If, like many people, you choose to use Microsoft Outlook Express as your client for sending and receiving mail, you may have come across a 0×800cccod error at some point.

This error usually restricts a user from sending email, despite still being able to receive new mail from the POP server. You may receive an error that mentions invalid passwords, or invalid usernames. In some cases, receiving mail is also disabled and the user may have difficulty in connecting to the ISP’s mail servers.

The first step to take should be to evaluate whether the problem still exists with a firewall disabled. Many anti-Virus suites, for example, will try to scan new mail and they may alter the username and password leading to an error when it gets sent to the server. This is a simple problem to troubleshoot.

Temporarily disable the protection, try to send your message, and if it goes through successfully, you know that the anti-Virus software is causing a collision. It’s possible to disable the firewall for email services but that’s a drastic measure to take. Especially given that many viruses are spread through email communications.

You can breathe a sigh of relief though because even when you do download a virus via email attachment, most anti-Virus programmes will spot the file when you try to copy it across to the hard drive. It has to be downloaded, remember.

Most firewalls are easily accessible through the control panel of your anti-Virus software. There should be an option for “email scanning”. Turn this off and you will notice that sending and receiving mail becomes a lot quicker, not just in connecting but in downloading files too.

Another possibility – and probably more likely scenario – is that you’ve already been affected by a virus. There are many malicious applications which mess with the outgoing email, preventing a user from sending and in some cases, receiving too. Some viruses are easy to spot, while others are much more discrete. It’s not always viruses that cause the problems either.

A 0×800cccod error can even be triggered by spyware and adware. To prevent this kind of corruption, you should run a regular scan of your system. There are many free scanning utilities available on the web, and it’ll reduce the likelihood of an email problem if you have a clean hard drive.

If a system clean-up isn’t enough to solve the 0×800cccod error, you may want to re-enter your account details for the email client. This can sometimes reset the connection so that you can send to the SMTP server, and receive with POP.

Ensure that the details of the mail server settings are correct. If you are unsure of this, you will have to contact your ISP and retrieve the correct information. It’s possible – but wholly unlikely – that the ISP might change your log-in details without informing you. While we’d be surprised if this is the case, it would certainly explain why you can’t connect to send or receive mail! Such problems will usually be marked with an Invalid Username / Password message.

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The error, 0×800ccc79, is generally associated with problems sending and receiving email from a server. It could be down to the authentication levels, or it could simply be a configuration issue in Outlook Express.

If you’re receiving this message, it’s unlikely that you’re capable of using mail in your standard client. In some instances, the error has been known to occur without affecting the delivery of the mail, but in most, this is not the case.

So how can we fix it?

Firstly, let’s take a look at a couple of the error variants that you might find.

‘The server does not support a SSL connection. Account; pop.xxx.com Server smtp.xxx.com.’ Protocol SMTP, server response ‘250 HELP’ Port; 25, Secure (SSL) Yes, Server Error 250, error number 0×800CCC7D.’

The message could not be sent because one of the recipients was rejected by the server. The rejected e-mail address was ‘recipient@address.com’ . Subject ‘My Subject’, Account: ‘My Account’, Server: ’smtp.xxx.xxx’, Protocol: SMTP, Server Response: ‘550 relaying to prohibited by administrator’, Port: 25, Secure(SSL): No, Server Error: 550, Error Number: 0×800CCC79

Both of these errors are due to the email client being configured to use SSL – Secure Socket Layer – when it is not needed.

If you’re using Microsoft’s Outlook Express, you will need to adjust the settings to bypass the SSL.

To do this, follow the steps below.

• Go to Tools.
• From the new dialogue, click Accounts.
• Select the account which applies to the email that you are trying to send or receive. Go to Properties.
• Go to Advanced Settings
• Locate; “This server requires a secure connection” for “Outgoing mail (SMTP)” and “Incoming mail (POP3)”.
• Remove the checks from the two boxes.
• Save the settings and exit
• Reload Outlook Express.

This should allow you to send and receive your mail.

Another problem commonly associated with Outlook Express involves just the sending of mail, while it’s still possible to receive them without errors.

You may be receiving a 0×800ccc79 error if your account provider has stipulated that you must already be logged on to the SMTP server in order to send new mail. This can be quite confusing because if you opt to receive mail first, you’ll usually connect and the gateway will be opened for mail to be sent.

This is down to what’s known as the “POP before SMTP” rule.

Either way, it’s possible to log straight on to the SMTP server by supplying a username and password to be automatically authenticated when you open Outlook Express. To do this, follow the next step of steps.

