32-bit processes hang under Win7 x64 Ultimate

[mANgLEr]

I did a fresh install about a week ago and I've started to notice processes that do not run properly.

For example, Internet Explorer 8 32-bit. If I click it on the start menu I get the 'hourglass' circle to indicate it's loading but after about ten seconds it goes back to the normal cursor and IE never loads. If I look in the Task Manager iexplore.exe (32-bit) is listed even though it hasn't appeared. I can keep running it and each time no window appears but I still get an additional process listed in the Task Manager. Any time I run the 64-bit version it loads immediately.

I've also not been able to run various other programs, including the installer for Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 and DigiGuide. The common theme is they are all 32-bit applications.

Does anyone have a clue what might be wrong with my install?

 

[zigzag3143]

M

could you go into event viewer (type event viewer in search) go to the app tab and see what errors are listed relating to the IE problem

K

 

[bobkn]

You don't list your system specs.

32 bit applications would not run for me due to a problem with the drivers for my Asus Xonar DX PCI-E soundcard. (There's a fix available.)

 

[mANgLEr]

The event viewer doesn't have any errors under the app tab, only two warnings from the last day or so:

Event ID: 3
The Bluetooth solution has encountered a problem and may not function properly. Keyboard connection failed after 2 retries (Timeout).

I know about this anyway as my wireless keyboard is turned off.


Event ID: 1530
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.

I always get this warning with XP as well, I suppose something is not unloading quickly enough on reboot.


As for my specs they are as follows:

Abit IP35 Pro
Intel C2Q Q6600
4GB RAM
HIS ATI 4850 512MB PCI-e graphics card
Auzentech Mystique PCI sound card

I have three devices I don't yet have drivers for, they are all disabled at the moment:

- Creative Live! Pro webcam (no Windows 7 driver)
- a PL-2303 Serial->USB driver (cannot install driver, 32-bit installer hangs!)
- an ABT2005 ACPI device I cannot identify yet

There are some 32-bit apps running in task manager, loaded at startup. It just won't let me start new ones. As this problem has only started in the last day or two it must be something I've done or installed that's broken it.

Other than the WOW DLLs in the Windows\System* folders are there any other file requirements to run 32-bit apps?

Thanks.

 

[Meistergimp]

Looks like the Auzentech Mystique uses the same C-Media chipset as the Asus Xonar sound cards. Its drivers are most likely based on the same releases from C-Media, albeit customized by the sound card manufacturer. That means the 32-bit issue Xonar owners have been dealing with will probably exist with your card as well.

Asus released a patch a couple of months ago that fixed the 32-bit app issue on the Xonars. Check Auzentech's website for a newer driver or patch that does the same for their driver set.

The problem with the Asus cards was the resident software that provides EAX emulation for older games. I don't know if the X-Mystique has the same thing, but if it does you can also disable those programs on startup. That fixed the Asus issue until they released a patch.

 

[bobkn]

It appears that the Auzentech drivers may also contain the hsmgr pieces that affected the Asus cards. They caused the inability to launch 32 bit apps with Win7 X64 build 7201 and later. (It wasn't a problem with the RC, build 7100.) If there is no patch available from Auzentech, the services can be disabled. (You'd lose EAX emulation.)

I suppose that the "ABT2005 ACPI" mystery device is the uGuru chip. It's a hardware component on the IP35 Pro that is part of the uGuru monitoring and control system. (I had an IP35 Pro, but never used most of the uGuru features. I tended to overclock the old-fashioned way: BIOS settings.) The latest uGuru utility installer is supposed to support Vista X64, os maybe it'll work with Win7 as well. I've read that Abit has gotten out of the motherboard business, which may mean that their support for Win7 on their old products may be limited.

 

[mANgLEr]

Solved!

Thank you for the excellent advice. Indeed I do have HsMgr.exe and HsMgr64.exe on my system so I applied the patch for the Asus Xonar card and it has fixed the problem for me as well. That has saved me from reinstalling Win7 and ending up with the same problem all over again.

I will try the Abit uGuru driver. Now I can get back to installing all my other software.

 

[Arnol]

Recently added a 2nd audio card, an Auzentech X-plosion, to listen to music on headphones while others are watching movies using the on-board sound. After installing the only drivers available from Auzentech I ran into the same 32-bit processes hang under Win7 x64 Premium problem. The CmAux64 patch fixed my problem also.

BTW to use a second audio card you need a player that allows you to select which audio card to use. MediaPlayer Classic Home Cinema - it's free, comes in 32 and 64 bit version and does not require additional codecs.
Download Media Player Classic Home Cinema, Free Video Player Download

 

[Intuit]

Sorry for bumping an old thread, but thought it prudent considering that a recent Broadcom driver pushed via Windows Update (Aug 24th, 2013) caused the same issue. I found this thread via Bing search phrase "32 bit applications keep hanging" second from the top result.

Solution:
Physically unplug or disable (via "devmgmt.msc") your BroadCom BlueTooth adapter. From "appwiz.cpl" uninstall the BroadCom software, then restart the system. The issue should then cease.

Additional Details:
Windows 7 64-bit Professional.
"ProgramData", "Users" & "Temp" folders are 'SymLinkD' to a different physical drive.
(note: the windows kernel may not 'see' any driver files placed under the above folders)

The 32-bit applications would load up fine, but would hang the second you tried to enter any input via (USB) keyboard. As a work-around you could copy & paste the keyboard input using the mouse and avoid the hang. I do not own any Bluetooth keyboards and have never attempted to setup any such device with this system.

The BlueTooth adapter has been installed since I've had the desktop, but the issue didn't start until after the Windows Update.

The following quotes the update that caused the issue...

Broadcom Corporation - Bluetooth Controller - Broadcom 2046 Bluetooth 2.1+EDR USB Device with First Connect
Installation date: ‎8/‎24/‎2013 12:40 PM
Installation status: Successful
Update type: Optional
Broadcom Corporation Bluetooth Controller software update released in August, 2013
More information:
Driver Information
Help and Support:
Product Solution Centers

The HWID of my device...
USB\VID_0A5C&PID_2148&REV_0818

 

[Intuit]

Incidentally, removing this update may have solved another recent issue.

Windows 7 Task Scheduler would ignore the empty checkbox for "Run task as soon as possible after a scheduled start is missed".

When resuming from hibernate/sleep, Task Scheduler would rerun the task for all the missed scheduling points for when the system was off.