Windows 7 'autoplay' failure.

[walpurgis]

I've now had three instances of the Windows 'autoplay' facility packing up for no apparent reason. The first was on XP, but I've now had it happen on a Windows 7 PC for the second time. On my little Dell Zino the 'Microsoft Autoplay Repair Wizard' download fixed it, but on my HP with a new O/S install it has not worked. Apparently this is common. Has anybody got a fix that won't bugger up the registry?

[Tim]

Apparently this is common. Has anybody got a fix that won't bugger up the registry?
Never had this happen to me ever Geoff, on numerous machines too :scratch:

Have you checked the Autoplay Settings in Control Panel?
Have you downloaded any third party free software since installing your new copy of Windows 7 O/S and is it a genuine copy?

[walpurgis]

Hi Tim,

yes I've been through the 'autoplay' settings, no joy. Also, as I say the Microsoft 'fix' download hasn't worked for some reason (it has before).

I use only free software, but they are the same as I've always used and don't seem to affect my other computers adversely.

I'm using a genuine Win 7 OEM.

I've got spare time, so I think I may just do (another) O/S reinstall over Xmas, then see how it goes. I'm planning to change the hard drive shortly anyway.

If you've got any suggestions please fire away.

Thanks.

[Tim]

If you are thinking about a new HDD Geoff, it might be worth either an SSD or if you need more storage space consider a Hybrid drive? The new Western Digital Black2 is reportedly very good. http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=1190

If you do install any third party software, which as you recall I'm not a fan of (as it can cause issues), I would always recommend manually creating a restore point before you hit the download button. Also create a system image using the Backup and Restore function in Control Panel once you have your new installation of 7, it will save you having to spend a day re-installing Windows and configuring everything ;)

Not sure what has caused your problem, but as I say its never happened to me - mind you I tend to turn off a lot of the auto-play functionality, as I like full control over what my computers do.

[walpurgis]

Thanks Tim.

I'm actually downsizing to a mere 40gb HD. I keep no files worth mentioning on my PC and as Windows 7 Home Premium only occupies around 18gb, the remaining 20+ gb will exceed my requirements. I want to keep any HD operations like 'defrag' for instance to a minimum in time.

I was using MSE a/v, but I'm going to change back to AVG as I want the included 'Linkscanner', which definitely works, as it's caught a few nasties when I've used it in the past. I'll be installing a few respectable apps like CCleaner, Spyware Expert, WinPatrol and an uninstaller a bit more comprehensive than the Windows job.

Your restore point creation suggestion is good. I should have thought of that (still learning). I have a spare largish external USB HD and was thinking of putting a mirror copy of the O/S and my 'backup' on that for emergencies.

As for the 'autoplay', I've been managing the handling of photos & pen drives etc., by going to 'computer' and dealing with it manually, but I really like to be offered instant options.


I appreciate your input.

[Tim]

I'm actually downsizing to a mere 40gb HD.
In that case I cannot recommend enough a 60GB or maybe even 120GB SSD (larger capacities are beneficial when it comes to an SSD, due to the way they read/write and reuse blocks). You will never need to defrag it, in fact you shouldn't and the speed will I think surprise you, it will seem like a much faster computer ;)

You can pick up a decent one for around 50/60 quid. If it were me I would go for something like a Samsung 120GB? Less power usage, less heat and generally the best upgrade you can ever make to an older laptop.

http://img.ebyrcdn.net/534295-539151-290.jpg

http://www.ebuyer.com/539151-samsung-120gb-ssd-840-evo-ssd-only-mz-7te120bw

[seoirse2002]

Thanks Tim.

I'm actually downsizing to a mere 40gb HD. I keep no files worth mentioning on my PC and as Windows 7 Home Premium only occupies around 18gb, the remaining 20+ gb will exceed my requirements. I want to keep any HD operations like 'defrag' for instance to a minimum in time.

I was using MSE a/v, but I'm going to change back to AVG as I want the included 'Linkscanner', which definitely works, as it's caught a few nasties when I've used it in the past. I'll be installing a few respectable apps like CCleaner, Spyware Expert, WinPatrol and an uninstaller a bit more comprehensive than the Windows job.

