Can't run 3dmark06 or Oblivion due to 0xc000007b error on my NP9370

I got my new baby from xoticpc yesterday with the following specs:
i7 3630
16 GB RAM
2x GTX 670 in SLI
Windows 7
etc

I added the latest realtek (2.7) driver and nvidia 306.97 driver. My mobo drivers are up to date as well according to intel.

So I begin installing games and ran into an issue with Skyrim. This was corrected after several windows updates and driver installs. Fallout 3 works just fine after I installed directx 9 (June 2010). So essentially fallout 3, skyrim, the witcher 2, and 3dmark vantage work perfectly fine. Oblivion and 3dmark06 still give me the "7b" error. From what I've gathered, 7b issues tend to arise from driver or DLL compatibility. As per advice found on the net, I've tried the following solutions:

Relevant driver updates
Install dx 9
re-installing net framework 4
Run a virus scan
All windows updates
Run in compatibility mode/administrator privileges
Do a disk check
Install Oblivion from steam rather than my old disk with radial crack issues (some TES history there...)
Disable/uninstall nvidia HD audio (though the HD audio drivers re-install automatically on start-up )


Short of re-installing windows or copying my entire DLL library from my windows 7 asus g73 (where oblivion worked fine), I am at a loss. Any suggestions?

~Amelorm, long time lurker, first time poster


Edit: Event Log Entry

 

7b is usually a harddrive problem.

Uninstall and then reinstall. Might fix it. Hard to say.

 

I am on my 4th re-install. I've tried running it off the main C drive and my SSD. Neither are cooperating. I will give it one more go, though.

 

Try using Revo Uninstaller, it will delete all traces of the game, including registry information.

 

I tried your suggestion/Revo with 3dmark and Oblivion. Unfortunately, both failed. I wish there was a way to find the common link (assuming there is one).

To 3dmark and Oblivion, I say: Til helvete! I will win this.....

 

go to nvidia panel and check which version of physx you have loaded. i had to load manually to get 06 and vantage to run.

latest version 9.12.0613 NVIDIA DRIVERS 9.12.0613

 

Okay.

Make sure it isn't a OpenAL issue. Update it.

Last but not least update DirectX.

Good luck!

 

I've read that if you're outputting to an external monitor, the game will crash. Are you using an external viewing source? And are you using any mods or patches?

There are all kinds of weird fixes I've been seeing on other forums too, such as editing the video settings in the autorun setup on the disc.

Here is something from Windows 7 forums:

1) disable the non-Oblivion monitor with windows display settings and then run the Oblivion Launcher to create the settings.ini. Play the game, and re-enable the monitor after you're done.

or

2) do fix #1 to obtain the initial settings, then use a program like UltraMon to force the Oblivion.exe to run on the proper screen (as primary) and disable the non-Oblivion monitor during game-play.

I created a direct shortcut on the desktop to Oblivion.exe (circumventing the launcher) for this option. It works just fine this way."

Source: Oblivion crash at startup - Windows 7 Forums

 

I am using the latest Nvidia/physx drivers, I installed openAL yesterday. No, I'm not using an external monitor. Edit: Oblivion is running vanilla patched to the latest stable patch (shivering isles, 1.2).

Still not working.

 

Don't copy your DLL library.

Create a small partition from your HDD; make a fresh W7 install, install Oblivion and 3DMark06 there and watch it run. If it runs, then something is terribly wrong with your other W7 installation.

 

It worked. It actually worked. I am just surprised that a factory install of windows was so borked....

Thanks for your patience/persistence.