DLL Errors

DLL stands for Dynamic Link Library and it is the term used to describe the common files that are created and shared between different applications used to perform common tasks. Rather than creating an individual file for each application, the DLL was created to allow one file to be compatible among a variety of different applications. DLL files perform a number of tasks that include utilizing system resources, such as RAM and hard drives, and improving system functioning.

There are thousands of versions of errors that are caused from DLL issues, and as such, it would be impossible to list each error individually. What is important to know is what a DLL error is indicating. Basically, a DLL error shows that there is a problem with the common files being used by your computer. Some common DLL errors area:

• Missing DLL error means that files are missing either through corruption or deletion.
• Rundll error is usually telling you that there is some type of malware infection in your system.
• DLL load error means that a file may be corrupted or non-compatible with your system and thus it cannot be loaded.

There is so much going on inside your computer at any given time that makes it perform properly that it is not uncommon for a thing or two to go awry occasionally. Some of the most common reasons for the DLL errors are:

• A virus or malware infection adds a code to the existing files.
• A corrupt file overrides a file that is working properly.
• A buggy or problem program is installed on your computer.
• A DLL file gets deleted by the user by mistake.
• The computer registry is corrupted in some way.
• There is an error on the hard disk.

As can be seen, there are a variety of reasons that a DLL error may occur, some preventable and avoidable, while some are not. Malware and computer viruses are usually the top causes for DLL errors, so installing a good and active virus program and a registry cleaner can help to eliminate the DLL errors that happen because of virus infection.

PS3 Bug Causes a Day of Worry in the Gaming Community

The PlayStation 3 gaming community fell victim to a firmware bug that created issues for gamers across the globe in the early part of 2010. The only console that appeared to not be affected was the new version the PS3 Slim. The good news is that this bug has since been fixed with only a short disruption to play and no longstanding effects on the PS3 consoles or gaming saves.

Firmware is the software that is installed to control how the hardware performs. Just like any other software, it is prone to problems, known as bugs, which may result in error codes. To fix a bug, either upgrades to the firmware or internal changes that will eliminate the issue causing the bug are required to start the hardware to once again work properly.

Error 8001050F was the cause of much disruption and panic before it was identified and corrected for PS3 gamers. The error would read: Registration of the trophy information could not be completed. The game will quit. This was followed by the error code, 8001050F. Those looking for a quiet evening of gaming were quickly disappointed when met with error 8001050F on their PS3. Twitter feeds and blogs kept the gaming community and Sony up to date on the frequency of the error and the status of the fix.

The error was reported to have caused systems to be paralyzed for well more than 24 hours for some users. Not only did it prevent users from connecting to the PlayStation Network, but playing offline games was not a possibility either. Efforts were made by Sony to resolve the issue from a variety of different angles while users patiently waiting to be reconnected with their gaming devices. The centralized support, internal clock and calendar were among the original culprits for the bug.

During the time that the error was being resolved, Sony communicated to users through social medial sites providing information on the updates on the PS3. Sony officials advised users not to use PS3 systems because of the threat of irreversible damage to the functionality of the console. Using the console before the error could be fixed could potentially result in loss of data and problems with recording.

Luckily for players, and Sony, the internal bug did not result in any major damage and game saves were not corrupted, according to user feedback. The error was identified as being caused by a bug in the internal clock in the PS3 console. Once this was identified, it was immediately fixed and PS3 users could once again breathe a sign of relief and go back to enjoying their game without further worry.

But I Didn't Get an Error Message?

What might just be worse than getting an error code is getting absolutely nothing at all from your computer when you go to boot up? If you get a hum, a fan or even a little yellow light on the monitor that is at least a small sign of life on the inside. Sometimes these little computer sounds may be accompanied by an error message such as no signal received. It is safe to assume that any of the issues described above are the equivalent of some type of error message; they just are not displayed in the same way.

Here are a few of the common errors that may not be accompanied by a specific error message:

• The computer boots up and then freezes.
• Hum from hard drive, but no signs from the monitor or display.
• No signal message on the monitor.
• Yellow light on the monitor, but nothing on the screen.
• Computer beeps, but will not turn on.

