Category: Computers

Most programs use some form of library files to hold common routines used by multiple parts of the program. These files typically have the extension .DLL or .OCX and are distributed with programs that need them. Rarely, one needs to be re-registered with Windows.

When a program installs a library (DLL or OCX) file the program’s install routine will typically “register” the file with the system. This process tells the system the libraries in the file are available for more than one program to use. (Some DLL or OCX files are self-registering.)

Sometimes, if multiple programs are using a DLL or OCX file the system does not know about all of them. In this case, if you uninstall one of the programs its uninstall routine may delete the library in question not knowing that another program needs it. When this is done the library’s registration with the system no longer applies. And, if you just copy the DLL or OCX file back where it came from the system may not recognize it even if it’s in the proper place. While this is rare, when this happens you may need to “register” the library file manually.

You can find the full details about how to use the REGSVR32.EXE file at this Microsoft link…

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=249873

The process is non-trivial so you should study the referenced page quite closely if you are going to attempt to register a library file. Indeed, it just might be easier to reinstall the application in question and let its installer take care of the regsitration process as part of the install.

In summary, if you choose to manually register a library file you will have to restart your computer in command prompt mode (called DOS mode in some cases). Once there, you will have to issue a command of the form…

Regsvr32 [/u] [/n] [/i[:cmdline]] dllname

It’s possible this procedure may fail in which case you may need information from the developer of the library.

I guess the bottom line recommendation from Computer Knowledge would be to avoid this process if at all possible.

Where Do You Get DLL Files?

As mentioned above, all of the library files you need should have been provided by the programs that require them. In the rare instance that you need one and can’t find it on the Website of the program in question you might try…

from:http://www.cknow.com/cms

Computer RAM:
Computer RAM is the best known form of memory your computer uses. Every file or application opened is placed in RAM. Any information the computer needs or uses becomes part of a continuous cycle where the CPU requests data from RAM, processes it and then writes new data back to RAM. This can happen millions of times a second. However, this is usually just for temporary file storage, so unless the data is saved somewhere, it is deleted when the files or applications are closed.

Hard Drive:
A Hard Drive is a form of computer memory that allows you to permanently store data. This is where all of your permanent files and programs are stored. On computers running with Microsoft windows the Hard Drive is often called C-Drive. The size of a Hard Drive is typically measured in gigabytes.

Virtual Memory:
Virtual memory typically comes into place when applications are too large for the RAM to handle. The operating System uses the hard drive to temporarily store information and take it back when needed. This is normally a lot slower than actual RAM and can possibly degrade performance if used to heavily.

Cache Memory:
Cache Memory is used in-between the CPU and the RAM and holds the most frequently used data or instructions to be processed. There are three different grades of Cache. Some systems will only have level 1 and level 2. More advanced systems will include the level 3.

Generally, you would use the Control Panel’s Add/Remove Programs tool or Vista’s Default Programs | Programs and Features page to uninstall programs from your computer. Now and again some of these uninstalls will leave program names behind which, when clicked on, either produce errors or no action. You can remove these invalid entries using the method described here.

Note: To use the method described here you will be editing the registry. Editing the registry is tricky in that if you do it wrong you can cause problems with your computer up to and including rendering it inopperable. So, start by first making a restore point using the Windows System Restore utility. Close all open programs and then access the utility through the Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools | System Restore menu sequence. Pick the Create a restore point radio button and then follow the instructions in the wizard. You will be making others backups as we go along as well.

Note: The procedure described here only removes the references to an invalid entry in the Add/Remove Programs tool; it does not remove or uninstall a program. If a prior uninstall left residual materials on your hard disk in program directories or user data directories and/or other registry entries you will have to clean these up manually. Because each program is different in how it installs, instructions for doing that are beyond the scope of this document.

OK, caveats given, let’s start:

Start the Registry Editor (Start | Run and then type “regedit” [no quotes] into the dialog box — in Vista just type “regedit” [no quotes] into the Start menu search box)

Navigate to this key value in the left pane:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstall
Right click on the Uninstall entry. Select the “Export” option from the menu. Give the exported .REG file a name you can remember and store it in a location you can remember. Doing this makes a backup you can recover from if you make an editing error in the steps below.