• Go to Extras.
• Click on Accounts
• Select the account which applies to the email that you are trying to send. Go to Properties.
• When the window opens, click on Server.
• Check the box under Outgoing Mail Server which says “My server requires authentication.”
• Save your settings and exit.

It’s then a simple matter of entering your designated username and password at the relevant screen. This will be passed on to the SMTP server and you should be able to send new mail without the frustration of a 0×800ccc79 error.

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As the world’s most popular web browser, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer is used by over 80% of users on the Internet. This puts it way out in front of every other browser, but it also means that the software is required to reach out to the newest and obscurest of technologies.

While Internet Explorer is certainly the most popular, it’s not always the most reliable browser on the market. Each browser is different, and we’re going to look at some of the problems you could face while using Microsoft’s popular interface.

The biggest issue, and the source of most criticism directed at Internet Explorer, involves the danger of infecting your system through spyware and adware. There is no absolute way of eliminating malicious content from the web, but Internet Explorer is somewhat exposed to the dangers – more so than its rivals. This is due to the way that the program is structured, making it easier for hackers to attack your system.

It’s quite common to find the browser lagging - or even not working at all – after enabling an ActiveX control which isn’t as it seems. Whenever you load an ActiveX control in Internet Explorer, you’ll be given a warning about the content. It could seem completely innocuous, but after accepting, it’s possible for a malicious user to execute a “drive-by download” and effectively spam your computer without you so much as batting an eyelid.

Yes, this is still possible using Mozilla Firefox or any other browser. The difference is that Microsoft’s product is much more discrete about letting you know that you have a problem. Sometimes it won’t even tell you at all. The only way you’ll know for sure is by running a scan of your computer, or by using good ol’ common sense when the browser freezes up or overflows in third party advertisements.

A good spyware removal utility should clear up any issues related to the third party corruption of your browser, and believe us, there can be many. If you’ve been browsing the Net for a month without sufficient anti-Virus protection, the chances are that you’re harbouring some kind of malicious content.

It’s also good practice to delete your temporary Internet files on a regular basis. Every time you visit a website, a cookie is downloaded on to your computer. As you allow these to mount up, they can clog the system and ruin what was once a fresh browsing experience. They’re also very important when it comes to maintaining privacy in the websites that you’ve accessed.

Sometimes you’ll access websites and click on links which fail to load. This isn’t usually a trait of Internet Explorer, but of a toolbar that’s attached to it. Check to ensure that you have pop-ups enabled, since some sites will use the target=”_blank” key to open a page in a new window.

Other problems such as failed applets and scripting malfunctions can often be a sign that you’re Internet Options have been adjusted. Try going to Tools then Internet Options and under the access permissions, make sure that the three scripting boxes are checked. If they’re not, JavaScript will not run in the browser. This, as you can probably imagine if you have a web background, can cause a lot of difficulties.

With the release of Microsoft Internet Explorer 7, many of the security issues have been taken care of. But that’s not to say we should neglect the likelihood of opportunist attacks on the web. Be sure to browse safely with anti-Virus protection and clean your system regularly.

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“A Runtime Error has occurred. Do you wish to Debug?”

If you have been receiving this message while browsing the Web, it’s likely that you’re suffering from scripting errors caused by configuration options or malicious malware.

Runtime errors can arise out of many things. Maybe you have a pop up blocker installed. When a window opens to execute a script, the pop-up blocker terminates the script before it can complete its command. This leads to what is known as a runtime error.

With every runtime error, you’ll have the chance to debug where the problem is in the code. Of course, as a casual web browser, this isn’t really any of our business. So instead we end up clicking through “OK” messages until the alerts disappear. As such, it can take several clicks to load a single page!

Another problem involves the configuration of anti-Virus software. While it’s certainly advisable to browse with protection, always make sure that you have the right permission levels within the application. If you switch off scripting, you’re likely to get quite a few runtime errors. It’s also important that your anti-Virus suite is configured NOT to scan the Temporary Internet Files. This can lead to all kinds of problems.

Some people find themselves flooded with annoying runtime errors, yet the website itself seems to function properly. To fix this, follow the steps below.

• Go to Tools and Internet Options in Microsoft Internet Exporer
• Click on the Advanced Settings.
• Disable script debugging.
• Disable the script error notification box.
• Save changes and relaunch your browser

This will prevent reports of errors being returned when you load a page. Note that it won’t prevent the actual collision. But you won’t have to click OK several times before a page actually loads.

