32bit programs not starting on w7 64

[jeffff]

hey,

im currently working on an assignment for university, so the faster I can come to a fix for this the better!

I restarted my pc earlier, after I noticed the audio was slightly laggy, the same sort of lag one would get if they had a very high CPU utilisation and I've experienced it in the past when doing some 3d rendering, nothing horrible, just slightly echoy almost, you wouldnt really even notice it.

Upon restarting I noticed there was a lack of programs starting, my antivirus didn't seem to load, and neither did firefox, steam, irc - i thought I must have a virus, and then none of my programs that I would normally scan for malware would open - antimalwarebytes, adaware etc

I did however notice that ventrilo would open and a few other selective programs, it appears that only 64bit programs are opening, I googled this and came accross a thread on these very forums, stating something about xonar soundcard drivers causing this - I do have an asus xonar d2, and it seemed to point towards this being the problem, I uninstalled the drivers, but the problem is persisting.

I have already tried a system restore twice to no avail, ive had this install since about june 2010, with absolutely no problems until now, I really really don't want to reformat, but will have to soon unless I can find a solution

any help would be much appreciated,

kind regards!

 

[jeffff]

really desperate here guys, sorry for bump - going to format in the next hour if i can't solve it

 

[LiquidSnak]

Be patient. You can't expect instant help for free.

While you are waiting, you could fill out your system specs. That will help us help you greatly. Do this under user control panel on this forum, so that they are attached to your username and available with each post you make

 

[jeffff]

Be patient. You can't expect instant help for free.

While you are waiting, you could fill out your system specs. That will help us help you greatly. Do this under user control panel on this forum, so that they are attached to your username and available with each post you make

I apologize for my impatience, it's just really frustrating me at the moment, but ofcourse I appreciate that free help forums like this even exist, and that one shouldn't expect instant help

I've added my specs to my profile, thanks

 

[herewegomez]

im having the same problems as jeff here, and have pretty much the same system specs.
im at a lose
someone please help

 

[MilesAhead]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

I would try that first. Under \Windows is a folder SysWow64 that's the emulator to run 32 bit windows program on 64 bit OS. If the guts is missing or corrupted or a virus deleted some files, that could do it.

 

[herewegomez]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

I would try that first. Under \Windows is a folder SysWow64 that's the emulator to run 32 bit windows program on 64 bit OS. If the guts is missing or corrupted or a virus deleted some files, that could do it.

it says that it didnt detect any violation. So far, iv tried fixing things with the Win7 install disk, and have run a ton of anti virus/malware/spyware stuff. They found nothing. I also cant restore to a earlier date. This all happened after some Oct 14th windows updates. From what I read, it does some stuff to your registry keys? Other than that, I have absolutly no idea. It wont even open x86 programs when its in a safe mode startup or during a clean boot. I also tried making a new user in case mine was curropted, but that didnt seem to do anything either. Would completly nuking my harddrive and reinstalling be my only option at this point?

 

[bobkn]

There was a problem with older drivers for the Asus Xonar series that prevented 32 bit programs from running under Win7 X64. One work-around was to kill the hsmgr.exe process, which had something to do with EAX (Sound Blaster) emulation.

If you're using reasonably up-to-date drivers, the problem was fixed.

The problem also shouldn't have existed if you uninstalled the Xonar drivers. That's mysterious.

I'm confused, but the Xonar thing was all that I can recall that prevented 32 bit software from running under Win7 X64.

 

[herewegomez]

There was a problem with older drivers for the Asus Xonar series that prevented 32 bit programs from running under Win7 X64. One work-around was to kill the hsmgr.exe process, which had something to do with EAX (Sound Blaster) emulation.

If you're using reasonably up-to-date drivers, the problem was fixed.

The problem also shouldn't have existed if you uninstalled the Xonar drivers. That's mysterious.

I'm confused, but the Xonar thing was all that I can recall that prevented 32 bit software from running under Win7 X64.

i dont have a soundcard. I have a MA785GT-GT Gigabyte motherboard with onboard 7.1 surround. I tried to download the drivers for it, but I cant run that program either. I cant run anything thats not stricly a x64 program

 

[herewegomez]

also, whenever I try to open a media file outside of a x64 program, I get a prompt that says Server Execution Failed. That only happens with media files

 

[MilesAhead]

From what you say an update seems like the culprit. I don't install automatic updates. To me it's not wise to put multiple fixes on a machine at the same time unless it's a service pack. Even then I have an image of my system partition to fall back on.

Somehow you need to find a way to go back. It may take clean install. For future reference I'd get an external drive or 2 and an imaging backup program like Macrium Reflect or Easus ToDo. You can find several free imaging backup programs on
www.thefreecountry.com

 

[herewegomez]

From what you say an update seems like the culprit. I don't install automatic updates. To me it's not wise to put multiple fixes on a machine at the same time unless it's a service pack. Even then I have an image of my system partition to fall back on.

Somehow you need to find a way to go back. It may take clean install. For future reference I'd get an external drive or 2 and an imaging backup program like Macrium Reflect or Easus ToDo. You can find several free imaging backup programs on
www.thefreecountry.com

yhea, I justt ordered a 1tb harddrive. I guess ill just have to move over the files I want to save then nuke the mother****er

 

[herewegomez]

on a side note, If it is a registry foul-up that happened in the update, could registry reflection or redirection in the
WOW6432node do anything? Registry keys are confusing to me, could someone tell me anything about this?

 

[MilesAhead]

How does WoW64 work? - Gaurav Seth's WebLog - Site Home - MSDN Blogs

 

[herewegomez]

How does WoW64 work? - Gaurav Seth's WebLog - Site Home - MSDN Blogs

cool, thanks I'll check that out.
btw, what is the best way to go about formating a harddrive? I'v never had to do it before. I have Hiren's boot CD and that has a pretty agressive nuking program.Would that be the best way to go about it?

 

[MilesAhead]

I suggest you start your own thread rather than hijacking the OP's thread and pulling it to another topic.

It's also helpful to fill out your system spec. Saves a lot of time and back and forth as people ask if you have this hardware or that.