 4 times; apparently there's a lot of software it just doesn't like (like office 2000 & the zonealarm I have), where loading just frags the whole system and forces a reload.

I would really appreciate some help here. Thanks!

 

[Thorsen]

Have you tried disabling each of these programs in MSConfig and re-enabling one by one to see if its a specific program? I have installed stuff that wouldn't seem to affect IE, but it caused IE to fail so I uninstalled program. I havent seen any of the other issues your seeing though.

 

[DocBrown]

Welcome Scott2010

I have 5 computers with win7 x64 installed. Your problems are not typical of x64.
We may have to get the entire SevenForums Guru Team involved here.
Thanks for filling in your specs. Which version of x64, Home, Pro, Enterprise, Ultimate ? have you tried installing ? Did you do clean fresh installs ? Which of your HD's ? Are you doing a dual boot with your old XP-Pro ?

Have you browsed our tutorial sections yet ?

We thrive on a Trial & Error challenge here at SevenForums.

So this will not be a Mission Impossible

 

[Fumz]

Hi Scott,

64-bit 7 runs great. I'll second that your problems aren't the norm. Right off the bat two things jump out at me: 2GB of RAM running a 64-bit OS, and Zone Alarm.

While you can run a 64-bit OS with only 2GB's, it's less than ideal and Zone Alarm is notorious for crashing... as well as not being very effective: Results and comments - www.matousec.com. You should uninstall that asap.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Windows 7 x64 is perfectly fine. If it was the problem, how would so many people be running it without issue? Let's focus on what could be causing the errors, rather than the OS itself (except for one point).

1. System Restore is a joke, and is one of the first things I disable on any system I use, going back to the XP days. I keep my data backed up properly, and if I would need to spend more than two hours fixing the OS, I'd just as soon as rebuild. System Restore rarely works, leaving you with the same options remaining anyway. Why bother?

2. It sounds like you have a corrupt plug-in installed with IE8. You should have a shortcut for it using no plug-ins on your start menu. Give that a shot. The IE8 x64 version shouldn't be used. I delete the shortcuts for it and don't bother with it.

3. Are you using up to date drivers and/or a sound card that is fully compatible?

4. Again, sounds like a corrupt or missing plug-in for the browser. Do any files play that are stored on your computer? Have you installed any third party codec packs?

5. Did you verify their x64 compatibility, or look into a separate x64 version of the software?

6. Office 2000 should run fine, but honestly, it is ten years old. If you haven't bothered to get a newer version, why not just use Open Office? It is free, and will be much more compatible/feature similar to the newest version of Office than 2000 is.

7. Why even bother with Zone Alarm? You have a very good firewall built-in to Windows 7, and if you combine that with a hardware based one, usually a router, you are fine. You don't need third-party software firewalls anymore.

Have you run any memory testing apps, such as Memtest for 24 hours? How about any hard drive diag tools from the drive manufacturer's website? If you reinstalled several times and still have the issue, that points to either a faulty software driver or app that you keep installing, or a hardware issue.

 

[Jacee]

Did you properly install Windows 7 on the XP computer?
Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 - Help & How-to - Microsoft Windows

 

[Product FRED]

I say format the hard drive and do a clean installation.

 

[Scott2010]

Man, I had this big update all typed out, answering most of the questions posed, and after I hit submit, IE said it couldn't display the web page & I lost all of it... bummer.

Anyway, I wiped the drive and did a fresh install to just start over. All I've done so far is update windows, got my bluetooth kb & mouse working, and created an image file. So far IE 32-bit seems to be working fine, and those vids play, so I'll be taking baby steps from here, loading one thing then checking everything. Hope the image backup works better than the restore. *knocks on wood*

I should've pointed out I wasn't upgrading from XP, but doing a full install of Win 7 Home Premium. Something I'm loading isn't sitting well with this system; probably a driver since I never even managed to finish getting all the devices working.

Oh, about ZA, I only loaded it after the first installation (Today's install was my 5th), and after it zapped the os I haven't loaded it again. Same with office, it fragged my second install so I haven't tried it again. I'll check out Open Office instead, you know I never even heard of that.

As far as my level of expertise, I worked in computer support for about 10 years, but that was about 5 years ago and the company I worked for had outdated systems. So my knowledge is definitely outdated. When I built this system, about 3 years ago, I never even heard of dual-core processors, water-cooling systems (water in a pc? ack!), and SATA drives. I had some catching up to do, still do I guess

I'll be back later with an update on how it's going... I'm very anxious to find out what exactly I'm loading that's been fragging the system.

Thanks guys!

 

[gregrocker]

Make sure you have the latest BIOS version, then reset your CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

Test your RAM using memtest86 for 5-6 passes or overnight.

