Entries Tagged as 'Windows Installer'

win32 Generic Process

One of the most frustrating and nerve wracking problems that you will ever face on your PC is the win32 process error. The error is prevalent in Windows based computers and is one of the most dreadful bugs out there. The win32 process error is quite capable of causing the connection to other PC’s on a network to close and the damage can ever be permanent in nature.

The message that you will see every time there is a win32 process error is:

“Generic Host Process for Win32 services has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience”

You will three options:

  • Debug
  • Send Error report
  • Don’t send

Normally most people would send a error report but it never really helps. Here are some solutions that will help you to fight the win32 process error.

First Solution

  • Go to Run and then open Regedit
  • Locate the following key:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Services > Browser > Parameters
  • Once you are here, try and find the following key:
    Name: IsDomainMaster and set Data: False
  • Now restart your computer

Hopefully the win32 process error would have been taken care of but if it is not then try the second solution.

Second Solution

  • Click to open Run and then type cmd
  • This will open MS-DOS. Once the screen is there, type netsh in the command console and press enter
  • Now type ‘winsock’ and press enter again
  • Now type reset
  • Finally, restart your computer
  • This should ideally take care of your win32 process error.

    Third Solution

    This is a solution that will require you to download a Microsoft Update Patch. Once you have downloaded the patch, you can apply it and it will rectify the win32 process error.

    Fourth Solution

    When the “Generic Host Process for Win32 services has encountered …..” screen appears, what you can really do is turn off all the automatic Windows updates using the control panel. Then reboot your computer. If this process of eliminating the win32 process error doesn’t work then you can download the supported hotfix that is available at the Microsoft website.

    If you are using Windows XP SP2, then the Generic Host Process or the win32 process error can be potentially dangerous and you might start receiving error messages immediately after the system startup. Most of the win32 process errors occur during the last shut down of the system. The hotfix provided by Windows can remove or effectively treat the win32 process error. It can be downloaded through the automatic update available on most Windows based computers or you can even manually download it from the Microsoft Windows website.

    Spooler Error

    The spooler error will occur only in those computers, which are connected to printers and are running on Windows XP. A common spooler error that you might encounter is:

    “Spooler Subsystem App has encountered a problem and needs to close.”

    This particular spooler error normally shows up when you have upgraded your computer from a lower Windows version to WinXP. In such a case, the older .dll files of the printer are not removed from the system and will cause spooler problems. To rectify this problem, you can do the following:

    1. Open My Computer>Tools>Folder Options>View and click on the option for show hidden files and folders
    2. Uncheck the option for “hide extensions for known file types” and then click OK
    3. Go to Start>Search. In the Search box choose all files and folders
    4. In the “all or part of the filename” box type the following in case you are using an HP printer: hpzimn12.dll
    5. Ensure that the “look in” box mentions Drive C or the drive in which you have installed the drivers of the printer
    6. Now click on Search
    7. If you find the “hpzimn12.dll” file then immediately click on it and delete it.
    8. Now reboot your PC and run your printer installation CD

    If you are using a Lexmark Printer then to remove a spooler error you need to do the following:

    1. Click on Start> My Computer>Manage>Expand Services and Applications>Services
    2. On the right window, click on LexBce Server and then on Properties
    3. When you are on the General tab, go to the Startup type list and Disable it
    4. In the Service status, click on Stop and then OK
    5. Now right-click on the Print Spooler service and click on start
    6. Now you can safely quit from Computer Management

    Whether it is an HP printer, Lexmark, Epson or any other once you have completed the process of removing the spooler error, shut down your computer or restart it in a safe mode. One of the other options is to go to the registry Editor and repair the spooler error. If you are not well versed with how to handle registry keys then avoid the risk. Instead call a expert to do it or download a registry fix program from the internet that can take care of the spooler error automatically.

    If you are doing it yourself then look for the following:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows NT x86
    Once you find it, check the sub-keys, which are drivers and print processors. If you find any other sub-key apart from these two then delete them so that no further spooler error can take place.

