Multiple problems with Windows 7 x64 on new laptop

[af4caster]

I really hope someone can help me. I have read 100's of posts about the issues I am having, but can't seem to find a solution.

I have a brand new laptop that seemed to be working fine, until it did some automatic updates from microsoft (I am guessing this is what caused the problems).

1st problem - Whenever I do anything in a folder or on my desktop (i.e. add file, delete file, rename file) I have to manually refresh the folder or deskop to see the change.

2nd problem - The computer stopped recognizing my western digital external hard drive. It found it no problem before updates. (other computers see HDD no problem).

3rd problem - A few progams don't open at all. iTunes was the 1st one I noticed. I click to run the program, it does nothing. If I go to task manager, I can see itunes.exe*32 listed, but the program is not open. I downloaded Spybot to see if spyware was causing any problems...but it does the same thing...won't open.

4th problem - When I click shutdown, it literally takes over 10 minutes to shutdown.

This is all I have discovered for now...maybe all these symptoms will let some genius out there help me out!


Thanks in advance

Aaron

 

[TVeblen]

Welcome to the forum af4castor.

What have you done to try and solve the problem so far?

Have you tried doing a System Restore to a point before the updates were installed?

Turn off Automatic Updates first. You want to know what is being installed on your computer and when and how.

 

[brianzion]

welcome to the forums
i agree with TVeblen its a new machine so if you can system restore it that would be best windows should correct it for you but turn off automatic updates and see what the pc runs like with out them i expect you will need the security ones.

 

[brianzion]

here is a check list for you



What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(nother) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the computer?

Did a Norton or McAfee free-trial come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it? (Doesn't matter if you never used or Activated it.)

remove and install Microsoft security essentials Uninstalling existing antivirus or antispyware programs before installing Microsoft Security Essentials | Microsoft Security Essentials

if you decide to use microsoft to protect you you can turn off the defender or microsoft will do it for you auto. just check.

 

[af4caster]

I have tried system restore, there was only one day that I could choose. I did...and when it finished, it told me it could not finish because some file was missing. Tried again, it said there are no restore points.

I have found various 'fixes' for some of the problems I am having. These were tweaking setting on folder options, editing the registry, and a few other minor tweaks...but none of them worked.

I am currently using the pre-installed norton AV...just using the free trial before I find the one I will use later on.

 

[whs]

Try a Repair/Install. You have too many problems worth chasing down individually. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

 

[brianzion]

did you make one of these when you got the pc http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

 

[af4caster]

Thanks for the ideas guys...I will try them out later.

HP has a "Recovery" option which does both of those. You are suppose to type "Recovery" in the search box, and a HP program will open up that will allow me to reset/repair windows 7 or create recovery discs. The problem is...when I do this..it says "Recovery manager is already running". I will see if your suggestions work when I get home.

Thanks again

 

[af4caster]

did you make one of these when you got the pc http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

This would have been a smart idea huh?!

 

[brianzion]

in windows updates you can see what you have had installed did the problems occur after these latest ones or with other software? can you not make a recovery disc now? what version of windows are you using? its ok i just see your specs

 

[brianzion]

have a read of this Access System Recovery Options in Windows 7 without a System Repair Disc [How To]

 

[brianzion]

you can use windows to make a repair disc you are not tied to use your computer manufacturer press start menu in the search box type repair and you should have the program listed at the top just click it and it will take you to the windows program

 

[brianzion]

or go here to download one Download Windows 7 System Recovery Discs — The NeoSmart Files

 

[TVeblen]

Also, you can run the HP Recovery by pressing F11 during boot up, after the BIOS has loaded, and before Windows starts to load. This will take you to the Recovery Console, with options, without the interference of the OS. There must be a Recovery Partition existing on your hard drive for this to work. If you did not delete it yourself you are OK.

Restoring the laptop with HP Recovery will set everything back to the way it was when you first took it out of the box. So be sure you want to start all over before doing this procedure. You may want to try the suggestions by Brianzion before going for this "nuclear option".

And please consider that "Turn Automatic Updates Off" does not mean the same thing as "Never Do Any Updates". It just means to change the Windows Update settings to notify you when updates are available, but don't download or install the updates (automatically).

It is best, IMHO, to install updates manually and deliberately. I've helped people who trashed their system by shutting off the computer while updates where going on unknown in the background.

Me: "Didn't you see a warning message?
DA: "I think so. I saw something. But I was going to be late for class!!"

 

[af4caster]

I am not sure what happened...but all the problems went away. The computer runs perfect again. I made the repair disc...never actually used it. The computer restarted..and everything was fixed! Go figure....

Thanks for all your inputs!

 

[Layback Bear]

IMHO you should make a repair disk if every thing is working fine. Go to Start and type repair it will be at the top.

 

[stardustcowgirl]

A little advice from an old timer

icnic: I NEVER use Automatic Updates and I only download the ones for security.
Best of the CyberWorld to ya! I've ran into lots of problems on Windows 7 myself.