Solution to Error 646

In this article we will discuss the cause of error 646 that may occur while installing updates on a Windows computer and its solution.

Issue

When installing new updates on your Microsoft Windows Vista computer, you may receive the error code 646, stating –

“Windows has encountered an unknown problem”

and is unable to install updates.

Cause of the Error

Generally, the above error occurs when the Windows Update agent file Wups2.dll is incorrectly registered in the Windows registry. Update installation fails because the registry files that correspond to the wups2.dll are missing.

Resolution Methods

To resolve error 646, manually register the Windows Update files. If you still are not able to install updates, then download and install the Windows Update agent.

Method 1: Manually register the Windows Update files

Warning: The registry is a critical component of Windows operating systems. Perform the following steps carefully and as they are shown. Incorrectly modifying the registry may cause serious damage to your computer. As a precaution, always make a registry backup before altering its content. This will allow you to restore the registry to its last working state in case any complications arise. You may back up the registry manually or use an advanced registry cleaning tool, such asRegGenie for this purpose.

To manually register the Windows Update files, perform the following steps:

1. Click the Start menu and then in the Start Search box typenotepad.
2. Next, click Notepad.
3. Now, copy and paste the text mentioned below in the opened Notepad window:
   regsvr32 wups2.dll /s
   regsvr32 wups.dll /s
   regsvr32 wuaueng.dll /s
   regsvr32 wuapi.dll /s
   regsvr32 wucltux.dll /s
   regsvr32 wuwebv.dll /s
   regsvr32 jscript.dll /s
   regsvr32 msxml3.dll /s
4. Next, click on the File menu and click Save As.
5. Select All Files from the Save as type drop-down menu.
6. In the File name box, type register.bat.
7. Select Desktop from the Save in drop-down list.
8. Click the Save button.
9. Next, right-click the register.bat on your desktop and click Run as administrator.
10. Type the administrator password when prompted.

After you have successfully registered the Windows Update files, try to install updates. If you receive the error, proceed to the next section.

Method 2: Install the Windows Update Agent

The Windows Update agent allows you to manage which updates will be installed on your Windows computer. The Windows Update agent and the Windows Update Web site work together to provide the latest updates to your Windows computer.

To install the latest version of the Windows Update Agent, visit theMicrosoft update website.

Solution to Stop Error 24

When you restart your Windows 2000 computer or try to run the Setup or Recovery Console, you may receive an error message similar to the ones shown below:

Stop 0x00000024

NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM

Cause of the Error

The stop error 24 may occur if a problem occurs within the Ntfs.sys file, which is a driver file that allows Windows computers to read and write to NTFS partitions.

Resolution Methods

To resolve the corrupted NTFS volume, use one of the methods discussed below:

Method 1 – System Partition using FAT or FAT32 file system

If your system partition uses the FAT or FAT32 file system, then to start the troubleshooting steps that are discussed below, disconnect or turn off any disks that have NTFS volumes. 

In case you are able to identify which NTFS volume is causing the error, perform the following steps:

1. Disconnect the drive that contains the corrupted NTFS volume and restart your computer while pressing the F8 key.
2. When the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, select Safe Mode by using the Arrow keys and press Enter.
3. Next, click Start and then click My Computer.
4. Browse to the C:\Windows\System32\Drivers folder.
5. Locate and right-click Ntfs.sys and click Rename.
6. Type Ntfs.old and press Enter to rename this file.
7. Restart the computer again in Safe Mode.
8. Click Start and then click Run.
9. In the Open box, type the following command and press Enter:
   Chkdsk <driveletter>: /f
10. Click Start and then click My Computer.
11. Browse to the C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\ folder.
12. Locate and right-click Ntfs.old and click Rename.
13. Type Ntfs.sys and press Enter.
14. Restart your computer in Normal Mode.

Note: <driveletter> represents the drive of your computer that contains the corrupt NTFS volume.

Method 2 – System Partition using NTFS file system

If your system partition uses the NTFS file system, the “Stop 0x00000024” error could be due to corrupted system partition.

To identify if this is the cause, disconnect or turn off all other data disks, which contains NTFS volumes. After you have determined the disk that has the corrupted NTFS volume, do either of the following:

• Move the disk that contains the corrupted NTFS volume to another Windows 2000 computer that is running on the FAT or FAT32 file system.
• Install Windows 2000 on a disk that has FAT or FAT32 file system.

Next, perform the steps discussed in the “System Partition using FAT or FAT32 file system” section to fix the issue.

Fix Uninstall Error 1316

When you try to upgrade software, such BlackBerry Desktop Manager, Itunes, or PalmOne, you may receive the following error:

“Error 1316. A network error occurred while attempting to read from the file C:\windows\installer\<Program Name>.msi”.

To resolve the uninstall error 1316, uninstall the previous version of the software using the Add or Remove Programs utility.

