How To: Uninstalling Microsoft Office 2010 Beta, when the normal uninstaller says it failed. (Also works for all versions of Office 2007)

This week Microsoft released the final version of Office 2010 for those who have accounts with TechNet or MSDN (LINK: http://www.neowin.net/news/office-2010-now-available-on-msdntechnet?showcomments=true (http://www NULL.neowin NULL.net/news/office-2010-now-available-on-msdntechnet?showcomments=true)), so I figured I should move up from my beta version of 2010 (which has run without issues since I installed it) to the final version.

microsoft

I am one who always believes in doing “Fresh” installs whenever possible, which means that you need to uninstall your current version prior to installing the new edition of the software. However I came across this error when uninstalling the beta version

It seems the error is caused by a missing xml file that should have loaded into the Grove portion of the install but didn’t. When I installed my copy of Office 2010 Beta, I did a custom install and did not select Grove to install, so I will post the 2 possible solutions for this situation (With Grove and Without Grove)

To Check and see if you have Grove installed –> Go to ?:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office 14 or ?:\Program Files (X86)\Microsoft Office\Office 14 (the “?” in the address will be the location of where you installed your copy of office. If you installed it with default settings then the “?” will be your “c:\” drive. In addition, you will have (x86) in the address if you installed the 32 bit version of office in a 64 bit Windows Version)

(**Close all Office Files / Folders / Programs prior to attempting any uninstall)

Solution with Grove -

**You will need a copy of your installation source / CD for this solution
1 – Locate the Grove Folder on your Installation Source / CD

2 – Copy the setup.xml from the groove folder of the installation source, and paste it in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE14\Office Setup Controller\Groove.en-us\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE14\Office Setup Controller\Groove.en-us\ (Depending on the version you have installed)

3 – Try and uninstall (AGAIN)

Solution without Grove Installed or without the Office Installation Source

Go to the following Microsoft Support Page (LINK) http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971179/ (http://support NULL.microsoft NULL.com/kb/971179/)

Using the Microsoft Fix It function found about 2/3 of the way down the page, click on Fix It and then select run.

Microsoft Fix It will go in and remove the files

The entire process removed Office 2010 Beta in just a couple of moments.

**The process can be used to remove any version of Office 2007 Suite or Office 2010 Suite

Alerta: Mensaje en Espanol de correo electrónico que es un Virus de computadora.

Desde el inicio de la TechGeekandMore, uno de los ejes más grandes ha involucrado virus de computadors (que se llaman Rogueware o Malware). Rogueware y malware pueden infectar un pc a través de diversas maneras (visitar sitios del Web, haga clic en vínculos, a través de correos electrónicos, o mas….). Hasta ahora, todas las advertencias de correo electrónico cubierto correos electrónicos en inglés, porque eso es lo que se sabia que existia. Sin embargo por ahora puedo informar oficialmente que los correos electrónicos son ahora multi-lenguaje. Esta noche he recibido un correo electrónico (que me mando un miembro de familia) que dice "Amix, esto tienes probarlo".

La versión en inglés del correo electrónico se a visto por un tiempo, "Cheques para ver quien te está bloqueando en MSN". El gancho del ser que si puede clic en el enlace proporcionado en el correo electrónico, que podrá ver (supuestamente) que ha le bloqueado de su lista de MSN Messenger. Como se señaló mirando el origen del correo electrónico (abajo), es casi una traducción exacta de la versión en inglés, afirmando que si se mira el enlace usted será capaz de ver que está bloqueando le (bloquear las direcciones de internet dentro de la fuente del correo electrónico)

Lo que realmente hace el vínculo es instalar una versión de Antivirus2009 (o 2010) que produce una gran cantidad de dolores de cabeza para el usuario y normalmente requiere un tecnología para limpiar o reinstalar el equipo. Si tienes amigos ni familia de habla española, le recomendamos encarecidamente que Hágales saber no se van a abrir este correo electrónico y a sólo la lista como correo no deseado y elimínelo. Si ya han abierto el correo electrónico, pueden utilizar programas como la versión gratuita de SuperAntiSpyware (LINK: http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html (http://www NULL.superantispyware NULL.com/superantispywarefreevspro NULL.html) ) o la versión gratuita de Panda (LINK: http://www.malwarebytes.org/ (http://www NULL.malwarebytes NULL.org/)).

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” .

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) 0x0000000A Fix

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: 0x0000000A 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

Windows 7 Enterprise

Windows 7 Home Basic

Windows 7 Home Premium

Windows 7 Professional

Windows 7 Ultimate

Windows HPC Server 2008 R2

Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter

Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard

Windows Web Server 2008 R2

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 0x0000000A 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

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”.

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)

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

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.

(*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.

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)

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.

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.

Software Recommendation: Startup Delayer 2.5.138 (Free)

There are times during the Windows start-up that issues or slowness can occur is multiple programs are trying to start at the same time. r2 Studios (LINK: http://www.r2.com.au/software.php?page=2&show=startdelay (http://www NULL.r2 NULL.com NULL.au/software NULL.php?page=2&show=startdelay)) based in Brisbane, Australia has a nice little (and Free) utility allowing to control how long each program waits before startup.

From the r2 Studios site -

The power to speed up your computer’s startup process! If each program (Scheduled to run at startup) tries to load at the same time, you will notice the slow down that occurs during boot up, due to your CPU trying to help all the programs to load, and your hard disk accessing multiple files

Startup Delayer allows you to setup how many seconds after Windows has started, to load each program.
For Example:
If you have your mail program and a special clock starting up, then you can make your mail start say 10 seconds after Windows has loaded, and then the special clock start 20 seconds after Windows Starts.
Compatible with Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista

http://www.r2.com.au/software.php?page=2&show=startdelay (http://www NULL.r2 NULL.com NULL.au/software NULL.php?page=2&show=startdelay) (Software Author Website)

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