Inaccessible Windows Basic Functions

[soulcat]

Hi Guys,
I'm going away on holiday to the US West Coast for a week. Mind if we pick this up after the first of the year? I can't thank all of you enough for all your help on this matter. Seriously...thank you.

Catch ya on the flipside, next year!

Matt

 

[soulcat]

Happy New Year, everyone. I'm really getting concerned as I've discovered that some of my programs no longer function properly. I have a database program called CATraxx that contains my entire record collection. Since Windows 7 has been freaking out, I can still access the database, BUT when I open an entry, it's blank. There are a bunch of error messages involved as well. I re-installed the program and it's still having the same issues.

I really think my copy of Windows 7 has been critically damaged beyond just the verification issues mentioned before.

I have tried to install MSE over and over and have tried eliminating McAfee over and over with the uninstall tool.

Do you think I should try going into the registry or try and reinstall Windows 7? I'm just afraid that a full re-installation might take me offline for a while and I have to produce a weekly radio program on my computer. If Windows goes down, it will be an even bigger headache than I have right now.

Any advice is most appreciated.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[NoelDP]

I get the impression that there's likely to be some problem with hardware - possibly RAM.
test it with Memtest86+ www.memtest.org (if we haven't already covered this??)
run 6 passes at least (overnight is good) unless you start getting errors earlier.


Other than that, a repair install may be your best bet.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Happy New Year, everyone. I'm really getting concerned as I've discovered that some of my programs no longer function properly. I have a database program called CATraxx that contains my entire record collection. Since Windows 7 has been freaking out, I can still access the database, BUT when I open an entry, it's blank. There are a bunch of error messages involved as well. I re-installed the program and it's still having the same issues.

I really think my copy of Windows 7 has been critically damaged beyond just the verification issues mentioned before.

I have tried to install MSE over and over and have tried eliminating McAfee over and over with the uninstall tool.

Do you think I should try going into the registry or try and reinstall Windows 7? I'm just afraid that a full re-installation might take me offline for a while and I have to produce a weekly radio program on my computer. If Windows goes down, it will be an even bigger headache than I have right now.

Any advice is most appreciated.

Thanks,
Matt

Matt try looking in the registry HKEY listings under software and scroll down and see if McAfee is listed if it is right click on it and delete. I did this just the other day as it had crept in with something I installed and usually I am very careful with downloads.
See my pic but back up the registry BEFORE you do anything http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/4230-registry-backup-restore.html

 

[soulcat]

Hi Noel,
Which version should I DL?

** Memtest86+ V5.01 (27/09/2013)**

• Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.gz)
• Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.zip)
  
  
• Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable Binary (.gz)
• Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable Binary (.zip)
  
  
• Download - Auto-installer for USB Key (Win 9x/2k/xp/7) *NEW!*
  [*]Download - Pre-Compiled package for Floppy (DOS - Win)

Thanks,

Matt

I get the impression that there's likely to be some problem with hardware - possibly RAM.
test it with Memtest86+ www.memtest.org (if we haven't already covered this??)
run 6 passes at least (overnight is good) unless you start getting errors earlier.


Other than that, a repair install may be your best bet.

 

[soulcat]

Hi ICit2lol,

OK, I checked the HKEY registry and McAffee is not listed under software in either "Local Machine" or "Current User."

I created a Windows Recovery disc 3 years ago when I bought my machine (2 DVDs). If I were to try a Windows 7 Repair from that disc, I wouldn't lose my data? Would that possibly help with the Windows verification issue? What would the downside be?

Thanks,
Matt

Happy New Year, everyone. I'm really getting concerned as I've discovered that some of my programs no longer function properly. I have a database program called CATraxx that contains my entire record collection. Since Windows 7 has been freaking out, I can still access the database, BUT when I open an entry, it's blank. There are a bunch of error messages involved as well. I re-installed the program and it's still having the same issues.

I really think my copy of Windows 7 has been critically damaged beyond just the verification issues mentioned before.

I have tried to install MSE over and over and have tried eliminating McAfee over and over with the uninstall tool.