It’s possible that runtime errors are the result of a spyware infestation. Many malicious users design software which sits under the browser and springs up pop-ups. Due to the rough cut nature of most malwares, they can lead to an unhealthy number of errors. Ultimately, they’re not designed with the end user in mind and in desperation to blitz your browser with third party ads; you’ll be fighting off many errors.

To deal with spyware, there are many excellent free system cleaning utilities available on the market. These will tear through your computer and eliminate the bad apples. They’ll also clean the registry and improve the overall performance of your computer. Most runtime errors are born from collisions with the code. If you’re getting them persistently on reputable websites, the problem is most likely spyware or a spreading virus.

It’s not out of the question, however, that the runtime error is the fault of the developer who created the page. Programming languages aren’t a walk in the park by any means and there is plenty of scope for errors. If the site is using bad code, there’s nothing you can do other than to find a different website. You can eliminate the error reporting however, as we mentioned above, and this is often enough to make a website usable.

You can usually tell when the problem is on the part of the developer. If the errors are occurring on innocuous websites designed for the masses, it’s likely a fault at your own end. Remember that most reputable businesses and organizations are forced to design tidy code that won’t clash with pop-up blockers and anti-Virus software. Still having problems? Remember the three most likely reasons;

• Spyware
• Pop-up blockers and anti-Virus software
• Script configuration settings in Internet Options

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JavaScript has been designed to enhance the browsing experience when using the Internet. It is a programming language and follows the syntax of C, although it isn’t to be confused with Java – a completely different language.

Most web browsers support JavaScript. If you have one which doesn’t, you should definitely consider an upgrade! Internet Explorer offers full support and other companies such as Mozilla implement it too.

Unfortunately, JavaScript can lead to a troublesome browsing experience and poor site usability if used in the wrong way. Many websites will have trouble functioning if the browser is unable to compile JavaScript. This should become less of a problem as developers pay closer attention to accessibility standards, but it’s still there.

So what are symptoms of JavaScript problems? The most obvious is, of course, applets and programs that fail to load. If you are receiving errors and parts of the site are refusing to function correctly, it’s probably down to the JavaScript or the permissions designated to it.

Go to your Internet Options (Usually under Tools from the top toolbar). Then go to Advanced Settings and ensure that the scripting boxes are checked. You should also see an option for Java applets. Make sure this is checked. If the option isn’t there, head on over to Sun’s website and download the latest JavaScript support bundle. Installing it will iron out many JavaScript problems including the biggest problem of sites refusing to operate altogether!

JavaScript can be switched off to prevent pop-ups and dynamically generated adverts. This is one of the biggest reasons why people run in to problems. Of course, it’s nice to block out the bad things. But JavaScript provides some important functionality which has nothing to do with pop-ups. If you are one who likes to get rid of the ads, consider a professional pop-up blocker. Disabling scripting isn’t the best way to go about the problem.

You might also notice that some pages load with errors. How can you tell? Well, usually you’ll see a little exclamation mark in the bottom left of the browser and an “Errors on Page” annotation.

Sometimes it’s quite possible to use the site for its purpose with these errors still on the page. They’re usually down to poor code or technical errors. It’s not the greatest display of web development, but you don’t need to worry unless it’s affecting your browsing experience.

You’ll also find that JavaScript entries can clog up a system’s registry with log files. While relatively harmless, this can contribute towards a reduced system performance and programs can take longer to start. Be sure to stay ahead of the game and clean your registry regularly. There are error blocking software packages on the Net, but even with these, the logs are still building up behind the scenes.

Many forms are coded with JavaScript to validate your inputted information and verify that it meets the requirements. For example, if a password has to be between 6 to 12 letters with numbers and letters – JavaScript will take care of this on the client side. Therefore, if you access a website and the forms are not working, it could be down to the validation stage that occurs after you’ve submitted it.

Even if the data you submit is correct, the form won’t process unless it can verify via the scripting. As you can imagine, this is capable of inflicting serious woes on your browsing experience. Forms and registrations play an important role on the web.

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The use of ActiveX controls are essential for Microsoft Internet Explorer to operate effectively. Without them, certain parts of a web page may not function in the way that the designer intended.

ActiveX is an umbrella term for a loose set of Microsoft technologies. They cover a wide variety of purposes, but the most common includes the ability of OLE to integrate with Microsoft’s popular browser. ActiveX controls are responsible for translating data in to a visual representation on the screen. For example, you might use an ActiveX control to access an embedded spreadsheet. Another popular use comes in the form of an integrated FTP window.

