Computer Hope

Software => Computer software => Topic started by: ravendj on October 02, 2006, 07:57:30 AM

Title: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 02, 2006, 07:57:30 AM
 :exclamation

I can't seem to install anything from the internet.

I use iTunes and was prompted to install version 7 so I click the link and try to install then it says that the file is not a valid Win32 application.

I have had no previous trouble installing programs from the internet but now everything I try does not work. Not just iTunes, any program I download and then try to install does not install.

I read other places and it suggests that I try and registry cleaner but this has not helped at all.

Could anyone please advise me what to do. Other PCs in my house have no problem installing from the internet why can't my PC do the same?!!!

Help!!!
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: Dilbert on October 02, 2006, 08:22:55 AM
You know, the same darned thing happened to me, only it was a .95 GB file. Not my idea of fun. I feel your pain. :'(

Just to be absolutely sure, this download won't work?

http://appldnld.apple.com.edgesuite.net/content.info.apple.com/iTunes7/Win/061-2768.20060926.tnwN1/iTunesSetup.exe

Our ComputerHope records say that the download may be corrupted during the transfer. If this is happening all the time, and only on your PC, there may be a problem at your end.

How do you connect to the internet? (Router, just a modem, etc.)

Do you have dial-up, DSL, or cable?

It seems like the connection is getting interrupted somewhere.
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 02, 2006, 12:32:15 PM
I tried that link but it still says the same thing.

I connect to the internet with a router, all 5 PCs in our house connect via the same router. I have not had this problem before, only recently.

And like I said it's with anything I download from the internet.

Any other suggestions you think I could try?

Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: Raptor on October 02, 2006, 02:26:20 PM
What have you done to your system prior to this problem? ('nothing' is not a valid answer)
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 02, 2006, 03:27:34 PM
I've been trying to figure that out myself but can't think. I just use the internet to check emails and browse, I regularly carry out disk cleanup and defrag.

I have tried to install things since last week but  nothing so I was going to do a system restore but it has no bold dates for september and I cannot even go beyond september, I've had this laptop since april and I've been able to restore previous months but now it does not go to any months prior to september.

I've considered doing a system recovery but would rather not do that. So if there is anything I could I would be very very grateful.
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: Raptor on October 02, 2006, 03:31:34 PM
What type of Internet Security do you have installed? Was it up to date?

Can you open programs in safe mode?

Have you tried to load the last known working configuration by pressing F8 before Windows loads?

Have you recently installed any type of AMD 64 bit drivers?
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: unlovedwarrior on October 02, 2006, 03:33:20 PM
is your computer clean of viruses and malware??
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 02, 2006, 04:36:43 PM
I use Norton Internet Security 2005, it came with the laptop. It is up to date, I regularly keep things up to date

I tried doing the last known configuration thing that didn't change anything.

I booted in safe mode, I wasn't able to get online, and I wasn't able to install either.

I not aware of installing any AMD 64bit drivers.

Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 02, 2006, 04:37:25 PM
As far as I am aware my laptop is clean of viruses and malware
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: unlovedwarrior on October 02, 2006, 04:41:37 PM
can you go to another computer and dl ewido spybot adaware windows defender and Ccleaner and highjack this

install them and boot into safe mode with networking and update them if you cant in normal mode and do all of the scans
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: Raptor on October 02, 2006, 11:50:35 PM
Quote
I use Norton Internet Security 2005, it came with the laptop. It is up to date, I regularly keep things up to date

I tried doing the last known configuration thing that didn't change anything.

I booted in safe mode, I wasn't able to get online, and I wasn't able to install either.

I not aware of installing any AMD 64bit drivers.



Safe mode gave the same type of error?

Try a Windows XP repair installation as described Here(Click) (http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm)
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 03, 2006, 12:46:26 PM
I do not have a CD that came with the laptop.

I was prompted to make a system recovery disk using Norton Ghost when I first used the PC. Could I use this?
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: unlovedwarrior on October 03, 2006, 12:49:55 PM
when your starting your computer up berfore windows boots press f11 i think to activate ghost restore but im not sure on the button some one else might know

but then you can restore to an earlier date like when it came out of the box
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: Raptor on October 03, 2006, 01:11:30 PM
Quote
when your starting your computer up berfore windows boots press f11 i think to activate ghost restore but im not sure on the button some one else might know

but then you can restore to an earlier date like when it came out of the box

What makes you think Ghost is installed?  :-?
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: unlovedwarrior on October 03, 2006, 01:16:48 PM
Quote
I do not have a CD that came with the laptop.

