Calling all experts!! Very unusual problem here.

[jjdavola]

Specs:

Q6600
3GB RAM
Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit

Great site! I hope this is the right place to post this. I'm at a total loss, For no apparent reason it appears that programs just stop working after a while. For example if I click to open a Zip file it won't open even though I have the program. If I click on my shortcut to open a program, either an error message pops up or the program doesn't open. Then when I click on the start button to reboot, my only option is to Shut Down or whatever the default button is and I need to click on the button several times for the shut down/restart to finally take. FYI I can't click on the little arrow to hit Restart, Sleep, Log Off etc.

Then after I reboot, I'm fine, all the programs work great, I can click on the arrow next to Shut Down etc. Then if I use my computer for a while or just leave it idle, programs will eventually stop working again and I'll have to reboot. It's usually at least several hours and every once and a while a full day before I have to restart, but it is getting annoying. If it helps, I can be on the internet with no problems, open new browsers, but everything else stops working.

I mostly receive no message when I try to open Control Panel, Windows Explorer or most programs, but none of them open. When my computer is in this state the error messages I've received range from:

Runtime error 004107FE

This page failed to load. (when trying to open Notification Area Icons in Control Panel)

Microsoft Zune has stopped working. (when I try to open my Zune software)

There is not enough memory or disk space to run Word.

File system error (65535).

Then when I can finally get the Restart button to a "Waiting for Background Programs to Close" box comes up, but the box is ALWAYS empty.

I tried reinstalling WIndows 7 Ultimate again, although only the Upgrade method, but that didn't do anything.

BTW I use MSE (which runs a full scan every night) and religiously defrag and clear cookies and history etc.

Any assistance or guidance will be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[csenger41]

try fully reinstall Win7, with formatting the winchester...
most of the times it helps

 

[jjdavola]

try fully reinstall Win7, with formatting the winchester...
most of the times it helps

Thanks. That is my absolute last resort since it will take forever for me to re-install everything, but what does "formatting the winchester" mean?

 

[pebbly]

run the system file checker http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html ,did you do a clean install or an upgrade install ,if it was the latter you may have copied overs errors from the last OS and may be causing your problems ,you could also try a system restore or a repair install , have a look in the tutorial section of the forum for further help on these

 

[jjdavola]

run the system file checker http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html ,did you do a clean install or an upgrade install ,if it was the latter you may have copied overs errors from the last OS and may be causing your problems ,you could also try a system restore or a repair install , have a look in the tutorial section of the forum for further help on these

Thanks! Trying the scannow now. I did an upgrade install. I know it doesn't mean anything, but I had no similar problems with Vista. I'll try the other options (as long as I don't have to re-install drivers etc. "for now at least") if the scannow doesn't come up with anything.

 

[pebbly]

run the system file checker http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html ,did you do a clean install or an upgrade install ,if it was the latter you may have copied overs errors from the last OS and may be causing your problems ,you could also try a system restore or a repair install , have a look in the tutorial section of the forum for further help on these

Thanks! Trying the scannow now. I did an upgrade install. I know it doesn't mean anything, but I had no similar problems with Vista. I'll try the other options (as long as I don't have to re-install drivers etc. "for now at least") if the scannow doesn't come up with anything.

you're welcome good luck hope it solves it for you

 

[jjdavola]

Sorry for not telling everyone sooner, but the scannow didn't come up with anything.

Any other thoughts or ideas??

 

[Tews]

try fully reinstall Win7, with formatting the winchester...
most of the times it helps

That is my absolute last resort since it will take forever for me to re-install everything,

Sounds like you're at your last resort... Do a clean install, then image your drive...

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html?ltr=C

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html?ltr=B

 

[jjdavola]

try fully reinstall Win7, with formatting the winchester...
most of the times it helps

That is my absolute last resort since it will take forever for me to re-install everything,

Sounds like you're at your last resort... Do a clean install, then image your drive...

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html?ltr=C

Thanks.

Please say it ain't so.

FYI my biggest fear isn't so much finding the time to do the clean install (although I do dread it), but its doing the clean install and then having the problem come back.

 

[jjdavola]

Bonus question:

How much partition should I allocate for Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit or should I even bother creating a partition? FYI I didn't partition my hard drive when I initially installed it.

Thanks again!

 

[Crunchy Doodle]

You kids today don't know nothin'. :sarc:

If you are old enough and been fooling around with computers a long time, the name Winchester means something. It was the name IBM gave to their new hard drive technology in 1973. It's the same basic technology used today. In the bad old days we'd talk about Winchester hard drives. Soon that will be eclipsed by SSD.

Bye.

try fully reinstall Win7, with formatting the winchester...
most of the times it helps

Thanks. That is my absolute last resort since it will take forever for me to re-install everything, but what does "formatting the winchester" mean?

 

[oldtraveler]

Bonus question:

How much partition should I allocate for Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit or should I even bother creating a partition? FYI I didn't partition my hard drive when I initially installed it.

Thanks again!

Yes. You should partition your drive if for no other reason than to have a place to store your drive images. Hopefully you have learned from this experience that YOU MUST create drive images to use when things go south so that you don't have to re-install Windows again.

As to what size to make the partitions - that will depend upon the size of your hard drive. The C Partition for Windows 7 should probably be at least 40GB or a little more. Your Installation won't take up all of that, but you should leave room for expansion.

 

[gregrocker]

Sounds like you have a failed in-place Upgrade, which is often an inferior install since it carries over any corruption in your settings from Vista.

In making your fresh start with the best OS yet, gather your program installers, back up your files, boot the Win7 DVD, select Custom install, use Drive Tools to delete all partitions, create New one(s) as you wish, then format before installing to first partition.

I would rely only on an external for your backups including image backups, which make future reinstall unnecessary as you can then reimage your HD or a replacement in 20 minutes.

So it's important to get it right the first time: The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Put your wireless driver on a stick/CD to make sure you can get online quickly. Any missing drivers along with favorite apps can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your computer/device model.

Take your time to reinstall your programs so you can gauge performance for at least a day after each. Don't let any freeloaders into msconfig>startup besides your AV and gadgets to save CPU/RAM.

After programs are in place, Updates complete and its running as you like, clean and order HD with free state-of-the-art CCleaner "Run Cleaner" and Registry tab, and the Auslogics Disk and Registry defraggers. Then get a Win7 Backup image stored externally.

 

[boohbah]

bit of a guess ,you dont have 10 bit security 360 installed do you . it messed with my computer in a similar way to yours until i uninstalled it