For all of its technology advances, ActiveX is actually quite unstable if left to work on all websites. Malicious users have found a way to target browsers with weak security, and they’ll go as far as to distribute spyware through the misleading certificates of the control.

Many ActiveX errors are triggered by browsers that have had their security settings tampered with. If the security levels aren’t adjusted to accept ActiveX controls, the additional content won’t function and you’ll be left with an error. This is a very common problem and thankfully it’s easy to fix.

Presuming that you’re running Microsoft Internet Explorer, follow these simple steps;

• Select Tools > Internet Options from the top toolbar.
• Navigate your way to the Security tab and notice the different levels. Set the security bar to Medium.
• Click on the Custom Level tab. Ensure that the following boxes are checked; “Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins”, “Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting”, and “Scripting”.
• Save and apply your changes.
• Relaunch Microsoft Internet Explorer

This should ensure that ActiveX controls display properly in your browser.

It’s possible that you may still receive an “ActiveX disabled” error. If this is the case, it’s likely that the problem stems from an anti-virus program. Many of these come with settings which disable scripting from the browser, and they will override the existing Internet Options. If you are still having difficulty getting ActiveX to display, ensure that scripting is enabled on your anti-Virus program. There’s an easy way to test whether this is the source of the problem.

Try disabling your anti-Virus protection and refresh the page. If the ActiveX control displays, you know for sure that it’s the anti-Virus suite that is causing the clash. Of course, these programs can be configured very differently. We’d recommend that you check the support site for your software and locate the correct configuration settings. Alternatively, find a “Restore Default Settings” option in the suite and click this. Be careful though, this will return ALL settings to the default values.

Don’t rule out the possibility that an ActiveX control is simply not coded correctly. They aren’t the simplest plug-ins to work with and if a developer uploads code with a slight fault, the entire control will return an error. It may seem as if your browser is to blame, but it’s actually the fault of the coder. Check for a test ActiveX control from Microsoft if you’re unsure.

It’s unlikely, but ActiveX errors can also be triggered by a deep routed problem with the system video card and its drivers. You will typically see a lot more problems than mere ActiveX errors alone if this is the case, but it shouldn’t be ruled out completely. It’s a good idea to keep your video drivers up to date as a matter of good habit. You can upgrade them from the system settings.

If this still doesn’t fix the Active X control, it’s worth visiting the DirectX website and downloading the latest components for your machine. Once again, it’s highly unlikely that a graphics card fault will be the real source of the problem. If it is, you’ll typically notice the performance setbacks in everything that your system does.

ActiveX isn’t the most stable of technologies and its controls can be easily affected by the settings of a browser of the configuration of an anti-Virus package. Be sure to check that scripting is enabled, and if this doesn’t do the trick, consider upgrading your video drivers and obtain the latest DirectX software.

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Hewlett-Packard is widely recognised as the number one provider of printers, scanners and imaging equipment. The California-based company ships a huge stock of these items every year, and there’s a good chance that if you go out to buy a printer, you’ll be coming home with an HP product.

Given the lofty stature of HP, you shouldn’t encounter too many compatibility problems when it comes to finding the right printer or scanner for your system. The installation doesn’t always run smoothly, however, and we’re going to look at some of the most problems and how to overcome them.

First of all, it’s important to note that all HP printers come with software. It’s not possible to simply “plug ‘n play” as you might do with other hardware devices. Every HP printer, scanner or imaging device will come with a CD. On this CD, you’ll find an installation program and the drivers required to use the hardware.

It’s also important to follow the instructions explicitly and install the software BEFORE you connect the device. To do this, insert the CD and run through the installation procedure. It will copy files to your local drive before telling you when to connect the device. Most printers and scanners use a USB port these days. Once your device is connected, follow the remaining instructions and you’ll usually be asked to restart your system. This validates the new drivers and it will ensure that your hardware is detected in the future.

So what are the most common problems with the installation of a HP device? First and foremost, we have driver issues.

HP can’t release software which is customised for each user’s system configuration, and it’s possible that the printer or scanner drivers may clash. Driver issues are typically marked by a device which fails to connect. If Windows springs up a message that it cannot recognise the hardware device, it’s likely that you’re suffering from either outdated drivers or the wrong driver altogether.

Log on to the HP website and search out your device. It’s here that you’ll be able to download the very latest drivers and patches. Test the different software and attempt to connect to the device with different configurations. If you have a working driver, you’ll be able to connect to the hardware and Windows will detect it automatically.

