Help Me: Failing hardware or is Bill Gates on to me?

[HampTheToker]

So, I've been having issues with Windows 7 freezing on me, and I can't pin down whether it's because of failing hardware or possibly WGA trolling my ass.

The problems are reproducible. If I maximize Spider Solitaire it freezes. If I try to install FireFox it freezes. If I try to change backgrounds it freezes. There are other instances as well, but these are the consistent ones. All of this after a complete format and reinstall of a pirated precracked copy of Win7. Seems to work perfectly fine on other machines, and my comp runs xp with no issues at all. I'm simply at a loss trying to figure it out, so I turn to you guys.

I've considered a failing motherboard, or some type of wga sorcery. Hard drive diagnostics report nothing abnormal.

Halp me pls. Many thanks for halpfal replies.

[Malcolm Equis]

its wga black magic

[HampTheToker]

I was leaning more that way since it operates perfectly fine for the most part.

Next questions is...wtf can I do about it?

[Lanny]

Has this always been the case or has the freezing only started recently?

[HampTheToker]

Originally Posted by Lanny

Has this always been the case or has the freezing only started recently?

It started before, so I ran xp for a good while before my sister downloaded a particularly nasty virus. I formatted and tried Win7 again, but it started with the alleged WGA witchcraft right off the bat.

[LSA King]

Sounds more like a memory problem or graphics card issue than it would be WGA. If you had WGA problems 9/10 you'd notice it immediately because the OS would flat out tell you. MS doesn't beat around the bush with WGA. It couldn't hurt to try and use one of the RemoveWAT programs just to cure your curiosity.

[Lanny]

Originally Posted by LSA King

Sounds more like a memory problem or graphics card issue than it would be WGA. If you had WGA problems 9/10 you'd notice it immediately because the OS would flat out tell you. MS doesn't beat around the bush with WGA. It couldn't hurt to try and use one of the RemoveWAT programs just to cure your curiosity.

Pretty much that. It does sounds like an OS problem though, if XP runs fine. Sounds like a missing driver or something, although I don't know what would cause that problem. Have you checked device manager to make sure everything is recognized and running?

[HampTheToker]

Originally Posted by Lanny

Pretty much that. It does sounds like an OS problem though, if XP runs fine. Sounds like a missing driver or something, although I don't know what would cause that problem. Have you checked device manager to make sure everything is recognized and running?

All drivers are present and accounted for.

Tried a RemoveWAT to know avail. Got this on reboot after a freeze:






Would a format and fresh install of a different version of Win7 plus RemoveWAT seem like a good bet?

[IIIII]

Try the Microsoft Fix It program and see if it helps:

http://support.microsoft.com/mats/sl...formance/en-us

[Decca]

You can also try updating your drivers.

[HampTheToker]

Originally Posted by IIIII

Try the Microsoft Fix It program and see if it helps:

http://support.microsoft.com/mats/sl...formance/en-us

[HampTheToker]

I'm going to try a fresh install and run removewat disconnected from the innernets and see if I can haz luck.

Feel free to post infos/troll while I'm gone. If it works I'm giving someone a blowjob tonight.

[Dread_Lord]

Install Windows XP, see if the problems persist through that OS as well.

[HampTheToker]

Originally Posted by Dread_Lord

Install Windows XP, see if the problems persist through that OS as well.

Ran XP just fine for the longest after the problem first started. I'm now convinced WGA is the culprit. Actually, I don't know why I never considered it before. Probably, because it started acting screwy when my son was going through his let's-press-this-power-button-repeatedly-and-see-what-happens phase.

I assumed he caused some sort of software corruption, but it persisted after a fresh Win7 install, so I thought maybe it was hardware. Tried XP to see if that would work, and it did, so I left it alone. That is, until my sister d/led a virus, so I decided to give Win7 another shot.

Finishing updates now after installing a new Win7 loader while disconnected from the internet. Hopefully, it pans out. Read somewhere about the KB971033 update breaking previous exploits, so I made sure to avoid it. Actually, it didn't even show up in the list.

