Entries for November, 2009

30 Nov
2009

How Cleaning Your Registry Repairs ActiveX Errors

Posted by Kat

As any savvy PC owner knows, the registry is an integral part of your PC, the library of information, keys, and links that allow your computer to function.  Because the registry is such a vast collection of your PC’s “knowledge,” it is also the center of error activity on your PC.  Here is some information on how cleaning your registry repairs ActiveX errors, among others.

What is the registry?

As mentioned before, the registry is basically the library of all the information on your PC.  Registry keys and program files stored in your registry allow programs and software on your PC to function.  It is the central hub of activity on your computer because every program, tool, and software you utilize is able to function because of its files and keys in your registry.

Because your registry is constantly being utilized and accessed by your PC, it is riddled with unused and corrupt files that bloat your registry and cause damage to healthy files and keys.  This damage can cause errors all over your computer, from program and system errors to DLL and file errors.  The best way to eliminate and prevent this problem is to clean your registry.

What is ActiveX?

ActiveX is a plugin used by Internet Explorer and other Microsoft software.  These programs to enable certain media and auxiliary options like video, sound bytes, interactive menus, toolbars, and animated features utilize it.  ActiveX aids in imbedding these media files in the website and provides PC users who visit the site a control to download to enable the files to work.

ActiveX is constantly accessing your registry as you browse the internet, searching for controls and information for file and website access.  Because of this close relationship, any errors with ActiveX controls on your registry can cause ActiveX errors.

Cleaning and Repairing:

The best way to clean your registry is to download a registry cleaning software.  A good registry cleaner will scan your PC’s registry for any errors, corrupt and unneeded files, and duplicate keys.  It will then fix the errors and purge your registry of any unneeded files.  A good registry cleaner will also defragment and organize your registry, leaving it clean, error-free, and fully optimized.

A clean registry means a happy, error-free PC, which, in turn, means a happy PC user (you).  Learn more about how to repair ActiveX errors and optimize your computer yourself or through the help of a software program designed to fix everything in a matter of minutes.

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29 Nov
2009

How to Fix Speed Problems with Windows XP

Posted by Kat

A good percentage of Windows XP PC owners have experienced a significant decrease in speed and performance in their PCs over the years.  This “lag” is caused by several factors and can be fixed with a few simple steps. In this article, you will learn how to fix speed and performance problems with Windows XP.

What causes computer lag?

When you have a PC for a few years that you use on a regular basis, it’s going to accumulate quite a few unneeded files as you add and delete programs from your PC.  This regular PC use has a significant effect on your hard drive, which needs regular cleaning and attention to keep your PC running smoothly.

Fragmentation of files in your hard drive, bloat caused by too many unneeded and useless files, and overall disorganization of files and keys in your hard drive slows your PC down and decreases performance significantly.

Quick tips to improve speed and performance:

Perform a Windows cleanup to increase speed and improve performance on your XP PC.  To do this, follow these simple steps:

1.    Disk Cleanup

•    Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup is a Windows utility that scans your hard drive for unneeded files.  It  allows you to review the categories of files that can be deleted or compressed and gives you the options (under the More Options tab) to remove unneeded programs and Windows components and to delete all but the most recent successful restore points.

2.    Disk Check/SFC Scan

•    Start > Run > “CHKDSK” &  Start > Run > “SFC /SCANNOW”

Disk Check is a Windows scan that runs through your hard drive and detects any errors, repairing those that it can.  SFC (System File Checking) is an XP scan that does the same to your system files.

3.    Disk Defragment

•    Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragment

Disk Defragment is a utility that defragments files on your hard drive, organizes files according to type and size, and compresses contiguous files together to remove spaces and gaps.  It’s highly suggested that you defragment your hard drive monthly to keep up on computer health.

Many people are opting for advanced software technology to fix problems with Windows.  It is always best to research your options first.  Many times, you can fix these problems on your own, but it is no guarantee that you will prevent future ones.


