Many 32Bit programs won't open - Windows 7, 64 Bit

[Zeel]

Okay, just got a new PC with Win7 64 Bit recently. When I set the UAC to its default setting - "Notify me only when programs try to make changes to my computer", programs in my Startup list such as my Firewall (ZoneAlarm) and antivirus (Avira) don't appear in the system tray - although there's a process running for them in the task manager. This isn't normal behaviour, they should show up in the system tray as well. Additionally, with UAC set like that, windows asks EVERY time when I try to open an application such as Windows Live Messenger (which also won't run at startup...). Although at least I can open it this way.

If I switch UAC off, by moving the slider to the lowest setting, my antivirus and firewall sometimes appear in the system tray. But trying to launch (for example) Windows Live Messenger does nothing. There's no message to say it hasn't worked or I need to OK it, it just appears to do nothing. When I look at the task manager again there's a Process running for it, but no Application. What's going on! The same thing will happen with 32Bit IE (doesn't seem to run, but there's a Process there and nothing under Applications), but 64Bit IE launches fine.

I've tried setting all these programs to Run as Administrator every time, and changing the Compatibility settings where possible, but this made no difference.

If it helps, most games seem to launch fine without any popup no matter what I do.

Could anyone suggest a way of either getting Windows to remember what I picked for the UAC popups so I only see them once per program, or help me understand why switching UAC off makes many programs not work at all?

You can be as technical as you like about it, I'll follow okay. Or if there's an alternative such as running EVERYTHING under the administrator account all the time, I'd be interested to hear it. The user account I'm doing this under has administrator access though.

Thanks very much for any help you can offer.

 

[seekermeister]

As for programs appearing in the tray, go to the right click menu of the Taskbar>Properties>Notification Area Customize and then set programs according to your preference as to how they are displayed. For the remainder of your question, I'll defer to someone else, because I always disable the UAC.

 

[neo101]

As far as I know ZONEALARM is still in Beta for WIN7!

It killed my Win 7! Uninstall it!

It has huge holes in it and failed loads of recent onsite 'comparison' tests miserably!

I use Msoft Security essentials (only provides auto-inward bound xtra protection) for now but will be returning to something like Zonealarm as I like complete control, overseeing who is sending messages home

 

[seekermeister]

And I had problems with MSE and returned to using Outpost Security Suite. Plus I read that MS had included their WAT update in MSE, so I will never try it again.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I use Msoft Security essentials (only provides inward bound protection) for now but will be returning to something like Zonealarm as I like complete control, overseeing who is sending messages home

You should probably consider the differences between anti-virus software (MSE) and firewall software (Zonealarm) then. Your comments suggest they are competing products, and they are not. If you are concerned with outgoing firewalls, I believe you can enabled this in the Windows Firewall. Combine that with a home router, and you are fine.

Plus I read that MS had included their WAT update in MSE, so I will never try it again.

MSE checks if your license is valid during install, and then moves along...no harm in that, and certainly no reason to avoid using a great free product....unless you're pirating your OS, of course.

 

[seekermeister]

I use Msoft Security essentials (only provides inward bound protection) for now but will be returning to something like Zonealarm as I like complete control, overseeing who is sending messages home

You should probably consider the differences between anti-virus software (MSE) and firewall software (Zonealarm) then. Your comments suggest they are competing products, and they are not. If you are concerned with outgoing firewalls, I believe you can enabled this in the Windows Firewall. Combine that with a home router, and you are fine.

Plus I read that MS had included their WAT update in MSE, so I will never try it again.

MSE checks if your license is valid during install, and then moves along...no harm in that, and certainly no reason to avoid using a great free product....unless you're pirating your OS, of course.

Had you read about WAT is, you would know that it goes beyond checking during the initial installation. It is a spybot that is scheduled to call home every 90 days from install to eternity. Some feel that is good...I don't.

 

[Zeel]

Thanks for the replies guys. Yeah I thought at first it might be something specific to the other programs (ZoneAlarm, Avira), but the same thing is happening with Windows Live Messenger and that should definitely work on 7.

I'd gladly run with UAC off completely, but of course then I'm getting that problem where the program just doesn't do anything - although it starts a Process but nothing in Applications. Aaah! So I have to leave it on or a lot of things I just can't run at all. Something's gone wrong somewhere...

 

[neo101]

Thanks Frosty
I woz a zonealarm user for many years till recent Win7 upgrade and zonepackage came with a firewall/antivirus/antispy/phishing.

Here is a typical confusing picture perpetrated by Msoft marketing.
Windows Defender: Home Page
DEFENDER - with a ruddy great castellated wall as it's icon, thousands must immediately associate it with fire-wall which is not the case and is totally misleading.

