Really annoyed....

[icemaiden]

I have a desktop pc, about three years old, ran on Vista. About a year ago I bought an upgrade disc to replace Vista with windows 7 (this is what was recommended on the microsoft website). Installed fine had no problems until a few weeks ago. Computer wasn't firing up properly, when it did it would suddenly crash and then the blue screen came up with something like "Software/hardware corrupted".

This has happened so many times now. I have restored the pc many times but it keeps doing it. I spoke with a chap about it who does pc repairs and he thinks that a windows 7 update is corrupting my system. He says that my pc is probably not at all compatible with windows 7! I'm gutted!

Now I don't know whether to revert it back to Vista and poke up with it. (Hated it with a vengence) or buy a new one?

Has any one heard of this?
Many thanks.

[ChuckFickens]

So your computer has been compatible with windows 7 for the last year and it's suddenly stopped being compatible in the last couple of weeks??

That doesn't sound right to me!

Are you able to actually say what the error message is, rather than "it's something like" because the error message will point us in the correct direction, but for a start I'd say look on the manufacturers website and ensure you have the latest version of all the drivers and associated software.

[Old_Geezer]

"this is what was recommended on the Microsoft website"
Strange that, manufacturers recommending their own latest product.

I guess it is possible that the requirement spec may have changed with an update, and your PC is now unable to cope, but it doesn't sound right to me. How is it when you try to boot into safe mode ? (I assume that is still available under W7.)

[icemaiden]

Yes still has W7 running. It's fine in safe mode. Microsoft recommended an upgrade disc and not a full installation disc as it was already on Vista.

Sorry I Havent got the pc in front of me. It was a full page of writing. It said that it needed to shut down the pc because software/hardware has caused corruption. I have all the latest versions of drivers etc.

[VHG]

If your computer was running Vista fine (and was bought with Vista on it) then it will almost certainly be fine for Windows 7.

Windows 7 is almost exactly the same as Vista "under the covers" so any PC that can run Vista can run Windows 7.

Have you added any new hardware or made any major changes to the PC since you went to Windows 7?

[icemaiden]

Hi there.

No major changes at all VHG, which is why the Computer man I know thinks it was a windows update that may have caused the problem. I have backed everything up on an external hard drive. I have been told I could start from scratch again ie reset pc to factory settings etc and then try the W7 disc again.

My worry is that it's not a full installation disc just an upgrade. but as I said before, microsoft said it only needs an update not a full installation disc as it was on Vista.

[Cowtipper]

"It's fine in safe mode." Safe mode is the same as normal mode minus most of the hardware drivers. You have a bad driver or a bad piece of hardware imo.

[icemaiden]

Thanks cowtipper. As I know little about computers, how can I find out which driver or piece of hardware it is that is causing the problem?

[ChuckFickens]

From the error message, as I said earlier.

[Old_Geezer]

In the meanwhile it may be worth kicking of a disk check, just in case some vital part is having problems.

[icemaiden]

Thank you all for your answers.
I'm not good at computers like you are. When the message comes up I will write it down and then come back on here.
Thanks Again

[Cowtipper]

Hit the start button and then run. Type eventvwr.msc and enter. Continue if it asks.

There are two tabs you're interested in: Application and System
Each time you reboot your computer it saves certain events to this log by time and date. You can sometimes get a good idea of what's going on and sometimes its cryptic. Its sometimes just easier to clear the events (by right clicking) and rebooting than trying to filter the log.

When you examine the log you'll probably see errors from what you're telling us. From the reboot you want to look at each error from oldest to newest in the latest reboot cycle. It may be able to tell you what service or application is failing directly.

[icemaiden]

Have copied and pasted your answer cowtipper so I can try later when I get home. Thankyou.

[galeck1947]

Open Start Panel type Troubleshoot in the search bar and when that opens Click on troubleshooting at the top and allow that to open .When open scroll down to Fix problems with Windows Update and click on that . When it opens follow the prompts and it will check and repair any corrupt updates click ok when finished. Give this a try and after it is done all should be ok . You should be able to then install SP1 which will stabalise your computer.Your computer is compatitable with Windows 7 as it was previously running Vista cant understand that .

[fiesata]

It's almost certainly a compatibility issue have you updated the motherboard/chip set drivers ? These are often overlooked along with graphics drivers

[icemaiden]

Thanks everyone for your answers. I have now sorted the problem. Bought a new base unit PC with windows 7 on it!

Works perfectly now, got a really good deal.
Anyone want to buy a base unit, going cheap!?

[Old_Geezer]

That's cheating.