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28 Nov
2009

How Cleaning Your Registry Helps Repair Windows Media Player

Posted by Kat

Windows Media Player is the default digital media player and media library application for all Microsoft Windows operating systems.  It is mainly used for playing audio, video, and viewing images on PCs and Windows-based mobile devices. Though it was also released for Mac computers, it was discontinued for that OS later on.

Being a default component of Windows, Windows Media Player is susceptible to errors on your PC, namely registry and hard drive errors.  This article will tell you how cleaning your registry will repair Windows Media Player.

What registry errors affect WMP?

Because Windows Media Player is a default and primary component for Windows operating systems, it is highly susceptible to errors on your registry.  These errors occur in various forms and for various reasons.  The most common types of registry errors affecting Windows Media Player are corrupt/missing registry keys and incomplete links.

Registry bloat occurs over time when files and keys in your registry overflow the appointed space given for your registry on your hard drive.  Because every software and program you download or install on your PC is located in your registry, every program you add and delete leaves its mark.

Uninstalled programs leave behind unused keys and folders that are not deleted from your registry during an installation removal.  Individual keys that are corrupt and fixed by your PC aren’t replaced, a new key is simply added, leaving the unneeded key behind.  This causes serious bloat of keys and files you no longer need on your PC.

How will cleaning your registry help?

Cleaning your registry will eliminate all of the registry errors and corrupt keys that are affecting the way your Windows Media Player runs.  Cleaning your registry is always beneficial for your entire PC.  Eliminating harmful errors and corrupt keys that can damage your files or cause file loss or computer freeze/crash.  There is no downside to cleaning your registry.

How do you clean your registry?

The simplest way to clean your registry is to download and utilize a good registry cleaning software.  Not only will this software scan and eliminate registry errors, duplicate keys, and unused files from your registry, a good cleaner will also offer a means to defragment and organize your registry, backup registry files, as well as a scheduled scan option to regularly scan and clean your registry.

Optimize-Your-PC will scan, diagnose, and repair Windows Media Player, leaving you with nothing but a highly-optimized PC.

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27 Nov
2009

How to Repair Java Errors

Posted by Kat

Java is a programming language used as the foundation and building block of most computer software, programs, and utilities.  The language was developed as a new way to program and enhance PC features to give the PC users an easier way to access files, utilize programs, and overall operate their computers.  In this article, you will learn what causes and how to repair Java errors.

What causes Java errors?

A number of different things cause Java errors.  Normal computer wear and tear from consistent usage, a messy, error-ridden registry, unorganized and fragmented hard drive, and infiltration on your PC by viruses or other malicious programs are all possible causes of Java errors.

Consistent use of your PC causes the usual damage.  Hard (manual) shutdowns of your PC, neglecting your hard drive and registry, and not protecting your PC against malicious programs that attack from the internet create the perfect environment on your PC for numerous errors.  Java errors are just one type that fit into this category.

How to fix Java errors:

The quickest and most efficient way to correct and prevent Java errors is to clean your registry.  If you do not already have registry cleaner software on your PC, try downloading and utilizing a good registry cleaner.  A registry cleaner will scan your PC’s registry for errors, corrupt or duplicate keys, and unneeded registry files.

It will then correct or eliminate these pesky problems as well as defragment and reorganize your registry, safeguarding your registry from future errors.  Eliminating registry errors and correcting these corrupt files will eliminate and help prevent Java errors.

One other option for repairing Java errors is visiting the Java website and typing in the code you see on the error message.  The website has a complete and diverse index of all Java errors as well as informative articles on how to fix each one.  However, fixing individual errors will not safeguard your PC from future errors like cleaning your registry will.

Further methods of computer maintenance:

Keeping your PC’s hard drive clean by performing a Disk Defragment, Disk Check, and Disk Cleanup will clean and organize your hard drive.  Couple that with a good virus blocker and malware screen and your PC will be protected against most errors, including Java errors.  Keeping your computer clean, orderly, and protected against outside intruders are good ways to prevent PC errors.  Repair your Java errors today.

