Tech Support: 32-bit apps will no longer run in 64-bit Win7

Cinossu · Oct 23, 2010

Well, this is a lovely problem right here.

Been using my laptop just fine, and all of a sudden it restarts itself, for no reason at all. Windows 7 starts back up, and.. programs that should be loading aren't. After a little bit of time, it's noticeable it is only 32-bit applications that aren't running. They appear in the processes list of task manager for a fraciton of a second and then just disappear as if not running.

I'm assuming it's something to do with the WoW64 system Windows uses, but I haven't a clue what to do here.

Help? :s

Namo · Oct 23, 2010

Sounds like Windows updated itself. My main computer (this one) uses XP, but my gaming rig runs 7. I could see what's the dealio.

What apps are you trying to run?

Sintendo · Oct 23, 2010

You could try a system restore.

FraGag · Oct 23, 2010

Sintendo said:

You could try a system restore.
Click to expand...

Alternatively, try sfc /scannow.

Cinossu · Oct 23, 2010

Namo: any 32-bit application. 64-bit apps are fine, but no 32-bit app will run.

Sintendo: no system restore point to use.

Fragag: tried it, says there's no problems.

D:

Puto · Oct 23, 2010

Reformat the computer. And grab my old build of xchat for 64-bit Windows if you want to manage to talk on IRC in the meantime, I guess.

FraGag · Oct 23, 2010

The Windows installation disc(s) has/have a repair option, no? I've never tried it with Windows 7, but I know it worked well with Windows XP.

Foxsnipe · Oct 23, 2010

The OS discs just have a startup repair, in case something prevents the system from loading.

I've honestly ever encountered an x64 system that won't run the x86 applications. You try a chdisk? Beyond that the only thing I can think to try is either trace your steps backwards to see if something recently installed screwed it up, or do a repair installation (reinstall over top of the current system). Your file will remain but programs will need to be reinstalled so they are entered into the registry, etc.

What browser are you using, out of curiosity? Chances are it's x86 unless you specifically chose the x64 version of IE or got an x64 edition of something else.

Overlord · Oct 24, 2010

His UA string says 64-bit IE8, and considering up until yesterday afternoon it was Firefox 3.6 I suspect that's not his normal browser. =P

Cinossu · Oct 24, 2010

Foxsnipe said:

I've honestly ever encountered an x64 system that won't run the x86 applications. You try a chdisk? Beyond that the only thing I can think to try is either trace your steps backwards to see if something recently installed screwed it up, or do a repair installation (reinstall over top of the current system). Your file will remain but programs will need to be reinstalled so they are entered into the registry, etc.
Click to expand...

This is the problem, right here. I have programs on here I can't reinstall.

Foxsnipe said:

What browser are you using, out of curiosity? Chances are it's x86 unless you specifically chose the x64 version of IE or got an x64 edition of something else.
Click to expand...

I'm using the x64 version of IE to get here right now. The x86 version does as every other x86 program right now.

Hendricks266 · Oct 24, 2010

Here are Windows 7 recovery discs.

Foxsnipe · Oct 24, 2010

Since you said the system restarted on its own, something you might try, if you have the time, is doing a fresh install on a second drive (or take an image of your current install) and see if the 32-bit apps that are failing which you can reinstall work. This would help identify any possible hardware issue. You can always revert to your previous install with the primary drive or restore from the image.

Beyond that, I really don't know. If it's software, it's one heck of a rare muckup. If it's hardware, it's probably either RAM or CPU. Maybe run some benchmarks/stress tests?

FraGag · Oct 24, 2010

I wonder if there are any helpful messages in Windows's error logs (Event Viewer in Administrative Tools).

Cinossu · Oct 24, 2010

I have a request of someone.. can someone running Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit rar/zip up some files and upload them? From X:\windows\system32, wow64.dll, wow64win.dll, win32k.sys and wowreg32.exe, along with ntdll.dll and wowreg32.exe from X:\windows\syswow64 ?

Sintendo · Oct 24, 2010

http://www.mediafire.com/?r47a8625rlr3w39

It's from Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit, though.

HighFrictionZone · Oct 24, 2010

Unfortunately, I only have Windows 7 Home Premium, but I can't imagine that they'd re-write the wow64 subsystem between Ultimate and Home, right?
Get it here

Cinossu · Oct 25, 2010

XD; I didn't expect so many replies with files.. thanks guys, and to Polygon Jim too who PM'd me the set. I thought a file replacement of the wow64 stuff might do something, even just break win7 because of unsigned files.. nothing. No change.

I'll be giving Microsoft Tech Support a try on the phone tomorrow, but it looks like I'll be wiping this thing clean. I can keep all of my files, so that is no problem. It's more programs that are going to be a pain.. oh well.

Foxsnipe · Oct 25, 2010

Good luck. Maybe sure to test periodically as you reconfigure/reinstall things in case the problem crops up again so you don't ultimately waste too much time.

Cinossu · Oct 26, 2010

SO, it ended with a complete clean reinstall of Windows. Called up tech support, they suggested a "repair install" (ie. install as update again), which also didn't work (winpeshl.exe could not run on restart, suspecting system files on the already-existing Windows installation were interfering), so they said "bye bye files~", and, yeah. :>

Overlord · Oct 26, 2010

How bad's the overall situation look in terms of applications then?

Tech Support: 32-bit apps will no longer run in 64-bit Win7

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