Serious Vista Problems

[news.microsoft.com]

Please help if you can. Windows Task Manager doesn't work. It locks up when
trying to "end task" on a program that's "not responding." How do I get it
to work and end or shut the program down instead of locking up itself?

Also, with all the W95 like lock-ups etc we tried a "System Restore" and
that doesn't work either. We can't restore the system - it fails. What on
earth are we facing once we start installing our software?

 

[Paul Montgumdrop]

Please help if you can. Windows Task Manager doesn't work. It locks up
when trying to "end task" on a program that's "not responding." How do
I get it to work and end or shut the program down instead of locking up
itself?

You can use Process Explorer to kill the task if Task Manager can't do it.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/default.aspx

Also, with all the W95 like lock-ups etc we tried a "System Restore" and
that doesn't work either. We can't restore the system - it fails. What
on earth are we facing once we start installing our software?

I had to do the Restore 3 times consecutively about a month ago, because
a Windows Update hosed functionality, and I wanted the new functionality.

Each time I did the restore, it went for a while and said it failed. But
it did work. Well, it removed the changes made by the update and the
system was restored to a state that was 3 weeks prior to the the
changes. I gave up on that update and just went without it.

 

[Paul Montgomery]

Please help if you can. Windows Task Manager doesn't work. It locks up when
trying to "end task" on a program that's "not responding." How do I get it
to work and end or shut the program down instead of locking up itself?

Also, with all the W95 like lock-ups etc we tried a "System Restore" and
that doesn't work either. We can't restore the system - it fails. What on
earth are we facing once we start installing our software?

Is this a totally new installation, or is it a new computer?

More info is needed

 

[G.Katts]

You can use Process Explorer to kill the task if Task Manager can't do it.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/default.aspx

I just download this but it looks like more than I'm capable of
understanding. We'll see.

I had to do the Restore 3 times consecutively about a month ago, because a
Windows Update hosed functionality, and I wanted the new functionality.

Each time I did the restore, it went for a while and said it failed. But
it did work.

It looks like the last restore did work. I see changes but can't be sure
because right out of the box there were disappointing issues with Vista.

.. Well, it removed the changes made by the update and the

system was restored to a state that was 3 weeks prior to the the changes.
I gave up on that update and just went without it.

How do you allow some updates and not others? They download and install
automatically.

 

[G.Katts]

Is this a totally new installation, or is it a new computer?

More info is needed

This is a new HP desktop w/Vista Home Premium. We've only added an
anti-virus and Zone Alarm so far, plus PhotoFiltre.

 

[G.Katts]

Is this a totally new installation, or is it a new computer?

More info is needed

Also this new newsgroup format is horrible. I can't turn this tread RED so I
can find it easily. That choice is gone from above and if I click on the
"glasses" icon, other threads above this one turn red - not this one.

 

[Guest]

If This Is A Completely Brand New Computer, Then Return It 2 HP Or The
Retail Store That You Purchased It From If Possible, Just FYI. Then Buy A
OEM Windows XP Down Grade Computer From http://www.dell.com. Dell Still
Sells OEM Windows XP Service Pack 2 As A Down Grade From A OEM Microsoft
Windows Vista Ultimate Edition Service Pack One License On Their Website,
Also Just FYI.

 

[Paul Montgomery]

This is a new HP desktop w/Vista Home Premium. We've only added an
anti-virus and Zone Alarm so far, plus PhotoFiltre.

Most new computers come with an anti-virus already installed. Did you
check before you added your own?

Same goes for a firewall, although ZA will probably disable whatever
was running when you installed it..

It's not too late to start from scratch - recover the system to
out-of-the-box condition. If you didn't get a disc, then there will
be an option avaialbe to you on system startup. Look at the top or
bottom of your screen for the prompt telling which "F" key to hit.

If you do that, then check your problem items one by one after each
program is installed again to see which is causing the problem.