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26 Nov
2009

4 Simple Ways to Prevent and Repair Windows XP Errors

Posted by Kat

All of you PC users who use the Windows XP Operating System (OS), this article is for you.  Like any other PC operating system, XP is susceptible to errors, malfunctions, and the occasional, albeit extreme, system crash.  XP users, have no fear!  Follow these 4 simple ways to prevent and repair Windows XP Errors

1.    Turn On Windows Automatic Updates

One thing that some PC users take for granted are the free and available Windows update patches.  For any OS, there are always glitches and weak spots that aren’t spotted during manufacturing that can lead to harmful system errors or infiltration of malicious programs.  To prevent and repair these weaknesses in your OS, make sure your Windows Automatic Updates are turned on by following these steps:

–   Open the Start menu, select Run.
–   Type sysdm.cpl and hit ENTER.
–   Click on the Automatic Updates tab and select the “Automatic (recommended)
–   Automatically download recommended updates for my computer and install them” option.

Clean Up Your Registry

To prevent and repair Windows XP errors caused by DLL errors, try downloading and utilizing a good registry cleaner.  This will clean, organize, and eliminate any errors from your registry, keeping your PC error free and letting your OS perform optimally.  To prevent and repair XP errors caused by a cluttered hard drive, try doing a complete PC cleanup following these steps:

2.    Disk Check

-    Start > Run > “CHKDSK” > ENTER
-    Disk Check will run and close on its own, taking anywhere between a few minutes to over an hour.

3.    Disk Cleanup

-    Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup

This utility is a little more hands-on after the initial scan, especially if you utilize (and you should) the Add or Remove Programs option to free up disk space.  It scans for and lets you delete unneeded, corrupt, and duplicate files as well as compress old, rarely used files to save disk space.  Select OK when finished.

4.    Disk Defragment

-    Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragment

This utility will defragment files on your hard drive, sort and organize them, and compress them in one contiguous block so that future files installed or downloaded onto your PC are placed in the free space instead of broken up into smaller spaces between other files.

Optimize-Your-PC can provide you with advanced registry cleaning technology. It will scan, diagnose, and repair Windows XP, leaving you with nothing but a highly-optimized PC.


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25 Nov
2009

How to Fix Application Error Svchost.Exe

Posted by Kat

Svchost (Service Host) is one of the core Windows system processes that is in charge of handling the processes executed from the DLL (Dynamic-link Library).  The application error svchost.exe may occur when the service host function fails, due to a registry error on your PC, or possibly from a virus infiltration.

Fix and Application Error
To fix application error svchost.exe, follow these steps:

  1. First, open your Control Panel.
  2. Select Performance and Maintenance
  3. Go to Administrative tools.
  4. Then select the Services option.
  5. Find and double-click the Automatic Updates service.
  6. Open the Log On tab to make sure that the Local System Account option is selected and that the Allow Service to Interact with Desktop box is clear.

On the General tab, make sure that the service Startup Type is Automatic and the Service Status is Started; verify the same information for Background Intelligent Transfer Service.

Next, open the Start menu and select Run.  Use the “REGSVR32 <DLL Name>” command to register the following DLLs (put the names in place of the <DLL Name>):

- WUAPI.DLL
- WUAUENG.DLL
- WUAUENG1.DLL
- ATL.DLL
- WUCLTUI.DLL
- WUPS.DLL
- WUPS2.DLL
- WUWEB.DLL

Last, open the Start menu and select Run again.

  1. Type in “cmd”.
  2. Press Enter.
  3. In the Command Prompt, type net stop WuAuServ.
  4. Press Enter to stop Windows Updates services.
  5. Next, type “%windir%” and press Enter.
  6. Then type “ren SoftwareDistribution SoftDistr_Bak” and press Enter.
  7. To restart Windows Update, type in “net start WuAuServ” and press Enter.

