Thursday, April 1, 2010

Windows 7 help

In November I upgraded my computer system to Windows 7, 32-bit. I then had issues with my plugins running for PSP. So after much work and help from a friend who has Windows 7, 64-bit, we came up with a solution that made it possible to use most plugins with Versions of PSP. Below I am posting a tutorial that was created for our Learning Groups, Chelseas Creators Corner and Maeves Creators Corner.
We found that you will need the 10 DLL & other types of files. These can be downloaded here.
Then where to place these files is listed here according to the bit system you are running.
For Windows 7 32-bit, unzip the rar file into your C: Windows System Folder AND your C: Windows System 32 folder.
For Windows 7 64-bit, unzip the rar file into your C: Wndows/SySWow64. You may also have to install to your System folder as well, if Plugins do not work when installed in SySWow64 folder.

We also found that you may have to adjust settings to your DEP and UAC through the control panel.
Here is what we found helped our systems work. Please read all the information below before doing any changes to your computer.

Windows 7 & Vista plugins not working help
Keep in mind that making modifications to the two areas will have some effect on the Microsoft security features. One is your DEP settings, the other is you UAC settings. I recommend that they have a firewall and anti virus program running at all times as well as current with all updates, & that they keep their Windows updates current, and with the following changes it may be essential that you have these all in place. You as the user of your computer makes the decision, weigh the pros and cons, to decide as to whether or not you will make the changes as indicated below.
DEP - stands for Data Execution Prevention. This is in place on computer operating systems XP, Vista, and Windows 7. Locating them is the only difference. I can only tell you from the Windows 7 standpoint since that is what I am running on how to locate them. With more feedback from others we can determine where the other Operating Systems are located and if it has any effect on the issues.
Next is the UAC. This is where when I made the changes, that it really had an effect on my PSP X2 and the plugins I have had issues with (Xenofex 1, Ulead's, and Eye Candy 3.1 for all version of PSP that I am running)
UAC - stands for User Account Control.
This is a security feature of Windows 7, and I think Vista (again will be able to say for sure with more feedback for users of XP and Vista) to prevent harmful programs from making changes to your computer.


Windows 7 & Vista - 32 & 64 bit
To locate DEP - Click on START (bottom left corner of your task bar (has the Windows logo on it)
Control Panel - click it


System and Security from the list click on the Words "System and Security", not the options that are available



Click on the word "System" in the next screen


Look for the Advanced System settings on the left side listing (the bottom one in the list)
Click it


A System Properties box will come up and on my computer it defaulted to the Advanced Tab. If yours does not, click it.


The top option is Performance, and there is a Settings button
Click the Settings button


A Performance Option box will come up, it has 3 tabs (Visual Effects, Advanced, and Data Execution Prevention)
Click the Data Execution Prevention Tab


Mine defaults to the Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only.
This is what we want.


Click OK twice to return to the System screen





To locate UAC, activate your Control Panel from the Start menu


Look for User Accounts and Family Safety and click on the words "User Accounts and Family Safety"


In the next screen click on "User Accounts", again click on the words, not the options that are available.


In the white area of the main screen, at the very bottom is "Change User Account settings"
Click it


A screen with a slider bar on the left side will come up. The top of the slider bar is "Always Notify", and the bottom is Never Notify. In between both are two (2) more settings. Mine was defaulted to the 2nd from the top.
Slide this slider all the way to the bottom; "Never Notify" (The display on the right side will tell what the settings do for your security if you decide to change to it)
Click OK.



You will have to Restart your computer at this point for the change to go into effect.
Once your computer has restarted, open PSP. For me, the plugins I had problems with were working, and I hope they will be for you as well.
Written by Deborah in NC & Karen
Date written 12-16-09