COM Surrogate Windows 7 64bit

[writhziden]

Download and install Malwarebytes and update it to the latest version. Start the program (do not start the trial), and run a full system scan for viruses/malware. Post back the results.

Also, do you have the same theme shared between the two computers? Is it a custom theme?

See if any of the steps (minus hardware upgrades) provided in http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ws-7-a.html?filter[2]=Performance Maintenance resolve the COM Surrogate crash.

 

[PrinorB]

Thanks. Malwarebytes didn't find anything.

That looks like a sweet list of optimization for general purposes also.

I have the feeling that windows should work with all of them enabled still because I didn't change anything from the default and on other computers all the transparency etc also works together with the windows photo viewer (at least I presume so...).

Things I can think of that are the same between the two computers are:

• I use "autoruns". I tried to enable everything again that I had disabled with that program and the problem still persisted though.
• I have the same desktop (SAMSUNG B2430H Glossy Black 24") one with DVI (work) and one with VGA (home) cable connected to the system. Is there any driver that is installed with a new desktop?
• I have obviously the same external harddrive drivers (Western digital and Toshiba)
• I have some of the same software c.f. list of software attached with some of my earlier threads.
  
• I didn't download any extra themes except for firefox. I used to have the same theme but use different now
• I recently made my theme with the same landscape pics and the same screensaver. i think the problem was there before though.
• I can't really think of anything else...

Is there anything on that list that you think might cause the problem?

Also on a different note; My friend has an old laptop which used to have windows vista home premium (I think 32 bit) and she still has a license key but not the install CD. She needs to reinstall this. I tried googling for ISO images but I can't say what is genuine and what isn't. Do you know where I could find a genuine version?

Thanks!!http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001388
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001388

 

[PrinorB]

Oh; and I have the same mouse: Logitech M510

 

[writhziden]

Unfortunately, the Vista version of the ISOs are no longer available to my knowledge. She could try posting in the VistaForums which are a neighbor site to these forums. There is not as much activity there, so no guarantees help will be given.

If anyone else knows of a genuine Vista ISO that is allowed to be linked, please share.


As to your problem, it could be the themes you use. Try a basic Windows 7 theme and see if it persists. If so, that would rule that out as a likely candidate. I am with you that it is likely something else underlying, but I am not able to discern what. Do you have any explorer based applications built in (winRAR, for instance, can cause problems like these if it is not functioning properly)? If you right click on a file, can you provide us with what options you are given? That may lend some clue to what might be interfering.

 

[PrinorB]

Thanks for the tip! I'll tell her.

I tried a basic theme and it didn't work... Attached are screenshots for right clicks on Folders and a Word document for Work and home respectively (the text for the work Pc is weird because I connected remotely).

What I did for the moment is download Picasa and work with that. If I have time I can maybe reinstall windows from scratch on my home PC where I don't have to run around (that far) to get all the software back together. Then I could slowly build up the system and check at every step if the problem occurs.

If I was to do that, I need to two things though:

• When I bought the PC pre-installed, will there be any issue when I reinstall windows? If not then I might need a Windows Home Premium SP1 ISO
• One thing that bugs me is: My Laptopt came with a test version of Microsoft office Pre installed (in English; the language that I would like it in). I upgraded that with a license from a CD purchased in Germany. Because the test version was English, the language pack remained English. For my work PC where I used the same German office CD to install MS office, (it was one of those disks with 3 licenses) I had to buy an English Language pack. Now, if I was to reinstall windows on my Laptop I would need to install office from the CD and end up with having to buy another language pack. I could see two solutions (maybe you have another?):
  • I find out how I can get the original installation with the test office version back. The laptop did not come with an install DVD. Maybe I can ask someone if they provide ISO images...
  • OR is there any way of getting an official, free, English trial office version install file that I could then activate with the (German) key I have?

Sounds complicated. The thing is, so far the error is not THAT bad but now that I spent four days trying to fix it it would be nice to know what it was...

 

[PrinorB]

Attachments...

 

[FliGi7]

Things I can think of that are the same between the two computers are:

• I have some of the same software c.f. list of software attached with some of my earlier threads.

I can't seem to find where you list your software. Could you list all of the software, to include any themes or tweaks, you have done on the fresh install of your system?

 

[PrinorB]

Sorry that list was in another thread...

Here is a list both for home and for work including windows features that are turned on and off.

Other tweaks than that are

• themes but changing my PC to a basic theme didn't change anything.
• Make windows ask me before installing updates. (so disable "automatic" updates. I have been good on updating though.
• I can't even think of anything else (maybe some energy things like "never shut down" etc)

 

[PrinorB]

http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-...d-working-error-no-solution-seems-work-3.html

c.f. post by john129d: He said the Intel graphics HD driver may be the problem. I do have that driver installed but it wasn't an "update" as such. For the home PC it was on the Laptop before I bought it and for the work PC I think it was one of the drivers that I installed as part of setting the system up. I searched through "windows updates" and didn't find any updates that have been done for that driver.

if I was to uninstall that, I feel I need some kind of alternative...
http://www.sevenforums.com/member.php?u=54806

 

[Brds7t7]

Hi PrinorB,

I did have that problem a few months ago and I tracked it down to the codec pack I was using (k-lite) which was causing the issue. But if you're getting that error on a clean install that's a different story.

 

[FliGi7]

Hi PrinorB,

I did have that problem a few months ago and I tracked it down to the codec pack I was using (k-lite) which was causing the issue. But if you're getting that error on a clean install that's a different story.

Right, that was my first thought. Codec packs and theme modifiers/tweakers are the notorious culprits for such errors. However, the OP is getting this on a clean install. Something is definitely awry here.

