Douche Bag Computer

[Joe O'Connor]

Hey,

Lately our laptop (running Vista) has got into a habit of shutting down with no warning what so ever, doesn't do the "Windows is shutting down" thing. Just flicks straight to black.

And when you start it up again you get five warnings that say

Runtime Error!

Program:C:\WINDOWS\System32\rundll32.exe

This applicant has requested the Runtime to terminate it in an unusual way.

Please contact the application's support team for more information.

Its very annoying! What is wrong?

Photo of Errors

[Tux07]

Hey,

Lately our laptop (running Vista) has got into a habit of shutting down with no warning what so ever, doesn't do the "Windows is shutting down" thing. Just flicks straight to black.

And when you start it up again you get five warnings that say

Runtime Error!

Program:C:\WINDOWS\System32\rundll32.exe

This applicant has requested the Runtime to terminate it in an unusual way.

Please contact the application's support team for more information.

Its very annoying! What is wrong?

Photo of Errors

simple fix to this, f**k vista off it sucks ass, microsoft themselves said it should never have been released as a 32bit os, win7 or xp are far better (even though i hate money grabbing microsoft lol),

you could also try linux like ubuntu or download mac os as they now cover installs for intel chipsets

there are way to many reason for runtime32 to break

microsoft: a world without walls, er ok then where would you put windows... dumbasses!

<snip>

Edited May 24, 2010 by quick_spider
No piracy links

[Muel]

Could just try to solve the problem first? And if that doesn't work, reinstall Vista? I'd recommend changing to XP or W7 if you're going to reformat though.

Now I know there are some nerds on here, but this is a trials forum. For complex problems like this you need to ask on a computer forum. Try this one.

[dirt jumper jake]

Vista

Thats your problem

[konstant]

You could spend days trying to identify the problem without getting anywhere. Providing the hardware is working properly, a clean install of Vista should get rid of the problem. But I too recommend another OS, be it Windows or Something Unix based (Ubuntu, OSX etc)

[anzo]

Could just try to solve the problem first? And if that doesn't work, reinstall Vista? I'd recommend changing to XP or W7 if you're going to reformat though.

Now I know there are some nerds on here, but this is a trials forum. For complex problems like this you need to ask on a computer forum. Try this one.

Oi, you'll take away my fun!

[Krisboats]

you could also try linux like ubuntu or download mac os as they now cover installs for intel chipsets

Suggestion fail.

Here you go...

[Tux07]

Suggestion fail.

Here you go...

no need for the attitude i was merely mentioning some os to try.

[PeanuckleJive]

Krisboats beat me to LMGTFY

It's surprisng how many people don't think to just google a simple rundown of the situation >.<

[Krisboats]

no need for the attitude i was merely mentioning some os to try.

The guy has an issue with the computer that is so serious it keeps dying on him and flashing errors upon startup. His first solution is to ask on a biking forum with no mention of having looked on google, a first port of call for even non technically-minded users.

Then you come along and try to promote a notoriously tedious and computer literate OS presumably because you're some fanboy kid (based on the avatar) and it's what you use.

Being a family laptop and that this guy doesn't really know what he's doing it's not really a win option is it... hence the fail.

[Tux07]

The guy has an issue with the computer that is so serious it keeps dying on him and flashing errors upon startup. His first solution is to ask on a biking forum with no mention of having looked on google, a first port of call for even non technically-minded users.

Then you come along and try to promote a notoriously tedious and computer literate OS presumably because you're some fanboy kid (based on the avatar) and it's what you use.

Being a family laptop and that this guy doesn't really know what he's doing it's not really a win option is it... hence the fail.

my original post also suggested xp, win7 an mac os, an linux ain't tedious i hate terminal an the old ball aches

[Muel]

Then you come along and try to promote a notoriously tedious and computer literate OS presumably because you're some fanboy kid (based on the avatar) and it's what you use.

Mate, don't even try convincing this guy, he's a proper militant linux fag.

[MadManMike]

my original post also suggested xp, win7 an mac os, an linux ain't tedious i hate terminal an the old ball aches

Yeah, you're right, Linux is perfect for your average user...

[Adam-Griffin]

[Tux07]

All I did was suggest another OS as vista 32bit is buggy as hell, my suggestions covered pretty much all the popular, better and more reliable OS's available.

So why was there the need to rip?

[anzo]

simple fix to this, f**k vista off it sucks ass, microsoft themselves said it should never have been released as a 32bit os, win7 or xp are far better (even though i hate money grabbing microsoft lol),

you could also try linux like ubuntu or download mac os as they now cover installs for intel chipsets

there are way to many reason for runtime32 to break

microsoft: a world without walls, er ok then where would you put windows... dumbasses!

<snip>

I agree, I dislike Vista - it should have been released though, it was a pretty important stepping stone from XP to the now Windows 7.

Linux is alright, but I really wouldn't claim it to be reliable - sure, flavours like Ubuntu are more basic user friendly, but for someone who knows little about computers, it could be a daring feat!

But anyway, back to the problem -

1. Worth doing a scan check - sometimes spyware will name itself rundll32.exe and run from the same directory, it causes all sorts of errors.