If you are not able to uninstall the software through the Add or Remove Programs utility, download the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility and use it to remove the installation files of the previous version of software.

Uninstall the software using the Add or Remove Programs Utility

To uninstall software using Add or Remove Programs utility, perform the following
Steps:

Note: The steps listed below are for Windows XP computer. If you use a different version of Windows, the steps may differ slightly.

1. Click Start and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Add or Remove Programs to open its corresponding window.
3. Next, locate and select the software you need to remove, and click Remove.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to uninstall the software.

If you are unable to uninstall the software using this method, or the software does not appear in the Add or Remove Programs list, follow the steps given in the next section.

Uninstall the software using Windows Installer Cleanup Utility

Note: To run Windows Installer Cleanup Utility, you must be logged in as an Administrator.

1. Download the Windows Installer Cleanup utility from Microsoft Support website and save the file msicuu2 on your desktop.
2. Next, double-click msicuu2 and then click Run to initiate installation of the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility.
3. Follow the prompts that appear in the Windows Installer Clean Up Setup window and click the Finish button when installation is complete.
4. Next, click Start, click All Programs, and then click Windows Install Clean Up to launch the utility.
5. Locate and select the software you wish to remove in the Windows Installer Clean Up dialog box. If more than one instances of the software are listed, select all of them.
6. Next, click the Remove button.
7. A warning box will appear, click OK to uninstall the software.
8. After uninstallation is complete, click the Exit button to close the Windows Installer Clean up dialog box.

It is important to note that Windows Installer Cleanup Utility does not remove the actual program but removes the installation files to enable you to perform upgradation, installation, or unisntallation of the software. After you have completely removed the installation files of the software, install the newer version of the software.

To prevent occurrence of errors when you uninstall software and to ensure complete removal of software and programs, it is recommended that you either use the built-in Add or Remove Programs utility or a reliable third-party uninstaller tool, such as Perfect Uninstaller. Also, regularly clean your registry, using an efficient registry cleaning utility, such as RegGenie to remove entries related to programs or software that you uninstall.

How to Activate Clear Type

Would you like to improve the font display resolution on your computer? Would you like to improve the readability of your color LCD monitor? Would you like to be able to read better on a CRT monitor? Activating Clear Type can help you do all of these things.

To activate Clear Type, you need to do two things: be on a Windows XP based machine and be able to edit your registry. Note that editing your registry can be risky business. Make sure that you create a backup before changing your registry entries. Otherwise, changes to your registry will be irreversible.

Activating Clear Type can be done on an individual basis. It can also be done for all the users on the machine. Instructions for both will be included in this article.

Those who do not wish to edit their registry may also activate Clear Type using the method to be outlined later.

Activate Clear Type for Individual User

Here are the instructions for activating Clear Type for an individual user.

1. Click on Start and go to Run. Enter regedit.
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER. Expand this folder.
3. Look for Control Panel. Expand this folder.
4. You should be able to find the Desktop folder.
5. Now, look at the right side of your registry. LocateFontSmoothing. Is this value there? If FontSmoothing is listed, go on to step six. If not, create the value by following the steps below.
• Right click on the right hand pane of the box.
• Select New and then select String Value.
• Rename the new String Value to FontSmoothing. You can also right click on the new string value that comes up and select Rename.
6. Double click on FontSmoothing. A new box will pop up.
7. Type in 2 in the value data field.
8. Look at the right hand side again. This time check forFontSmoothingType. If the value is there, go to step nine. If the value is not listed, you will need to create theFontSmoothingType value by using the steps below.
• Right click on the right hand pane of the box.
• Select New and then select DWORD.
• Rename the new DWORD value toFontSmoothingType. You can also right click on the new string value that comes up and select Rename.
9. Double click on FontSmoothingType. A new box will pop up.
10. Enter 2 in the value data field.
11. Exit registry and reboot.

Activate Clear Type for All Users

Now, if you would like to activate Clear Type for all users on the machine, simply follow the steps below. This is very similar to the steps outlined above.

1. Click Start and go to Run. Enter regedit.
2. Go to HKEY_USERS. Expand this folder by clicking on the cross at the left.
3. Now look for DEFAULT. Expand the folder.
4. You should be able to find Control Panel. Expand this folder.
5. You should now see Desktop.
6. Look at the right side pane of the box. Check if FontSmoothingis already there. If the value is listed, go to step seven. If not, follow the instructions below to create the FontSmoothingvalue.
• Right click on the right hand pane of the box.
• Select New and then select String Value.
• Rename the new String Value to FontSmoothing. You can also right click on the new string value that comes up and select Rename.
7. Double click on FontSmoothing. A new box will pop up.
8. Type in 2 in the value data field.
9. Look at the right hand side again. This time check forFontSmoothingType. If the value is there, go to step ten. IfFontSmoothingType is not listed, you will need to create the value using the steps below.
• Right click on the right hand pane of the box.
• Select New and then select DWORD.
• Rename the new DWORD value toFontSmoothingType. You can also right click on the new string value that comes up and select Rename.
10. Double click on FontSmoothingType. A new box will pop up.
11. Enter 2 in the value data field.
12. Exit registry and reboot.

