Windows firewall service will not start

Problem: Windows firewall service will not start giving error code 6801
Note: This was originally found and fixed on a Vista x64 computer.

Solution:

Found at answers.microsoft.com


Open a "run as administrator" command prompt.

Go to "c:\windows\system32\config\TxR" (or the equivalent location on your PC)

- run "attrib –H –S *" to make all hidden files in the directory visible.

- run "del *.blf"

- run "del *.regtrans-ms"

- reboot the machine

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CD or DVD drive is missing

Problem:
The CD or DVD drive does not show up in My Computer

Solution:
Launch Regedit. Go to: HKLM>System>CurrentControlSet>Control>Class>{4d36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318
Delete the values in the Upper and Lower Filters.

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Internet Explorer 8 Fails to install on XP

Problem:
Internet Explorer 8 automatically installs with the first series of updates to Windows XP after a clean install then fails to install properly.

Solution:
Download the IE8 installer and run it manually or do not install IE8 until batch 2 or 3 of the update process (microsoft recently fixed this issue with needing to wait until the 2nd or 3rd batch of updates. You should be able to install on the first batch without problems). The shortcut in the start menu will also have to be replaced with a manual shortcut from the all programs list.

As of 6/6/11 this problem seems to have been fixed by Microsoft.

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Windows XP Activation Issues

Problem:

• XP Activation does not give a product code to activate with
• After repair install XP will not allow you to activate
• 3 day counter runs out after changing out hardware
• After a successful activation system will give an activation window again after reboot.
• Instantly requires activation

Solution: 

(This solution was pulled from briteccomputers.co.uk)

1. Turn On your PC

2. Press F8 repeatedly and go to Safe Mode - Command Prompt Only
    (If you need to get into actual safe mode just simply type exit, launch task manager, launch explorer.exe)

3. Log in as per normal

4. Allow the Desktop to fully load

5. Click on Start - Run

6. Type in exactly: rundll32.exe syssetup,SetupOobeBnk (and click OK)
(note: one space, after "rundll32.exe " also the Oo are two letter o's in "oobe"; capitals and comma are important)

7. Wait a couple of seconds (although you will Not see any change)

8. Restart your PC normally (Start - Shutdown - Restart - Ok)

9. You are now able to go to Normal Mode again 



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Windows 7 Service Pack 1 won't install

Problem: When attempting to install service pack 1 the computer fails and returns to windows with an error code that it failed to install the update.

Solution: Attempt to run the Windows 7 system update readiness tool for the correct bit version of windows 7 installed.

(This has worked in the past but may not be the only solution)

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