2. You can check by going to Task Manager (Ctrl + Alt + Delete) and finding rundll32.exe - under the username it should say SYSTEM.

rundll32.exe is a function for executing .dll files, it may not be a complete reinstallation job just yet.

[Mr Motivator]

Could also be hardware related. I had a similar problem a while ago with the charging system.

For the record, don't bother with Linux. It's dificult to find things to work with it sometimes and there is not a great deal of documented support so you have to go and look for the answers. Can be a bit of a mare. I used ubuntu for a year but got fed up with how limited it can be for my uses.

Win xp is a safe and cheap bet, vista don't bother and windows seven is much better but still has a few issues with compatibility with older programs.

Mac os is a similar story as windows 7 with compatibility.

[aener]

Fair enough - not in this instance due to the users, but I really wish people would stop laying in to Linux.

If you want an easy to use PC, the new major disto's are basically the same as Windows, just with different names for stuff. Installing every day programs that the every day user would want is actually easier than windows.

I can't see any point in people's objection to it. People who respond to saying "I don't object to it, there's just no point."

There's a massive point.

If Ubuntu, or Gentoo, or OpenSuse were the accepted norm, you wouldn't have to buy a computer with Windows pre-installed, saving you what.... £70? I dunno how much OS's are now.

It's a decent operating system, with very few drawbacks, which is free.

It's only as tedious as Windows, in that it's a computer.

You don't have to use the terminal if you don't want to.

The repositories have all the software the average user wants, all of which can be installed from a window in the "Start" menu.

Main distro's have all the general programs installed already - no setting up WMP etc...

MASSIVE support for issues that may arise.

Highly customizable user interface, both in appearance and functionality.

The list goes on...

I'm not manically defending Linux, it has it's flaws. If you want exotic hardware - you sometimes get driver issues. If you want specialist software, you'll often have to get a Linux-ported alternative...

It's for these reasons I have Windows 7, too.

What I am saying is, people who say to stay away from Linux because it's bad should stop saying it.

From my standpoint - it seems as if the people who say that just don't want to give it a chance - or are afraid to.

Really - it should be the everyday user that uses Linux, and the specialists that go for Windows or OSX for unusual software/hardware support.

Now after writing all that, I've come to realize it's probably not much relevant to anything in the thread - but it feels good to write it out.

Also - Mr. Griffin - that picture is absolutely incredible

Edit: Also - @ whoever argued against Tux for suggesting Ubuntu can f**k right off. From looking at it, he added the suggestion AFTER suggesting better Windows versions, pretty much as an afterthought.

[Krisboats]

Wow, another fanboy nerve struck It's a family laptop, linux is not a clever option. You even said so yourself. Nobody argued with him, i merely said two words and then clarified as to why when he replied, i admit it was rather grumpily but i've been sitting in 40+ degrees with very little sleep so i'm sorry to mr tux for him getting the brunt of it.

Linux is not EASILY supported for the end user at the minute. Imagine his kid sister wanting to install MSN to video call her friends who also run MSN, she can't and she'd probably give up before finding a compatible vid-con program. Parents are generally lazy/busy with work so don't have time to constantly look for alternate versions of programs when they sit down in the evenings.

The IDEA is good, and as you said it's coming on very well in terms of GUI and ease of use but with it not being supported for most programs by the big players in terms of applications it's limited to being the legal OS of choice for the skint student or for the kids who want to rebel against the system and the bigger kids who turn full nerd mid twenties and spend all their time on the computer writing programs.

Until it gets the key players accepting it in the store bought distributions of their products it can be the prettiest GUI in the world but it'll stay a hidden gem until things change for it commercially. Sadly it's unlikely the key players will back it as once people make the switch free programs will become available and nobody will buy the big price names anymore so it sits in a catch 22 situation until something happens to switch it all around.

[Tux07]

it's perfect for the everyday user, my dad is a complete tech retard (he's still learning how the internet works lol)

i installed it for the piece of mind he was forever getting viruses and messing up other programs etc, nod32 was no match for him, now he happily uses the pc in a some what productive manner,

and fixing it is easy i just take an copy of the entire system and replace whats broke

the only prob with linux is mainstream game releases and the lack of macromedia shockwave, compatibility can be a bitch the only bit of hardware i found not to be in the latest hardware pack(kernel) is the rtl8192e

i use a fujitsu li3710 an everythings covered right out of the box

Linux is not EASILY supported for the end user at the minute. Imagine his kid sister wanting to install MSN to video call her friends who also run MSN, she can't and she'd probably give up before finding a compatible vid-con program. Parents are generally lazy/busy with work so don't have time to constantly look for alternate versions of programs when they sit down in the evenings.

ubuntu has this sort of stuff pre-packed or an easy to use program catalogue called the software centre , ubuntu 10.04 is amazing

and it good to have a live cd at hand should you need to repair, partition an alike

Edited May 25, 2010 by Tux07

[MadManMike]

Alternatively you could install Windows 7 and anything you want to use, and just use it.

[Joe O'Connor]

Alternatively you could install Windows 7 and anything you want to use, and just use it.

I most likely will do that.