Test your HD using maker's full diag/repair CD scan: Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.

Once you clear your hardware, clean reinstall from boot after zeroing your HD to rule out infection. Use drivers given by installer and optional Windows updates except for missing drivers or where there are performance issues pinned to driver.

Don't tweak Win7 beyond normal settings.

 

[Scott2010]

Update: The only things I had left that were common across the last installs was to update the video & sound drivers, and dl the rest of the critical Windows update, about 21 or so I think. So I imaged the drive first, then dl'd the updates...

Now, my video cards are are knocked out in device manager, giving this error:

Windows cannot verify the digital signature for the drivers required for this device. A recent hardware or software change might have installed a file that is signed incorrectly or damaged, or that might be malicious software from an unknown source. (Code 52)

Also knocked out are a mass storage controller, saying the driver isn't installed, and a mysterious 'unknown device'.

I restored from the image, and all those updates are gone, but the devices are still knocked out. My next step may be to do another restore, but select the option to reformat the partition as well. If that works then I'll just install the updates a few at a time and try to narrow it down.

I may keep messing with those drivers first and try to fix them, but what can I do about the unknown device?

Edit: Just restored from the image, redoing the partitions and all, and it still failed to restore those devices back to normal. Dammit.... Guess I'll try and fix 'em manually, starting with the video cards since they should be easiest.

 

[gregrocker]

Update your video driver. Check for newer in optional Windows Updates or on the manufacturer's Support Downloads webpage for your model.

For Storage Controller: Update the chipset for your model mobo from manufacturer's Support Downloads webpage.

Unknown device could be anything, often Fax modem, card readers, webcam. If you need it then it will become apparent.

 

[Scott2010]

Update: I tried updating the drivers, but they didn't bring the cards back up; the option to roll back the current drivers was grayed out; uninstalling the cards & reinstalling with the base drivers resulted in the same thing, so I gave up and did another reinstall of the system... Guess what? Same stuff was knocked out device manager, and this was after just an install and the few critical updates it does automatically... and again I can't fix the video drivers. Not only that, but after I tried removing the cards & installing a current driver, which installed fine then rebooted the system, sys restore came on again... So I shut it off and went to bed...

So this morning I do another install for 64-bit; this time everything was ok. The video cards were up, that unknown was gone and the controller wasn't flagged. Only now I have no confidence in this system at all, so I get my quicken installed and start getting my accounts up to date, and get ready to pay bills while I can... I'm in the middle of logging stuff in and bam! blue screen of death.... it reloads, startup repair kicks in, goes for about an hour, and can't fix it. Can't get in via Safe Mode either... Another reinstall....

I'm giving up on the 64 bit until I have more ram, so I install the 32 bit. It comes up and... those devs are knocked out, but not the video, so I'm good, not really concerned about the other two...

But now there's no internet! :shock: The ethernet adapters are working, so I call my ISP tech support and guess what? An outage in my area about 20 minutes ago.

All that was a few hours ago, 'net recently came back up, so I'm a bit happier. Only now I'm afraid to update anything at all, and having my drive imaged doesn't help me feel any better about it. Gotta do it though...

 

[Product FRED]

The minimum for x64 is 2GB. It would be wise, like you said, to go with x86 until you get at least another gig of RAM. Most people would say go with at least 4GB for a very smooth experience. Sorry it didn't work out for you and I hope this doesn't discourage you from using Windows 7.

- Fred

 

[Scott2010]

Oh I'm not discouraged... I do like it when it's running right, like now. I'm sure once all these flukey things are ironed it it'll be fine. I just never had so many issues with getting a system up and running.

I forgot to mention that, during the internet outage, I ran 2 cycles of the extended memory test. No problems were found. I'm thinking maybe outdated motherboard drives could be causing all of it, since the hardware is really the only thing that was common across all installs. That or the BIOS. This machine is 3 years old, old enough to be outdated for 7 I guess. I can't find a bios update though; I'll probably be calling the mfr, I think it's Phoenix, on Monday.

Time to look for MB drivers...

 

[Product FRED]

It doesn't seem that old. Like you said, it might be the mobo, but the GPU and processor are fine.

 

[MacGyvr]

1. System Restore is a joke, and is one of the first things I disable on any system I use, going back to the XP days. I keep my data backed up properly, and if I would need to spend more than two hours fixing the OS, I'd just as soon as rebuild. System Restore rarely works, leaving you with the same options remaining anyway. Why bother?

Absolutely untrue, unfounded and VERY bad advice to give to our readers who may need the safety that System Restore provides them in case of an emergency. I personally have used it hundreds of times on XP, Vista and 7 with no problems. Only on a few occasions has it failed, and that is usually resolved by running it in Safe Mode. PLEASE do not advise novice users to turn off a control in their system that may save them a lot of heartache and time, just because YOU don't like it.