30/123 updates to go...

[13579]

Anyone know a possible cause for an always offline, non-networked desktop to start bitching that windows 7 isn't genuine after several months of working perfectly fine?

[HampTheToker]

Originally Posted by 13579

Anyone know a possible cause for an always offline, non-networked desktop to start bitching that windows 7 isn't genuine after several months of working perfectly fine?

Any possibility that it may have been connected at some point?

Edit: what version is it exactly? Maybe it was a trial that ran out?

[HampTheToker]

Well, looks like it didn't work.

Anyone willing to PM me a good Win7 loader or removewat? Not sure if it's against the rules to openly link to such things, but I assume so. I'm certain that it's wga/wat. It's the only explanation that fits.

[Duelist]

damn dude, if you ever get your shit working again, set a fucking password or lock the door to your computer room. I couldn't stand it if people messed my shit up like that.

[HampTheToker]

Yeah.

My sister lives with me, and has no job. She's basically my daycare. Loves to fill up my HDD with episodes of True Blood and shitty romance novels.

I shit you not, she downloaded 40GBs of True Blood a week ago. I try not to complain too much because of free child care and all that shit while I'm at work, but FUUUUUUUUUU....

Anyway, it seems my 7loader got outdated and I totally missed it. I think I've found a good one, but I won't know for sure until tomorrow when I can reformat again. Apparently, the one I just tried was outdated as well. I'm just glad I've figured out the problem and what needs to be done to fix it.

[Lanny]

Originally Posted by HampTheToker

Well, looks like it didn't work.

Anyone willing to PM me a good Win7 loader or removewat? Not sure if it's against the rules to openly link to such things, but I assume so. I'm certain that it's wga/wat. It's the only explanation that fits.

Just FYI the rules say no posting direct links to copyrighted work. I don't think WGA removers fall into that category. Also you can ask for PMs, just try not to make it look too shady

[Malcolm Equis]

onwe time i binded a Cerberus to a wga cracker thing. and got like 1000 people RATnet

[IIIII]

Install Windows 7 Trial first and see if the PC still freezes.

[Dread_Lord]

Good call there, but you're still a fucking idiot.

[IIIII]

Originally Posted by Dread_Lord

Good call there, but you're still a fucking idiot.

Right back at ya.

[LSA King]

I'd look for this copy:

Microsoft.Windows.7.Enterprise.x64.SP1.Integrated. June.2012-BIE


Or anything formated like that and is released by BIE. They have everything pre-configured when burned. All you have to remember is not to put in a CD Key (skip it) during installation and then not download the update from MS when it tells you an update is available.

Update KB971033. Just right click and hide it so you'll never accidentally download it, then any other update you are free to go.

[NamelessNom4d]

Originally Posted by LSA King

Sounds more like a memory problem or graphics card issue than it would be WGA. If you had WGA problems 9/10 you'd notice it immediately because the OS would flat out tell you. MS doesn't beat around the bush with WGA. It couldn't hurt to try and use one of the RemoveWAT programs just to cure your curiosity.

Originally Posted by HampTheToker

All drivers are present and accounted for.

Tried a RemoveWAT to know avail. Got this on reboot after a freeze:






Would a format and fresh install of a different version of Win7 plus RemoveWAT seem like a good bet?

RemoveWAT doesn't work anymore, that was the old activator for pre SP1 version of Windows 7. What you want is a CLEAN, NOT PRE-CRACKED Windows 7 ISO and a program called Das Loader. Both of these can be found on Demonoid. Ideal scenario is to borrow a legit Windows 7 disc from someone. Format with the clean Windows 7 ISO, don't type in a product key and use Das Loader to activate.

Then when searching for Windows updates make sure you uncheck and hide the one that says WAT or Windows Activation Technologies. I dunno what KB it is but I think LSA had it right. You also should make sure all drivers are installed and as up to date as possible, that could be potentially messing with your system.