Sometimes Window will recognise the hardware, but won’t be able to retain the connection. This is another example of a driver incompatibility issue.

Of course, it’s important to check - before purchasing a printer – that the device is compatible with your system. You’ll also need to download different software if you’re working on a Linux platform. The standard Windows package will not work on Linux, and vice versa.

Another common problem stems from wireless printer connectivity. If you’re installing a printer to work on a network, you’ll need to ensure that the computers can connect to it.

If this isn’t happening, try pinging the printer adapter. To do this, you can open up the command shell (c:\windows\system\CMD.exe) and type the following:

ping 192.168.173.1.

If no signal is returned, the printer is failing to connect with your local system. This could be for a number of reasons. You might want to try moving the printer closer to the computer, or checking that radio interference isn’t playing a role. As a last resort, consider replacing the network and printer adapters.

If you’re sure that the printer is installed, yet it fails to print, check that the device isn’t configured to work offline.

Go to Start, then Settings and finally Printers. It’s here that you’ll be able to see if the device is set to work online. It’s also possible that documents may be jammed in a queue. Restart the jobs and wait for the printer to respond.

If your printer shows no sign of connectivity at all – usually displayed by an orange or red light – you could be suffering from a connectivity issue with the hardware itself. It’s possible that the USB cable is faulty and replacing it could fix the problem.

HP provides extensive support for their products so do make sure to check the help archives on their official website. Printers and scanners can be notoriously fiddly to install and it’s likely that if you have a problem, somebody else has experienced it too.

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“Cannot Connect to ACE Runtime”

“MACE SERVICE could not connect to the ACE Runtime.”

Have you been receiving this error when loading up Windows XP or trying to access the Internet?

ACE Runtime is a service that is required in order to access the Internet and exchange data. Most ACE Runtime problems stem from a collision with either an anti-Virus program or a manual firewall which happens to be impeding its ability to access the Net.

Bizarrely enough, you’re most likely to encounter the errors if you are running a copy of Windows Media Center Edition and using an ATI graphics card. Quite why this is, we can’t begin to speculate. Part of the fault has to lay with ATI for designing a card which requires a firewall to be specifically opened to get rid of errors.

When you load your operating system, you’ll be told that the MACE Service (Managed Access to Catalyst Environment) can’t connect to the ACE Runtime. This will restrict your Internet access, so it’s necessary to manually correct the firewall in order to heal the breach.

Alternatively, you can search out the latest ATI drivers and attempt to patch over the problem by upgrading to the latest software. This should fix the problem, depending on the model of the hardware that you are using.

If a driver upgrade doesn’t do the trick, you’ll have no choice but to replace the ATI or open up your Windows Firewall by making exclusions so that the MACE Service can connect to your ACE Runtime.

To do this, you will need to navigate to the Windows Firewall settings. Once you’re there, locate the MACE folder which holds all of the MACE settings.

You should then add the MACE folder to the specific exclusion list of your Windows Firewall. It isn’t a particularly ideal solution because every exception that you add is an opening to a hacker, but it should at least allow the ACE Runtime to connect. This will, in turn, get rid of the errors and grant you Internet access.

Of course, it’s important to note that the same rule applies to other anti-Virus suites, not just the Windows Firewall. Many of these suites come with firewalls and exclusion lists of their own. You should apply the exception to whichever anti-Virus suite you have in operation on your system.

On certain occasions, you may find that the error is triggered by a virus rather than a hardware problem. If your system is inundated with spyware, viruses and malware, it’s quite possible that your ACE Runtime mechanism could be affected. But we should point out that it’s highly unlikely that you won’t have seen signs elsewhere. There are no viruses which specifically target the ACE Runtime service, although some are known to affect it indirectly.

Run a system scan to stay clear of any malicious files and hacking threats, and always use anti-Virus protection when browsing the Internet.

The problem with ATI and ACE Runtime is heavily documented. If you are using an ATI card, you can expect to receive an ACE Runtime error, no matter how new your system is. Keep your drivers upgraded and as a last resort, add an exception to your firewall to fix the problem.

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Whenever you install a new hardware device on your computer, drivers are used to detect the settings and act as a layer between the software and hardware. Without them, Windows would be unable to use devices like webcams, printers…you name it. In certain cases, the devices will be detected and noticed, but Windows won’t know how to operate them correctly.

Drivers can also become corrupt. They’re vulnerable to viruses and if you have a habit of deleting your core files, it’s possible to “break” a hardware device. At least until you re-install it, at least!

