suspected memory problems, memtest86 won't run

[James7679]

Carl, I have not attempted to run memtest again. I will reburn the disk from my laptop and run tomorrow night. Aside from putting in a support ticket to xFx for the question of compatibility with my ram I have done everything in my powers to find out. Thus far the only restrictions that I could find are as follows;mem speed800-1200mhz, mem max 8gb, memtype ddr2. Here are the specs for my ram... Corsair Dominator 4GB DDR2 SDRAM Memory Module - TWIN2X40968500C5D - Compare Prices and Buy at PriceGrabber

how long do i let Prime95 run for on each seperate test(first is running now)? I resolved the device issue with SMB 1.x MiniRedirector ROOT\LEGACY_MRXSMB10\0000. Not really sure what it is but it's fixed. As far as the Powerdvd driver, I have been all over thier website and it does not list an update for my software. It came bundled with my BluRay player. So per the instructions, on cyberlink's website, I opened the program, opened settings and clicked on update. The only thing that comes up is the option to buy Powerdvd 10 markII. Do I even need this crap on my pc? Is there a codec for running BluRay in Media Center?

 

[karlsnooks]

I've just read thru this thread.

Did you ever run MalwareBytes? If not do that first and foremost.
Malwarebytes

After and only after that,
REMOVE AVG.
install MSE. MSE - Microsoft Security Essentials

Now run, Win 7's built-in memory diagnostic program. It's not as exhaustive as MemTestPlus but still excellent.
WIN | type MDSCHED | ENTER

We can only help you when you help us.

 

[James7679]

How can i Post a popup error? This will be a bit archaic, but its what i know... when trying to open devices and printers tab on start menu, I get nothing... when trying to open from control panel i get, explorer.exe this file does not have a program assosiated with it for performing this action. please install...yada yada yada. When i type devices and printers in the start menu and select "view devices and printers" i get an extremely long string of numbers but with that same message.

 

[karlsnooks]

Follow the advice in my previous post.

 

[James7679]

I've just read thru this thread.

Did you ever run MalwareBytes? If not do that first and foremost.
Malwarebytes

After and only after that,
REMOVE AVG.
install MSE. MSE - Microsoft Security Essentials

Now run, Win 7's built-in memory diagnostic program. It's not as exhaustive as MemTestPlus but still excellent.
WIN | type MDSCHED | ENTER

We can only help you when you help us.

I am not trying to get snarky, but, If you read the ENTIRE post, you would see something for everything you suggested. Thank yo sir.

 

[karlsnooks]

Have a nice day.

 

[CarlTR6]

Thank you, Karl. I always appreciate another set of eyes in case I overlook something. And I have certainly done so.

how long do i let Prime95 run for on each seperate test(first is running now)?

Let it run until your temps level off. If you have gotten no errors after your temps level out, consider it good to go.

I resolved the device issue with SMB 1.x MiniRedirector ROOT\LEGACY_MRXSMB10\0000. Not really sure what it is but it's fixed. As far as the Powerdvd driver, I have been all over thier website and it does not list an update for my software. It came bundled with my BluRay player. So per the instructions, on cyberlink's website, I opened the program, opened settings and clicked on update. The only thing that comes up is the option to buy Powerdvd 10 markII. Do I even need this crap on my pc?

No, you do not need it. There are Win 7 compatible programs that do the same thing - if you even need such a program. Glad to hear the MultiDirector issue is resolved.

Is there a codec for running BluRay in Media Center?

That I don't know. Post that question in the Sound & Audio section. You will definitely get an answer there.

Karl suspects that you may still have a bad guy on your system. Have you run a deep scan with Malwarebytes yet? Once you get your RAM sorted out, since SFC could not fix some errors, I suggest you try a Repair Install. Read this excellent tutorial by Brink: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html. But you want to make sure your system is clean of any nasties before you do it.

 

[James7679]

Also i tried doing a repair install and i stil lget a message that states "The following issues are preventing Windows from upgrading. Cancel the upgrade, complete each task, and then restart the upgrade to continue.

• 
  [*]For these items, make the following changes:

• Uninstall these programs. Open Control Panel and search for "uninstall a program".

• • 
    [*]WindowBlinds 6 (and earlier)"

Again, I don't have this installed on my pc and never have. is it time to copy reformat and reinstall?

i Have tried a repair install as per those instructions. the above is the outcome.

 

[James7679]

malwarebytes found 6 items that it deemed suspicious, 3 of which were pictures that i took with my digi camera, and the other three were part of an EA file extension it just didnt like.i ran the prime95, no failures. i think that my crashing issues are over, now i just need to debug my other problems. again, tried a repair install...again, i do not, nor have I ever had this program installed on my PC. This was a full build for win7 when rc came out.

 

[CarlTR6]

I am glad you are no longer getting crashes and BSOD's. That part is good. Not being able to run a repair install is not so good. I am afraid that it is time for format and clean install. First, make backups of the drivers that you have updated; then do your format and install. As soon as you get Windows itself installed, create a restore point or a system image or both before you begin to install your software. Macrium Reflect (free) is a good imaging program. There is a tutorial here on how to use it. It works very well.

 

[James7679]

Two questions; is it possible to "hunt down" what ever win7 installer is recognzizng as windows blinds and removing it? Also is it possible to edit the installer to ignore this "conflict"? And if so what are the ramifications? Carl, again, your help is greatly appreciated. I can understand the need of debugging instead of just automatically resorting to a clean install.

 

[CarlTR6]

Windows Blinds is a third party utility for customizing the look and feel of Windows. It was rebranded as WindowBlinds. The fact that you are getting an error message regarding "Windows Blinds" rather than "WindowBlinds" leads me to think this is a remnant of XP software.

1. Download and install Revo (free) uninstaller. See if it can find a any trace of Windows Blinds, WindowBlinds, and/or WBLiteFX. If so uninstall. Look at the registry cleaner portion and see if there are any keys related to these. If there are, after backing up your registry and creating a system restore point, delete these keys.

I do not often advocate messing with the registry, so follow this suggestion at your own risk. If the above fails to find any trace of Windows Blinds, run regedit and search for Windows Blinds, WindowBlinds, and WBLiteFX. Delete these keys after you have backed up your registry. You will have to use "Find next" to find all instances.

Let us know how this goes.

 

[James7679]

Thanks Carl. I will give this a try and get back to you.

 

[James7679]

<<<Owes Carl a cold one. Okay, so I was only able to find widowblinds in registry by doing a registry search as you suggested. It was in a folder from "stardock". Don't really know how this garbage got on my pc(prob some third party junk). Before deleting these items I searched my whole system and deleted all of these folders first, then I deleted the stardock folder from my registry and windows is now ,Finally, is running the repair install. I'll let you know what happens when I get a fresh boot. See, debugging works!

 

[CarlTR6]

James, that is the best news I have had all night! Good job of digging it out. Stardock is the creator of WindowsBlinds. It is their software. I am eager to hear how the repair install goes.

 

[James7679]

As of this morning I am stable. All features are working. Upon installation microsoft had to repair .net framework. I ran a deep scan on all drives with MBs and MSE. No problems found. I am extremely pleased with the outcome of my PC's problems. Thank you Carl for all of your help. This thread should serve as a lesson that a little patience and perseverance to debug your computer will prevent you from having to wipe your drive and start all over. Thank you again Carl. I will be in contact.