Windows 7 MAJOR Problems getting W7 to run

[sainttomm]

Hi everyone!

I'm having some real issues getting Windows 7 to run on my computer. I managed to half solve one, but the torment continues and I haven't really got any idea why.

Background:
Clean install of W7 from download, followed by DVD, on a PC which was running XP Home perfectly:

• Intel Pentium D 3.40GHz
• Motherboard: MSI MS-7173, mATX, ATI RC410, PCIe, DDR2
• 1024Mb RAM
• nVidia GeForce 7300 GT
• 250Gb free HD, and separate 500Gb drive
• Windows 7 Professional Premium 32Bit, Build 7600

I ran the the Windows 7 Upgrade advisor before I bought it, and it only flagged my graphics card up as an issue, saying it would be unable to handle Aero effects. However I do not think this is the problem (see below)

Problems:

1. Immediately after clean install, Windows 7 would not load for the first time. Worked ok in safe mode, but normal start up would just freeze.
   • I solved this by disabling the service "Multimedia Class Scheduler" in the Startup menu in System Configuration, which was seemingly the cause of the problem, but am unsure what this service actually does
2. Now, my major problem is that when I open a program (e.g. Firefox, one of the very few things I have installed), it takes an age to load (in the region of 5 minutes), and if you interrupt it by trying to do anything else the whole system freezes and crashes. With other programs, e.g. the built in Calculator program, it doesn't run at all and just locks up the Taskbar and, eventually, the whole system.

Things that DO work:

1. Wireless connection (via Belkin USB adaptor)
2. Internet connection
3. Browsing files and folders using Explorer
4. Installed Firefox 3.5.3 using executable run from Explorer
5. All themes and visual effects

Things I have tried:

1. Updated drivers for Graphics card (from Nvidia site, W7 compatible) and Network adaptors
2. Physically removed all USB devices and even all PCI cards including Graphics card (I have therefore pretty much ruled this out as a cause of my woes, as the problems still occurred when nothing was attached but a mouse, keyboard and monitor via the motherboard)
3. Installing W7 as a clean install from the download over windows XP, cleanly on its own and as a dual boot on a separate partition, using both the download and a bootable DVD made from an iso of the downloaded files
4. Disabling all but the basic System Services
5. Disabling all visual effects in Performance options under System Properties (and increasing virtual memory)
6. Running Windows Update to get any newly released updates from Microsoft
7. Changed theme from Aero to Basic
8. Probably some other other things I've tried but haven't remembered to put down here...

PLEASE HELP!!!
I am actually going mad - have been mucking around with this for 2 days now. I'm starting to think I wasted my money and should get a refund and go back to XP... please prove me wrong!

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you've been through quite a bit of troubleshooting already. Let's see if we can help you resolve these issues with Windows 7 on your system.
The symptoms you described could be caused by various factors, including driver incompatibility, system services conflicts, or hardware issues. Here are some steps you can take to further troubleshoot and potentially resolve the problems you're facing:
### 1. Driver Issues
- Ensure that all your device drivers are compatible with Windows 7. Check the manufacturer's website for the latest drivers for your specific hardware components.
- Try clean installing the drivers for your graphics card, network adapters, and other essential components.
### 2. System Services
- Since you've already disabled some services, you might want to revisit the Services configuration. Make sure essential services are running and non-essential ones are disabled.
- Check for any services that might be conflicting with the smooth operation of Windows 7.
### 3. Memory Issues
- Test your RAM modules. Faulty RAM can cause system instability and slow performance. You can use tools like Memtest86 to check the integrity of your RAM.

### 4. Hardware Verification
- Verify the health of your hard drives to rule out any issues related to storage.
- Check for any overheating issues that could cause performance problems. Make sure your system is adequately cooled.
### 5. System Integrity
- Run a system file check to ensure the integrity of your Windows installation. Open a command prompt with elevated privileges and run sfc /scannow.
- Check the Windows Event Viewer for any error messages that might provide insight into the cause of the crashes.
### 6. Additional Considerations
- Consider upgrading your RAM if possible, as 1GB may be limiting the performance of Windows 7.
- Verify compatibility of your motherboard and other hardware components with Windows 7 to ensure full compatibility.

It's important to methodically test each potential issue to isolate the root cause. If you continue to encounter problems, you may want to consider reaching out to Microsoft Support or a professional technician for further assistance.
Don't give up just yet! Windows 7 can be a reliable operating system when configured correctly. Let me know if you need more specific guidance on any of these steps or if you have any other questions.