SP1 Woes

[The Green Bean]

I just updated Win 7 to SP1 and now Java doesn't work. It crashes every time. I tried reinstalling but doesn't work. I can't even system restore because it says C:/ has errors. The problem with the disk is an old (pre-SP1) problem; whenever I start my computer the "C:// needs to be checked for errors" screen pops up. It gets stuck there and nothing happens. I have to hard reset and skip disk checking.

In essence there might be two problems here. I do not want to format my disk. Any suggestions?

 

[Veliko]

Personally I wouldn't ever install an OS service pack separately - I would always streamline it and then do a fresh install.

 

[MrChad]

The disk issue is definitely worrisome. I'm assuming Java worked prior to SP1. Are you using the 32-bit or 64-bit plugin?

 

[Schadenfroh]

I can't even system restore because it says C:/ has errors. The problem with the disk is an old (pre-SP1) problem; whenever I start my computer the "C:// needs to be checked for errors" screen pops up. It gets stuck there and nothing happens. I have to hard reset and skip disk checking.

TGB, sounds like your Windows 7 install might be corrupted.
I would run an sfc scan:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/139810-sfc-scannow-run-command-prompt-boot.html

This corruption might be caused by bad memory, I would leave memtestx86+ running on it for a couple of hours to see if your ram is bad (there should be zero errors). My system started doing odd stuff like that when I had a stick go bad on me (likely corrupted an update at some point).

Also, use a diagnostic tool on that hard drive to see if it is causing errors.

Personally I wouldn't ever install an OS service pack separately - I would always streamline it and then do a fresh install.

This service pack is mainly just previously released updates packaged together in an installer, odds are, if you have an up-to-date Windows 7 machine (minus sp1), you basically are running sp1.

Wish Microsoft allowed slipstreaming in Vista and 7 like they did in XP

 

[The Green Bean]

The disk issue is definitely worrisome. I'm assuming Java worked prior to SP1. Are you using the 32-bit or 64-bit plugin?

32 bit... I can't even open the java settings from the control panel.

 

[owensdj]

Most likely the issue with your disk is also causing your Java problem. When you're having an issue that severe it's a bit silly to blame it on a Service Pack.

Try running your hard drive manufacturer's diagnostic software on your hard drive.

 

[The Green Bean]

I've tested my drive using SeaTools for Windows and it shows everything is working fine...

 

[buckjrdley]

What kind of system are you running? (specs??)

 

[The Green Bean]

I just installed the x64 version of Java and everything seems to work fine now. Thanks to MrChad. Now to work on the Disk errors... I'm going to follow Schadenfroh's advice and report back.

 

[The Green Bean]

What kind of system are you running? (specs??)

It's a Core i5 Vaio laptop.

Edit: Now GOM player won't start... :s

 

[buckjrdley]

Fun trick to test your RAM:
If you feel like getting down and dirty (not really though cause its just RAM...), since most modern laptops now come with gratuitous amounts of RAM, remove only one of the RAM modules and run your machine on just that. If the computer behaves, congrats, you've chosen wisely. If the issue continues, try reinstalling the module and pulling the second one out, then run the machine again.

*you shouldn't do this if you don't have enough RAM to run the machine on one module (obviously)

If the problem continues, You should still test your memory with software.
Keep in mind that many laptops have a tendency to fatigue components (particularly HDD's) because of poor ventilation. I've seen way too many failed HDD's in laptops...
It sounds like some sort of hardware issue, but you should still backup your files and resort to factory settings and wait to see if the issue arises once again (I know its a pain...).

 

[The Green Bean]

I don't usually turn my computer off and today when I came home, Windows was stuck at the login screen. I had to hard reset but it wouldn't boot. I booted in the recovery partition and repaired my disk and it found an error in the MB record. It fixed it and everything seems to be running fine. I remember back in the Win98 days, something like this would have needed a format--we have come quite far from those days.

 

[MrChad]

I don't usually turn my computer off and today when I came home, Windows was stuck at the login screen. I had to hard reset but it wouldn't boot. I booted in the recovery partition and repaired my disk and it found an error in the MB record. It fixed it and everything seems to be running fine. I remember back in the Win98 days, something like this would have needed a format--we have come quite far from those days.

I would back up critical files off of that drive; it sounds like its on the road to failure soon.

 

[Nothinman]

Definitely sounds like a hardware issue. If you can get back into Windows do you see anything bad in the System eventlogs?

 

[The Green Bean]

I would back up critical files off of that drive; it sounds like its on the road to failure soon.

Thanks for the advice.

I'm thinking of buying an online service for backing up my pictures. About 10GBs so far; any suggestions? It'll probably take a lifetime to upload though--I only have 384 upload.