While you can wait for errors to manifest themselves on your PC, why not use some PC repair tools before the problems start?  Using PC repair tools on your computer just as a precaution will prevent a host of computer problems and optimize computer performance, bringing it to a new level.  Who’s ready for little guided tour?

Routine Error Repair Tools

Whether you have noticed or not, an unmaintained PC is accumulating various errors all the time.  Sometimes those errors take a while to manifest themselves, but you don’t have to wait until they show up and cause problems to take care of them.

For example, “fragmentation” of files happens no matter what you do, and unless you use the Disk Defragmenter tool, this situation won’t be fixed.

• Locate this tool under My Computer and right-click on the disk you want to check.
• The Disk Defragmenter is under Preferences and then Tools.

Hard disk errors also accumulate from routine computer use.  If these are not addressed they can be the cause of error messages in the future.  Fortunately, a repair kit in the form of the Check Disk tool is also provided with your computer.

• This is also located under My Computer by right-clicking on your hard disk.
• Again, go to the Preferences window and then Tools.
• A dialogue box will appear with the option to Check Disk Now.

Choosing Other Computer Repair Tools for Your PC

If you are starting to see a lot of file errors or registry errors (which can be anything from DLL and EXE errors to blue screen messages and program freezes), you will need to choose some repair tools that target the Windows registry.  This area of your computer stores files that the computer uses during every session, and when the computer has trouble accessing files or can’t locate one, you see an error.

If you are having problems with a specific program that you’ve recently removed or updated, it may be that there are some files leftover in your PC that did not get removed during the uninstall function.  Some software manufacturers offer Program Removal Kits that will thoroughly remove their program (or old versions of it) from your PC.  You can also find removal kits that are less program-specific for download online.  Just make sure you are using a trusted site.

The Best Repair Tool for Your PC

If you are having trouble narrowing down what kind of tool to use to improve performance or if you’re still unsatisfied with your computer’s activities after using the above tools, it’s time to add a registry cleaner to your arsenal of repair tools.  Download a registry cleaner as one of your PC repair tools to optimize performance and fix errors all at once.

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Runtime error 203 is a problem you are probably unfortunate enough to have experienced, if you’re reading this article.  Don’t worry–it probably doesn’t spell immanent disaster for your computer.  At least not yet it doesn’t.

Runtime error 203 may simply stem from a problem with the particular program you’re running.  Nevertheless, it might also say something about your system’s integrity as a whole.  Read below to find out information about its symptoms, causes, and cures.

Runtime Error 203 Symptoms

• You receive a message stating, “Your computer is low on memory, save your documents and close all programs.” If you don’t close everything up, it’s very likely that you’ll get an error message and your computer will slow down considerably.  (Your computer was probably already running slower than usual.)
• Your computer slows down right before you receive the error message. This is typical of many runtime errors.  This is not unusual, so it doesn’t mean that your problem necessarily originates from malicious software like viruses (although they could be a factor).
• You get the runtime error 203 message, then whatever software you were running at the time shuts down. This can be highly frustrating.  When the problem is this or the above, however, you may get off easy because it’s probably just a problem with the software.  However, you may also have a problem with your registry.
• Your computer displays the “Runtime Error 203″ message, then crashes. This is a great big red flag out of nowhere.  If this happens, then it’s seriously time to think about uninstalling the program, then running anti-virus software and a registry scan.

Where do these memory problems comes from?

Runtime error 203 is typically a memory-related problem and can come from a variety of sources.

• You have a copy of the test or beta version of certain software.  You may have gotten the program by mistake, or downloaded it from a torrent site.  Unless you bought the program directly from a merchant, there’s a good chance you have a beta version.  There’s also a good chance that:
  • You have spyware on your computer.  This error usually comes from too little memory being available to complete the current tasks on your computer.  You’ll do yourself a favor if you run a check for viruses and spyware on your computer.

• You have registry errors.  Most computers do.  At the very least, a large amount of files is left over from software updates and bad uninstalls.