[HampTheToker]

Ok. So, maybe it is an outdated driver.

I've noticed the problem only seems to be presenting itself when doing something graphically intensive, and my original graphics card burnt out long ago. Been running onboard graphics, so I think you guys are right about the driver being the problem.

But, I can't find one that will install. Anyone know where to find the Intel G965 Express Chipset driver for a Dell Dimension E520 running Win7 x64?

I remember Lanny mentioning a good place for driver downloads, but I completely forgot where, and I specifically remember saying that I would remember it, lol. Fuck my shitty memory.

Been searching for the right driver forever but none seem to work. If you guys help me find the right driver and the problem persists, then I'm taking this thing out back and filling it with buckshot.

Edit: Intel's update utility says my shit is up to date, so I don't know wtf. My best guess is failing hardware at this point. This computer is so old that I'm not sure if it would be better to buy a new graphics card or just blast it (with pics/video) or buy a new one.

[Lanny]

Originally Posted by HampTheToker

Ok. So, maybe it is an outdated driver.

I've noticed the problem only seems to be presenting itself when doing something graphically intensive, and my original graphics card burnt out long ago. Been running onboard graphics, so I think you guys are right about the driver being the problem.

But, I can't find one that will install. Anyone know where to find the Intel G965 Express Chipset driver for a Dell Dimension E520 running Win7 x64?

I remember Lanny mentioning a good place for driver downloads, but I completely forgot where, and I specifically remember saying that I would remember it, lol. Fuck my shitty memory.

Been searching for the right driver forever but none seem to work. If you guys help me find the right driver and the problem persists, then I'm taking this thing out back and filling it with buckshot.

Edit: Intel's update utility says my shit is up to date, so I don't know wtf. My best guess is failing hardware at this point. This computer is so old that I'm not sure if it would be better to buy a new graphics card or just blast it (with pics/video) or buy a new one.

Yeah, if failure happens on high GPU usage it's definitely hardware as opposed to drivers. If you're just looking to get performance comparable to what your onboard gave you there are plenty of workstation graphic cards for ~$30 that would do just fine, just make sure to get the right form factor for your case.

[HampTheToker]

Originally Posted by Lanny

Yeah, if failure happens on high GPU usage it's definitely hardware as opposed to drivers. If you're just looking to get performance comparable to what your onboard gave you there are plenty of workstation graphic cards for ~$30 that would do just fine, just make sure to get the right form factor for your case.

Already found one for 35 bones

The original nVidia GeForce 7300 LE was gonna cost me 10 bucks more with half as much memory. Fuck that. I'll go with the ATI card, pl0x.

[HampTheToker]

ATI Radeon X1300 has saved my sister from True Blood and Yahoo chat withdrawal.



So, what's the best game this thing is capable of running?

[Lanny]

Originally Posted by HampTheToker

ATI Radeon X1300 has saved my sister from True Blood and Yahoo chat withdrawal.



So, what's the best game this thing is capable of running?

The best game any graphics card is capable of playing. Morrowind

[HampTheToker]

This thread is now about game suggestions since I can now actually play thems.

Never played Morrowind. Not my kinda game, really. I prefer FPS and such. Downloaded Combat Arms just to test drive since it's free. Anymoar suggestions?

[HampTheToker]

Oh, and thanks for the halp guise. Much appreciated.

[Lanny]

Of the older generation FPS games I think F.E.A.R. really stands out. You'll be able to play it for sure, and it's a really fun game. Someone recommend it to me here and I think the term they used was "gunplay" which was apt. There really is a lot of finesse to that game. It tends to be a series of ultra fast-paced conflicts separated by exploration. It really was a fun game, one of the best non-modern (read blood splash on screen/regenerating health) FPSs around.

[LSA King]

F.E.A.R and Half Life 2 are all I can think of that should run smoothly at high settings.

[HampTheToker]

Yeah, but I already beated HL2.

F. E. A. R. sounds good, though. I remember the trailer. Gonna give it a go.