I was prompted to make a system recovery disk using [highlight]Norton Ghost [/highlight]when I first used the PC. Could I use this?

that
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: patio on October 03, 2006, 02:10:11 PM
Keep in mind that if you use that Ghost image you will lose all data on that machine....it will revert the system back to the time the image was created...are you sure this is what you want to do ? ?

patio,  8-)
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 03, 2006, 02:13:57 PM
I'm currently backing up my important files so that if things go wrong I have my files.

Norton ghost regularly backs up and saves on my D:/ partition and it has quite and handful of images saved would I be able to pick one to restore to?
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: patio on October 03, 2006, 02:22:05 PM
Yes try going back about 2 weeks or so...

patio.  8-)
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 03, 2006, 02:24:50 PM
SO do I boot and press F11 or can I just open one of the images that is saved?
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: patio on October 03, 2006, 02:34:15 PM
They cannot be on the same partition you are trying to restore...
Do you have a Ghost bootdisk ? ?

patio.  8-)
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 03, 2006, 02:42:02 PM
They are saved on another partition on the laptop. I made a boot disk early on when I go the laptop. A good five months ago.

I'm just concerned of losing my files so I'm backing them up first.

Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: unlovedwarrior on October 03, 2006, 02:46:39 PM
read this

http://ghost.radified.com/

maybe this will help
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: Raptor on October 03, 2006, 03:47:10 PM
Quote
Quote
I do not have a CD that came with the laptop.

I was prompted to make a system recovery disk using [highlight]Norton Ghost [/highlight]when I first used the PC. Could I use this?

that

Oh.  8-)
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 04, 2006, 01:16:24 PM
Ok I restored to a previous date using Ghost but it has not fixed the problem, I still get the same message when I try to download anything.

I tried to download windows live messenger, iTunes 7, aim triton but no luck.

What now?!
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: unlovedwarrior on October 04, 2006, 01:37:45 PM
uve backed up your important things right then use ghost to go back to the settings of the computer when you took it out of the box
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: Fed on October 04, 2006, 01:52:50 PM
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000726.htm
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 04, 2006, 06:00:05 PM
Ok now I am really miffed!!!

I just did a complete system recovery with the recovery CD I made when I first got the laptop. It restored everything to factory settings but I still have the same problem. Can't download anything.

Is this crazy or what????

Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: unlovedwarrior on October 04, 2006, 10:53:08 PM
a complete reformat and clean install will fix it
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: patio on October 05, 2006, 02:25:10 PM
How are you connected to the web ? ?

patio.  8-)
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 05, 2006, 03:43:52 PM
wireless router
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 06, 2006, 03:12:14 AM
Ok now I did a complete recovery of the system, a full reformat but I still cannot download and install anything.

What now?!
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: unlovedwarrior on October 06, 2006, 08:46:15 AM
did u try dling some to check
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: GX1_Man on October 06, 2006, 01:06:39 PM
Quote
did u try dling some to check

Ummmm, can we have that in English, please?
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: unlovedwarrior on October 06, 2006, 01:23:19 PM
its warriorism for did you try and download something like itunes or windows updates to make sure that it wasnt just that one .exe file you were trying..



Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 06, 2006, 05:04:47 PM
Yes I have tried to download itunes, windows live messenger, firefox, aim triton. I can download them but they don't install. I can download on other computers in my network no problem, I can then copy them from another PC and install them fine. I just can't install programs that I download on my laptop.
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: GX1_Man on October 06, 2006, 08:40:33 PM
Is this an install from a shiney CD that says Microsoft all over it? Something is amiss here. Are you using the administrator account?
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 07, 2006, 03:50:59 AM
No it's the recovery disk that came with the laptop.

I'm not using the administrator account but my account has administrative rights.

Is there a difference?
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: patio on October 07, 2006, 07:44:44 AM
Yes.

Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 07, 2006, 08:19:10 AM
ok so what do you suggest I do?
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: patio on October 07, 2006, 08:36:25 AM
Contact the Admin of that machine and have them set the permissions for you that will allow installing programs...
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: soybean on October 07, 2006, 09:54:04 AM
Quote
Contact the Admin of that machine and have them set the permissions for you that will allow installing programs...
In other words, contact himself?  Hmmm....
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: Raptor on October 07, 2006, 10:31:33 AM
Quote
Quote
Contact the Admin of that machine and have them set the permissions for you that will allow installing programs...
In other words, contact himself?  Hmmm....