If you’ve got (or have ever had) spyware or viruses on your computer, then they have probably left behind files in the registry that may be slowing your computer down.  Run a free scan for runtime error 203 and keep your registry in shape.

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1.  My computer slowed down right before I got a runtime library error message.  Does this mean I have a virus?

Don’t worry–most systems slow down just before a runtime error message appears.  It is more likely that your program was caused by a bad install or corrupt copy of your software than from any virus.

Still, viruses, Trojan horses, and spyware can cause these and other errors.  It’s always a good idea to run an anti-virus scan when you have a problem like this, just to make sure.  Don’t forget to scan once a week just for maintenance!

2.  Someone told me that a runtime library error means that my copy of Windows is wearing out.  Is this true?

It might be–in a way.

While Windows can’t “wear out” the way a piece of hardware can, something similar can happen.  This can happen both when Windows looses parts and when it gains too many of them.

An essential part of the Windows architecture is something called the registry.  The registry stores the process files of various programs and activates them whenever the programs run.  Without this registry, your computer would take much longer to run fewer programs, slower.

Over time, updates and bad uninstalls can leave lots of useless files hanging around in the registry.  As you might guess, this will slow down a computer’s functioning.

Even worse, spyware, adware, Trojans, and other viruses can insert their own malicious files into the registry.  They can even infect other files, damaging software you already have, or making files that pose as that software’s operational files!

Anti-virus programs can remove these software threats but do not generally heal the damage they do to a registry.

3.  Is there any way I can fix a runtime library error on my own?

There are a few things you can try in order to fix this kind of problem.

The first thing you should try is a re-install of the program that is giving you trouble.  Usually you can use the disk or the setup program that it came with.  Keep in mind that programs downloaded from bit torrent sites pose a special problem, as sometimes parts of a program will be missing.  You can also get a virus or spyware infection this way!

Another way to fix this and other problems is to heal any registry damage your computer might have.  Get a free scan to check for runtime library error and other errors your computer may have.

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A setup exe error message will sometimes appear when you are installing a new program onto your computer.  The problem can have a variety of sources.  Fortunately, most of these are minor and easy-to-fix.  Here are three of the most common ways to solve a setup exe error.

1.  Turn off all antivirus, antispyware, and firewall programs.  These kinds of programs are there to stop intruders and malware programs from gaining an access foothold on your computer.

Since setup.exe’s job is to install software on your computer, this can raise a red flag with antivirus, antispyware, and firewall programs if these programs are not from a 100% trusted source.

It could be that these programs are causing a setup exe error in a case of mistaken identity.  This is actually a best case scenario as it is very easy to fix.  Just turn off these programs and see if the associated program will install.  If it won’t, then you’ll have to move to the next step.

2.  Make sure the software you’re trying to install is compatible with your hardware and your operating system.

Your setup exe error might be as simple as having too little RAM, hard drive space, or too slow a processor to run or even install the software.  It’s even possible you overlooked the fact that this will only run for Windows Vista when you have XP–it may even be made for Apple!

Don’t feel bad if this happens.  Everybody does it at least once (some of us have done it more than that!).  All you really have to do is breathe a sigh of relief, take the software back to the place you bought it, and either trade it in for a version you can use or simply get your money back.

3.  Make sure you get setup exe from a valid or official source.

There are plenty of free .dll and .exe file download sites on the Web.  Some of them will even provide you with files that actually work.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to tell which files are up to date and which are not.  Last year’s good file might cause you just as many problems as this year’s infected one.  Speaking of infections–do you have any idea how many viruses and spyware programs are uploaded into these sites?

The best way to get a new setup exe file is to go directly to the source.  Usually this just means downloading the entire program all over again.  It may mean you need to contact the program’s developer or the company that owns the software.  Or it could mean you need a good old-fashion registry scan to make sure you get rid of your setup exe error and get your computer in good working order.