Before rushing to the repair shop, there are a few simple steps you can take to try and identify and, hopefully correct, some of these common issues. Any of these issues may signify something as simple as a problem with your power supply connection to more serious overheating, dusty or dirty hardware or a problem with the hard drive. At the absolute worst, it may be a problem with the motherboard, which can be identified by a computer technician.

Start by removing the power supply and then push the power button to ON for about 30 seconds to one minute. Release it and then reconnect the power supply cord. If this works, it may have been a loose connection with the power supply. While you are at it, check all of your connections and ensure that they are tightly connected.

If the freezing up continues to occur, listen to see if the fan is running. When the computer gets too hot, or the fan stops running properly, it will cause the computer to overheat and shut down automatically. You can try taking off the casing and checking the fan for dust or buildup. The fan may need to be replaced if it does not appear to be running or if freezing continues. You can also add an external fan if your computer is overheating but the fan is still running. This will help but in the long run, the best bet is to replace the fan inside the computer.

Dusty hardware is another common cause for problems. If you have memory sticks or removable cards take them out and dust them off. Check to make sure nothing has spilled on them or gotten them wet. After cleaning off any hardware, reboot the computer to see if this has fixed the problem.

Continued issues with freezing up may also be memory or RAM related. If you have recently installed new software, try uninstalling it and see if this eliminates the freezing up of the computer. If it does, you should look to increase the RAM on your computer by adding memory before reinstalling the software as the RAM may not be sufficient to run certain programs.

If you have tried all of the steps above and nothing appears to correct the issues that you are having, it is best to contact a computer repair shop to identify the root cause and the best method of repair or replacement.

Xbox Cannot Connect to Host

Live gaming has its own set of challenges when it comes to connections and errors. The errors may look and feel different than those of a personal computer, but the end result is the same. The error message is trying to let you, the user, know that something just isn’t working properly.

Cannot connect to host can be a frustrating message when trying to join a gaming lobby. Typically, this occurs when two players are trying to play a game using Xbox that is connected from the same router. If the error continues to appear over several hours, you can be fairly confident that the error is not going to disappear on its own and you are going to have to do something about it.

Live gaming connects the Xbox with the live server that runs the game. When two people are attempting to play one game with two boxes running off of the same network, it may result in problems. When there is more than one Xbox connected to a network, the originally connected box reserves the connection ports. When the second box attempts to log on, it can’t because the first box has already designated the ports as its own and won’t allow a second connection.

Your router should have a service called UPnP, which stands for Universal Plug and Play. This service maps the ports to allow both Xboxes to connect to the live game at the same time. Checking your router to see if this service is offered is the best place to start. The router can only understand what you tell it to do through configuring the proper settings. If the connections are not set up to allow two players, this will cause an error message.

Older routers may not offer the UPnP option, but newer versions of all routers should have this option. If you have a router that does provide UPnP, then you need to check that this option is turned on. For this, it is likely that you will have to use your personal computer to change the settings for your router. As there are so many different routers, it will be impossible to list all the different methods here. Using your owner’s manual, you will be able to turn on this functionality for your router.

Once the UPnP setting has been selected, try to reconnect to the live game using both Xboxes. You should now find that both games can connect fine and the gaming can continue.

VPN Error 619

A connection to the remote computer could not be established or the port was disconnected is the message you will receive when you have been a victim of VPN error 619. VPN (virtual private network) is a Windows based network that uses public telecommunications to conduct private communications. Knowing what a VPN is and how it works may help you to understand and troubleshoot through the common error 619.

Over the Internet, a VPN is able to support private communications with a server. It is a low cost alternative to connect people to other servers to create multiple networks or to increase security on personal computers. A VPN is used for a number of different reasons. It creates an extranet or a link between two external and separate organizations. It can support remote access to a collection of private computers networked together within an organization that cannot be accessed from the outside, known as an intranet. As well, a VPN supports the connection between two or more intranets within the same organization. Finally, it allows users to access various resources from a home network securely and easily.