Do you think I should try going into the registry or try and reinstall Windows 7? I'm just afraid that a full re-installation might take me offline for a while and I have to produce a weekly radio program on my computer. If Windows goes down, it will be an even bigger headache than I have right now.

Any advice is most appreciated.

Thanks,
Matt

Matt try looking in the registry HKEY listings under software and scroll down and see if McAfee is listed if it is right click on it and delete. I did this just the other day as it had crept in with something I installed and usually I am very careful with downloads.
See my pic but back up the registry BEFORE you do anything http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/4230-registry-backup-restore.html

 

[NoelDP]

You want the Download - Auto-installer for USB Key (Win 9x/2k/xp/7) *NEW!* if you're going to use a USB stick for the boot (it'll reformat the stick, so make sure it doesn't have anything important on it!)

or if you're making a CD...
Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.zip)

 

[soulcat]

Thanks Noel, I'll try that. What's your advice regarding a Windows 7 repair? Will it help with the verification issue? Will I lose data?

 

[NoelDP]

A repair install shouldn't lose data (but will reset some settings to default) - it may be the way to go.

Having said that, if you do have a hardware problem, you need to get that sorted before the repair.

 

[soulcat]

Hi guys,

I wanted to give you a quick update and ask for advice. I haven't had a chance to run Memtest86+ yet. I got really discouraged and freaked out and yeah...I restored Windows back to factory defaults. That cleared up most of the problems. I completely uninstalled McAffee by running the uninstall tool and FINALLY installed MSE. Now I have MSE, Malwarebytes and Adwcleaner installed to protect and clean my machine.

HOWEVER...NOEL...I think you were correct when you suggested that I might have a RAM problem. OK, so after the Windows restore, I tried to use Roxio to burn a DVD and the program kept crashing...which it had done BEFORE the restore. I just couldn't get it to work. So I looked at the processes and Roxio was by far eating up the most memory. SO, I went to MSconfig and had Windows boot without the startup services. Then I tired Roxio again and it worked like a charm.

Wouldn't that suggest a RAM issue?

Tonight I'm going to run Memtest86+, as I already created a boot stick to see what the errors are.

If it is RAM, would this just involve popping our a RAM chip and popping a new one in or could it be more serious?

As always, thanks so much for your help and advice. You guys have taught me SO much more as we've gone through this entire process and I really appreciate it. I'm just a novice, but I think I've got a pretty good grip on how computers operate.

-Matt

 

[ICIT2LOL]

soulcat no mate just run that memtest as suggested and it is just a matter of narrowing down which stick it is that is bad if you have any bad. So if you get errors come up then you will have to try the test again with each stick, and sometimes that involves using the different slots.

When you find the bad stick just replace it it nothing more than that if the problem is bad RAM

Now the test should as you know run for at least 8 passes except if you get errors come up fairly quickly then you can start that other stick by stick process.

I do however notice you have 5GB Ram in the machine that seems to be an unusual GB count and tells me that you have sticks of various sizes in. So if you have to buy RAM then make sure you but a stick or sticks of equal value and if possible are made from the same batch of sticks they will be far more likely to be evenly matched together. For example if you have two slots then 2X2GB or 2x4GB four slots the same thing trying to keep them evenly set.

 

[soulcat]

Hey ICit2LOL,

OK, please excuse my ignorance with this particular test, but are you saying that I run the test and if errors come up, then I open up the machine and let's say, remove one RAM stick. Then run the test again to see if any of the remaining sticks are bad...and keep running the test until I narrow down that either the RAM or the slot are bad? Is that correct? Just making sure as I've never run a test like this before.

Yeah, 5g sounds weird as I'm supposed to have 6g.

I should probably try and find a diagram of my motherboard before going in. Remember when they used to include stuff like that in manuals that came with computers. Now computers don't come with anything. Progress?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

yes mate that is right if the errors come up fairly quickly then take out a stick and test again if the errors come up quickly again then it narrows it down to at least that stick and then test the one you take out if that comes back bad then you will need to replace both.