Same with words "Security Essentials" (an essential firewall is not an integral part of "essentials")

 

[DeaconFrost]

Had you read about WAT is, you would know that it goes beyond checking during the initial installation. It is a spybot that is scheduled to call home every 90 days from install to eternity. Some feel that is good...I don't.

I did read about it, and if there was any cause for concern or alarm, I'd be right there with you. I'm using all legit software on legit, legal licensed copies of Windows, so who cares?

 

[seekermeister]

I do, for a 3 reasons. First, I have read where some people with that update has had the OS to claim to not be genuine when it is. As far as I know, they fixed the problem, but some required calling MS to do so. I have had to do that in the past, when online activation didn't work, but I would resent having to do so more than once per installation. Secondly, this creates a basis for the possibility of MS gathering much more data at some point in the future. Thirdly, I simply do not like spybots of any kind. If you don't care, that's fine, but it is sufficient reason not to encourage someone else that may not feel the same, to use something that will install this without their knowledge. In any case, I believe that there are better AVs available...including some free ones.

 

[DeaconFrost]

MSE gets top billing at any respected computing organization or magazine I've ever seem in terms of the free alternatives. The activation issues were fixed, and only affected a small few. The rest is just the usual anti-Microsoft, "big brother" crap that is always thrown around anytime Microsoft as any kind of online feature, etc.

If you read on other forums, such as the [H]ardForum, MSFN, etc, you'll see that MSE is the most recommended consumer AV product out there, by far. When or if there is any proof that the paranoia is more than just paranoia, I'd reconsider, but there is absolutely no reason not to recommend MSE, unless is lacked a feature someone needed, such as POP3 e-mail scanning.

Don't take my word for it, read reviews of MSE or search through the forums I mentioned.

 

[seekermeister]

It is obvious that you are not going to listen, regardless of what I say, but as long as you continue to advise others in this fashion, I shall continue to respond in my fashion.

 

[Tews]

MSE does NOT install WAT.. I dont know where you got that idea, but you're dead wrong.. It does validate your copy of Windows, but that is a far cry from installing WAT...

 

[CarlTR6]

MSE does NOT install WAT.. I dont know where you got that idea, but you're dead wrong.. It does validate your copy of Windows, but that is a far cry from installing WAT...

Tews is absolutely correct. At the present, the only way to install WAT is through Windows updates or the update site.

On another note, I choose not to use MSE because I want a pop mail scanner and MSE lacks that. I choose not to use the built in Windows firewall because it it a hassle to program for blocking outgoing connections.

 

[seekermeister]

Okay, I probably misread what I thought said that it was. That alters my stance about recommending the program, but not whether I will use it again, because it caused a conflict between it and my firewall.

 

[Zeel]

Okay umm... So does anyone have any suggestions for what could be causing the problem I mentioned to begin with? Specifically that: With UAC on I can run all my programs okay (although not at Startup, and I get a popup every single time I run something), but when I turn UAC off and try to run a program many of them don't do anything at all - although an entry will appear for them under Processes in the Task Manager, but nothing in Applications.

Thanks.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Okay, I probably misread what I thought said that it was. That alters my stance about recommending the program, but not whether I will use it again, because it caused a conflict between it and my firewall.

That's why I suggested you read around and find out the facts, rather than tell me I was wrong and that my advice was bad. I know it's easier to just point the finger at other people and call them wrong, but aren't we trying to give good, factual advice to people?

We are, and that's why I'll continue to suggest MSE.

 

[Zeel]

Guys, can you stop derailing this thread with your arguments please? I'm looking for some help with why Windows 7 is acting up for me - not anything else. If anyone has suggestions for what might be causing the issue I outlined in my previous post I'd be very grateful for any advice.

If you have other discussions you want to take up, please start a new thread and post there.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Guys, can you stop derailing this thread with your arguments please? I'm looking for some help with why Windows 7 is acting up for me - not anything else. If anyone has suggestions for what might be causing the issue I outlined in my previous post I'd be very grateful for any advice.

Honestly, you've gotten to the point where you've spent much more time trying to find a solution than it would have taken to just do a quick fresh install. Anytime you have weird issues within the core of the OS, if there isn't a quick solution, I'll spend the 2 hours or so to do a fresh install the eliminate the issue. The situation you have isn't normal, so if you do the fresh install, it will be easy to tell if something you installed is the culprit. I'd install one app, restart, and see if the proplem shows up again. If not, I'd install the next app, restart, etc. If you get all your normal apps installed and don't have the issue, pop in your key, activate, and you're good to go.

 

[Zeel]

Cool, thanks very much for the tip. Yeah I was kinda heading towards doing that anyway - just thought someone out there might have experienced something similar before and could say exactly what needed doing.

Thanks again for the feedback, I guess I'll get started on that later today!