AIM 7 Freezing My Notebook (Windows 7)

[Crepus13]

Hi. I got my new ASUS G51VX notebook yesterday, and upon sending my very first IM (with AIM 7) the machine locked up. I rebooted, and the same thing happened again.

I ended up doing a Windows recovery (the HD needed to be repartitioned anyway) and then went about re-installing/downloading everything. It worked just fine ... until I got to AIM again.

I sent an IM and it froze AGAIN. I checked my firewall settings, even went so far as to shut it off. No such luck, AIM still froze my notebook.

I'm running Windows 7 64 bit, it's been updated (33 updates!), and I'm at a loss.

Please help! I don't want to deal with ASUS customer service.

Thanks.

 

[Crepus13]

Oh, I should mention that Trillian Astra seems to work just fine.

This is truly bizarre.

 

[Crepus13]

Oh, and now Ventrilo (both 32 and 64 bit versions) is locking up my lappy as well. How fun for a WoW player.

If anyone could at least tell me what these two programs have in common, that'd be a start.

Thanks.

 

[frozenlead]

Do the programs consistently lock up the machine? Or is it only sometimes?

Check your CPU and GPU temps. It's also worth it to test your memory and hard disk for defects/damage. You can use the Ultimate Boot CD to do the later two.

 

[Crepus13]

Do the programs consistently lock up the machine? Or is it only sometimes?

Check your CPU and GPU temps. It's also worth it to test your memory and hard disk for defects/damage. You can use the Ultimate Boot CD to do the later two.

With Vent it's every time I try to transmit, or someone else in the channel transmits -- and with AIM it's every time I send an instant message, i.e. the chat window pops up -- then total freeze.

I know it's not computer temp, I'm using a cooling pad and something much more taxing like World of Warcraft runs without a single hiccup. That makes me think it's not a memory issue, either.

I'm at a loss (and stressed).

 

[frozenlead]

I didn't really think it was a cooling issue either, but it's an easy thing to get out of the way.

Memory is a completely different story though - there can be significant differences in the way WoW uses memory and the way AIM or another application can; defects in memory can show up in one instance and not the other.

Again - I'd run a hard disk diagnostic and a memory testing application.

 

[Crepus13]

Now I've found that trying to enter the "Ease of Access" menu in the Windows 7 login screen ALSO locks up my machine.

That's not even an internet app!

I think you're onto something with the bad memory perhaps.

I'll run a diagnostic when I pick up some blank CDs.

Also, I don't know how telling this is, but these problems do NOT occur in Safe Mode (w/networking).

 

[JessicaD]

Crepus13,

Have you attempted to uninstall AIM and reinstall? Also, Microsoft does have an official Windows 7 Support Forum located here http/tinyurl.com/9fhdl5 . It is supported by product specialists as well as engineers and support teams. You may want to also check the threads available there for additional assistance and feedback.

Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team

 

[Crepus13]

Crepus13,

Have you attempted to uninstall AIM and reinstall? Also, Microsoft does have an official Windows 7 Support Forum located here http/tinyurl.com/9fhdl5 . It is supported by product specialists as well as engineers and support teams. You may want to also check the threads available there for additional assistance and feedback.

Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team

I've tried uninstalling it, I've tried doing a full Windows recovery, firewall settings, etc. Nothing seems to work. Also, the list of things that lock up my notebook keeps growing.

Thanks for the link to the MS forums. I posted over there, as well.

 

[Pontiac1830]

The CNET Guy said that it is the SoundBlaster software the factory installed. If you notice, you have SoundBlaster software installed if you look down where the system icons are displayed for battery power etc.

Apparently it conflicts with the REAL sound card software ..... Realtek. So uninstall SoundBlaster.

Sounds logical to me. I'm going to try it.

 

[Milo_25]

The CNET Guy said that it is the SoundBlaster software the factory installed. If you notice, you have SoundBlaster software installed if you look down where the system icons are displayed for battery power etc.

Apparently it conflicts with the REAL sound card software ..... Realtek. So uninstall SoundBlaster.

Sounds logical to me. I'm going to try it.

Thank you! I had the exact same problem. Uninstalling SoundBlaster worked. I have Realtek as well.

Very helpful