Windows Desktop Manager not working, wont work, can't fix.

[Sdeve999]

Greetings all, an apologies if this is in the wrong section.

Computer is a home build desktop, Asus M/B, AMD HD6670 graphics, 256meg SSD as boot drive c: Win7 32 bit.

I had a few problems with this computer and finally did a full format and re-install with system disk pre SP1. Everything working fine. Launched into full updates from windows, loaded all available updates and guess what; windows Desktop Manager fails and won't start. Computer is otherwise fine. I've installed latest drivers for the video card, updated my M/B bios, run sfc /scannow which showed all system files OK, full pre boot virus scan with Avast, full scan with Malwarebytes.

I've done all this about five times now. The problem seems to his after installing Iexplorer 10 and/or SP1. I haven't figured that one out yet, and I'd rather have a nearly working computer than one in a constant state of upheaval.

Having been looking around the web for an answer it would seem that this problem is not limited to certain hardware but seems quite happy to occur with just about anything. Any help that solves this will be much appreciated and rewarded with a curry and a beer.

 

[andrew129260]

I would try this:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html

See if it continues to fail. You might want to do another http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html and then install all windows updates and drivers first. Then Once that is done install your software.

 

[Sdeve999]

Thanks for the response. I tried it and no luck, Still got the "Windows Desktop Manager Has Stopped Working" message. As far as the clean install goes, I've done that before and it didn't work. I'm pretty certain that this is actually a windows problem caused by some or other update. As I say, it goes OK until SP1 and/or Iexplorer 10. My bet is with SP1.

 

[gregrocker]

Use the latest official installer with SP1 for your licensed version burned to DVD or written to flash stick with the tool also provided in Steps 1 and 2 of Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Stick only with the tools and methods exactly as given in the tutorial to assure a perfect baseline install.

During the booted CUstom install, delete all partitions to create and format new with the Drive Options shown in Steps 7 and 8 of Clean Install Windows 7 .

If you want to try to repair a sketchy pre-SP1 install, run SFC /SCANNOW Command to see what it finds. It may need three separate runs to repair files.

 

[Sdeve999]

Gregrocker, A personal thank you for that tutorial. I shall stick to it in the event I need to do yet another full re-install. One thing it does seem to do, albeit unintentionally, is to illustrate what a Godawful mess Windows 7 has got itself into. From searching the net, it would appear that my particular problem with Desktop Manager Has Stopped Working is far from uncommon. Perhaps Microsoft might actually be able to figure out a cure themselves someday.

I can only say that the initial install works correctly every time. It's only after I install, via windows update on the net, SP1 and / or Iexplorer 10. As I was typing this, I ran sfc /scannow which resulted in the message "Windows resource protection did not find any integrity violations. The initial install, BTW, is from a genuine OEM system builder's pack, purchased from Maplins no less, and all subsequent updates installed via the internet using Windows Update.

I'm almost tempted to try Windows 8.1 in the hope that they might have fixed it by now.

 

[andrew129260]

Just so you know, this is not a common error. You should not be having this problem. I have a feeling its a program you have installed. What antivirus software do you use?

When you install windows 7, and then do all updates, do you have any other software installed?

Try without anything installed and do all updates. Do a few at a time if need be. Then do all the updates and restart several times. Then install your programs one by one until you discover the issue.

 

[ThrashZone]

Have you tried this,
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/127411-desktop-composition-enable-disable.html
There are some suggestions here,
Enable desktop manager,
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-desktop/aero-troubleshooter-says-desktop-window-manager/82f1eb92-d371-407c-8118-bee158c3ccae

Have you downloaded any third party themes ?

 

[Sdeve999]

Thanks again for the suggestions.
While this may not be a common error, there are plenty of references to it on the internet. Furthermore, except with what would appear to be obvious mistakes, there has not been any cure that I can find. Nevertheless, I'll keep trying.

The last couple of (re)installs were bare bones, the last one was a straight install followed by immediate full update. No other software installed. My anti virus is Avast free. No third party themes. The 'Enable Destop Manager' part has revealed what may be of interest. Here's a screenshot (I hope) where you will notice several options absent.

 

[Sdeve999]

Just to make life even more interesting I have just tried to run the 'Windows Experience Index' program. It gets as far as 'Direct 3D 10 Batch assessment' and crashes with the message 'Windows System Assessment Tool Stopped.' I have the feeling that shouldn't happen.

 

[ThrashZone]

No that should not happen,
Use the link above my signature picture to Fill in your system spec's page,
List the hardware you replaced and from what is was before,
Could be improper assembly ?
I'm not sure but if you switch to Custom does the menu list change any if you notice the tutorial shows using custom,
I myself am only using 8 of about 20 aero features.
Cheers.

 

[Sdeve999]

Right then! With visions of driving a stake through Bill Gates wallet, I flattened the whole computer out. Before that, I downloaded a disk image of Win7 which included SP1, and managed to hammer it onto a USB stick. It installed fine. Then I set windows update running and 136 updates and a couple of reboots later it's running OK, so far! I ran the Windows Experience Index and it went all the way to the end, getting a reading of 6.9. What I did notice was the sudden absence of the normal transparencies of the correctly running desktop. Interesting. Anyway, I've done a system backup, and installations will continue.

 

[gregrocker]

Good show!

Stick with the tools and methods in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 and you will get and keep a perfect install for as long as you do.

 

[andrew129260]

@Sdeve999

Great job. Enjoy the fastest windows seven now. Clean install from that kind of installation will blow away anything that you get from the oem.

 

[Sdeve999]

Trouble is, I've only done the 'Monkey See, Money do.' principle. I still have no idea what the problem is/was. The only thing I haven't done is install any manufacturer's graphics drivers and at this stage I don't want to risk it in spite of the fact that I've got the very latest setup. Still, as the man said after jumping off the Empire State Building, 'So far so good'.