Prevent Future DLL Problems
If the error occurs again, disable the Windows Update program from the Service management console and perform manual updates instead.  Prevent registry errors that contribute to this application error, and try downloading a good registry cleaner.  This will remove and prevent all registry errors on your computer and optimize your PC’s performance.

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24 Nov
2009

Why You Must Maintain and Protect Active Shield on Your PC

Posted by Kat

Active Shield is a heuristic utility that screens for and prevents Trojans, trackware, adware, spyware, dialers, viruses, and keyloggers from invading your computer.  Instead of waiting until the computer is infected like most virus and spyware scans.   Active Shield prevents them from infiltrating your computer’s system.

Active Shield Safeguards Your Computer
Because you may use your personal computer for a variety of tasks, you may have quite valuable information saved on your hard drive from banking/credit information to passwords and private information.  Because of this valuable information, it is important to safeguard your computer against malicious programs that may steal or corrupt this information. Active Shield acts as this safeguard and protects your PC.

Active Shield’s prevents and protects against these malicious programs from stealing private information and corrupting files and/or your PC.  It intercepts and blocks any malicious programs from reaching your PC.  With the aid of an effective virus shield or scan, it can ensure the complete protection of your PC and help maintain optimum performance without outside interference.

How to Protect Active Shield
When utilizing Active Shield on your PC, be sure to prevent registry errors and download a good registry scanner.  With Active Shield preventing outside infiltration and a registry scanner fixing any internal errors, your PC will run more smoothly without the risks of internal or external inhibition and its performance will be optimized.  Safeguard Active Shield today!

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23 Nov
2009

Having a hard time because you’ve encountered a rundll error with your computer?

Posted by Kat

Maybe you’ve received a message like the following:

“Run a DLL as an App has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.”

Well you don’t have to worry, the world’s not going to end.  A rundll error is often easier to fix than many other types of errors–but it can still be seriously inconvenient to have.

What causes problems with rundll?

These errors are fairly common if you have had to replace your hard drive.  Usually in this situation, the problems happen when you’ve used software from the hard drive vendor, instead of from Microsoft.

It can happen as well for various other non-malicious reasons.  Read below to find out how you can fix this error.  Also, read below to find out if your errors have occurred for reasons that are more malicious.

This isn’t the only reason for problems with this file.  Since Windows uses rundll to load applications, programs, and files, it is an absolutely essential part of Windows.

Unfortunately, that means that creators of spyware, viruses, Trojan horses, and other malicious programs can use this as a vulnerability to get into your computer.  They will target this file because they know you cannot safely get rid of it.  They may even give some of their own malicious software files this name, so as to fool system processes and infiltrate your computer.

Sometimes, all you need to do is reboot.

While this won’t work 100% of the time or even most of the time, it’s worth a try: simply turn your computer off and then restart it.  It won’t help in every case, but it will clear things up when the problem is just that rundll is over-extended.

Anti-virus and anti-spyware scans may help.

Or, they may not.  While a good anti-virus or anti-spyware program will take care of the original threat, it may not take care of directory files such as dll files.  This means that you should certainly run anti-malware programs on your computer, you also need to make sure your directory is in tip-top working order.

A good registry cleaner will heal files that have been damaged by viruses, spyware, adware, and other harmful programs.  It will also clean the “junk” on your registry–files left over from bad uninstalls and product updates–so that you have a cleaner, faster, more optimized computer.  Do yourself a favor and get a free scan for rundll error and other registry problems.


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22 Nov
2009

3 Things You Can Do To Fix Runtime Error 6

Posted by Kat

Runtime error 6 is a Visual Basic error.  It is rare to get it very often.  If you see it pop up very much, there is probably a problem.  Here are two solutions to fix runtime error 6 (and one uber-solution to help keep this and other errors from ever showing up).

