Computer Troubles

KingIsaacLinksr · April 17, 2011, 04:46:35 PM

Despite cleaning the codecs, it still has the same problem. I have no idea what is going on. The only thing that fixes it is a reset, but that's temporary at best which tells me either a faulty OS (what a friggin shock) or a faulty hardware piece. Either way, I don't know. I just don't know.

King

KingIsaacLinksr · April 17, 2011, 05:21:39 PM

At this point, I think I'm just going to reinstall the OS if anyone can't figure out a different solution, so any tips or tricks on doing that?

King

Rico · April 17, 2011, 05:34:19 PM

Tim - it's not a faulty OS. It's a conflict or a hardware problem. Go ahead and reinstall the OS. Sounds like that might be the best way for you to fix it. A word of warning though - everything you install, add, change once Windows is fresh again impacts the system. And some of the programs out there don't play nice together. That's the price you pay for having an OS that allows that type of open environment.

KingIsaacLinksr · April 17, 2011, 05:38:21 PM

Quote from: Rico on April 17, 2011, 05:34:19 PM
Tim - it's not a faulty OS. It's a conflict or a hardware problem. Go ahead and reinstall the OS. Sounds like that might be the best way for you to fix it. A word of warning though - everything you install, add, change once Windows is fresh again impacts the system. And some of the programs out there don't play nice together. That's the price you pay for having an OS that allows that type of open environment.

I'm going to hold off for as long as I can (and backup as best I can) before reinstalling. I just don't have the time to do a clean wipe and reinstall of my computer. Or fix any of the potential problems that comes with that.

And idk how to avoid software conflicting with other software. Its not like there is some guide that tells us how to avoid that.

King

Rico · April 17, 2011, 05:46:25 PM

Your guide is the internet. Read what people are saying about programs before you try them. Try to stick to VERY tried and true software. And don't do too much at the same time. Actually, with Windows 7 unless you have a need for something special, you shouldn't have to install a lot - especially in the audio/video area. You can also just try uninstalling all of your trouble programs first. Then use a registry cleaner like the one I'll link below. Then see how the system behaves. That's what I would do before bothering with a full reinstall.

http://download.cnet.com/TweakNow-RegCleaner-2011/3000-18512_4-10262639.html?tag=mncol;4

KingIsaacLinksr · April 20, 2011, 11:03:30 AM

Just to update: I did download the Reg cleaner and decided to wait a couple days to see if anything of what I had done had fixed it. By what I can tell so far, my computer is back to normal...I hope. Since I don't know the origin of the problem its hard to say. I hope it was just a registry problem, that is easier to fix.

Anyway, thanks for helping me guys, if I sounded frustrated...I was. But your help was much appreciated :)

King

Rico · April 20, 2011, 03:11:39 PM

Glad it's seems to be better for you Tim.

Jobydrone · April 21, 2011, 07:41:05 AM

Can I hijack this with a problem of my own that's been driving me nuts? I've tried Googling this issue but can't find the right search terms or anyone with a similar problem, maybe because it's difficult to describe.

I have a laptop thats about three years old running Windows Vista. About a year ago I noticed that the mouse functions switched on me...what normally happens when you left click was assigned to the right mouse button, and the left button opened the contect sensitive menu that the right button usually opens. Going into mouse settings under the control panel showed that little checkbox that says "swap functions of left and right mouse buttons" was indeed checked for some reason. I unchecked it, applied, exited and things functioned normally again...for a little while. Then it seems it spontaneously checks itself again and the mouse buttons switch on their own. This affects the mouse buttons on the laptop itself as well as any mouse I plug in via USB port.

I've done the basic stuff, clean virus scan, clean malware checks, all mouse drivers are up to date. Anybody have any ideas WTH is going on here?

Rico · April 21, 2011, 08:36:42 AM

Turn off the touchpad, then restart and see if that helps. Many laptop touchpads don't play nice with external mice.

billybob476 · April 21, 2011, 08:38:54 AM

Also make sure the touchpad doesn't have any associated software utility (such as a "synaptics touchpad manager" or something). That may be overriding the windows settings.

KingIsaacLinksr · April 21, 2011, 09:22:32 AM

And replace vista with 7 ASAP. ;). But do what they said first.

King

Jobydrone · April 21, 2011, 12:27:11 PM

I use the touchpad exclusively, I've switched my USB mouse to the new iMac. Can I shut it off then turn it back on? And Joe, there is that touchpad manager running all the time, should I disable this? And if I do will I still be able to use the touchpad?

Rico · April 21, 2011, 12:32:45 PM

First, you need to find out if that is the issue. Again, laptop touchpads and the associated software don't play well together with addon mice. You should be able to right click on the touchpad manager icon and disable it. Then try your mouse. You may need a reboot too in between. For many laptops you need to pick one or the other to use for input.

billybob476 · April 21, 2011, 12:57:34 PM

Also sometimes in the touchpad manager software there is an option to automatically disable the touchpad when an external mouse is connected.

Jobydrone · April 21, 2011, 01:14:00 PM

ok thanks guys