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If you are experiencing runtime errors and it has to do with a shortage of memory, you are probably baffled.  Countless people report that they have plenty of physical memory available, but the problem isn’t that simple.

An out of memory runtime error usually looks like this:

• “Insufficient memory to initialize windows.  Quit one or more memory-resident programs or remove unnecessary utilities from your Config.sys and Autoexec.bat files, and restart your computer.”
• OR, “There is not enough memory available to run this program.  Quit one or more programs, and then try again.”

How to Fix Runtime Memory Errors

If you this sounds familiar, you can do a few things to troubleshoot the problem.

1.   Reboot your computer.

It’s that simple.  Your computer may need to restart and put all the registry files and keys back in place, so that there is enough open space to do something else.

2.    Do you have enough memory installed on your computer?

You may need to determine if your computer meets the system requirements of the program.  Look at the box or product description for the requirements of the program.

3.    Is your memory management software an issue?
Depending on what operating system you are running, you may need to either install or uninstall the memory management.  If it is Windows ‘95-’08, you shouldn’t need to use the memory management software.  If you are running an MS-DOS or Windows 3.x, you may need to temporarily disable the memory management.

4.    You may not have enough disk storage.

Go to My Computer, and see how much space you have available.  You will generally need 100-500 MB to be able to load or execute any program.

5.    It might not be you, it could be the software.

If you have tried a variety of methods to troubleshoot this problem, you may just need to look at the program manufacturer’s website and download a patch or update.

When All Else Fails, Maintain and Prevent with Registry Cleaners

A registry cleaner is a fairly new tool.  It used to be that you had to hire a computer tech to hack into your registry and read the code.  Or if you were adept enough, you could do it yourself.  Either solution usually had an undesirable result.  Now, there are programs that will back up, defrag, and maintain your registry.  This will prevent all types of runtime errors from ever occurring again.

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So many different types of run time errors exist that it’s hard to say what the actual problem may be without identifying the specific run time server error.  A run time error could be the result of memory problems, program updates, or corrupt registry keys.

Most of the time, the problem occurs when the user is running a program such as Internet Explorer.  The error pops up when the client (the end user’s computer) tries to execute an action with the server (usually a website) and the action fails or access is denied.

How to Fix Run Time Errors and Script Debugging on a Website

In all reality, if the run time error is coming from a website, you can’t do anything about it.  The website owner needs to correct the problem.  Therefore, when you can’t fix it, the next best thing is to ignore it.

Here’s how you can get that run time error to quit popping up when you disable notifications:

• Go to Internet Explorer’s Option
• Click on “Disable Script Debugging (Internet Explorer) and “Disable  Script Debugging (Other)”
• Turn off “Display a notification about every script error”

Software Issues and Run Time Errors

When you install software, you may experience run time errors that wouldn’t let you into the program.  This usually happens when you need an update or patch.  Sometimes an add-on will also cause runtime errors.

• Update and apply all patches from the program’s website.
• If that doesn’t work, remove any add-ons.
• If you still can’t get in there, try uninstalling and installing.  Make sure you have the CD or download somewhere before you uninstall.

Computer Viruses that Lead to Run Time Errors

By now, everyone who goes out into cyberspace should know that you have to have some sort of anti-malware protection and run it on a regular basis.  Otherwise, your computer is about as useful as a paperweight.

Sometimes, you may have the malware off the computer, but the registry is left in shambles and runtime errors are the result.  Keep your anti-malware up to date, and run time errors should not occur.

Fix Run Time Errors Forever

Maybe you are still getting that run time error after taking these preventative measures.  Or maybe you just don’t want to have to do this again.  The solution is simple, you can run an advanced registry cleaner to prevent run time errors in the future.

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If you have shell.dll missing from your computer, you may be experiencing a number of problems.  The least of these will be an “illegal operation” dialog box that opens up when you try to view a web page or open your favorite program.

What causes shell.dll to go missing?

There can be many reasons for this file to disappear.