Never tamper with the driver files unless specifically instructed, as a slight alteration can cause them to fail completely.

You might be sitting there with a blank look wondering why you’re receiving driver errors when you haven’t actually edited them at all. The most likely answer is that the drivers are out of date and need replacing. Most manufacturers release patches to their drivers after the product has arrived in stores. The patches and fixes might be to improve the processing speed of the hardware, or to improve visual quality on a video card.

Hardware manufacturers can’t design with anticipation of what millions of customers are going to have configured on their system. You may experience problems installing a device if the driver is not recognised. Sometimes your system is a generation ahead of the device that you’ve purchased!

All manufacturers have websites offering the latest drivers and you should get in to a habit of browsing these from time to time and updating your driver library. The Windows Installer makes it easy to update drivers. Just download the zips and run through the quick installation. You’ll be asked to restart your computer for the drivers to load up properly. Once you’ve done this, you should notice that your hardware device is being recognised by Windows.

If you’re receiving an “Unknown Device” warning, that’s generally a sign that there’s a problem with the driver. Try re-installing the software that came with your device. Make sure not to connect it until you’re asked as this can interfere with the detection of the device.

Most driver problems are graphics related. Video cards are constantly on the change and technology advances over months rather than years. This can compromise the performance of your device. If you’re noticing slow cursor lag, display problems, and font contortion – there’s a pretty high chance that your video drivers are becoming obsolete.

Head on over to the manufacturers website and download the latest driver, being sure to look out for any operating system specifications that might be in place. Remember that Windows isn’t the only operating system and hardware manufacturers have to design for other platforms too! Some people have even tried installing the wrong drivers on their Windows OS!

Some developers now offer driver backup utilities to protect against virus attacks and corruption via malware. Discrete spyware is capable of jeopardising Windows’ communication with certain drivers. This can make it seem like the hardware is to blame when the real problem is buried somewhere in your downloaded files.

Run a regular scan of your system to locate and eliminate third party junk. Keeping a computer clean and free of malware should lead to much fewer driver collisions.

You should also remember to trust what already works. Don’t bother updating drivers if your current set is performing correctly. Newer drivers are just as likely to cause problems as the older kind!

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It’s highly likely that you’ll have experienced a DLL error at some point. Why? Because they’re some of the most common errors to receive on any Windows system.

DLL stands for Dynamic Link Library. The clue to their purpose is in the title. It’s the job of DLL files to link data in a way that can be accessed by more than one file. They act as library files to store procedures and basic information. When a piece of software wishes to use this, it will send a request and – usually – retrieve the information. But this isn’t always the case.

Due to the nature of applications sharing the same libraries of files, it’s a distinct possibility that the DLLs will become corrupt or out of date.

If one program requires a DLL update for example, the process can be easily automated by you or me. But what we might not realise is that the same file was being used by another application on the system! While we might have reconfigured the new program to find the DLL file, the old program won’t be able to trace it. This is just one of many scenarios where you’ll be returned with a rather ambiguous DLL error.

Here are a few that you can expect to see.

• A required .DLL file was not found. Unable to…
• The DLL File may be missing or corrupt.
• The following file has been replaced by an older version…

There are a couple of ways that you can go about fixing DLL errors, and it will very much depend on how automated you want the repair job to be.

The first option is to browse the Net and locate the DLL file that is giving you the problems. It’s done easily enough. DLLs are readily available across a wide number of websites (watch out for the merchants that try to sell you free fixes), and you can download them in a matter of seconds. Ensure that you re-configure the software to run off your new DLL files and you should be up and running.

It’s also possible to roll back the software changes that you’ve made since the error started appearing. Obviously, this isn’t ideal. We don’t want to be in the situation where we can’t upgrade our applications for fear of a stray DLL file.

The best solution is to download a free registry cleaning utility. These are specifically designed to check a system’s registry and sniff out any DLL files which have become corrupted or are no longer of use.

The registry cleaner will, more often than not, fix your DLL problems. If it isn’t able to, it should at least point you in the right direction by highlighting the source of the error.

It’s also a wise idea, as it always is, to keep your system protected with anti-Malware software. This can go a long way towards preventing those future corruptions of DLL files. For such tiny little libraries, they can have a quite devastating effect on the functionality of an application.

Browse the Net with anti-Virus protection and the latest firewall available. We’d also recommend keeping all of your software up to date in order to avoid situations where you have DLL files which are generations apart. This is much more likely to lead to errors on the application surface.

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