Because of the various uses of a VPN, there are many benefits to using one:

• Businesses and people who want to work remotely benefit from a VPN as it provides the ability to connect to work or other resources from multiple different locations because it offers connectivity and extra security.
• For the average user who commonly uses wireless Internet hotspots, a VPN offers added security to protect confidential data. Hotspots at coffee shops or restaurants provide unsecured Internet service that is available to the general public. It can be a hotspot for not only the Internet, but for hackers looking to retrieve sensitive data such as credit card or password information. The security provided by a VPN helps to protect users from hackers.
• DSL and cable that allows an Internet connection may not be a secured or protected service. A virus or hacker can infect the system and identify the exact IP address. This leaves the computer vulnerable for attacks. With a VPN connection, there is added protection for IP addresses making it difficult to hack into personal information.
• Websites use cookies on the Internet to track surfing activities, which can lead to a violation of user privacy. A VPN hides the IP address making it difficult for websites to place cookies that identify Internet use.

So, what to do about the 619 error? The VPN error may occur when a user is trying to establish a new connection or when the server becomes disconnected in some way. Usually, this error can be fixed in a few easy steps:

• First, check to see if the VPN applications and Windows services are available when trying to connect. If not, this may be the reason for the error.
• Firewalls and anti-virus programs do protect computers, but they can also cause connection issues. Temporarily disabling these programs and trying to connect again is one way to determine if they are causing the issue. If so, change the settings in the firewall or anti-virus program to allow the VPN to connect. Always remember to enable these services after successfully connecting.
• Reboot the computer and try again to connect.
• Delete and reinstall the VPN configuration settings using the instructions.

If none of these options work, the VPN support line will need to be contacted to provide assistance in re-establishing the connection.

How to Decrease Memory Errors

The complexity of the computer may just be one of the wonders of the world. There are so many systems and programs that are working inside while you are typing away at your keyboard not even realizing what is happening on the other side of that screen. It makes perfect sense that things can stop working as smoothly and error messages start appearing.

Memory errors are common errors that result from internal problems. They are usually not fatal, but can a big inconvenience. The fact is that computers need enough memory to store all the countless pieces of data as well as run programs that are already installed. Unless unnecessary information is deleted, which most of us do not do, the computer just simply runs out of room to store things and stops running properly.

All computers come with a certain amount of Random Access Memory (RAM) when purchased. Each time something is added to the computer, RAM is filled. For running programs when memory isn’t needed all the time, virtual memory is used, but it can also become overwhelmed.

When RAM and virtual memory are becoming overloaded, the computer begins to show signs of exhaustion, much like a person, and slow down. It will have difficulty opening and closing programs or displaying graphics or web pages. Unless the problem is fixed, this will get worse and worse. Besides deleting data or uninstalling programs, adding memory is the answer.

If purchasing a new computer or adding memory is not an option, it can be maximized through any of the following methods:

• Close programs before opening others. Running several programs at one time takes up memory and causes a computer to run more slowly.
• Before installing a new version of a program, ensure that the older version is removed first. Multiple versions of programs tend to work against each other, slow down the computer and take up unnecessary space.
• Increase the virtual memory settings.

Increasing a computer’s memory is a cheap and simple way to improve the performance of it, as well as provide more storage space for data. By maximizing the memory found in a computer or adding more, memory-related errors will be reduced and the overall performance of the computer should improve.

The Computer Registry - A Common Cause of Errors

The computer registry is the location in a computer where all of the information is stored. Hardware and software settings and data are all crammed into this one location on the hard drive. When a computer performs any function, it has to register the command and then access the right information from the registry for the command to be carried out properly.

Installing software, visiting websites and saving data all add information to the registry and increase its size. As more data is stored, the larger the registry becomes, and the larger the registry, the more likely errors are to occur. Errors in the data stored in the registry or too much information can slow down the way the computer does its job.

At one time or another, everyone has probably encountered a computer that runs less than optimally. If the computer is old, has exceeded its memory capacity or has large amounts of data stored on it, you may begin to see a change in how the computer is functioning. A change in functioning can mean that performing routine tasks, such as opening a program, is done at a much slower speed. It can also take a lot longer to connect to the Internet. At worst, the computer may freeze up or even crash. A lot of these frustrating situations can be contributed to disorganization and errors in the registry.