The least malicious of them may be that you accidentally deleted the file when you were cleaning out your registry.  This is only one reason you should never try to clean your registry “by hand” (due to the massive potential for error, even many PC technicians won’t touch this job!).

The program may have disappeared during a bad install or uninstall of a program on your computer.  This kind of error is simply caused by bad programming.

A bad install may overwrite the file with another (different) file that, unfortunately, has the same name.  On the other hand, a program could have thought the file was one of its own and deleted it as part of the uninstall process.

The file may also have disappeared if a malicious program such as spyware or a Trojan horse damaged the registry.  Unfortunately, the kinds of programs that remove malicious software, often do not fix the damage that bad software can make to the registry.

One thing you shouldn’t do to replace a missing shell.dll file.

There is one tempting thing you should definitely not do to replace shell.dll (or any other .dll file): You should not download a free replacement from a free download site!  Why?

For one thing, you can never be sure that you are getting the most recently updated version.  Another thing, many of these “free download” sites don’t do a very good job of checking the files that are uploaded to them.  These kinds of sites can be rife with just the kinds of spyware, adware, and viruses that will cause .dll errors in the first place!

You should always go to the source when you need to replace a missing file.  Shell.dll controls many of the API functions in Windows, so it’s best to re-download the file straight from Microsoft.

3 ways to protect yourself from missing .dll files in the future.

Always get the latest updates, patches, and service packs from Microsoft as they become available.  Check for them once a week at the very least.  You can even set your computer to automatically search for these updates in the “Windows Update” section of Control Panel.

Regularly scan your computer with anti-virus and anti-spyware programs.  There are some good free programs available like AVG, Malwarebytes, and Spybot: Search and Destroy.  Download these programs and use them!

Scan your computer for registry errors.  Unfortunately, there are not any free registry cleaners worth recommending at this time (”freeware” versions will sometimes delete the wrong files!).  Legitimate registry cleaners will however offer a free scan up-front so that you can see if you really need to purchase them in order to fix shell.dll errors.

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So you’ve gotten an RPC error and you don’t even know what RPC stands for yet, right?  Well, first things first, RPC is an acronym for Remote Procedure Call.  Basically, your computer (the client) has miscommunicated with your server (aka the Internet).

Addressing an RPC Error Message

Did you know that RPC server errors are a pretty common occurrence?  Did you also know that troubleshooting an RPC error is like taking a shot in the dark.  There’s no telling what caused it or what you need to do to fix it.

The messages usually come in some of these forms:

• “Access denied”
• “The RPC Server is Unavailable”
• “Remote server does not exist or is unavailable”
• “The RPC server is too busy to complete the task”
• ” The name could not be resolved. The name could not be matched to a name in the address list.”
• “RPC Unavailable”
• ” Your logon information is incorrect”
• “The system cannot log you on to this domain because the system’s computer account in its primary domain is missing or the password on that account is incorrect.”
• “There are no more endpoints available from the endpoint mapper.”

As you can see, the RPC error has a wide range of issues to address when it comes to pinpointing the problem.  You could have one of these or a variation of any of them.

Fixing the RPC Error

You can do a variety of things to fix an RPC error from setting your security settings lower to hacking into your registry and doing a “regedit” after messing around in the registry reading computer code for hours.  Let’s start with some of the easiest things.

• Do you have a third party security program such as AVG, Norton, McAfee, or any other anti-virus or anti-malware program blocking your access to the server?  All you have to do is lower the settings
• Is your Internet Server or Proxy Settings blocking the client from communicating with the server?
• Check to see if the DMOC Tunneling is enabled.
• Is your network server in the office down?

Are You Up for the “Regedit” or Do You Want to Put Technology on Your Side?

Even if you decide to take your computer to the shop, the first thing they’ll do is run a registry maintenance program.  If you really feel up to doing a manual fix, my first suggestion would be to start maintaining your computer with an advanced registry tool.  Spend your time on finding a registry cleaner to fix RPC errors instead of mucking around on your computer.

