Need help figuring out Win7 problem after update

[Aethred]

Hi!

My PC suddenly had issues getting past the boot screen. It would just get stuck before getting to the login page. After a few dozen reboots where I’d let it keep booting for an hour each, it finally got to the point where it downloaded and installed Windows Updates for three reboots, after which I did manage to login.

Upon login, I quickly realised that my W7 session was very different from what I originally had:

-The Aero theme, backgrounds and changes I had made in personalization had all been set back to default.

-I could no longer access my Desktop, instead getting the message “Location is not available C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop refers to a location that is unavailable. It could be on a hard drive on this computer or on a network. Check to make sure that the disk is properly inserted, or that you are connected to the Internet or your network and then try again. If it still cannot be located, the information might have been moved to a different location.”

-I could no longer access my default Downloads folder, getting the message “Explorer.exe This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Please install a program or, if one is already installed, create an association in the Default Programs control panel.”

-Could not make any kind of Search from the Start menu. Any term queried would get the message "Windows cannot find ‘search:query=whateverisearched’. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.

-Can’t find CMD in Start bar, can only launch it through ‘New Task’ in Task Manager and not as Admin.

-Trying to run many System tools like services.msc or System restore would always get the message “C:\Windows\system32\whateveriasked The dependency service or group failed to start”

I’ve been googling my problem for a while but can’t seem to find the right search terms to see if anyone has encountered the same issues. Can anyone here help me fix my PC? I’ve got a week before I get access to another PC that would let me make the tools required to reinstall W7 but I’d like to see if I can avoid resorting to that.

I apologize in advance if I didn’t format my post correctly and will try to provide as much information as required.

Some information on my system that I got off dxdiag:

Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_ldr_escrow.181228-0954)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Acer
System Model: Aspire X1301
BIOS: )Phoenix - Award WorkstationBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon™ II X2 215 Processor (2 CPUs), ~2.7GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 4094MB RAM
Page File: 3771MB used, 4415MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce G210
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce G210
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A60&SUBSYS_2180174B&REV_A2
Display Memory: 2257 MB
Dedicated Memory: 466 MB
Shared Memory: 1791 MB

[veeg]

Hello

Do you know what update it was?

@Malnutrition @phillpower2 @Bruce

[Bruce]

Have you tried booting into Safe Mode and doing some debug work from there?
What about using Restore Points?
But for me, with all the errors, I’d be jumping straight to either a repair reinstall or a fresh reinstall.
It could be an update or equally could be the drive, corrupted user profile, or something else.
Bite the bullet and reload Windows.
And would that be a good time to put Win10 on???

[jmarket]

And would that be a good time to put Win10 on???

Yup. Windows 7 end-of-life is in less than 1 year. It’s time for everyone to abandon it.

[jmarket]

Providing your hardware supports windows 10 of course? The Acer website only lists support for Windows 7 drivers for the model you list. Doesn’t mean it wont be fine with 10 but sometimes these manufacturers make life a little difficult?

Also Windows 10 with 4GB ram is hardly going to be a rocket ship.

[Aethred]

Hello

Do you know what update it was?

@Malnutrition @phillpower2 @Bruce

No, where could I check for that information?

Have you tried booting into Safe Mode and doing some debug work from there?
What about using Restore Points?
But for me, with all the errors, I’d be jumping straight to either a repair reinstall or a fresh reinstall.
It could be an update or equally could be the drive, corrupted user profile, or something else.
Bite the bullet and reload Windows.
And would that be a good time to put Win10 on???

I can’t seem to get into Safe Mode, I’ll try again tomorrow when I’m free, what do you suggest I do if I’m able to? I can’t access Restore Points, it just gives me the ‘dependency or service group failed to start’
I’d like to run W10 but I lack a license and this PC only has 4 gigs of RAM so I’m worried it might be way too laggy. I plan on switching to Linux once I understand how to run all my usual programs on there.

Thanks for your help all, sorry I’m having trouble answering quickly as I’m pretty dependent on neighbour lending wifi haha…

[Bruce]

your Win7 entitles you to a free digital license for Win10.
4GB’s will run Win10 fine - yes, more is better, but you don’t have more.
and Gus is right, it won’t be a rocket, but it won’t be a snail either. in fact I doubt you’ll see any performance loss to what you are currently seeing with your Win7.
your whole system is old as far as PC architecture goes, and Yes, drivers may be an issue but Win10 more often than not, just gets it done for you.
as to Linux, yeah, I’d be hesitant on that front. the last time I tried, about 18 months ago, with a distro called Elementary (or something like that) it got all the drivers for wifi and printers OK but still had issues getting Linux versions of software I wanted.
but have to admit, the distros have come a long way.

[Aethred]

your Win7 entitles you to a free digital license for Win10.
4GB’s will run Win10 fine - yes, more is better, but you don’t have more.
and Gus is right, it won’t be a rocket, but it won’t be a snail either. in fact I doubt you’ll see any performance loss to what you are currently seeing with your Win7.
your whole system is old as far as PC architecture goes, and Yes, drivers may be an issue but Win10 more often than not, just gets it done for you.
as to Linux, yeah, I’d be hesitant on that front. the last time I tried, about 18 months ago, with a distro called Elementary (or something like that) it got all the drivers for wifi and printers OK but still had issues getting Linux versions of software I wanted.
but have to admit, the distros have come a long way.

I was not aware there was a free pass from w7 to 10, thanks for telling me about that! I’ll seriously be considering that. I think I’ll just backup and reinstall for now, but I was curious as to what the error messages meant, particularly the ‘services or dependency group failed to launch’ one. Every Google search I’ve done points to some issues with the Network Center but obviously the problem is more widespread than that as the error message pops up for pretty much all Windows tools I try to use. It’s a bit frustrating not to figure out what went wrong haha.

I was planning on putting Linux on a small, cheap laptop someone will give me in the future and am just looking for basic functions (Word Processor, Navigator, VLC etc), so more like a budget tablet with a keyboard.

[veeg]

Any updates?

[phillpower2]

Any update for us? This thread will be closed if not replied to within 48hrs.