Im sick of Vista and its problems and the stupid pop ups I constantly get.

[Krisboats]

it's perfect for the everyday user, my dad is a complete tech retard (he's still learning how the internet works lol)

i installed it for the piece of mind he was forever getting viruses and messing up other programs etc, nod32 was no match for him, now he happily uses the pc in a some what productive manner,

and fixing it is easy i just take an copy of the entire system and replace whats broke

the only prob with linux is mainstream game releases and the lack of macromedia shockwave, compatibility can be a bitch the only bit of hardware i found not to be in the latest hardware pack(kernel) is the rtl8192e

i use a fujitsu li3710 an everythings covered right out of the box

ubuntu has this sort of stuff pre-packed or an easy to use program catalogue called the software centre , ubuntu 10.04 is amazing

and it good to have a live cd at hand should you need to repair, partition an alike

Okay so from your own post we've established that even you think sometimes compatibility can be a pain in the ass. You say it's perfect for a non tech-savvy person then use an irrelevant example that describes your dads situation as being closer to that of an office environment (in which you form the IT admin section) that many people don't have at home. If your dad didn't have you to fix it what would happen? Next time something goes wrong with the computer don't fix it for him and see if .....

A. He can find/fix it himself

B. The nearest repair shop can work out what to do in order to sort it.

I'm fairly confident he'll give up and with no luck at the nearest computer repair place he/they would consider him replacing it with a new windows laptop.

My msn query was very specific. The kid sister wants windows live messenger because it's what she's used to and all her friends have it. She doesn't want "this sort of stuff", pidgen and aMSN are off the list! You've either got an unhappy sister or someone in the family needs a basic knowledge of the system in order to set up wine and try and get the microsoft .NET framework running. How is that any better than the current situation joe's in with his rundll32 issue?

There's no point trying to defend linux and provide counter examples of ways to fix it, you're effectively running through the alphabet to someone who can already read. We both know my point still stands. For a non-tech user in a standard family environment linux is not a feasible option because of the lack of technical support readily at hand (ie "my laptops broke, here it is... you fix it") and lack of support with common windows software and hardware. That is not me attacking linux so don't get offended, i'm merely telling it like it is.

Joe, windows 7 should be a lot nicer for you. Also, go for the 64bit version if you can, it has some better features in the background security wise and (fingers crossed) if you laptop lasts a few years before needing a fresh install you have the option of faster software in the rapidly growing x64 switchover while maintaining the option to use 32bit applications if you have to.

[Muel]

it's perfect for the everyday user, my dad is a complete tech retard (he's still learning how the internet works lol)

i installed it for the piece of mind he was forever getting viruses and messing up other programs etc, nod32 was no match for him, now he happily uses the pc in a some what productive manner,

I tried my Dad with Ubunutu, it was a massive failure. Firefox was the same, but the keyboard woudn't stick on the UK map, in the file viewer there was no film strip view, and the internet refused to connect consistantly with it.

It lasted about a week before I put the XP hard drive back in.

Also the free software that you can get through Ubuntu is free for a reason. People always say that OpenOffice is as good as Microsoft Office, or that Gimp is as good as Photoshop. I understand that that is their opinion, but I couldn't disagree more.

[Tux07]

I tried my Dad with Ubunutu, it was a massive failure. Firefox was the same, but the keyboard woudn't stick on the UK map, in the file viewer there was no film strip view, and the internet refused to connect consistantly with it.

It lasted about a week before I put the XP hard drive back in.

Also the free software that you can get through Ubuntu is free for a reason. People always say that OpenOffice is as good as Microsoft Office, or that Gimp is as good as Photoshop. I understand that that is their opinion, but I couldn't disagree more.

the "free" bit doesn't totally mean free its for freedom, i.e. the freedom to midify it to suit ones needs, the trouble is as said before people are either afraid to try new things because of the spoonfed approach of microsoft i.e. buy a pc with windows pre-installed then you get media player an msn thown in your face but some people may want to use vlc or digsby.

i have never had a bug or prob runnin something my base system runs at about 10% of my ram where as win7s base system needs 1gb of ram no base system should use that much it's stupid, like runnin a car constantly at 8000rpm (its revving it's tits off before you start vid conversions etc)

my system is set up to be attractive and full of funky lil effects thanks to compiz etc, i shall post a screencast on youtube after work of my system with its video wallpaper, true rgb transparency an similar things. it takes me a full half hour to get every app, game, codecs and the set up the funkiness then i take a copy with remastersys to save me starting all over again,

photoshop and microsoft office work quite well on linux all you have to do is add wine and the font packages, there are loads of easy to follow howto's on sites like ubuntu-geek and the linux forms are very helpful

one question i do have s why is it that you buy a linux mag to read new scripts an c++ stuff or new features that are comin out or that are out now, then buy any windows mag to read how to fix things, microsoft boast about their new features which have been used by us for over 6 years like snapping windows (compiz), same with internet explorers 8second ads firefox did that stuff when it was on version 2 or something.

an saying that someone couldn't get on with firefox is a bit silly (not bein offensive) as they are practically the same just that some of the items in the menu are in a slightly different place.

Edited May 26, 2010 by Tux07