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Seeing multiple error messages on a computer is never a good thing, so you’ll want to fix PC errors promptly.  In case you haven’t the foggiest idea how to fix PC errors, we’ve come up with a maintenance guide that will take care of most of the basic ones and many of the more pesky varieties.

And if some of your errors were caused by a super slow machine that just begged you to click on multiple things, leading to a computer freeze, you’re in luck.  Most of these fixes will add speed to your PC, too.

The Basics of Error Repair and Prevention

First off, back up your files!  If you are experiencing multiple error messages, this should be your first instinct.  Computers are delicate machines and sometimes parts fail for no reason.  So, do everything you can to keep your data safe.  Then move on to the actual maintenance.

Virus and spyware protection come next.  If for some reason only known to you and God, you do not have virus protection installed, then we almost guarantee that rectifying this situation will take care of the majority of your errors.  Malware slows down PCs too, so you’ll increase speed by taking care of this basic step.

If you do have these programs installed, make sure that your updates are current to check for the latest hacker creations.

Using the Registry Tools of the Trade

Microsoft includes a few tools that will help to make the most of your computer.  They fix errors, they increase processing speeds, they leap tall buildings in a single bound.  Well, let’s stick with the first two–important enough.

The two most important of these tools are the Check Disk Tool and the Disk Defragmenter.  The former rearranges saved data and program files to use space most efficiently on the disk and save it from having to spin to multiple locations.  The latter searches for and repairs various errors on the hard drive.

Your computer’s Help section should contain instructions for running these tools, or you can find them online.  Just make sure to leave the computer alone while running either tool.  Trying to use the computer may cause the process to restart or produce further errors (not what you’re going for).

Get Your Computer Squeaky Clean

For a little advanced cleaning and for persistent errors that continue after the above suggestions have been performed, add a registry cleaner to the maintenance regimen.  It will remove obsolete entries from the registry and repair those that have been corrupted, which will fix the majority of PC errors.

Once you use a registry cleaner to fix PC errors, your computer won’t have to wade through massive amounts of old data to get to what it needs.  And that means faster processing.

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Most PC error codes mean nothing to the untrained eye, but some are more common than others.  Here’s a handy guide to some of the most common PC error codes and what you can do to fix them.

“This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down….”

This error often refers to the software you were using.  For whatever reason, the computer couldn’t process the request being made and chose to shut down the program.

It may be that this is protecting the computer from some type of potential error.  In the case of a program error, searching for program and operating system updates, reinstalling the program, or obtaining the latest version of the program are all ways of repairing the error.  A registry cleaner may also be able to fix corrupted files.

“Invalid system disk.  (OR: Non-system disk error.)  Replace the disk then press any key.”

This occurs when you try to start your computer with a disk already in the drive.  At one time, all computers booted from floppy disks, and they are currently able to do that in the event of a system failure.  When you leave a non-system disk in the drive and attempt to boot up the computer, the PC doesn’t like it.  Remove the disk.

“System has recovered from a serious error.”

After encountering that dreaded “Blue Screen of Death,” the computer writes a minidump file to help a technician address and fix the error.  This code indicates that a minidump file has been created and is available for analysis.  It would be a good idea to run this by a professional.  However, registry maintenance fixes most Blue Screen errors.

Any error containing a DLL or EXE file.

The above is not a precise error code, but is a category of the one of the most common types of error messages.  DLL and EXE errors are registry errors and indicate that your machine is in need of registry maintenance.  These files become corrupted through normal daily computer operations (such as deleting or installing programs) or are simply difficult to get to because old data is taking up space in the registry.

Registry cleaners are the simplest form of registry maintenance and will address many of the errors listed above.  It is possible to repair individual DLL or EXE file errors using the regedit function on your computer.

However, seeing one or two error codes of this nature is usually indicative of a massive amount of registry errors on the system.  Use a registry cleaner to rid your computer of the most common PC error codes all at once to save time and frustration.

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