Prinor, It is very possible it's a driver issue. When you installed Windows, did you let Windows Update install all of your drivers or did you download them from the ASUS website? It's possible Windows isn't installing the suitable drivers for your system and that's what is causing the issue.

ASUS - Motherboards- ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3

First, make sure your BIOS is the latest version. Other than that, the only thing I'd personally install myself over Windows Updates is the Intel chipset driver utility, which might be a bit out of date on the ASUS website. Instead, I'd go here and check for the latest drivers for your chipset and update/install them:

Intel® Driver Update Utility

None of this may be related to your issue, but they are basic things that need to be done to prevent possible other issues in the future.

 

[PrinorB]

Hmm,
I am not sure why ASUS motherboards? Is ASRock the same as ASUS? For the work computer I installed the drivers that were on the ASRock website:

ASRock > Products > Motherboard > Z68 Pro3 Gen3 > Download
I think I installed:

• Realtek audio
• Intel management engine
• Realteck LAN
• Etron USB
• Intel HD graphics driver: That driver is the "VGA driver" from the ASRock website I think. Should I maybe reinstall that driver ()

I am not sure what the MSXML is. The question is though why do I have the same on my home computer which I didn't do anything with? It came with everything pre-installed. I didn't install any drivers codecs etc unless there was some update from windows update that I clicked yes on.


Two questions about drivers:

• Can I just uninstall a driver with the control panel and then reinstall it Without making the hole system crash? I just noticed that some of the drivers have a newer version on the ASrock website. I could also try reinstalling the HD graphics driver.
• When the system is pre built, is there any way to find out what motherboard there is and what drivers I would need?

It is so strange. My friend has an Acer Laptop that she bought a months earlier than me and she hasn't got the issue. When she comes to visit in a week I can look more closely what she hasn't got and what I have

 

[PrinorB]

Sorry my bad. None of the drivers are out of date. For some reason the version numbering on the website isn't the same as the one that shows in the control panel from the installed version. I looked at the downloaded drivers that I have and they are all the same as on the website.

Unless of course they have been subsequently tempered with by windows update. When searching through all my windows updates however, I didn't find any graphics driver update.

 

[FliGi7]

Sorry about that. I read ASUS instead of ASRock when I went to look up drivers for you. But, you are already on the right path. If you aren't having problems with your VGA driver, I wouldn't reinstall. I definitely would update any driver that has a later version on the site. You can just uninstall from the Programs menu, if it shows up there, and reinstall the later version. Personally, I reboot after each driver update/reinstall to make sure it takes affect and has no bearing on other things I install.

The specific one I'm referring to is the one titled "INF driver" on that webpage. Those are the Intel drivers I was referring to that you should download from Intel directly, as they have the latest versions (and these manufacturers do not).

Don't worry about MSXML, it's inconsequential to anything we're talking about. So, just leave it on there.

 

[PrinorB]

They also both have motherboards that are called Pro3...

I attached the results to the driver update search. It looks like everything is up to date except for the Audio driver which isn't recognized (I take it because it is from Realtek instead of Intel?)

I don't know if the VGA doesn't cause problems A user in below thread suggested that it might. But there is no newer version available as far as I know so I don't know if it will change anything if I reinstall it

http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-d...ms-work-3.html

As an aside:
Also, one weird thing happened. I just wanted to show someone my error (work computer) and it didn't occur after a minute of flicking through pics! I was confused. The only thing I could think of what I changed was

1) I had changed the windows theme to a shuffle through pre-installed images instead of a folder of images that I downloaded and I had installed Picasa.

2) Thus, I changed the theme back to the my own picks and sure enough the error occurred.

3) HOWEVER, when I changed it back to windows theme (the same exact state as in point 1 when the error didn't occur), restarted etc. the error was still there again. I had the feeling though that it took longer for the Software to crash with state 1) than with state 2).

I don't expect anyone to make sense of this but I tell you just in case

 

[FliGi7]

Yea, the Intel utility isn't going to recognize any components that aren't a part of the chipset (e.g. your audio).

Here is the utility to update your chipset drivers to the latest version:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/confirm.aspx?httpDown=http://downloadmirror.intel.com/20775/eng/infinst_autol.exe&lang=eng&Dwnldid=20775&DownloadType=Drivers&OSFullname=Windows+7+(64-bit)*&ProductID=816

Wait... is your system only getting this error when viewing the pictures in that folder or having them cycled through in your theme? Do you get this error at all when viewing pictures in other folders and using a theme without pictures from this folder?

 

[PrinorB]

Oh; so "your current version is valid" doesn't mean that it is up to date... I had not understood that...

Do I need to uninstall anything before or do I just need to run the setup file? Do I need to backup anything or is it just like a normal software install?

Thanks

 

[PrinorB]

Oh sorry, I didn't see the second question.

I can look at any pictures (totally unrelated to the theme). I also once downloaded three random pics from the internet (that were also pretty small files) and cycled through them and the error occurred.

 

[FliGi7]

Right, just means it's valid and working. I'd still download and install the latest version. Sometimes all you need to do is double click it and it will install the later version. You might just try doing that and then running the tool to check which version you have again to verify it upgraded. If it didn't, you will have to run it from the command line with the "-overall" flag like "updinf.exe -overall" in order to force it to update.

Here's a thread dedicated to the latest chipset versions if you care to take a gander:

http://www.sevenforums.com/drivers/23909-latest-intel-chipset-device-software.html

 

[PrinorB]

Ok cool. The update utility still says "its valid" and not "current" but it updated to version 9.3.0.1019

The COM error is still there though...