Application failed to initialize.

I keep getting error messages that the application failed to initialize. It
happens with Outlook Express and Internet Explorer.
If I restart the computer it usually fixes it, but why has it suddenly
started doing this? I have no viruses, and updates are up to date.

Windows XP

What should I be looking for in "Help" please? Do I need the computer man?

Thank you
Geopelia

 

From this link:
http://www.ureader.com/message/2557106.aspx


Go to Start | Run and type
regedit
and press <Enter>.
In the left column navigate to
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\RPCKDM]
and highlight it. Right click it and select Export, giving it a name you
can remember. Then right click it again and select Delete.

 

Just a note, for a self-confessed novice like Geopelia, that mistakes in
Windows Registry edits can completely destroy your system. Proceed with
care.

 

Thank you. That is a bit complicated for me. It looks like a job for the
computer man.
I cause enough chaos without getting into the works.

It's working all right today, so far.

(I used to have PC Power in Link Drive, but they seem to have closed down.
Dick Smith is there now).

Geopelia

 

You really don't want to be changing anything in the Registry (that makes
programs work properly) even if it might be on the right track of doing some
good.
Many options in the Registry look similar but they're not.

You can run Hijack This and Spambot to see what they come up with.

Real good advice from LD for a change.

E. Scrooge

 

People here are very helpful, but alas I don't know enough to try a lot of
what they say.
Advice is appreciated, though, and I save it, as I hope one day I'll know a
bit more about what I am supposed to be doing.

Geopelia

 

You have to learn by doing, and unfortunately doing can often lead to
mistakes. All those who might be considered experts here got that way by
committing their share of screwups.

So among the first things you learn are techniques for guarding against, and
recovering from, screwups.

 

This computer is weird, sometimes. I clicked ABC Spelling, and a message
came up that it was installing Picture It.
Which it couldn't do as there was no CD in the slot.
Crazy machine!

 

When was the last time you did a system reinstall? You need to do that from
time to time with Dimdows.

 

Not with WINDOWS XP you don't.
Pity as you weren't doing that bad in this thread up till then.

E. Scrooge

 

I've now got a new computer man so I hope he'll be able to fix the problems.
If I'm not around for a few days it's because the computer is away.

This computer is geriatric in human years, but then so am I!

Geopelia

 

There's some good powerful secondhand PCs with XP around going fairly cheap
for around $200 at times. Your computer man might help you find a good one.
Could be well worth it if you're using an old PC running something like
Windows 98.

E. Scrooge

 

But then again, if all you're doing is basic Internet stuff--Web browsing,
mail, news--do you really need the hassles of managing a Windows
installation?

 

This one started with ME but had XP put in about two years ago. I think it
needs more memory,which the computer man will do, and PC-cillin needs
looking at.
I don't play these fancy games, would never find the time anyway.

 

256MB RAM is just enough for XP too run fairly well doing basic needs.
512MB RAM doesn't make that much difference to the speed without having a
good graphics card as well, even without doing anything too fancy on the
computer.

Consider the age of your computer in case of hardware failure at some time.
Then the cost of upgrading it a bit compared to getting a more powerful
later model PC with XP for around $200. A good PC compatible would be
better than a HP / Compaq, which are noisy things when accessing the CD
drive etc even working right.

E. Scrooge