Acitvate Clear Type Without Editing the Registry

If you would rather not edit the registry, you can also obtain the same results by performing the following steps. Note that this procedure will affect only the current user. Only the second registry edit method will be able to affect all users.

1. Right click on a blank area of the Desktop and click onProperties.
2. Click on the Appearance tab.
3. Next, click on Effects.
4. Put a checkmark in the box next to: Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts.
5. Select Clear Type from the dropdown box.

Hopefully, one of these three methods will be helpful to you in activating Clear Type.

Windows 7 Registry Tips and Tweaks

One of the most crucial components of any system is its registry and Windows 7 PCs will be no exception. In this article, we will explain what the registry is, why it is so important to your system’s performance, how to fine tune registry settings to meet your requirements, and finally how to maintain a healthy registry.

What is the registry?

The registry is a central hierarchical database that contains all information related to your hardware, system settings, user profiles and softwares installed on it. Whenever you make any changes on your system an entry is added, removed or modified within the registry. Different entities of your system, be it the operating system or applications installed on the PC, need to constantly refer to the registry to carry out their functions.

Pointers to fine tune registry settings in Windows 7

Windows 7, like earlier versions of Windows operating systems allow users to edit registry entries to customize system settings. Below are some of the tweaks that you can use to do this.

Warning: Remember to backup the registry before implementing any of these tweaks. You can do this from the Registry Editor utility or by using a Windows 7 compatible registry tool.

To implement these tweaks, you need to start the Registry Editor.  To do this, go to Start, select Run and type regedit to open theRegistry Editor window.

1. Customize Windows 7 logon screen to suite your taste. Navigate to the following registry key in the Registry Editor:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Au thentication\LogonUI
In the right pane add a DWORD value called ButtonSet and set its value ranging between 0-2. Each value is explained below.
• 0 – The value corresponds to lighter text shadows and darker buttons (this is Windows default setting)
• 1 – The value corresponds to darker text shadows and lighter buttons (best suitable for lighter backgrounds)
• 2 – The value corresponds to no text shadows and opaque buttons (best suitable for darker backgrounds)
2. Speed up the Desktop. Navigate to the following registry key in the Registry Editor:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Add the following entries in the right pane.
“AutoEndTasks"="1"
"HungAppTimeout"="1000"
"MenuShowDelay"="8"
"WaitToKillAppTimeout"="2000"
"LowLevelHooksTimeout"="1000
These entries achieve the following:
• Automatically end the programs that are taking a long time to respond.
• Quickly terminate the programs that are hung.
• Speed up menu display.
• Speed up the display of sub menus.
3. Enable Take Ownership option when files and folder are clicked. Navigate to the following registry key in the Registry Editor and add the given entries. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\runas
   @="Take Ownership"
   "NoWorkingDirectory"=""
   This option is useful when you need to quickly replace system files while performing tasks, such as PC customization.
4. Speed up your PC by preventing the system to perform low disk space checks, look for programs that no longer exist and so on. Navigate to the following registry key in Registry Editor and add the given entries.HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\C urrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
   "NoLowDiskSpaceChecks"=dword:00000001
   "LinkResolveIgnoreLinkInfo"=dword:00000001
   "NoResolveSearch"=dword:00000001
   "NoResolveTrack"=dword:00000001
   "NoInternetOpenWith"=dword:00000001

These are just a few tweaks. More will be available as the final version of Windows 7 is released. In addition to these tweaks, remember to take care of your system and the registry to prevent unnecessary problems. You can do this easily by performing regular PC and registry maintenance and with the help of Windows 7 compatible tools.

Hide Drives and Partitions in Windows :

Do you have data on a partition or hard drive that you don't want tampered with or easily accessible to other users? Well, you can hide any drive/partition in Windows XP, Vista, and 7. That means that they won't show up in Explorer or My Computer.
If you want access to that drive from your user account you should create a desktop shortcut before proceeding. Once hidden, you can still access by typing the drive letter and a colon in Start/Run—for example, "D:" will bring up a folder of the contents on your D drive.


The easiest way with Win XP is to use the TweakUI power toy from Mcft. Go to Start/Run and type in "tweakui" (without the quotes).
Go to My Computer/Drives and uncheck the drive/partition(s) you want hidden. Click "Apply" or "OK" when finished.


For Win 2000,XP,Vista and 7 you can use the following Registry edit:
Be sure to back up the Registry before proceeding
Open the Registry Editor by going to Start/Run and typing in "regedit" (without the quotes). Find your way to...


HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Mcft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies


Click on "Explorer".


Double-click the "NoDrives" key in the right column. If you don't find a "NoDrives" registry key, just right-click in the right pane and choose "New/DWORD Value" then name the key "NoDrives".


You'll see a value like "0000 00 00 00 00". This is where the fun starts. The four sets of double zeros (after the "0000") are where you'll enter the values for the drive/partitions. Now, stay with me on this—it's not as complicated as it sounds:
The first column is for drives A-H, the second for I-P, the third for Q-X, and the fourth for Y-Z.


The values for each drive are as follows:
1 - A I Q Y
2 - B J R Z
4 - C K S
8 - D L T
16 - E M U
32 - F N V
64 - G O W
80 - H P X
So, let's say you want to hide drive D. In the first column you would put "08". For drive K you would put "04" in the second column.
But what if you want to hide more than one drive in a column? Simply add the values together: D+E = 8+16 = 24. So in the first column you would put "24".
Still baffled? If you have XP then go get TweakUI and save yourself the math.


Whichever method you use, you can rest easy knowing that the files on that drive or partition are less accessible to other users.

Create An Ftp Server On Your Pc With Serv-u

Requirements:
Serv-U
No-IP.com Website


Step 1. Getting a static IP address.
Get a static address for your FTP server. You will want to do this as opposed to using your IP address for several reasons. First, it’s easier keeping up-to-date. Imagine having to change all of your setting every time your IP changed. With No-IP, the No-IP service runs in background on your computer and updates your current IP address with your FTP server’s URL (for example, you get ftp://rkchoolie.serveftp.com). Second reason, you don’t want your IP address posted out there for everyone to see.


1. Go to www.No-IP.com to create a new user account.
2. Fill in the information that is required and the click Register button.
3. Your account has now been created and your account password has been emailed to you.
4. Check your email mailbox and wait for the mail that contains your password
5. Go back to www.No-IP.com and type your email address and password to login to your account.
6. Once in your account, click on Add a host in the left menu
7. Type in the Hostname you want (example: rkchoolie) and pick a Domain from the list (example: ftpserve.com)
8. Check Allow Wildcards and click the Submit button
9. You now have your static address (example: rkchoolie.serveftp.com)
10. Click on your OS link in the Dyn-Update Client in the bottom right menu and follow links to download the client
11. Once downloaded, install the software and type in your email address and password when asked.
12. Finally tick the checkbox near your static address.
You now have a static web address .


Step 2. Installing and setting the FTP server
1. Install Serv-U.
2. Start Serv-U and use the wizard to setup your ftp.
3. Click next until you're asked for an IP address, leave it blank and then click next.
4. Type the domain name you've just registered above (example: preacher.serveftp.com) in the domain name field and then click Next.
5. You are asked if you want to allow anonymous access, select No and then click next.
6. You are then asked to create a named account, check yes and then click next.
7. Type in the user name you wish for this account (example: Harrie) and click next.
8. Type a password for this account (example: $p3c1aL). For security reasons, try to create a password with some letters, numbers and special characters. Then click next.
9. You will then be asked for the Home directory of the account you just created. Select the directory and then click next.
10. Select yes to lock this account to the Home directory. You want to do this so that the user can not go any further up that his home directory. Click next.
11. The account is now set so click finish.


Step 3. Configuring user accounts
1. In the left tree-menu, select the account you've just created and then click on the General tab.
2. Check Hide ‘Hidden’ Files.
3. Check Allow only and enter the number one in the box.
4. Set the Max. download speed to what ever you want. If this is an account that many will be using, set it low to save on your bandwidth. I usually have mine set between 10 – 20. If you leave it blank, users will be able to download from you at full bandwidth.
5. Set the Max no. of users to how many you want to be able to log on at one time. This depends on your connection speed but try these (56 - 1, ISDN - 3, ADSL or cable - 5-6 users.)
6. Now, click on the Dir Access tab.
7. You should see the home folder in there. Highlight it and make your permissions.
8. If you only want users to be able to download check only Read, List, & Inherit.
9. If you want users to be able to upload, but to only one particular folder but not download, click the add button and then select that folder. Now highlight the folder and set these permissions on that folder. Check Write, Append, List, Create, & Inherit. Once you have made the permissions click on the up arrow that is located at the bottom right-hand corner. You want this special upload folder to be list first, before the home folder.
10. If there is a folder that you don’t want anyone to have access to, but it is inside the home folder, then click the add button and then select that folder. Now highlight the folder and make sure that all checkboxes are left. Once you have made the permissions click on the up arrow that is located at the bottom right-hand corner. You want this no access folder to be listed at the very top.
11. There are many other different sets of permissions you can play with. I just covered your basics.
12. Your server is now set!
13. Try logging on with the username and password and see if it works.