Clear out your temporary files.

An overloaded temp folder or directory can not only give you lots of runtime errors, it can also massively slow down your computer in general.

Some people think that just clearing out the temp files and cache on their browsers, such as Firefox or Microsoft Internet Explorer, will get the job done.  While it’s true that we can pick up a great many temporary files with extended internet browsing, this isn’t the only source for a stuffed-full computer.

Your computer holds on to a variety of temporary files that can slow down your computer.  You can figure out which files these are for yourself and delete them yourself, one by one (they are all in the Temp folder, which is sometimes difficult to find).  Good registry cleaners and pc optimization software will also do this for you, without taking you all afternoon (usually it should take just a few minutes).

Update your Visual Basic runtimes.

Runtimes are basically shortcut files that a program uses to run on your computer.  Windows doesn’t directly read most programs’ languages in order to operate them.  Instead, a special program called a compiler translates the program’s language into something useable by Windows.

Runtime files act as shortcuts to help in this process.  They keep the compiler from having to translate everything from the program into Window’s language, which helps programs run faster and take up less space.

Problems occur when this database has a mistake in it for whatever reason.  Since runtime error 6 is a Visual Basic file, you can often fix it by updating its runtimes at Microsoft’s site.  Just go to the “Downloads A-Z” section and click on “V”, then scroll down and find Visual Basic.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t prevent a problem from happening in the future, and may not fix all of your runtime errors.

Scan your registry for problems and clutter.

Runtime .dll and .exe files are also part of the Windows registry (as are all executable and direct linking library files on any program that you run).  Even if your download from Microsoft fixed the problem this time, it may not fix the next one.

And it probably didn’t fix the problem’s cause in the first place.  The cause could be anything from a poorly written program, to a malicious or poorly-written file in your registry.  Get a free registry scan to fix runtime error 6 and any other errors you may have on your computer.

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21 Nov
2009

How to Remove a PNCRT DLL Error From Your PC

Posted by Kat

PNCRT DLL is an annoying little error that crops up when trying to use RealPlayer.  If your computer is experiencing a PNCRT DLL error, you probably are unable to use RealPlayer at all because it can’t access this .DLL file.  This is a common registry error, and here are some steps to resolve it.

Reasons for Experiencing a PNCRT DLL Error

Maybe you’ve recently changed a setting on your computer or deleted an old program.  Maybe you’ve only been keeping up with Microsoft Update the way you’re supposed to. Simple changes like these can actually change or move files in your Windows registry.

The registry houses all sorts of files that pertain to user preferences, program settings, boot-up files, and other backbone files that your computer and programs need to operate.  Unfortunately, there is no automatic or built-in way to take care of your registry like there is with your hard disk and other features of your computer.

Fixing the Error and Regaining Use of RealPlayer

In order to fix this particular .DLL error, Microsoft recommends simply uninstalling and reinstalling RealPlayer. You can do this through the Add/Remove programs menu.  Complete instructions can be found at Microsoft’s Support website.  A new installation of RealPlayer will contain the proper versions of the files needed to run the program.

If you find that the error returns, think back to any recent setting or program changes and try to reverse them.  Also, make sure your spyware and virus protection software is up to date so you can be confident this problem is not the result of a malware infection.

Fixing the Error with Registry Maintenance

If the above solutions don’t work for your PC, you may need to make this the time you add registry maintenance to your computer’s care regimen.  Use a trusted registry cleaner to scan your system for errors and fix them with a few clicks.  Once the scan and repair are complete, you should be able to use RealPlayer again.  As a bonus, you’ll see a host of other errors disappear as well.

Once you have your machine running smoothly again, make sure to set your registry cleaner to scan your PC regularly to prevent future errors.  And don’t forget to perform your other computer maintenance scans, such as Defrag and Check Disk, to keep things running optimally.  Fix your PNCRT DLL error with a registry cleaner and you will have the added benefit of a cleaner, faster computer.

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