MS Games in Vista Ultimate won't run

[LohneB]

Hi-
I am using Vista Ultima-64 on a laptop, and it contains 9 Microsoft games like Chess, Solitare, Spider Solitaire, Hearts, etc. At times, all the games seem to function normally, however, at the current time, only one game will load and run - Inkball. I occasionally like to play Solitaire and Mahjong, but neither currently works. Watching the processes in the Task Manager shows the job loading, but then immediately unloads. Any suggestions or ideas on how this can be fixed so that all games function normally??

Thanks,
Bill

Bill
ab-web-design

 

[BadBigBen]

Now that is a new one to me, but it sounds kinda like a malware problem, so I would suggest you download MBAM and run a full scan...

MalwareBytes AntiMalware

http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

also do a scan with your AntiViral solution and Windows Defender...



Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[LohneB]

Thanks Ben - I'll give that a try. Never used MBAM before. Will let you know if that fixes the problem.

Bill

Bill
ab-web-design

 

[linney]

Do the Games play from Safe Mode, or from Normal Mode if you try a different user?

You could try uninstalling the Games via Programs and Features/ Turn Windows Features on or off. Removing the ticks, and pressing OK should remove them. Reverse the procedure to install them again.

Is it the Shortcuts that you are using, do you have the same problem if you click on the actual .exe?

How to repair the operating system and how to restore the operating system configuration to an earlier point in time in Windows Vista

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936212/#appliesto

 

[LohneB]

OK Ben and linney - I checked for maleware - found two files and deleted them. Trying to run the executable an a different user didn't work. Trying to run in safe mode - couldn't as I received a message that it wasn't allowed. The only thing I haven't tried so far - uninstall and re-install. Will try that later thin evening or tomorrow.

Thanks for the help!


Bill
ab-web-design

 

[LohneB]

Uninstalling and re-installing did NOT solve the problem either. Hummmm. Don't know what to do next. Any other ideas?? Anyone? Thanks....



Bill
ab-web-design

 

[linney]

See if you can copy the .exe from another machine (Vista)and paste them into the folder where they live on your machine.

Did you try this?

How to repair the operating system and how to restore the operating system configuration to an earlier point in time in Windows Vista

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936212/#appliesto

310560 - How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310560

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/929135

 

[BadBigBen]

It sounds like something is either missing or is corrupted, the SFC (system file checker) command may solve the problem, or at least will take the system files out of the equation...

The SFC utility allows administrators to perform a scan of all protected resources to verify that they are the correct version. If SFC should find any incorrect versions in any of these protected resources, SFC will replace them with the correct versions.

Here's how to use the System File Checker:

1. Click the Windows button>> All Programs>> Accessories.
2. Right click the Command Prompt option and then select "Run as administrator" from the resulting menu.
3. With the Command Prompt window showing, type in: sfc /scannow [Enter]
4. You will now receive a message that states the scan will now begin. If SFC should find any rogue files that need to be replaced, you may be asked to insert your Windows CD. If the SFC scans without finding any problems, you will receive the following message: "Windows resource protection did not find any integrity violations".
5. Close the command prompt window.

source: Support4Vista



Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[LohneB]

Thanks Ben. Will try your suggestion. Only problem I may have - I moved recently and have about a hundred packed boxes - one of them contains my Windows CD's and DVD's, but finding it may be a problem. (Don't want to unpack everything as I will be moving again to a permanent apartment when my son and I finish it.)

Let you know what happens!

Bill
ab-web-design

 

[Hawarden]

I have exactly the same problem on Vista Home Premium,originally I thought I had a graphics problem which I posted on this website.I downloaded an updated driver and it fixed the problem for about a month.Now I have the same problem as LohneB,only Inkball wil run ,and I have tried all the suggestions in this forum, Alan

 

[LohneB]

Hawarden - and others -

I still have the problem with trying to start the games 'normally' - by clicking on the executable in the menu. I tried something else however, and it seems to work. I just do a search for 'solitaire' for example, and when search finds it, I double click it, and the game loads and functions correctly. Even the statistics are correct - somehow kept everything for the past year or so. Give that a try and let me know if that works for you!


Bill
ab-web-design

 

[linney]

Vista games - no file associated
thread1583-1404277

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right-click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking. Try it first by not checking either box (Read-only mode) to see if it flags any hard drive or file problems. If it does, start by ticking both boxes, in any further rerun.

If the problem is of such an annoyance that you feel a repair of the whole operating system is justified then see this article.

How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

 

[LohneB]

Thanks linney!

Bill
ab-web-design

 

[linney]

It is a worry that such a number of people seem to have problems with those half dozen or so Games, they seem to be prone to trouble. Maybe it is the way that the Games Explorer folder works that is causing these hiccups? It is a bit different to the way other programs and shortcuts work and might benefit from having its' own repair function.

Games Explorer

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/features/games-explorer.aspx

Have a look at this, see what you think, it is not something I have ever used, but if you are desperate it may offer some solution?

Windows Vista Game Explorer Builder

http://www.askvg.com/windows-vista-game-explorer-builder/