Locate the specific key you wish to delete. It will likely have the name of the program but, in case not, scroll down each entry and look at the value for DisplayName. The key you want is the key that contains the same display name as you are trying to remove from the Add/Remove Programs menu.
If you want to be extra safe, right click on this key and again select Export and save the .REG file.

Once you have located and backed up the key containing the DisplayName you wish to delete from the Add/Remove Programs menu, delete that key from the registry. Delete only that key; do not delete the entire Uninstall entry or any other entries.
Close the Registry Editor (changes made to the registry via the Registry Editor take immediate effect so you don’t have to save anything before closing the editor).
Open the Add/Remove Programs utility from the Control Panel (in Vista use Vista’s Default Programs | Programs and Features page) and verify that the invalid entry is gone and that the other entries are still there.

That should do the job. If you made an error along the way and need to recover either the specific key you deleted or the entire Uninstall key then double click on either the key’s .REG file or the Uninstall key’s .REG file. When you do this you will cause the Registry Editor to restore the values in that key to what they were before you attempted your edit. Should the worst happen and you change something in the registry that you should not have then you should be able to use the System Restore Utility to recover the system to the restore point you created and then start over again.

You get the most out of your technology. You have been using your latest computer for about 4 years. And now you are noticing just how slow that computer has become. Needs change and you need something that keeps pace with your business. But what should you be looking for? Let’s sit down and do a consultation. This is the same advice that I would give my clients if asked this question.

Mobile or Desk Bound

The first question you need to be asking is a basic one. Does your business dictate a laptop or a desktop computer? If you make frequent presentations on the road, a laptop is a must. If you want something that is on the highest end of processor power, you should consider a desktop computer. Desktop computers always run higher on processing power than laptops. Laptops require miniaturization and, as such, take longer to develop. Hence, they are always behind the power curve. Will this computer be acting as a server? Will it “serve” up files to other computers on your network. If that’s the case, you won’t be wanting to take that out of the office. That would disconnect users from their data. And that’s a no-no.

The Price Point

Never ever go after a computer based on an initial price. Most brand name computer manufacturers have learned a marketing trick. They put a computer sticker price at the lowest possible price. But this price will not be the price you will pay. Unless you want the barest bones computer you can imagine. You will almost always end up paying hundreds more than the initially quoted price once you’re done. It’s just a sneaky way to get you “in the door.” But there are other reasons you should never go on price alone.

It’s All About Support

Probably the single most important factor for choosing a computer these days is support. What kind of support will you have once this company has made a sale? A while ago, computers differed tremendously in their configuration and components. But things have changed. Now, computers are incredibly modular. Most of the major manufacturers use very similar, or identical, components. There are many reasons for this change, but all you need to know is that the main issue isn’t components anymore. It really is about the post sale support. Research your manufacturer and get the “skinny” on their class of support. If you are going after a local cheapy beware. Sure, you may get an excellent deal, but will they be around if the computer breaks?

The Middle Road is Golden

People tend to make one of two mistakes when they buy a computer. They either tend to buy too little computer or too much. Don’t go after a super cheap computer. It’s almost always a bad idea, unless you happen across a great deal. In my experience, this rarely happens. Also, don’t get top of the line components in your computer. You will pay a premium for these items. And in six months, you will be kicking yourself as those components have depreciated tremendously. A good rule of thumb is to look at the low and high ends and pick something in between. You will get a great deal for your money and it will last you many years.

Essential Software

A lot of computer vendors are in the habit of stuffing software onto systems. They will give you everything you don’t need. This gives the illusion of value. But really that software will just bloat your system. You only need a few pieces of software really. Obviously, there is the operating system, or OS. This will most likely be Windows. Then you need an office suite. Again, this will most likely be a Windows based product like Office. As a sidenote, you may want to look at Openoffice(openoffice.org). It’s free and is compatible with Microsoft Office. Just make sure you get the right version of Office. This is especially true of Powerpoint, Microsoft’s presentation software. Not all versions have Powerpoint included.