Now I am assuming that you have two sticks in and I am suspecting that you will find one might be 4GB and the other 2GB or most unusual 1GB. If that be the case test the smaller one first (2GB or 1GB) if the test comes up errors then the larger one.

Without checking the specs on the machine I am guessing it is a two slot machine so it should be a straight forward job.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

soulcat I have just looked up that Dell manual site and it is telling me that it can be fitted with 1, 2, and 4GB sticks. ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_inspiron_desktop/inspiron-580_user%27s%20guide_en-us.pdf You will also see that it states that it is best run in even number amounts of RAM (4,6 and 8GB supported) so again I am guessing Dell in their wisdom have flipped in an extra 1GB of RAM for a comfort zone.

As you are running a 32bit OS then you are more than ok with the 5GB if indeed that is what is in the machine. If you were to go with a 64bit OS then you would at the very least need 4GB and probably better off with 8GB and as the board has four slots if I were you and wanted to replace the RAM then I would go with a set of two matched sticks to either 4x2GB or 2x4GB or 1x8GB. The lesser the number the better it will be of course for both matching the sticks and ease of testing if it is ever needed.

While you are in here have a good look around for dirt / crud call it what you will but most importantly that it is reasonably clean especially the CPU and cooler fins. But first make sure you ground yourself on the case or some other earthing object to remove any static electricity that has built up on you.

I use a hogs hair brush (cheap artists brushes) and a vacuum for cleaning some prefer a compressed air can either way it still drags air across the components and can build up a charge of static but the risk is low of doing damage unless you are very careless. You can also take this chance to reseat all the cables and any cards you have in there but if in doubt - please ask anyone can guide you.

 

[soulcat]

Thanks so much for all the info! I'm on pass #3, 3 hours in and no errors so far. My system is showing 3 2g sticks, but I haven't opened it up yet. It's night here so I'll see how it is in the morning. If it makes 8 passes without an error, do we have anything else left to try?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Sorry late reply mate but am at work about to leave for home and bed but in reply lets just see what the RAM test comes up first then we can go from there. Strange you should have 3x2GB and it is showing 5GB RAM though maybe just a glitch in the system.

Get this little program when you can it very comprehensive when it is getting specs on the machine a lot of us use this but make sure you DO NOT download the other advertised programs like LAN sweeper and the one directly below the opening screen and this link might take you straight to the site you need and that is the 32bit version. HWiNFO, HWiNFO32/64 - Download If in doubt post back I shall be at home tomorrow before night duty that night so you mat have to be patient.

 

[soulcat]

Hi ICit2lol,

OK, I ran the Memtest86+ all night for 12 hours...it made almost 8 full passes and didn't find ANY errors. Do I need to run it again or is that good enough?

Here is a shot of what it looked like.
http://www.mattthecat.com/RAMDiagnostic.jpg

I'll download the program you suggested and post the results.

I'm stumped now that the RAM test came back negative. What's going on here?

Matt

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Matt I am now a bit stumped myself and I am thinking perhaps you had better back up all of your data you need and maybe look at a reinstall using this little ditty I made up below. This suggestion will also get rid of any bloatware Dell have on the machine.
If you decide to go down this track then I would do the updates in small batches when they start to pour in. I always set my updates to the setting in the pic.


REINSTALL

Forinstalling I prefer a disk to be honest but if you want to try again this isthe one to follow
CleanReinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 make sureit is the right version ie Home Premium or Ultimate whatever you have a codefor and then the language and do not use the ones with a large "N" or"old" beside them. If you are wondering why the N it is because that will not include the Windows Media Player and while it is not much to get it it is tedious.
You can use a disk or USB stick with this.

 

[soulcat]

Do I want to run HWinfo "summery only" or just run the whole thing? Will it push out a text file summery when it completes?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

No mate just run as is see pics in the small pic hit where I have circled and in the larger pic the small window can be slid over by just hold and drop out of the way. Go to the main window and it will open out with so many details it will blow you away.

The little update window never does anything for me so I just get rid of it.