Windows 7 Corrupted System Files - Windows explorer crashes

[zedii]

Hey there,

I (my wife) is running Windows 7 Home Premium (64). Windows explorer crashes when:

-Searching with more than 4 characters in the start menu
-Opening the Network and Sharing Center
-Various other times that seem unrelated

I have attempted:

-Startup repair X3 : it catches problems but doesn't repair them
-sfc /scannow command : also catches problems, and the CDA log shows all of the corrupted files.
-Copying the system32 files from a fresh windows install to fix the broken dll files while in another os : this didn't seem to have any affect
-System Restore doesn't have any images before the issue began
-Full system antivirus and malware scan and rootkit detection with no results showing (doesn't rule it out, but I used Norton commercial, Mbits, Lavasoft, and Kapersky online all in safemode, and some rootkit detectors)
-Repair Install : hangs when initiated
-Updating windows to SP1 : it seems the system attempted to update some time ago and failed or was interrupted. Now SP1 won't install, the updater hangs
-in an attempt to fix the windows update hanging issue, I tried:
-Installing the system update readiness tool (Download System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB947821) [September 2012] from Official Microsoft Download Center) : the update hangs too
-Installing the fix it program here (Fix the problem with Microsoft Windows Update that is not working) : didn't make a difference
-renaming the software center file as in this thread (http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-...te-contents-software-distribution-folder.html) and re-attempting to install sp1 : hangs

I (my wife) has some very expensive programs on her computer that we no longer have install discs for. She had them before we were married, but they seem to have been "lost in the move." We can probably work with each of the individual programs, but I'd sure like to look at other options that allow her to keep her file and program structure intact. Any ideas?

Thanks for the help!
zedii

 

[pjhutch]

The regular hangs seems to down to a possible hardware issue. So I suggest getting the hardware looked at by a professional PC repair person, as the tasks you have tried should have worked.

 

[myzoneajay]

Try upgrading your Windows to Ultimate or Professional using a DVD, while upgrading using DVD damaged files might get replaced.

 

[zedii]

Thanks for your replies!
If I'd like to buy a new version of Windows 7, upgrading is a feasible option.
Hardware seems to make sense, though the on-board diagnostic doesn't show any problems. I did a chkdsk scan and it found quite a few errors a month back or so. Any other diagnostics you could suggest before I spend bucks on a prognosis? Also, I didn't defrag the 640 Gb hard drive (in two years of use) before creating new partitions on the partition table. I don't know if that could cause issues too?
Thanks, zedii