Multitude of troubles with 64 bit OS

Question

Hello - just looking for any guidance to help with a variety of issues.

1. I am running the 64 bit Vista OS - and for the past several months have only been able to get connected to the internet using a 64 bit browser. no 32 bit solutions will work. but ie64 bit does not support flash, and has a host of other complications as well. Any thoughts on this? I've tried resetting to the earliest possible reset date short of a factory setting reset, but no luck. not sure what the issue is, but it's hurting functionality.

2. I play online games often, and had no issues with the network, router, etc. with my Dell Dimension running XP. But, the games have never loaded properly in Vista (but they did on my Vista laptop.. ). I keep getting various errors from the system saying I need to load shaders, etc. Once on an earlier installation attempt, the game would load well, but would never allow a connection to the internet to allow me to find other gaming servers. I disabled windows firewall, uninstalled Norton, still no luck. Any gamers have any tips?

3. last resort option - i was going to install XP and uninstall vista. but, in working with dell hardware support at the request of on-call support, they told me i could not do that with out an a: drive - a 3.5" floppy!! When was the last one of those installed?? I scavanged one in the hopes I could use it to load SATA drivers onto it, because the tech rep told me this was the only way the XPS could find those drivers? Huh? what about the DVD-ROM or an external drive? seems like it would be unusual for a newer system to not be able to source these from someplace it DOES have rather than someplace it DOESN'T.

Help is GREATLY appreciated.

PudgyOne · Answer

notavistafan,

You can install Flash Player for Internet Explorer(32-bit).

Type start, search type internet. You see a few versions of Internet Explorer. Use the version that does not have 64-bit after it. You can go to Adobe Get Flash Player and install it from their website. Also download Shockwave Player, needed to run some games.

Adobe Test Shockwave and Flash Players

Did you try using Mozilla Firefox? If you need to use ActiveX, you can use IE Tab :: Firefox Add-ons and then Mozilla Firefox will work like Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox use different versions of flash player, so you'll need to get Flash Player using Mozilla Firefox, it you decide to use it.

Dell has a Gaming Forum. They might be able to answer any questions there.

Rick

notavistafan · Answer

Thanks Rick.

I've tried all the non 64 bit browsers - none will connect to the internet. only the 64 bit IE7 does. Not sure why. On-call has not been able to get me connected to a 32 bit either. It's funny - I get to the support site, download the remote assistance program, and the thing just initializes until it times out. Even when I get to the Dell self-diagnostic website, it shows me not connected to the internet.. go figure. If I'm not connected, how'd I get there? Basically, the 64 bit isn't allowing any external connections?

I'll also try the gaming forums. Thanks for that tip, but I have a feeling that until I downgrade to XP I might be out of luck. Vista just isn't all it's cracked up to be for me...

Cheers

PudgyOne · Answer

notavistafan,

Open the 32-bit version of Internet Explorer. Click on tools, manage add-ons, enable or disable add-ons. Disable all the add-ons, then close Internet Explorer. Wait 30 seconds and open Internet Explorer.

What happens?

Rick

notavistafan · Answer

Hi Rick, Done - disabled all add-ons in all categories. I continue to get the message "internet explorer cannot display the web page" It gives the most likely causes:

You are not connected to the Internet.
The website is encountering problems.
There might be a typing error in the address
But, I'm connected all the while on the 64 bit browser. Same trouble we had with the support.dell.com/dc2 and dc3 portal attempts.

But, that was a completely new angle I'd not yet tried. Thanks!

PudgyOne · Answer

notavistafan,   Not sure if this will work but try running IEFix and see if it corrects it. Were you using any type of peer to peer programs or bittorrents?   Did Mozilla Firefox work?     Rick

PudgyOne · Answer

notavistafan,

First, let's start by powering everything off. Your isp modem/router, wireless router, if any, for 30 seconds, then power on the ISP modem/router first, then the Wireless router.

Restart your computer. Now try connecting. Any difference?

Try using WinSock XP Fix, I know it works on Vista, not sure about 64-bit.

notavistafan · Answer

No luck. I had tried to install a VPN which I've since uninstalled. (it never worked in the 64 bit browser anyway). I also tried to install Xfire - kind of a peer to peer, but that's it. Xfire never installed correctly either - it has the same troubles as the Dell remote host and the multiplayer server log for EA's Battlefield series. No luck in getting to an external server.

Again - something I had not been asked to try, so thank you!

and no - Mozilla doesn't work, and i tried getting Google Chrome - it doesn't work either.

b rgds

Pat Fries · Answer

Which version of IE are you running? IE 7 never ran right on my X64 vista install  IE 8 32 bit has done fine.

notavistafan · Answer

I'm running IE8 now in 64 bit. Again, the main deal here is that NO 32 bit browsers are able to connect to the internet on my machine. Have tried them all. Even the Dell self-support page - I open it, and it tries to assess the issue, and it says I'm not connected to the internet, but I am - otherwise I'd not have been able to get to THAT site..lol

I am wondering if because of this issue I can get a Dell service call to re-install my OS as XP. I've got a great hardware warranty with on-site service, and have bought the new OEM disk for XP. This is really starting to be an issue.

thanks for all the suggestions. But, still stuck...

Cheers

PudgyOne · Answer

notavistafan,   What type of virus protection are you using?   What firewall are you using?     Rick

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Multitude of troubles with 64 bit OS

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