need second opinion

[sldi]

I am running Windows 7 home premium on my machine, a gateway with 6gig of ram. A problem surface after (at least I think it was right after) a windows update that came down the pipe on Oct, 28 2010. Here is a list of the problems. I keep AVG running on my system and up to date for viruses

1 on boot up I get a warning message that a certain file couldn't be opened due to my internet security settings (gfxui.exe), this file can be run from the command prompt and is the interface for my graphics card and runs fine.

2 No gadgets that I had installed are visible, although a box is there in the corner for them, I have checked the opacity and its at 100%

3 any PDF file that I attempt to view, shows but gets the same type warning as on boot up, but it points to a different file, I have gone to that file and when clicked on nothing happens.

4 Openoffice disappeared from my system completely

5 downloads of presets to lightroom download but don't install

6 Yahoo messenger was on my computer, but when opened it gave me the skin to it but nothing could be entered into the dialog boxes. A video cam feed sent to me from someone could be seen by me but no text responce from me could be seen. I removed messenger when I was told that I may not have the newest one. I downloaded 10.x (same as what I had previously had) but when clicking on it to install nothing happens

7 When I go to support.microsoft.com/fixit and try the automated fixes, I get a responce that the ATS system can't be installed due to an error.

8 From windows live gallery I can't create a slide show. You are supposed to be able to select photos in the gallery click on the create slide show and it connects to movie maker to perform the task. if I go directly to movie maker and then select the files to include it works fine

For MOST of what I do I am ok, at the moment, and it doesn't seem that the problem is growing, but its not going away either.

I went to Geeksquad today for them to take a look, and after checking it he thinks there are missing parts to my operating system and I need to reinstall it. Well of course this gateway didn't have the disk and I plunged on in and started using system without making any of my own so I am out of luck on my own. They can re-install for me at a cost of $130. I asked if I did an upgrade from home premium to Professional if that would work to, he said "yes". Would that really fix missing parts of the original OS? I can get the student version for only 80 bucks and do it myself. Is it really missing parts of the OS? I kind of had the feeling like being at a mechanics shop and they were just going to start doing what was easy and keep charging me till it got fixed or gave up

[Bob_S]

$130 to reinstall Windows isn't bad IF they promise that fixes the problem OR you get a Windows 7 CD and license. Otherwise I would buy a copy of Windows 7 and do it yourself. First try the repair option, then reinstall, then fdisk it and reinstall. Then backup and check disk.

[Flea77]

STOP!

Windows updates screwing up the OS is nothing new, but you have an aweful lot of issues that I find hard to trace back to one system in the OS. The absolute first thing I would do is back up everything I could get my hands on, then run a complete set of hardware diagnostics to make sure we are not dealing with bad ram, a failing hard drive, or a power supply that is doing something stupid.

Once that is done, I might go for an upgrade to Pro (assuming you get the disc) but they should be able to do a repair install without your media if you have a key code on the side of the computer (lesson #1, MAKE DISCS!!!!!, lesson #2, keep current backups).

Keep in mind that a repair install will most likely clobber antivirus, some driver updates, and certain software. You will need to completely remove and reinstall AV, reinstall all your updates, and then most things should be fine.

Allan

[Rson]

OK, First the GeekSqaud are a bunch of Morons.

2nd: your gateway doesn't have a disk....but does it have the repair partition? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????

3rd: Roll back the install of the update??? Can you?

[Flea77]

Originally Posted by Rson

OK, First the GeekSqaud are a bunch of Morons.

Yes but they are "Certified" Morons

Allan

[JohnT]

Windows 7 isn't without it's little quirks. Mine will crash and reboot without warning occasionally. It happened last night and then again today. I'm thinking it might be my tablet driver, but I'm not sure. I'm hoping the anticipated service pack will take care of it.

Anyway, I hope you get yours figured out.

[rbalcom]

Try this link for some information:

[Solved] what is GfxUI.exe? please help? - Security Answers

Good luck, I think you can fix it yourself because it is a known problem so information should be available. Google can help.

[sldi]

when I first found it I did the google of gfxui and actually came across something that was a problem for someone else on the same date as mine crashed.

I did try a restore to an earlier date, is that what you are talking about Rson? nothing worked doing that.

I do agree about morons at Geeksquad but they were close and it hasn't cost any money yet.

I thought I had seen something about the repair partition, when buying the system I remembered reading comments about no disk coming with the unit but that it had such a partition.

I am going to look deeper b4 doing anything major..., too much is still working right on the thing.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by rbalcom

Try this link for some information:

[Solved] what is GfxUI.exe? please help? - Security Answers

Good luck, I think you can fix it yourself because it is a known problem so information should be available. Google can help.

Thanks for this. I had 10 outdated drivers.

[XtremePhoto]

You list AVG Anti Virus running on your machine...are you sure THAT isn't your problem? We just had to remove AVG Anti Virus from 4 - 64 Bit Win 7 computers because it was preventing log in and continually made the machine reboot in a loop.

It was right after an update to AVG Anti Virus all this started.

AVG removed and all problems are now gone.

-G-

[Rson]

I highly recommend Avast in conjunction with Microsoft Security Essentials for Peeps running Win7

Both are free

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by Rson

I highly recommend Avast in conjunction with Microsoft Security Essentials for Peeps running Win7

Both are free

+1 They work great.

[XtremePhoto]

Originally Posted by Rson

I highly recommend Avast in conjunction with Microsoft Security Essentials for Peeps running Win7

Both are free

Yes! That is exactly what we installed! No more problems.

-G-

[stephenpinn]

What Rich said initially although I am sure there are some Geek Squad techs that are good.

You probably do have a repair partition

1) backup all your data
2) roll back the updates

[Charles Putnam]

Since you're running Win7 with 6gigs of RAM, I'm assuming that you're running the 64bit version.

The latest update to AVG hosed 64bit versions of Win7, as as Glenn (XtremePhoto) noted.

Here's what I'd do:
1. Back up all your data to a external hard drive.
2. Do a clean install (i.e. have Win7 format the drive and reinstall a fresh version).
3. Use only Gateway's drivers. I've found that the driver updates that Microsmurf finds can cause problems.
4. As to the antivirus issue, my personal choice is Microsoft Security Essentials. Avast is good, but I found that MSE tends to be slightly better at catching stuff, and uses less resources).

Once you get a good, clean install with all drivers in, create a system image backup to an external HD.