Fixes for Windows Errors
TGM Q&A: Solution to Error “Multiple connections to a server or shared resource by the same user, using more than one user name, are not allowed” .
Mar 7th
An interesting error came up this week when working on trying to add a pc on to a network. The error “Multiple connections to a server or shared resource by the same user, using more than one user name, are not allowed” came up while trying to add pc new pc onto an existing network.
I had not seen this error previously and started doing all the standard troubleshooting procedures and research, and discovered that this error happens both when adding a pc to a network or while trying to a new network drive to an existing pc.
The error itself seems to be triggered by the way Windows handles authorizations (I am assume on that, but due to the solution, it makes sense), and the solution is actually a very simple one.
SOLUTION:
On the pc that is getting the error, go to Start –> (settings –>) control panel –> Administrative Tools –> Services.
- In Services you will find 2 items toward the bottom. Locate where it says Server and Workstation.
- Once you find Server –> click on it 1 time to highlight it. On the top left you will see it say Server with a choice of Stop, Pause and Restart. Select STOP under server
- Now go down to Workstation –> click on it 1 time to highlight it. Again click on Stop.
Now you will be able to add either the pc to the network or add a mapped network drive. Once you have done either reboot the pc. Simple as that.
Software: Windows BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) 0×0000000A Fix
Feb 13th
Ever since I started using Windows 7, I was sold as it being one of the best releases Microsoft has had. I have it installed on all 3 of my machines, plus have installed it on pre-existing pc’s for dozens of clients. So far until recently I have had no major issues reported by anyone. That is until recently. I have had a few clients call me telling me that they have had random Blue Screens of Death that pop up after they use the computer for a while. It has happened only on a handful of clients but when it does, they see the STOP: 0×0000000A error message.
One of the most common inside jokes by techs is “Its not happening on my pc”, unfortunately for me, even I have started seeing this error on 1 of Windows 7 pc’s. As I have discovered, it seems that Microsoft is also aware of this Windows 7 error as they have a knowledge base article (KB: 979444) which was just release on February 8, 2010 (LINK: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/979444 (http://support NULL.microsoft NULL.com/kb/979444)). The issue (based on the article) affects
According to the KB, Microsoft says
This issue occurs because Power Manager opens an Advanced local procedure call (ALPC) port. However, Power Manager closes another port instead of closing the ALPC port. Every time that a power request is made, a memory leak occurs. When the leaked memory usage accumulates to a certain level, the computer crashes
If you are suffering a periodic 0×0000000A Blue Screen error, you can request the Hot Fix for Free from Microsoft by going to the Hot Fix request page for KB: 979444 (LINK: http://support.microsoft.com/hotfix/KBHotfix.aspx?kbnum=979444&kbln=en-us (http://support NULL.microsoft NULL.com/hotfix/KBHotfix NULL.aspx?kbnum=979444&kbln=en-us)) where you will be asked to provide you email. Once you will out the form, you will receive the actual download link, via the email address you provide. The Hot Fix is specific to this issue, so it will NOT be included during Windows Update.
As of the installation of this Hot Fix, no one has reported the blue screen again. Including yours truly.
Windows: Error “The Hardlock service failed to start due to the following error….” message in the Windows Event Viewer
Jan 13th
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/microsoft NULL.jpg) A strange error came to my attention today while working with a client. I was trying to see why his pc would periodically stop responding. In looking at the Windows Event Viewer (Control Panel –> Administrative Tools –> Event Viewer –> System) the following error was discovered.
“The hardlock service failed to start due to the following error: The request could not be performed because of an I/O error”.
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/image NULL.png)
It took a little digging around to find the answer and here is what the Hardlock service does – It is used with software that require what is called a hardware lock or dongle to make the software work. (Dongle = A piece of hardware that attaches to a computer in order to make a piece of secured software run. A dongle in this sense is used as a high-end form of security to prevent the unauthorized copying of software, since making a copy of the hardware itself is much more difficult than simply copying the software)
In the case of this customer, they used to run point of sale software from this pc that required the “dongle”, however when the point of sale software was removed, the part of the software that looked for the dongle stayed and kept looking for a piece of hardware that was no long on this machine.