 

[MacGyvr]

Man, I had this big update all typed out, answering most of the questions posed, and after I hit submit, IE said it couldn't display the web page & I lost all of it... bummer.

Anyway, I wiped the drive and did a fresh install to just start over. All I've done so far is update windows, got my bluetooth kb & mouse working, and created an image file. So far IE 32-bit seems to be working fine, and those vids play, so I'll be taking baby steps from here, loading one thing then checking everything. Hope the image backup works better than the restore. *knocks on wood*

I should've pointed out I wasn't upgrading from XP, but doing a full install of Win 7 Home Premium. Something I'm loading isn't sitting well with this system; probably a driver since I never even managed to finish getting all the devices working.

Oh, about ZA, I only loaded it after the first installation (Today's install was my 5th), and after it zapped the os I haven't loaded it again. Same with office, it fragged my second install so I haven't tried it again. I'll check out Open Office instead, you know I never even heard of that.

As far as my level of expertise, I worked in computer support for about 10 years, but that was about 5 years ago and the company I worked for had outdated systems. So my knowledge is definitely outdated. When I built this system, about 3 years ago, I never even heard of dual-core processors, water-cooling systems (water in a pc? ack!), and SATA drives. I had some catching up to do, still do I guess

I'll be back later with an update on how it's going... I'm very anxious to find out what exactly I'm loading that's been fragging the system.

Thanks guys!

FYI, MS Office won't hose your Windows installation, UNLESS something else is already wrong.

 

[MacGyvr]

The minimum for x64 is 2GB. It would be wise, like you said, to go with x86 until you get at least another gig of RAM. Most people would say go with at least 4GB for a very smooth experience. Sorry it didn't work out for you and I hope this doesn't discourage you from using Windows 7.

- Fred

I don't see the issue with running 64 bit on a 2GB machine. I have a machine that maxes at 2 GB and it has 64 bit Ultimate 7 on it. It runs GREAT...absolutely no issues.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Absolutely untrue, unfounded and VERY bad advice to give to our readers who may need the safety that System Restore provides them in case of an emergency. I personally have used it hundreds of times on XP, Vista and 7 with no problems. Only on a few occasions has it failed, and that is usually resolved by running it in Safe Mode. PLEASE do not advise novice users to turn off a control in their system that may save them a lot of heartache and time, just because YOU don't like it.

If you want to stop from posting bad advice, I'd suggest following your own advice as well. System Restore has ALWAYS been advised by security companies to be disabled, as it offers a nice hiding spot for malware to reside, so it can continually reinfect the system. That's been a known fact for years now, and has not changed.

Secondly, you may be the only person on any forum to suggest that it works well. If you take the time to read around and do your own research, rather than base your comments on your opinion (the very thing you blasted me for doing), you'll see what I am talking about.

If you don't like what you deem to be my opinion....don't offer your own opinion as your evidence. That's like arguing that chocolate ice cream sucks because you like vanilla.

In all honestly, please do some reading online. In the rare event System Restore works....all it does it put your system back to the spot right before you had the issue anyway...setting the system up for a repeat. it is also a known fact that storing your "back-up" or recovery method on the same physical drive is a bad idea as well. Add in the fact that System Restore can only fix software issues...which are usually easy to solve, and better to solve than rolling backwards...and it is very hard to make a case to keep System Restore enabled. I'm not even going to mention the point about SSDs and their size limitations...but that would be yet another strike against System Restore.

EDIT: Just found this link as well on these very Boards. Check out #13.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11728-optimize-windows-7-a.html

I don't see the issue with running 64 bit on a 2GB machine. I have a machine that maxes at 2 GB and it has 64 bit Ultimate 7 on it. It runs GREAT...absolutely no issues.

I'll break our tradtition and agree with you on this one. Although running it on a system with 2 GB cancels out one of it's biggest benefits, Windows 7 x64 should run just fine with only 2 GB of system memory. You will have slightly less headroom for apps, given the fact that x64 OSes use a little more memory, but that doesn't mean you'll have issues with stability. I also had a system running on 2 GB while waiting for a memory upgrade, and it ran just fine.

 

[MacGyvr]

I stand firmly by my comment that it was irresponsible of you to advise a novice user to turn off System Restore, no matter what you may think about it. It DOES work, and should be the first line of defense in case of a system failure. It can give you the chance to fix a problem before having to completely reinstall.

The thread you referenced clearly states that this is only a suggestion for those severely pressed for hard drive space and also warns of the inability to perform a restore. It is NOT listed as a blanket optimization strategy in any way.