I can't run some .exe files!

[PAB]

Good afternoon,

I have created a customized Win Vista Ultimate installation ISO using vLite. It installs and runs fine.
I have updated the OS with all the WU's.
I created a batch file in the system32 folder and put a shortcut on the desktop which runs fine, so I know that the .bat files work OK.
I can install previous versions of some software, and I can even install some current versions of software. If I double click the .exe file I get the run box, then after clicking run I sometimes get Runtime Error (at -1:0): Cannot import EXPANDCONSTANT [this runs OK on another computer from the same .exe file] OR, nothing happens at all. I can however run the .exe files from an elevated command prompt!

I have tried several options including Can't open .EXE files in Windows 7 or Windows Vista.

Has anyone got any ideas please!

 

[wither 3]

Which .exe file are you trying to run?

First thing I would do is do is go to Start, Programs, Accessories. Right click on Command Prompt and select "Run as Administrator."

Type in SFC /Scannow. Let it run. If it finds and fixes any problems, reboot and run it again to make sure it doesn't find any other problems.

 

[townsbg]

No telling what was left out with your customized install. If I where you I'd reinstall with a full disk.

 

[PAB]

Hi townsbg, thanks for the reply, it is appreciated.

I am only really going to be using the laptop for the Internet etc and as a testing machine. Everything works fine and as I want it to. The strange thing is that some .exe programs run when double-clicking them and some don't and have to be run in an elevated command prompt. It also appears that a new version of some software won't run but an earlier version does.

I have administrator rights and have amended the registry as per M$'s recommendations with regard to changing HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe to exefile, etc changing HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exefile to "%1" %, HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exefile\shell\open to "%1" %.

I have run the official .exe fix etc, all to no avail.

As I said previously, some .exe programs run when double-clicking them and some don't and have to be run in an elevated command prompt and new versions of some software won't run but an earlier version do. All WU's are done etc.

I have a list of what has been removed and nothing there seems to stick out as being the cause!

Thanks in advance,

 

[PAB]

Hi wither 3, thanks for the reply, it is appreciated.

Which .exe file are you trying to run?

First thing I would do is do is go to Start, Programs, Accessories. Right click on Command Prompt and select "Run as Administrator."

Type in SFC /Scannow. Let it run. If it finds and fixes any problems, reboot and run it again to make sure it doesn't find any other problems.

I ran sfc /scannow as soon as I found a problem with the .exe files. There were many problems, some were fixed and some were not. I expected this anyway as this is a customized install which doesn't contain all the features, components etc because they have been excluded form the install.wim on installation of the OS.

 

[wither 3]

It would be interesting to know which problems couldn't be fixed.

I have to agree with townsbg.

Which version of C++ do you have installed? Also, what is the latest Vista update you have installed?

 

[PAB]

Hi wither 3,

It would be interesting to know which problems couldn't be fixed.

I have to agree with townsbg.

Which version of C++ do you have installed? Also, what is the latest Vista update you have installed?

I am just reinstalling the OS. It will only take 15 minutes as the ISO is about 680 MB [4.73 GB installed].

I will run and post the CBS log on completetion for you to have a look at!

As far as the updates were concerned on my last test, they were upto the very last update issued by M$, excluding the updates for Table PC, Windows Fax Cover Page Editor, Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 7, Windows DVD Maker and Remote Desktop Connection.

Thanks.

 

[PAB]

Here is the CBS log [please remember it is from a customized install.wim file] =>

 

[Vistaar]

Your previous thread suggests that your processor does not support the SSE2 instruction set (thanks to a perceptive reply from @erpster4), assuming this is the same laptop. That might explain why some exe files work (e.g. Chrome 34), while others that support Vista but use SSE2 instructions (e.g. Chrome 49) do not work. What model is your processor? (Control Panel > System, or Computer > System properties.) If that is your problem, solutions are (1) buy a new computer or (2) find the last versions of desired software that worked with SSE1.

 

[PAB]

Hi Vistaar,

Your previous thread suggests that your processor does not support the SSE2 instruction set (thanks to a perceptive reply from @erpster4), assuming this is the same laptop. That might explain why some exe files work (e.g. Chrome 34), while others that support Vista but use SSE2 instructions (e.g. Chrome 49) do not work. What model is your processor? (Control Panel > System, or Computer > System properties.) If that is your problem, solutions are (1) buy a new computer or (2) find the last versions of desired software that worked with SSE1.

No this is not the same laptop.

The .exe files that I am talking about are .exe files that run without any problems on another computer [and this computer when I restore the AOMEI image back to the original OS] directly from the desktop for example without any Internet connection.

My processor is an Intel(R) Celeron(R) M CPU 430 @ 1.73GHz.

It is definately something to do with the customization. I just thought that there would be a fix for this!

I actually removed IE7 from the install.wim.

Thanks in advance.

 

[townsbg]

I agree that it has something to do with your customized install. Possibly IE7 considering how integrated it is into the OS. That's the issue with customized installs. If you leave out something crucial it could lead to issues later. You shouldn't have these kinds of issues on a fresh build. Interestingly enough when I googled that error all I found where issues that are related to installing games. Are you getting this when trying to install games?

