Remote Desktop (RDP) Black Screen, Errors: Fixes

Some users have received a black screen when attempting to connect to various systems (primarily those running Windows Vista) via the Remote Desktop protocol (RDP). In some cases, the host machine may crash when this problem occurs.
Other users have reported receiving the error “atbroker.exe crashed” or “Transitions Accessible technologies between desktops has stopped working”
Fixes
Make sure [...]

Google Chrome Won’t Display PDF files: Fix

Several users have reported an issue in which Google Chrome will not display Adobe PDF files in the browser. Users experiencing this problem may receive the error message: “The Adobe Acrobat/Reader that is running can not be used to view PDF files in a Web Browser. Please exit Adobe Acrobat Reader and exit your [...]

Can’t Install Windows Vista SP2: Fix

(See more fixes here)
Early-access users who installed a pre-release version of Windows Vista SP2 are experiencing some issues with installation of the final release. Users may receive the message “Service Pack Installation Cannot Continue: One or more of components that the service pack requires are missing.”
Fix
Try deleting the file vLite key from the registry. To [...]

Why Is Microsoft Witholding Windows Vista SP2 from the Public?

Almost two weeks ago, Microsoft posted the final release of Windows Vista SP2 to its private servers. The only users able to download the service pack are Microsoft Connect subscribers (members of the closed beta program) and Technet and MSDN subscribers (paid account holders–accounts start in the $2500-range). The company has not released word on [...]

More Fixes for Internet Explorer Crashes

We previously published a series of methods for preventing and eliminating Internet Explorer crashes. These include disabling add-ons and resetting the browser. We’ve now identified two additional procedures that can, in many cases, prevent crashes from reoccurring.
Kill IEUSER.EXE task Launch the task manager by pressing control-alt-delete, then launch Internet Explorer. Immediately after the browser launches, [...]

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor Released

Microsoft has released the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, which scans your PC to see if it’s ready for Windows 7, and tells you about any known compatibility issues.
The tool’s documentation states its “report will let you know if your PC meets the system requirements, if there are any known compatibility issues with your programs and [...]

Windows Vista Starts Up With a Black Screen and Cursor (KSOD): Fix

Several users have encountered an issue in which Windows Vista improperly starts up, displaying only a black screen and a movable cursor. This problem is sometimes referred to as the “black screen of death” (KSOD). There are three fixes for this issue: one is extremely simple and should be tried first. The other two are [...]

WinSxS Folder Taking Up Too Much Disk Space: Fix

The WinSxS (Windows Side-by-Side, located in %windir%\WinSxS) folder is a critical component of Windows Vista. It contains files that are necessary for adding or removal of programs, uninstalling components, and installing certain system updates. Unfortunately, the folder also has a tendency to swell in size, taking up large amounts of disk space (up to 6GB [...]

Office 2007 SP2 Installation Fails: Fixes

Several users are experiencing problems installing the new Office 2007 Service Pack 2 (SP2) update, which was released earlier this week. Users are sometimes presented simply with the message “updates failed” or “The installation of this package has failed.”
Fixes

Install the Microsoft Office System Update Download and install this file from Microsoft. It contains fixes for [...]

Windows 7 RC, Vista SP2 Hit Microsoft’s Private Servers

The official Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC)-the same build 7100 that leaked earlier–and the final build of Windows Vista SP2 have hit Microsoft’s private servers, and are now available to eligible users, specifically:

Microsoft Connect subscribers: members of the closed beta program
Technet and MSDN subscribers: paid account holders (accounts start in the $2500-range)

Subscribers are experiencing some [...]