The difference between registry errors as opposed to other errors is that an error code is rarely shown on the screen. As frustrating as it is to be shown indecipherable error messages, at least they indicate that there is a problem. That annoying little code of letters and numbers points in the right direction so that the issue can be corrected. Registry errors are just there, lurking inside the computer, causing little problems here and there that bog down the normal functioning of the computer.

If errors in the registry are not eventually corrected, they can crash the computer. It may take a little while for the buildup of errors to become severe to the point of causing a crash, but if not corrected, this worst case scenario is inevitable. If you notice that your computer has started to act differently or run slower, you should make sure to back up your work often so you don’t lose anything should you experience a computer crash.

In most cases, fixing a computer registry requires the use of registry cleaner software. These programs can be purchased online or downloaded for free. Registry cleaners perform a scan on the computer registry, detect errors and correct them. By purchasing this software, you can run the registry scan whenever you think that your computer is running slowly and keep your registry as error free as possible.

Your System is Low on Virtual Memory

It is not uncommon to be faced with the following error message when you are using a computer with a Windows operating system installed: Your system is low on virtual memory and Windows is increasing the size of your virtual memory paging file. The question that comes to mind is what does that mean and what am I supposed to do about it? It is obvious that increasing the amount of memory is necessary to get rid of the error message, but how do you do that?

Virtual memory is used by computers to run programs when it is running low on RAM (Random Access Memory). The Your system is low on virtual memory and Windows is increasing the size of your virtual memory paging file error means that you don’t have enough memory to run whatever program, or programs, you are using, and Windows is automatically doing something about it.

There are a number of reasons for this error to appear. Starting a Windows office program, such as Microsoft Office or PowerPoint, or upgrading from an earlier version of Windows to Windows XP can cause the error. Also, when you start a large application, or try to work with large files inside of an application that is loaded on the computer, it may require more memory than your computer has to offer. Finally, running a number of applications, even small ones, can add up to cause a memory problem. At that point, Windows will be prompted to increase the additional memory in order to make the program(s) load and run properly.

It is a normal process for Windows to update your virtual memory on its own, and this message is shown to inform you that that is what is occurring at this time. In most cases, the normal Windows process should be sufficient to increase the virtual memory. If you continue to see these errors, obviously the automatic change is not providing enough virtual memory to run the programs without chronic errors. In this case, you can manually adjust the virtual memory setting on your computer.

Before you can adjust the virtual memory setting, you need to know how much RAM you currently have on your computer. You can find this out by doing the following:

• Go to My Computer / Computer and right click.
• Click on Properties. For Windows 7, the RAM is shown on this first screen.
• Click on the General tab.
• Under the Computer heading it will list how much RAM you currently have on your system.

Next you will need to determine how much RAM you need to run your programs. Here are some common system requirements:

• Windows 7 needs 1GB.
• Windows Vista needs 512MB without gaming applications and 1GB with gaming applications.
• Windows XP needs 256MB.
• If you have other operating systems, you can determine the amount of RAM necessary by researching Windows system requirements for your particular system.

Determine how much memory you have and how much your operating system requires and adjust the virtual memory accordingly. To manually adjust the virtual memory on your computer:

• Go to My Computer / Computer and right click.
• Click Properties.
• Click on Advanced tab / Advanced system settings link.
• Click on Performance options / Performance - Settings.
• Click on Advanced tab.
• Click on Change.
• Uncheck the box for automatically managing your virtual memory and type in your new settings.

These steps will adjust your virtual memory settings to the recommended amount necessary to run your programs. Adjusting your settings is a short-term solution to the issue if you regularly run large programs that take up a great deal of memory and space on your drive and your RAM is not sufficient to run these programs.

If you are continuing to see the system is low on virtual memory error, adding memory or RAM is a good option to eliminate the problem in the future. Additional memory can be purchased and installed by any computer store that specializes in computer repair.

The Script Error

Script errors are all too common when you are visiting various pages on the Internet. A script error is a web page error and has nothing to do with your actions as the computer user or the browser you are using for that matter. A script error is a message that tells you that there is a programming issue on the web page. It is nothing more than an FYI message to let you know that something is going on behind the scenes.