    How to fix a slow PC

    Slowing of the PC is probably the most common problem of all and it can be quite frustrating at times. There are several ways to fix slow PC and it depends on what is actually slowing the PC down. Some of the reasons of PC slowdown include:

    • Windows Registry problems
    • Temporary files
    • Virus or spyware
    • Computer Games

    Cleaning your PC

    Let’s take a look at each of the areas and understand how best you can fix slow PC. The most common reasons for a slowdown are the accumulation of temporary files and we often tend to overlook this aspect.

    Temporary Internet files: Temporary internet files get downloaded automatically when you visit the internet and cookies also get downloaded. Not all cookies are bad but some can be quite harmful. Most of the temporary internet files are stored in the temp folder in Windows. Deleting the files from the temp folder will automatically fix slow PC problems and even make your PC work faster and better. You can even delete them directly from Internet Explorer by doing to tools>Internet options>Delete Cookies and Delete Files. In Mozilla Firefox you need to go to tools>options>privacy>clear now>clear private data>ok. You have to clean up temporary internet folder and remove the temp files as well as cookies to fix slow PC problems and make your computer perform better. If you are using Windows XP then follow this path: Start>programs>accessories>system tools>disk cleanup to clean temp files and fix slow PC problems.

    Windows Registry problems: Windows registry is one of the most important folders on your computer because it stores vital information and data regarding all the programs or files being used on your PC. Sometimes, due to registry errors, your PC may slow down and the only option is to clean it. If you are technically qualified to handle Windows Registry repair then it is fine. Alternatively to fix slow PC problems, you can download a Windows registry cleaner like RegCure or RegClean. There are plenty of good softwares available over the internet that can clean your Windows Registry, delete obsolete files and fix slow PC problems.

    Virus and Spyware: Virus attacks or spyware attacks can also make your PC slow. It is always advisable to have a spyware and an anti-virus running on your PC in the background. There are plenty of good anti-spyware and anti-virus available like Norton, AVG etc and you can use them to fix slow PC problems.

    Computer Games: Computer games are a craze but they can damage the overall performance of your PC as well if it is not installed correctly. Always make sure that the games are installed with all their components to avoid or fix slow PC problems.

    Windows Installer Error

    Windows Installer errors can occur on any computer and at any point in time. You might be working on your computer at peace and suddenly you will find an error message saying: “1719/Windows Installer service could not be accessed. Contact your support personnel to verify that it is properly registered and enabled.”

    All windows installer errors have a particular code, which starts from 1000 and goes on till 3002. The installer errors with codes that are between 1000 and 1999 are generally known as ship errors and they have to be authored to the windows installer errors table. The error codes which are from 2000 onwards are mostly internal errors and might not have an authored string. These installer errors can occur only when the installation package has been authored incorrectly.

    The Symptoms

    Even if you don’t get an error message stating installer errors you will still be able to figure out if there is an installer problem or not. Normally, you will get to see certain errors when you are trying to install/uninstall a particular application and the messages will be like:

    “Windows Installer Service couldn’t be started”
    “The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed”
    “Could not start the Windows Installer service on Local Computer. Error 5: Access is denied.”
    “Windows Installer cannot delete a system file protection catalog from the cache.”
    “Windows Installer cannot retrieve a system file protection catalog from the cache.”

    The Solution

    There are different solutions for different installer errors but here are a few common ways of troubleshooting

    Solution 1

    First you need to unregister the windows installer and then re-register it. Here’s how you can do it:

    • Open the Start menu and click on Run
    • When a box opens, type msiexec /unreg, and press ENTER.
    • Go back to the start menu and click on Run
    • When a box opens, type msiexec /regserver and press ENTER

    Solution 2

    The second solution that you can apply for windows installer errors is upgrade to the next version of the windows installer. To get an upgrade, you can do the following:

    • Go to Microsoft Internet Explorer and find the Microsoft Web site or directly click on
      http://msdn.microsoft.com/downloads
    • When you see the left pane tree menu, click on Setup and System Administration and then on Setup
    • Next click on the Windows Installer and also click on the appropriate link for your operating system
    • Finally click on Download and get the new version

    Solution 3

    The third solution for installer errors is to use a windows installer clean-up program, which can help you to uninstall the failed program. You can find the windows installer cleanup utility at:
    http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;290301