Your restore point creation suggestion is good. I should have thought of that (still learning). I have a spare largish external USB HD and was thinking of putting a mirror copy of the O/S and my 'backup' on that for emergencies.

As for the 'autoplay', I've been managing the handling of photos & pen drives etc., by going to 'computer' and dealing with it manually, but I really like to be offered instant options.


I appreciate your input.

Hi Geoff,
I had the same problems with my win7 pro 64 bit and my pc tech told me cancelling the autorun was a security feature installed by Microsoft in a security update to prevent the automatic opening of potentially dangerous data from an outside source that could perhaps compromise the pc's security,so Im happy to go to my computer and click on whatever I insert,and run a virus scan first before opening it if it was made by anyone else except me...Its a minor niggle if it helps protect the pc.....I once put a cd in from the front of a magazine(on another pc)that crashed it,and I ended up having to reinstall the whole lot.

[walpurgis]

Tim,
thanks for the suggestions. I'm just going to swap the existing HD with the 40GB version of the same drive to save any issues. I'd thought of an SSD, but the PC is quick already with 3.4g processor and 4g RAM. As I say, I store no files really apart from security software and a simple photo suite.


George,
yes I'd heard it rumoured that the failure of 'autoplay' was due to a Windows security update switching it off. I'm not sure how true that is, seems more likely the security issue would be addressed properly and if that was the case surely MS would have removed the 'autoplay repair wizard' download, which still works incidentally, just not on this PC. I'd imagine many PC users being unable to download photos for instance as they'd not know where to find the drive. A Google search shows that 'autoplay' failure seems rather common. I think in my case Tim is probably right about it being caused by my choice of third party software. I'll be sticking to respected downloads.

[seoirse2002]

George,
yes I'd heard it rumoured that the failure of 'autoplay' was due to a Windows security update switching it off. I'm not sure how true that is, seems more likely the security issue would be addressed properly and if that was the case surely MS would have removed the 'autoplay repair wizard' download, which still works incidentally, just not on this PC. I'd imagine many PC users being unable to download photos for instance as they'd not know where to find the drive. A Google search shows that 'autoplay' failure seems rather common. I think in my case Tim is probably right about it being caused by my choice of third party software. I'll be sticking to respected downloads.

Yes,I tried the autoplay repair wizard and that doesent work for me either! so I guess Im stuck with it as it is...not a big deal really

[StanleyB]

There is a registry solution provided at http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-hardware/autoplay-windows-7/16e7fd8f-1f27-4a63-aeff-59266b282038

[walpurgis]

Thanks Stan. I'll give it a try!

[walpurgis]

Didn't get far with that. It seems the 'autoplay' is not the only thing not working properly. I entered 'local machine' into the 'search' box and got a big fat nothing! Obviously 'search' is on the blink too and I can't access necessary files. There's a Microsoft patch for that, but it doesn't work either. Bum!!

My replacement HD has arrived, so an O/S reinstall will happen over Christmas. Hopefully glitch free.

[Tim]

Don't take this the wrong way Geoff, but what on earth do you do to your computers :scratch:

Maybe a MAC might be more up your street?

[walpurgis]

Don't take this the wrong way Geoff, but what on earth do you do to your computers :scratch:

Maybe a MAC might be more up your street?

Hi Tim, you sussed me out.

Yes I admit to often poking about on the PC and not necessarily knowing quite what's going to happen. But you don't learn unless you try and I have actually picked up quite a lot seeing as I've never been shown how to use or work on a computer. Still learning though. Haven't blown one up yet! :)

No MACs thanks. Don't wear one or want to use one. Might have another bash at a Linux distro though.

[Tim]

Hi Tim, you sussed me out.
Yes I admit to often poking about on the PC and not necessarily knowing quite what's going to happen.
Well that's a fair and honest reply ;)

[walpurgis]

Is anybody using 'Spark' browser? I've tried it and it looks great and works better than any other browser I've tried. But, and it's a big but. My spyware catcher identiofies it as malware, so I've unistalled it pending a bit of Googling to find out what that's all about.