You cannot control script errors from happening unless you are a web programmer. And then you have to have access to the code for that site, if you don’t, you won’t be able to rectify the situation even if you do know how to. Most people who run into script errors are not web programmers. Instead they are just routine web users who probably are not interested in knowing all of the boring details, but would just rather get back to the business of surfing the Internet.

When you come across a script error, it is best to spend your time doing something useful to save yourself the frustration of continuing to get these errors, rather than trying to figure out why they are occurring. Interestingly enough, although script errors can be annoying, they typically don’t prevent you from being able to view the web page you are looking for. The script error just puts a roadblock in the way for a few seconds until you close the error out and then go about your business.

The script error message is really just a way to let the user know that there is something unusual going on. With errors, you are not able to continue doing what you were doing until whatever is causing the error is fixed. This is simply not true with the script error. You can disregard the script error message and move on with viewing the web. As computer errors go, the script error is one of the best ones to run into.

Most browsers such as Internet Explorer and Firefox are normally programmed to show script errors as they occur. They are also designed to automatically debug websites as users view them. What you can do is control if whether you see script errors or not. If you find that you are getting a great deal of script errors, you can change your settings to eliminate them from popping onto your screen.

If you are using Internet Explorer you can disable the debug feature to eliminate the script error prompts by following the following steps:

• Open Internet Explorer.
• Click on Tools on the toolbar menu.
• Go to Internet Options.
• Choose the Advanced Tab.
• Check the Browsing option.
• Check the box called Disable Script Debugging.
• Click OK.

If you are using Firefox as your browser, you can stop script errors using the following steps:

• Open Firefox
• Type about: config in the address bar.
• In the filter box type the following: dom.max_script_run_time.
• Right click this option and choose modify
• When the box with a number pops up choose a big number like 15 or 20.
• This will adjust the number to reflect a higher number of times a script can run before it issues the script error prompt to your computer screen.

These few short steps should stop you from having to see script error messages on your screen since there is nothing you can do about them anyway. Wouldn’t it be great if all errors were this easy to eliminate?

Windows XP - The Stop 0x0000007B Error

Windows XP has been commonly known to produce some unusually long numbered errors such as the Stop 0x0000007B error. It is specific to only Windows XP and commonly appears when you start your computer using the Windows XP operating system.

There are a few reasons why this error message may appear. Boot sector viruses, device driver issues and hardware installation problems are among a few of the common root causes of this stop error. While these may seem like difficult problems you have with your computer, it is possible to repair the error yourself.

If you receive the general Stop 0x0000007B, you can try one of the two followings options to resolve it. These may or may not work, but if they don’t they will not do any damage to your system. These options are not in any particular order.

• Run your virus scan software to see if a virus may be the cause of the error. The anti-virus program should take care of the potential virus and rectify the situation if this is the cause of the stop error. You will know if this was the cause if the computer runs effectively following the scan. A virus that causes this type of error message is called a boot sector virus. As with any virus, an effective virus program can detect and hopefully remove a harmful virus from your computer, but if problems persist, it is best to seek advanced computer repair or support to ensure that your system is free from problems or the threat of reoccurrence.
• Internal device drivers sometimes become corrupted and/or interfere with new hardware. If this is the case, it will cause a stop error at the time of startup. There is no way to determine with 100% accuracy that this is the cause of a stop error, but it can’t hurt to try this step. If you have installed new devices, it could be that these devices are the cause of the stop error. You can remove or reconfigure any new hardware that you have installed recently, such as a printer or a scanner. Disconnect and then reconnect the hardware and try restarting your computer again. If the stop error continues to appear, obviously you have not gotten to the root of the issue.

As mentioned earlier, this error can be caused by a number of malfunctions, some are internal and difficult to diagnose. It is best to start with the things that may be most evident and can be completed by a computer user with basic knowledge. It is difficult to determine if a virus or new hardware is the cause of the error, but trying these options in the hope of eliminating the issue is worth a shot. If nothing more, you will be able to eliminate a few potential problems and possibly save a few dollars when you bring your computer to the shop for repair.

If your stop error lists one or more of the following: parameter1, parameter2, parameter3 or parameter4, directly after the STOP: 0x0000007B error message, this is a sign of a fatal error meaning you will not be able to continue startup. You can try to shut the computer down and start it up again and see if anything has changed. If this type of error is not resolved by restarting the computer, it will require a complex system check that should be completed by a computer technician.