Not all PCs are operated by a single user.  :)
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: soybean on October 07, 2006, 12:18:42 PM
Quote


Not all PCs are operated by a single user.  :)
I know.   ::)  But, he did mention this is a home PC at "his" home.  Sure sounds like he would be the administrator but, yeh, it could be someone else in the household.
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 07, 2006, 01:23:41 PM
I can install programs from CDs and .exe files that have been downloaded from other PCs. What I can do is install programs that I download from the internet. Tells me it's not a valid Win32 application.
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: soybean on October 07, 2006, 01:30:23 PM
Quote
I can install programs from CDs and .exe files that have been downloaded from other PCs. What I can do is install programs that I download from the internet. Tells me it's not a valid Win32 application.
You left out a little 3 letter word in your second sentence, right?
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 07, 2006, 01:43:58 PM
Oh yes!

What I can do is install programs that I download from the internet.

Yes that should say "What I cannot do is install programs ... "
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 07, 2006, 02:04:40 PM
Ok. I've just installed firefox after downloading the .exe file from another PC.

I've just tried to download windows live messenger using the firefox and successfully installed the program.

I could not do this using internet explorer. Would there be something wrong with Internet Explorer I have?
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: Raptor on October 07, 2006, 03:34:07 PM
Quote
Would there be something wrong with Internet Explorer I have?

The better question would be 'Why have I been using this garbage for so long?'

;)

Try the following if you haven't allready:

Reset security zones

1. Start  
2. Settings  
3. Control Panel  
4. Internet Options  
5. Security tab  
6. Reset all 4 security zones to Default  

Reset cookie settings
  
1. Start  
2. Settings  
3. Control Panel  
4. Internet Options  
5. Privacy tab
6. Click Restore Default button  

Reset Internet Explorer advanced settings
  
1. Start  
2. Settings  
3. Control Panel  
4. Internet Options  
5. Advanced button
6. Click Restore Default button  
 
You may need to do the following as well

Remove Cookies, temporary files (cache) and history
  
1. Start  
2. Settings  
3. Control Panel  
4. Internet Options  
5. General tab  
6. Remove cookies, temporary files and history  


Kudos to the CH fella's for keeping it safe.  :D
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 08, 2006, 11:18:33 AM
Well I did what you said for Internet Explorer but it didn't change anything. But at least I can download and install with firefox so I'll be using that from now on.

I was actually using AOL explorer before the problem started, so won't be using that either.

I'd like to thank everyone that helped me. Thank you.

Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: unlovedwarrior on October 08, 2006, 04:56:25 PM
thats ur problem ur using aol  lol
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 08, 2006, 05:30:44 PM
lol

well i'll be changing over soon. going to pipex
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: unlovedwarrior on October 08, 2006, 11:25:31 PM
never heard of it
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: Raptor on October 08, 2006, 11:59:19 PM
Quote
Well I did what you said for Internet Explorer but it didn't change anything. But at least I can download and install with firefox so I'll be using that from now on.

I was actually using AOL explorer before the problem started, so won't be using that either.

I'd like to thank everyone that helped me. Thank you.


Unfortunate, but IE might just start working after a while.

I quit using it completely and -never- have problems with Firefox.
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 09, 2006, 03:08:22 PM
Yeah I think i'll be using firefox from now on. Should have started ages ago.

I've now got CCleaner, AdAware, Spybot. and still use Norton Security. Is there anything else you could recommend I use?
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: Raptor on October 09, 2006, 03:10:48 PM
Quote
Yeah I think i'll be using firefox from now on. Should have started ages ago.

I've now got CCleaner, AdAware, Spybot. and still use Norton Security. Is there anything else you could recommend I use?

I'd prefer AVG Free over Norton, but other than that, you're pretty safe if you keep everything up to date and regularly scan.

You might want to give Windows Defender a shot as well.

Is Spybot still being updated? I recall it lagging behind quite a bit last time I used it..

Oh, and don't forget to get the Noscript extension for Firefox (tools -> Extentions -> More extensions -> Search for Noscript)
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: unlovedwarrior on October 09, 2006, 03:17:37 PM
whats that do?
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: Raptor on October 09, 2006, 03:27:26 PM
Quote
whats that do?

Is your Google button broken?  :D
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 09, 2006, 04:15:53 PM
Ok I installed windows defender and activated noscript. thanks.

i'll check out avg. Norton came with the laptop and expires next year, so i'll see whether i'll continue until expiration or change soon to AVG.

Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: unlovedwarrior on October 09, 2006, 04:18:34 PM
if its free you might as well use it
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 09, 2006, 04:24:09 PM
yes probably the best option for now
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: Raptor on October 09, 2006, 11:46:58 PM
Glad to see you've got it fixed allbeit by other means than you expected.

Come back if you need more help.  
Title: Re: Not a valid Win32 application
Post by: ravendj on October 10, 2006, 03:56:48 AM
yes sure. I will be back. I know now where to come.

I've been to many sites and I don't get any replies for my problem.