 

[PAB]

Hi townsbg,

I agree that it has something to do with your customized install. Possibly IE7 considering how integrated it is into the OS. That's the issue with customized installs. If you leave out something crucial it could lead to issues later. You shouldn't have these kinds of issues on a fresh build. Interestingly enough when I googled that error all I found where issues that are related to installing games. Are you getting this when trying to install games?

Installing .exe programs from the desktop for example without being connected to the Internet isn't usually a problem.

I don't install or play games so I can't answer that question.

It is strange that in some instances, earlier versions of some programs install and the newer versions don't, or the fact that they install in an elevated command prompt!

 

[PAB]

I am still mucking around with this!

I thought I would give this one last go!

I customised a Win Vista Ultimate SP2 ISO using vLite and took out the following:

Accessories Removed:

Accessibility.
Games [ALL]
Mobility Centre.
Speech Support.
Welcome Centre.

Drivers Removed:

Diva Server.
Modems.
Printers.
Scanners.
TV Tuners.

Hardware Support Removed:

Fax Support.
Floppy Disk Support.
Infrared Support.
Modem Support.
Printer Support.
Smartcards.
TV Tuner Support.
Windows Image Acquisition.
Windows Mobile Device Centre.
Windows Portable Devices.
XBOX 360 Controller.

Multimedia Removed:

Intel Indeo.
Media Centre.
Movie and DVD Maker.
Music and Video samples.
Sample Pictures.
Slide Show.
Sound Recorder.
Windows Calendar.
Windows Media Player.
Windows Photo Gallery.

Network Removed:

Connect to a Network Projector.
Distributed File System [DFS].
File and printer sharing [Server].
Internet Explorer.
Internet Information Services [IIS].
Remote Desktop and Assistance.
Remote Desktop Client.
Telnet Client.
Telnet Server.
TFTP Client.
Windows Collaboration.
Windows Mail.

Services Removed:

Error Reporting.
Microsoft DFS Replication.
Offline Files.
Quality Windows Audio Video Experience.
Remote Access Auto Connection Manager.
Remote Access Connection Manager.
Remote Registry.
Routing and Remote Access.
Secondary Login.
Telephony.
Windows Remote Management.

System Removed:

Guided Help.
Help.
Jet Database Engine.
Malicious Software Removal Tool.
Natural Language.
Parental Controls.
Remote Differential Compression.
Security Centre.
Software Quality Management [SQM].
Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications [SUA].
Sync Centre.
Tablet PC.
Windows Backup.
Windows Defender.
Windows Easy Transfer.
Windows Ultimate Extras.

Security Changed:

User Account Control - DISABLED.

System Changed:

Hibernation - OFF.
Power button - SLEEP.
Power scheme - HIGH PERFORMANCE.
Sleep button - SLEEP.

Explorer Changed:

Control Panel - Classic View - ENABLED.
Show hidden file and folders - YES.

Everything works OK except I can't run some newer software .exe files but I can run older software .exe files.
The .exe files will not run when double-clicked, but will run from an elevated command prompt [but still only the older versions and not the newer versions].
Is there anything that sticks out from above that has been taken out that should have been left in that will resolve this please?
All WU's are upto date.
Obviously I can't run SFC because of the customisation.

I sometimes get Runtime Error (at -1:0): Cannot import EXPANDCONSTANT or a memory error!

It is not a big problem because this laptop is only used for the Internet using Google Chrome and Firefox [the last and latest versions available for Win Vista] as Internet Explorer has been removed in the customisation.

Thanks in advance.

 

[wither 3]

You did all that and it seems that nothing has changed and you're still getting runtime errors and memory errors.

I asked long ago, which version of C++ do you have installed? Also, what version of .net framework do you have installed?

 

[PAB]

Hi wither 3,

I have all the .NET Frameworks installed.
However, there doesn't appear to be any C++ Redistributables [Programs & Features].
Which ones would I need and where is the best place to get them for Win Vista SP2 please?

Thanks in advance.

 

[wither 3]

I don't know what "all" the .net framework means. v4.5.2 should be sufficient.

The C++ version depends on which software you have installed that uses it.

I suggest v2015-14.0.24215 which you can get here-

Download Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable Update 3 RC from Official Microsoft Download Center

Of course, if you have a 64 bit system, you would want the 64 bit version. Elsewise the x86 version.

 

[PAB]

Hi wither 3,

.NET Frameworks installed are 1.0, 2.0.50727, 3.0, 3.5 SP1, 4.0, 4.5.2. Basically all .NET Frameworks from WU.

C++ Redistributable 2015 installed OK but made no difference!

I have also downloaded and installed:-

C++ 2005
C++ 2008
C++ 2010
C++ 2015 Update 3 RC [above]
C++ 2012 Update 4
C++ 2013 Update 5

None of which has made a difference, even after a restart!

One of the programs, AOMEI Backupper Standard Edition, when I click run it gives me the message This program requires Windows NT version 5.0 or later or Runtime Error (at -1:0): Cannot import EXPANDCONSTANT.

Thanks in advance.

 

[townsbg]

Internet explorer is so deeply integrated you really need to have it on.

 

[PAB]

Hi townsbg,

Internet explorer is so deeply integrated you really need to have it on.

OK, what I will do this morning is re-establish IE in the customisation and see if that corrects the issue!

 

[PAB]

OK. I created a new installation media that included IE. Nothing has changed so we can rule out IE as being the problem!