You need to get that software out of the “startup” list. First, reboot your computer in Safe Mode by pressing F8 right after the BIOS POST. Log in and reply to the Windows prompt about being in Safe Mode. Click start and Run (Win XP) or the “Search Program and Files” search box (Vista and Win 7), type “msconfig” and press “enter”. Look in the Startup tab and click “Disable all”. Reboot in normal mode and your computer shouldn’t lock anymore.

Now get back into msconfig and start re-enabling the startup software a few at a time until you find the problematic application.

If this doesn’t fix the issue, it could be a few options: a virus or spyware, a faulty driver or some corrupted Windows files. Try running an anti-virus/anti-spyware in safe mode, updating your drivers and repairing Windows files with the installation CD.

If that still doesn’t fix the issue, drop me a line in the comment section!

With Windows 7 RC publicly available, it is obvious that some of the techy and non techy people will want to try it. But how can you know if you are formatting just to realize that all your software won’t run on the new OS? You read this post. It’s that simple. I’m currently writing this post from a Win 7 64-bit machine and bellow, you will find the software I tested. If you wish to request a software test, just let me know in the comment section and I’ll update the post with the results!

Also, here’s the spec of my system just in case you get different results:

OS: Win 7 Ultimate 64-bit RC
Proc: Intel core2quad Q6700
RAM: 3 GB
Video Card: Nvidia GeFore 7950GT

CCleaner: Installed properly, cleanup function works

Daemon Tools pro: My version (4.10.02) doesn’t work, the new version is supposed to work, I’ll have to purchase an update and see
Update: new version works

FileZilla: Works

Google desktop: Incompatible, won’t let you install

Kaspersky IS 2009: Works

RocketDock: works

MS Office 2007 Ultimate: Works

MS Office Visio 2007: Works

Nero 9: Works, I didn’t try burning anything yet

SSH Secure Shell: Works

Steam: Works, I didn’t install any games yet

Unlocker: Works, didn’t unlock anything yet

VLC: Works

Windows Live Messenger with Messenger Plus: Works

WinRAR: Works

Zune: Works, didn’t connect my Zune yet but software works

7-zip (x64): works (could create an archive)

OpenOffice: works (could open all programs)

Pidgin: works (could connect to my MSN account)

GIMP: works (could open and save an image)

Adobe Master Collection (trial): works

———————————————————————————————————-

Updates will be under here

Steam Games: works (could play Team Fortress 2 so everything with the source engine should work [that is Half Life 2, Counter-Strike Source, etc.])

———————————————————————————————————-

Again, please comment to request tests for the software you use!