Vista - Vista Ultimate + Software Compatibility + Random Freeze Ups

I have a 6 mo. old Gateway computer w/ Vista Ultimate (Model GM 5424). The
computer has been freezing up (i.e., screen freezes, keyboard and mouse are
nonresponsive, only recourse is to push power button) randomly from many
months. In July I installed 2 additional gigs of ram (it came w/ 2 gigs
already). When I did that, the once a month freeze ups occurred every day,
several times a day. The new Ram had a different manufacturer than the
original 2 gigs, but were otherwise identical. I took out new RAM sticks and
returned them. Random freeze ups returned but did not occurr very often
until last couple of weeks. Now the freeze ups occur once or twice a day.

After hours and hours on the phone with Gateway, they say that I must first
determine whether it is a software compatilbity issue. I have 3 programs on
my computer that are not "vista ready." One is an older version of Microsoft
Office 2002, WordPerfect 10, and Print Shop 12. Does anyone know whether any
of these 3 programs are incompatible with Vista such that it would cause
freezing?

Other things I've notice. I, for some reason, have no system restore points
older than 1 month. Also the System Reliabilty Monitor quit creating any
System Stability Charts on June 16, 2007 (I've had the computer since March
3, 2007).

Sorry for the long post, but I'd really like some help.
--
ATG

ATG asked:

"ATG" <ATG@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:2BE4CD02-872B-4DA7-BED0-A1896E61FC66@xxxxxx
Jack replied:

I'm not an MVPS but here is information given to me by MVPS John Barnett
that might help..
He was a lifesaver... It worked for me on a couple of programs I couldn't
install.. You
might have to uninstall the program and then reinstall using the information
that he gave me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Run in compatibility mode:

To install the software in compatibility mode right click the
setup.exe file for the software application and select Properties.
From the Properties window Click the compatibility tab. In the
compatibility window look for the 'compatibility mode' section and
click on the box next to the optiuon 'run this program in
compatibility mode for:' Choose Windows XP SP2 then click the OK
button. The installation should then start.

Run As Administrator:

If compatibility mode doesn't work the, again Right Click on the
software application's setup exe file and, from the drop down menu,
select Run As Administrator. Again the software should start to
install.

Good luck!!

Hey ATG,
Jack has some really good advice except for if your computer freezes up b4
you have a chance to do that. I'm not quite sure why it's freezing up but it
is most likely not the programs unless your computer freezes up while your
opening then, running them, or closing them. Try what Jack said unless your
computer freezes up b4 you have a chance to do it, in that case the only
advice I have is reinstall windows because there is a bug that may be your
problem and the only way to fix is is reinstall windows. :-( As for the
restore points windows deletes them after a certain period of time in order
to save space. Also it probably has nothing to do with the ram but you do
want to make sure it is the right kind for your computer and also that it
actually can use 4 gigs of ram. i.e. my laptop can only have a maximum of 2
gigs ram. hope this info helps :-)

--
- It's always Microsoft's fault no matter what your problem is.

Thanks to both Jack and Phil. I'll try what Jack suggests and see if it
works! In the end of the day, I suspect I'll have to do a complete restore
of the hard drive.

Thanks again.
--
ATG


"Jack" wrote:

Hi!

Did you install this update : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/938194

Bye!

i have print shop and office 97 and i don't have any problem with those two
now i don't know about your office but it should help you to narrow the
field

--


Jonathan Perreault
Forget Do Not Undermine Windows's Work,
Or It'll Undermine You As A User.

New Word Of Advice: Torture Windows (Any) Now
Before It Tortures You
"ATG" <ATG@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:2BE4CD02-872B-4DA7-BED0-A1896E61FC66@xxxxxx

I believe I've installed all the Windons updates, but I'll check on this one.
Thanks.
--
ATG


"Randor" wrote:

Jack,

I didn't reinstall the 3 programs, but I went into Preferences for each
program and checked the box re: compatibility with XP, SP2. The computer
froze again several hours later.

I have run the memory diagnotics, and no problems were discovered. I've
scanned (routinely) for viruses/spyware, etc. I've run chkdsk, and no
problem were discovered.

I've looked at the Event Viewer and all it tells me is that on a number of
occasions, I've had various programs stop working. One application that pops
up a lot on the list is iexplorer.exe.

I now (within the last few days) have a problem with IE-7 lock ups, which I
didn't have before. I can do and "end program" in the Task Manager to get
out of that.

Maybe with this additional information, you folks out there who know much
more than I can suggest a few more things.

I think, though, that I'm going to just have to bit the bullet and reinstall
Vista back to the "factory setttings." If that doesn't work, I'll throw
Vista away and have XP Pro installed.

It's extremely frustrating that Microsoft puts out a new operating system
and then doesn't offer any free phone support to those w/ an OEM version.
And, of course, the computer manufacturer, Gateway, doesn't support the
operating system. At least there is this forum. Thanks to all.
--
ATG


"Jack" wrote:

Hi!

There is also this performance one : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/938979

The 2 updates are not installed by Windows update system.
You must install them yourself.

Bonne journée!

"ATG" <ATG@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:5C6B097E-91D5-4C4C-8599-D5DE486B11B8@xxxxxx

Yes, I installed that recommended update at the end of August.
--
ATG


"Randor" wrote: