Did you try what scook posted in post #3 above? That dropdown in the Track View (upper left corner) defaults to "Custom" when creating a new project from the stock template. That view does not show the FX bins in the left pane of the Track View (TV). Changing that to "All" will show everything in the left TV pane (and you can even modify a new project and save that as the "Normal.cwt" to overwrite the default "Normal.cwt" file to your liking... the directory is [drive letter]:\Cakewalk Content\[SONAR Version]\Project Templates).
I need clarification with your last post. When you say "on the far left" are you referring to the Inspector window (what opens and closes when you hit "I")? If so, there are 3 tabs at the top of that and the Clip/Track tabs do have a box at the top which I am not sure (or do not know how) to minimize. However, clicking on the area below that box allows for mouse scrolling.
For access to the FX bin, I typically use the left pane of the track view using the "All" that scook referenced above.
Please post back if I misunderstood you. It "seems" you are referring to the Inspector window, but I am unsure of why scrolling would suddenly change unless the mouse properties in Win7 have been changed. If you have software (like Logitech SharePoint) installed, that can also alter mouse behavior. Checking the Control Panel->Mouse page, as well as any mouse software may also be helpful to you.