In case you're wondering, I've been using Spyware Expert for years and it seems to catch nasties that the more well known spyware catchers miss (Adaware, Spybot, etc.). MSE doesn't catch these either.

[Tim]

OK, now I know why you always have some 'teething' issues with your computers Geoff. You are a tinkerer ;)

[walpurgis]

Better than staying a computer 'dummy' Tim.

I'll just keep having a bash at whatever and hopefully end up getting the whole picture. I'm self taught in just about everything. That includes Hi-Fi, photography, mechanics, basic electronics and anything else I've found a need to learn about. Life is a learning curve and just when you've mastered enough to have invaluable knowledge, you pop your clogs! :)

[walpurgis]

Any Windows XP dinosaurs out there? This is interesting:

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/download-windows-xp-for-free-and-legally-straight-from-microsoft-si/

[walpurgis]

I've now had three instances of the Windows 'autoplay' facility packing up for no apparent reason.

Sussed it out, the culprit is found! I'd done a clean install of Windows 7 (again), checked that 'autoplay' was working and installed the Xyvos behaviour based antivirus which I'd been using on all my computers for the last few years. This is is a small, low resource package that is intended to run alongside conventional A/V apps. Xyvos was the first bit of third party software I loaded this time and as soon as it was on the PC, I checked the 'autoplay' function. It was dead!! Couldn't get it working again, so another half an hour or more reinstalling Win 7 (yet again) and everything's OK now. Phew!

My PC security now consists of AVG Free which I insist on having, as it has a very effective 'linkscanner' that catches stuff other A/Vs seem to miss. Alongside that I've got SecureAPlus 'whitelist' security and Windows Defender to keep the bugs at bay. I'll probably use Spyware Expert for scans, as I've run it for years and it is a powerful bug hunter. I intend to keep this and other maintenance software on a memory stick just for when it's needed, so I don't clutter the computer.

[walpurgis]

What a relief. Everything is running spot on now. I've even got the boot time down to 57 secs. Not bad. This was an extensive period of disaster sorting. I'll be OK for a while now. I'll probably cock it all up again sooner or later though.

[Tim]

I'll probably cock it all up again sooner or later though.
I would happily bet my no claims bonus on that Geoff ;)

[walpurgis]

Seems I spoke too soon. PC was Infected by a nasty little bug last night whilst browsing sites for TV remote controls of all things. The bug locked my PC and put a file opening shortcut on the taskbar. No way was I going to open that. MSE caught it and claimed to be dealing, but after a reboot it was still there, my antispyware app failed to clear it and in the end I had to start in safe mode and do a system restore to get rid of it. It must be a new bug as I can't find a reference to it. McAfee and Bitdefender sites don't list it. Back to normal now (hopefully).

I switched from AVG to MSE a couple of days ago, to avoid needing to manually update. I've retained the AVG Linkscanner, as it works. Following yesterday's problems I've added Threatfire A/V, which is behaviour based and designed to run alongside main A/V apps. It is low on system resource demands, so should not slow things down. I've used it before with no bother. I've also reinstalled SecureAPlus whitelisting. Get past that lot you nasty little infections! :)

[StanleyB]

Get Winpatrol to guard against trojans etc attaching themselves to the auto start up. But why you need a remote control for that blow up doll :D?

[walpurgis]

Knew I could rely on you Stan (cheeky git ;)). I was using WinPatrol, but did not install it on this Windows setup. Perhaps I will. Cheers.

[Tim]

:lol: Geoff you crack me up. Happy New Year fella and good luck with your 2014 computing ;)

[walpurgis]

:lol: Geoff you crack me up. Happy New Year fella and good luck with your 2014 computing ;)

And Happy New Year to you too Tim! :)

Yes I look forward to much more tinkering and probably buggering things up again. Trouble is I can't resist the challenge and a PC is like a big box of complicated toys to me :eyebrows: