Solved Waay too many problems since I started using Windows 7

[grits]

I'm the 1st to admit that I'm an airhead, and still consider myself a n00b but I used XP for many years almost problem free. Now I've had this new eMachine with Windows 7 pre-installed for 3 months, 2 days & more problems than in all the time with XP.
I don't even know which forum to post in 'cuz a fix for one problem might mess up something I need or like in another area. Sorry if that doesn't make sense, like I said, I'm an airheaded n00b.

I have done a lot of reading/searching to try & take care of some things but seems like most answers are for people that know/understand computers & terminology whereas about all I know is doing email & looking things up in Bing.

Guess I'll start with the two that really worry me the most & wait for direction.

1.My IE9 is slower than molasses in January. I've kinda read about either doing a re-set or going back to IE8 but still sure of which is safest/best to do. I've just finally (crossing my fingers) activated WM to work in 7 & would rather not have to do again, even tho' it really is a simple process.
2. My Event Viewer is full of warnings & errors. There again I tried to find answers myself but still too much lingo over my head. I also realize that EV is more for the techy type but I can't help but be concerned about the ones that are there every time I turn on machine.

Sorry, didn't mean to write a book.
Thank you.
oops, forgot to let you know I have Avast & MBAM, both free versions, & I do run MBAM often.

 

[gregrocker]

In internet options>Advanced you can reset to defaults, then only add back Add-Ons you need for pages to perform as you need (Flashplayer mainly). I would also install Firefox to try it for a change as it tends to perform better and its good to have another browser.

Then I'd work through these steps to Clean Up Factory Bloatware which will establish a clean boot to shrug off any freeloaders and test the System files to make sure paring back the preinstalled crapware doesn't damage them.

If you still have problems work through these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 which will familarize you with Win7 much more and give you greater control over your PC.

Eventually you may want to do what most tech enthusiasts do which is to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to get the absolute best performance. 3gb is a little light for 64 bit Win7 so you might want to try 32 bit for the reintsall - or upgrade your RAM some.

 

[edwar]

Although I have never used an eMachine from what I hear they are one the worst computer you can buy. Inexpensive and made with Cheap components.

I have now been using Win 7 on my home built desktop for 1.5 years and on my Dell E6420 notebook bought in December and have not had one problem with either.

Sorry I didn't read your whole post so I have no suggestions on what the cure is for the problems you are having, other then it is not the Operating System.

 

[gregrocker]

I don't know what Acer has made of eMachines since they bought them a year or two ago, but previously they used solid stock components which last.

My impression from those I've seen lately on the shelf at WalMart is they are going further into the bargain basement, while Acer is staying mid-range and Gateway going more premium.

I've used an eMachine for 8 years which has performed flawlessly as my main PC at my home in California where we're quite satisified with all 3 of these brands.

 

[grits]

Thanks guys,
I bought an eMachine 'cuz I was hearing how great they were.
As for IE re-set, I know nothing about "Add-ons" other than the 2 I did: WOT & Avast.
I tried FF years ago & had a hard time understanding it, add this,add that type stuff.
I started reading 'Clean up factory bloatware' but have been reading sooo much in this board today that I'm on overload & am getting a calloused fanny so will close for now & come back tomorrow.

 

[lehnerus2000]

IE9 (64 bit) or IE9 (32 bit)?

Are you using IE9 (64 bit) or IE9 (32 bit)?

The 64 bit version has inferior performance to the 32 bit version.

​

Note:
Your "Start Menu" will look different than mine.

 

[shubhangi]

try to upgrade

I'm the 1st to admit that I'm an airhead, and still consider myself a n00b but I used XP for many years almost problem free. Now I've had this new eMachine with Windows 7 pre-installed for 3 months, 2 days & more problems than in all the time with XP.
I don't even know which forum to post in 'cuz a fix for one problem might mess up something I need or like in another area. Sorry if that doesn't make sense, like I said, I'm an airheaded n00b.

I have done a lot of reading/searching to try & take care of some things but seems like most answers are for people that know/understand computers & terminology whereas about all I know is doing email & looking things up in Bing.

Guess I'll start with the two that really worry me the most & wait for direction.

1.My IE9 is slower than molasses in January. I've kinda read about either doing a re-set or going back to IE8 but still sure of which is safest/best to do. I've just finally (crossing my fingers) activated WM to work in 7 & would rather not have to do again, even tho' it really is a simple process.
2. My Event Viewer is full of warnings & errors. There again I tried to find answers myself but still too much lingo over my head. I also realize that EV is more for the techy type but I can't help but be concerned about the ones that are there every time I turn on machine.

Sorry, didn't mean to write a book.
Thank you.
oops, forgot to let you know I have Avast & MBAM, both free versions, & I do run MBAM often.

hi i have tried this when i found helpless in windows 7. I remove all thing and install windows xp and then upgrade it in windows 7.And please don't use IE just use mozilla if your are using more than five tabs at a time and use chrome if you are playing games on internet or want to browse fastly.

May be this will solve your problem.

 

[gregrocker]

Add-ons are sometimes requested by the browser in order to run certain functions and features, like animation requires Flashplayer. I would limit it only to those functions you know are needed for the browser to work correctly for you - which will become apparent when it pops up and asks you to install it if you want to run something in a page. If you have any questions ask back.

You can help the situation greatly by watching what you download as almost every program will try to sneak in browser helpers, toolbars, search services, etc. These are almost all spyware and unneeded. Avoid them like the plague. Keep them pruned out of the browser Add-on or Extensions list, out of your Startup list, and out of the Programs and Features list.

 

[Dave76]

I used XP for many years almost problem free. Now I've had this new eMachine with Windows 7 pre-installed for 3 months, 2 days & more problems than in all the time with XP.

The biggest problem we have seen with people that come from XP to WIn7 is all of the setting adjustments, system cleaners, and various other tweaks used on XP are not needed with Win7.

Have you used any registry cleaners?
What changes have you made to Win7 that you use to do with XP?

If you can give us a list of things you have done since you got the new computer, it will help us analyze the possible causes.

 

[vaidas3]

1.My IE9 is slower than molasses in January. I've kinda read about either doing a re-set or going back to IE8 but still sure of which is safest/best to do. I've just finally (crossing my fingers) activated WM to work in 7 & would rather not have to do again, even tho' it really is a simple process.
2. My Event Viewer is full of warnings & errors. There again I tried to find answers myself but still too much lingo over my head. I also realize that EV is more for the techy type but I can't help but be concerned about the ones that are there every time I turn on machine.

1.In my experience IE9 is faster than IE8.. maybe there is some problems with bloatware? You can try other browsers Google chrome is quite fast.

2. If youre simple user you dont need to worry too much about event viewer.. no really, its only for advanced troubleshooting or admins.
is there some problems with your windows that you can see (not in event viewer) when you use pc?
many of those errors or warnings are not very important. so unless you have problems dont mind event viewer.
ofcourse if you need to troubleshoot some error you can post it here (copy/paste) and someone more experienced will explain it.


if youre comfortable with bit more advanced things its is always recommended to do clean install of windows when you buy pc with preintaled windows because you'll get lots of not needed software that slows pc down.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164

 

[DeaconFrost]

The first issue is that you bought an eMachines system, which was already mentioned. The second was, I assume, that you left the default Windows install on there. OEM systems always run like crap out of the box. That's why, for many of us, the very first thing we do is to wipe the system clean and reinstall Windows 7 ourselves. The end result is a much faster, more efficient system.

 

[Bertison]

The first issue is that you bought an eMachines system, which was already mentioned. The second was, I assume, that you left the default Windows install on there. OEM systems always run like crap out of the box. That's why, for many of us, the very first thing we do is to wipe the system clean and reinstall Windows 7 ourselves. The end result is a much faster, more efficient system.

+1 for that, Deacon. Follow that advice, wipe it using the previous instructions from Gregrocker.

Exactly what I did with my HP Dv7 almost 18 months ago, runs faster and does not have any manufacturer's krap between me and Windows7, which incidentally is the best iteration of Windows yet - and I have used them all since 3.1.

IE9 is much better for me as 64 bit, but I have 7/64 bit. Can't remember if you have Win7 32 bit or 64 bit, but check that and see. If you have 32 bit Win 7, make sure you have IE9 32 bit. If your Win7 is 64 bit, I would use IE 9 64 bit.

 

[grits]

Thanks all, I don't know how to do the individual quote thing so here it is all lumped into one.

No as to reg. cleaners,scares me. I do use the cleaning part of CCleaner.
I do have My System Specs listed, & it says I'm 64bit.
I don't even know how to use tabs.
I don't do games.
I do try to watch for the extra's when downloading any programs.
Don't believe I've made any changes to Windows 7 itself, but possibly to IE for supposedly safer surfing.
I do think I'll try the IE re-set to begin with & see how that goes.

I'm a retired senior citizen on a small fixed income & can't afford to spend much more on my PC. It already looks like I should buy an external drive or ? to do imaging which I've never done before.
Also, it's that time of year for yardwork & I have lots to do so may not get back here right away, & I'm not a night person so am usually shut down by 5pm. ( it's now 11:22am my time)

Will post seperately about Event Viewer if I feel the need.

 

[gregrocker]

If you're not going to get to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 any time soon then I'd at least Clean Up Factory Bloatware as you go along to see if it gets better performance.

If not then gradually familiarize yourself with these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 which will demystify a lot about your computer so you know your way around better and have more confidence in how to address problems.

Plus we are always here to help for something big or small.

 

[Jacee]

If IE9 is slow to open web pages, then it could be WOT ... This 'add-on' is intended to inspect a web page for malicious code.

Your ISP could be another reason for slowness. Test your Bandwidth http://reviews.cnet.com/internet-speed-test/

 

[grits]

I went through greg's suggestions & did the msconfig, I did the IE reset, I did the speed test but still too many things that I just don't understand. That's my own fault, need to go back to kindergarten to learn about computing.

I do think things got a bit speedier but then went back to re-enable things in msconfig 'cuz i also read that the best thing to do is uninstall the offenders so will have to work on that.

I'm for sure going to re-install WOT, I went to BING to search for something earlier but was afraid to click on results without WOT's guidence.

Thank you.

 

[gregrocker]

Why did you re-enable startups you had turned off in msconfig? Did you have problems? You say it got speedier. You can indeed uninstall programs listed there that you don't want, but you should still leave them disabled so they don't leave any remnants running at the time of uninstall.

Instead of bemoaning how little you know in every post, why not spend the energy asking a few questions so you learn more?

 

[F5ing]

What does the WM represent in your first post?

... I've just finally (crossing my fingers) activated WM to work in 7 & would rather not have to do again, even tho' it really is a simple process....

 

[grits]

What does the WM represent in your first post?

... I've just finally (crossing my fingers) activated WM to work in 7 & would rather not have to do again, even tho' it really is a simple process....

Windows Mail

 

[whs]

Just a couple of remarks regarding earlier points:

1. You absolutely should have an external disk (at least 500GB). A PC without an external disk is pretty useless. The day you get into trouble (and that day will come) you will have no good way to get yourself out of the tight spot unless you have images. And image often - I make an image 3 times per week so that I don't lose a lot when I have to reset the system.

Here is the best free imaging program I know: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html?ltr=I

2. As far as the startups go, you can disable ALL of them except for your AV program and those that you may have started yourself - e.g. sidebar (gadgets).

3. In Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools there is an IE (no add-ons). Run that for a test and see whether that is slow too. If yes, there is probably a wrong setting in your AV program.