Of, course... it's under warranty, so you should go on record with HP
support if it happens again.

 

[news.microsoft.com]

Most new computers come with an anti-virus already installed. Did you
check before you added your own?

I removed Norton. It was too invasive and too complicated. I like AVG a
lot better.

Same goes for a firewall, although ZA will probably disable whatever
was running when you installed it..

I'm familiar with ZA. It asks before allowing anything to phone home, unlike
the MS firewall.

It's not too late to start from scratch - recover the system to
out-of-the-box condition. If you didn't get a disc, then there will
be an option avaialbe to you on system startup. Look at the top or
bottom of your screen for the prompt telling which "F" key to hit.

It appears that although it said System Restore failed.... it did indeed
work. We both see the changes. IE7 often locks up when closing it and that
was right out of the box. Our new Laptop, with Vista Home Premium, has no
such problems. We're going away on vacation so wont be able to work on it
for a week or so.

 

[news.microsoft.com]

If This Is A Completely Brand New Computer, Then Return It 2 HP Or The
Retail Store That You Purchased It From If Possible, Just FYI. Then Buy A
OEM Windows XP Down Grade Computer From http://www.dell.com. Dell Still
Sells OEM Windows XP Service Pack 2 As A Down Grade From A OEM Microsoft
Windows Vista Ultimate Edition Service Pack One License On Their Website,
Also Just FYI.

Thanks for that info. It's certainly something to consider.

 

[Paul Montgomery]

I removed Norton. It was too invasive and too complicated. I like AVG a
lot better.


I'm familiar with ZA. It asks before allowing anything to phone home, unlike
the MS firewall.


It appears that although it said System Restore failed.... it did indeed
work. We both see the changes. IE7 often locks up when closing it and that
was right out of the box. Our new Laptop, with Vista Home Premium, has no
such problems. We're going away on vacation so wont be able to work on it
for a week or so.

The IE7 lockup isn't an unusual situation. It doesn't happen to me,
but it apparently happens to a lot of people.

Personally, I've made the permanent switch to Firefox. It just has
too many fine features - and when the add-ons are considered, IE (even
IE8 which is in public BETA) doesn't compare.

 

[DL]

Since this is a brand new PC it would appear to have a problem, perhaps your
uninstall of Norton and other 'free' software didnt go well.
Restore the PC to factory specs, test in this configeration, if still a
problem return it or call HP support.
If ok however, after running win update & retesting uninstall Norton, use
the tool available from Norton site to completely reomove, clear temp files,
reboot & test.
Only then install your prefered AV solution & re test

 

[xfile]

We've only added an anti-virus and Zone Alarm so far, plus PhotoFiltre.

Hi,

I am not sure if it's related to your particular problem but I remember
reading some news about Microsoft Update and Zone Alarm don't work well for
certain instances. Since I don't use Zone Alarm so I didn't monitor any
details.

The following are some search results using headline words I can barely
remember:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&q=Microsoft+updates+broke+Zone+Alarm

Hope this helps and good luck.

 

[xfile]

Sorry, but after reading details, Vista is not affected.

 

[The poster formerly known as 'The Poster Formerly]

Also this new newsgroup format is horrible. I can't turn this tread RED
so I can find it easily. That choice is gone from above and if I click
on the "glasses" icon, other threads above this one turn red - not this
one.

If you don't like the 'newgroup format', then stop using windows mail
and use another program to access newsgroups like Thunderbird.

As far as updates goes, go to "Windows updates" in Control panel, click
on "Change settings" in the side bar and change the setting to "Check
for updates but let me decide whether to download and install them".
Note that if you do not turn off Windows updates by selecting "Never
check for updates", then you are still at risk of receiving Microsoft
stealth updates.


--
"...every non-modular OS SUCKS...Speaking for myself only."
- zachd [MSFT]

DRM and unintended consequences:
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/security/?p=435&tag=nl.e101