The Missing File Error

When you install different versions or outdated programs on your computer, they override the other versions of the program and can corrupt or delete files that were once intact. Incompatible programs, viruses and/or damaged computer registries are common causes of the missing file error, otherwise known as the msvcr71.dll error. The missing file error may be one of the most common Windows based errors and it is probably the most preventable.

Different versions of the same program are not always 100% compatible, even if they are from the same manufacturer. This can be due to changes in components, features and settings in the differing versions. As a computer user, you may not even realize that changing or adding programs could result in a missing file error.

The computer registry houses the necessary settings and values for the operating system of the computer. If the registry becomes damaged or files are deleted or changed, this disrupts the instructions that the computer needs to perform correctly. This in turn can result in a missing file error message.

The missing file error comes in different versions, but means the same thing. It may look like any one of the following:

• msvcr71.dll Not Found
• Not able to find {Path}/msvcr71.dll
• The file msvcr71.dll is found missing
• The program failed to initialize as msvcr71.dll file was not located
• A necessary component is missing: msvcr71.dll
• msvcr71.dll. Reinstall program to correct the problem

Regardless of the reasons for the error or what message follows it, the bottom line is that the file you are looking for is missing. The file will continue to be missing unless you get to the root of the issue and fix it.

When the files are unrecognizable by the program trying to open them, you will be met with one of the missing file errors above. You do have some options that you can take to resolve the issue of a missing file:

• Perform a virus scan using your anti-virus software. Virus issues are the root of many common computer errors. Keeping your computer free from potential virus threats will eliminate many common issues.
• Keep up to date with files and upgrades as they are announced. When you receive a prompt that your system is being updated, allow this to happen, do not just disregard this prompt. Updates allow the most up to date changes to your operating system allowing it to run efficiently.
• If you can identify the new programs you have installed and the missing file error started occurring at this time, it is very likely that the new program is the root of the issue. Uninstall and reinstall any recently installed programs. This should fix the issues and reinstate missing files.

Bad Command or File Name Error

We’ve all been there. We’ve started our computer like we do everything other day and everything seems to be running smoothly, when instead of opening our operating system, we get an error message instead.

Bad command or file name is an error message that appears when a computer receives a wrong direction; usually it is an internal issue that will cause the error message to pop up when a computer is booting up. Sometimes things happen internally that will disrupt the flow of language used by the computer. If there is a mistake in the programming language when the computer attempts to boot up and run, this is when the bad command, file name or syntax error will be displayed. At this point, the computer will not be able to proceed until the language can be properly interpreted.

It is not that uncommon for files that are used to automatically run the computer to have a line that is missing or has a mistake within it. For example, the autoexe.bat or config.sys are command files that provide information for programs to run on a computer. While they are not essential to later versions of Windows, from Windows 95, users may still be required to edit the files should an issue arise.

If you receive a bad command or file name error message, there are steps you can take to resolve the issue. To repair the files, you will need to perform a step-by-step configuration. It sounds difficult, but is fairly simple if you follow the instructions. If you are using a common Microsoft Windows operating system, the menus are similar and the following instructions will walk you through the system configuration for Windows systems.

First, you will need to get into the start up menu for your computer. This is done during the boot up of your computer. You will have to hit one of the F keys, usually F8.

Choose the Step by step confirmation command and follow the prompts on that screen. You will then be asked to answer YES or NO to a series of commands. For each question that you are asked to respond to, chose the YES option. Continue to go through this process until you are asked to respond to the error message.

The error message, autoexec.bat/config.sys, will appear automatically. Simply, edit the line by typing the letters REM and then a space directly before the autoexec.bat/config.sys line. The REM command is short for remarking. Remarking the line is the term used for preventing the error line from loading and causing the bad command error message to be displayed. Once you remark the line, this error message will be skipped, and you will be able to proceed through boot up without any problems.

Newer operating systems such as Windows NT, graphical user interface systems (GUI) and OS/2 have reworded this message. The message may also say not recognized, batch file or command not found. All of these differently worded error messages are stating the same thing.