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 updates are installed, not waiting It appears that, in some cases, this problem may occur when updates are downloaded, but not installed in Windows Update on the host machine (the one receiving the connection). Try installing any pending updates then restarting the system.
Uninstall drivers Try uninstalling any recently installed third-party drivers, or drivers that you installed right before the problem started to occur, then restart. To do this, click the Start button then navigate to Control Panel > System and Security > Device Manager. Right-click any recently installed third-party items and select “Uninstall” then restart. Some users have reported that the Logitech QuickCam driver may be to blame.
Update to Windows Vista SP2 Some Windows Vista SP2 beta testers have reported that updating to the new release resolves this issue. Unfortunately, SP2 is not yet publicly available, but is available in final form to TechNet subscribers.
Filed under Windows Vista by on May 15th, 2009. Comment. 
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 Web Browser and try again.”
Fix
This problem can generally be easily fixed by copying the Adobe PDF plug-in to the Google Chrome Plugins folder. You may need to create the Plugins folder yourself if one does not already exist. Follow these steps:
- Go to Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat(version number)\Acrobat\Browser
- Copy the file nppdf32.dll
- If you are using Windows XP, go to C:\Documents and Settings\(username)\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\(Version Number)\. If there is not a Plugins folder there, create a new folder with the name “Plugins.” Paste nppdf32.dll into the Plugins folder. Quit and restart Google Chrome and retry PDF access.
- If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, go to (username)\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\. If there is not a Plugins folder there, create a new folder with the name “Plugins.” Paste nppdf32.dll into the Plugins folder. Quit and restart Google Chrome and retry PDF access.
Failing the above, use an alternative reader. One good choice is the free Foxit Reader. It tends to use fewer resources than Adobe Reader, and works well in Windows 7.
Filed under Google Chrome, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP by on May 11th, 2009. 40 Comments.
(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 do this:
- Click Start
- In the search box, type regedit then press enter.
- Navigate to HKLM\Software\
- Select vLite
- Choose Edit and then Delete from the Registry Editor menu.
- Restart your computer and try the Windows Vista SP2 update again
Filed under Windows Vista by on May 11th, 2009. 4 Comments.
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 when the Vista SP2 release will be made available to all other users, but some reports indicate that the security and feature enhancement pack may not debut until June.
The gap between the private and public releases begs a nagging question: why is Microsoft withholding a significant update, which includes security enhancements relevant to all, in addition to functionality enhancements, from general users?
Not only does this delay keep the vast majority of systems vulnerable to exploits and deprive users of useful new features and performance enhancements, it also creates the potential for worse security exploits when the update is publicly released. Those with malicious intent will have likely already gained access to the final release, and found new methods of working around its more stringent security standards before users have even had a chance to update.
As written by “Colonel Michael,” a poster to Microsoft’s TechNet forums:
“It has been going on 2 weeks already since its release, and news articles are stating the probability that you will not release it to the public until June. The “leaked” product is already in the hands of those with malicious intent. By the time it reaches the large masses, the hacked computers, the zombie computers, will have already been updated with the “zombie fixes”. So when SP2 does get installed, the zombie masters will still maintain control of the computers”
What’s your take? Let us know in the comments below or at info@windowsfixup.com.
See our previous coverage on preparing your system for Windows Vista SP2 and what’s new in the release.
Filed under News, Viruses/Malware, Windows Vista by on May 11th, 2009. Comment.
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, end the process “IEUSER.EXE” in Task Manager.
Turn off protected mode While this shouldn’t be your first course of action, as it could create serious vulnerabilties and open your system up to attack, several users have reported that turning off Internet Explorer’s protect mode resolves persistent crashes. To do so, click the Security tab, select a Web content zone, and then change the “Enable Protected Mode” check box to disabled for the desired items.
Filed under Internet Explorer 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP by on May 8th, 2009. Comment.
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 devices, and will also provide guidance on your upgrade options to Windows 7.”
Upgrade Advisor can run under Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP Service Pack 2. It is available for download from Microsoft’s download center.
Filed under News, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP by on May 8th, 2009. Comment.
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 more involved and require system file modification.
Fixes
Startup in safe mode with networking In some cases, all that is required to fix this issue is to boot Windows Vista in safe mode. To do this, tap the F8 key on your keyboard repeatedly as the computer is starting up. Select safe mode with networking. Once the system is booted in safe mode, you may be asked to install updates–do so. Alternatively, after you’ve started in safe mode, you may be asked to install updates or restore the system after you boot again in normal mode. Either way, the simple act of booting in safe mode and applying the updates appears to fix this issue in some cases.
Disable the event log After the black screen with cursor appears, press the shift key several times (5 to 10 times). A window should appear that reads “Go to the Ease of Access Center to disable the keyboard shortcut.” Click on that item, then follow these instructions:
- In the explorer window that appears, clear the address entry and type MSCONFIG then press enter. Run MSCONFIG.
- Uncheck the two items in selective startup and press apply, then restart the computer.
- The computer should start normally. Now click the Start button and type MSCONFIG again, then press enter. Uncheck Windows Event Log and Windows Event Collector, then restart the system.
Use the Vista repair disc Failing the aforementioned, you may need to use a more involved process that requires use of the Windows Vista disc. The steps are outlined here.
Filed under Windows Vista by on May 4th, 2009. 7 Comments.
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 to 10GB or more).
Under no circumstances should you ever manually delete items from this folder. Doing so can interfere with critical system functions and may eventually lead to a situation in which you need to reinstall Windows Vista. However, one user has developed a tool that can safely remove unnecessary files from this directory, saving large amounts of hard drive space.
Fix
Christian Bering Boegh has created a tool called WinsxsLite, which works by deleting some unnecessary files and, in their place, linking to the latest versions of the same files (the WinSxS folder, by default, contains duplicates of many files). You can download the latest version of WinsxsLite (1.8.6) here. An instruction file is included–be sure to read it thoroughly before running the tool.
Note, however, the following stern warning: “WinsxsLite makes irreversible changes to the entire system partition. The only way to undo these changes, is to restore the system partition from a backup taken before running WinsxsLite.” In other words, unless you really need the 3GB or so that WinsxsLite will likely recover, you’re better off leaving the WinSxS folder alone.
Filed under Windows Vista by on May 4th, 2009. 12 Comments.
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 issues that can prevent the installation of Office 2007 updates. Next, re-attempt installation or move on the the following fixes.
- Try Windows Update If you manually downloaded the Office 2007 SP2 installation package initially, try downloading and installing the update through Windows Update instead.
- Re-download the installation file Microsoft’s servers have had issues delivering the Office 2007 SP2 installation package. When downloading Office 2007 SP2, ensure that the file size is 290MB. If it is smaller, you may have a corrupt, unusable file. Try re-downloading the file.
- Use the Windows XP or 2003 hotfix If you are running Windows XP or 2003, try using this hotfix from Microsoft that solves an issue with large installation files
Filed under Office 2007, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP by on Apr 30th, 2009. 15 Comments.
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 difficulty getting through to the servers (which are apparently overloaded) to download the new releases.
Filed under Windows 7, Windows Vista by on Apr 30th, 2009. Comment.