To correct this issue, (WARNING: Keep in mind that this will break the software that the dongle is used for if that software is still on the pc) all you need to do is run the following from the command prompt (Start –> Run –> CMD)
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/dongleremoval NULL.jpg)
and just type HLDINST –remove (Type it just as you see it), and hit enter.
That will stop the Hardlock service and remove the registry entries belonging to the Hardlock driver.
Software: Skype error – Skype plug-in causes browser crash
Dec 12th
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/skype1 NULL.jpg) One of the things I have been seeing a lot of recently involve errors that say Skype add-on for Internet Explorer has stopped working properly.
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/image2 NULL.png) (*Windows 7 version of message used)
For those who are not familiar with Skype, it is (From the Skype Wiki LINK: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skype (http://en NULL.wikipedia NULL.org/wiki/Skype))
“Skype (pronounced /ˈskaip/) is a software application that allows users to make voice calls over the Internet. Calls to other users of the service and, in some countries, to free-of-charge numbers, are free, while calls to other landlines and mobile phones can be made for a fee. Additional features include instant messaging, file transfer and video conferencing.”
During the install process (if you use the default settings to install), Skype installs what is referred to as the Skype web feature. What this feature provides is a short cut from your browser to Skype, with all phone numbers shown during your browsing appearing like this 
, which allows you to click on the link and then your browser will automatically start Skype and make the phone call for you thru Skype.
In a posting on the Skype support site (LINK:http://share.skype.com/sites/devzone/2007/06/the_skype_addin_for_internet_e.html (http://share NULL.skype NULL.com/sites/devzone/2007/06/the_skype_addin_for_internet_e NULL.html)) they claim that the issue is resolved in newer versions of Skype
In fact, most likely we already have a fixed version for you to start using now! If you have a Skype version is lower than 4.1.0.141, there is an updated version available with many improvements. You can download the latest version here: www.skype.com (http://www NULL.skype NULL.com). You can check your Skype version number under the Help menu in the About dialog.
However, most of the pc’s that I have dealt with this are running Windows Vista or Windows 7 and are using the latest version of Skype. The only solution that I have found works is in Windows go to control panel –> Programs and Features and uninstall the Skype web features.
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/image3 NULL.png)
Keep in mind that by uninstalling the web features you loose the Skype highlighted phone numbers in your browser.
Software: Skype extension for Firefox causing slow Firefox with some websites (Post from www.techandlife.com)
Dec 12th
The following post comes from TechandLife.com (LINK: http://www.techandlife.com/2009/08/skype-extension-for-firefox-causing-slow-firefox-with-some-websites/ (http://www NULL.techandlife NULL.com/2009/08/skype-extension-for-firefox-causing-slow-firefox-with-some-websites/)). TGM would like to say Thank you to TechandLife for allowing us to share this with TGM readers.
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/skype NULL.jpg)
I posted recently on trying the Google Chrome browser (http://www NULL.techandlife NULL.com/2009/08/google-chrome-a-worthy-alternative-browser/) after Google Reader and Google Mail suddenly slowed to a crawl in Firefox. It turned out that the latest Skype extension for Firefox was causing the problem. I had upgraded Skype to version 4.1.0.141 and elected to install the Skype extension for Firefox during the Skype upgrade. Others have also reported this problem recently (http://support NULL.mozilla NULL.com/tiki-view_forum_thread NULL.php?locale=it&forumId=1&comments_parentId=409074).
So if you’re experiencing problems with Firefox suddenly being a lot slower than usual, particularly when viewing Google Reader, Google Mail and Facebook and you’ve recently upgraded Skype and installed the Skype extension for Firefox, uninstall it and things should improve. Doubtless Skype will fix this buggy extension in a later release. Thanks to Scotian who posted in the comments of the Chrome post and resolved this problem.
(http://www