Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library Runtime Error With CD/DVD Player
Image from Wikipedia
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UPDATE: After all this, the drive stopped working several days later. I reformatted the machine, swapped cd drives…only to find out that the SATA cable went out on me. Once I replaced that, everything worked perfectly. (I would still follow the instructions below to get rid of the annoying DISCover.exe Runtime Error.
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I’ve been getting a Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library Runtime Error from a file called DISCover.exe sometimes when I would boot my computer. It didn’t happen all the time and I wasn’t sure exactly what the issue was. I didn’t have any program installed on my machine called DISCover and nothing was running in my system tray.
Whenever I would get this error, my CD/DVD drive would no longer show up on my computer. Very, very annoying.
I did some Googling and kept coming up with the same answer: Upgrade Visual C++ Runtime Libraries. I did this with exactly zero results.
Using chkdsk to Right a Shaky Windows Machine
I’ve recently been having tons of problems with my Windows XP Media Center machine. My programs were constantly crashing, I was having to restart at least once a day, I would get random error messages, programs would just not start up when I booted the machine, when I emptied my trash my external hard drive would have to spin up before it would empty (WTF? I knowL), etc. etc. You’ve heard all this before if you’ve used Windows for an extended period of time.
I had 3 options, 1)Reformat the machine; 2)Buy SpinRite and run it to see if it fixes it; 3)Run chkdsk.
The issues I was running into seemed like the drive was going bad, but the data wasn’t worth it to me to pay $90 for SpinRite. I’ve never run chkdsk and it didn’t seem worth it. I decided to reformat the machine and be done with it. Besides, this would give me a good opportunity to back everything up.
Microsoft…You Suck
I’m waiting until October to make the switch to Linux for good, but until then, I guess I will enjoy what time I have left on a Windows machine.
It always cheers me up when I get errors like this…
So you’re telling me that I got an error….when I was reporting an error???
If Operating Systems Were Houses
What if Unix, Windows, Linux and OSX were houses?
UNIX is the old Victorian Mansion that was the first of it’s kind and set the standard for all things to come.
It is still considered one of the most solid and stable houses ever built since it was build by compliant construction practices.
It’s incredibly solid foundation allows it to be expanded upon and added to. This foundation has led to many other houses being built the same way and with the same compliance and care.
Windows is the government housing.
The houses are built quickly, cheaply and go up anywhere and everywhere.
Unfortunately since they were all built so cheaply, you end up spending twice as much later to keep the place standing.
The foundation is shaky at best and anytime you hang a picture, you worry about knocking the entire house down.
Site of the Week: Make a Difference By Instant Messaging
Microsoft has launched a really cool program called “i’m making a difference” that gives money to charity every time you send an instant message using their Windows Live chat client. It works like this.
Every time you start chatting, a portion of the revenue that Microsoft makes in advertising is given to a charity. They’ve said they have not set any cap on the amount of money they’re willing to donate, so make the most of spending Bill Gates money while you have the chance:)
So what’s the catch? Other than the fact you have to be using Windows Live 8.1, I have yet to find one. All you have to do is tell it what country you are in and what charity you want to donate to. You can choose from the American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Club, National AIDS Fund, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, ninemillion.org, Sierra Club, StopGlobalWarming.org, Susan G. Komen for the Cure or The US Fund for UNICEF.
Thoughts On Microsoft Office 2007
So Windows Vista is out. I haven’t talked about it much, but if you want my quick opinion, I do not in any way suggest upgrading to it, but if you are in the market for a new pc, go for it. I do really like what Windows has done, but anyone who knows Windows, knows that the only proper way to upgrade a pc is a clean install.
It also seems that more time was spent on the DRM built into Vista and the glossy finish than actually adding new features. Also, XP is working just fine for me, running right next to my Ubuntu Linux box. This brings me to Office 2007
Windows Update For Daylight Savings Time
This is for all you Windows XP users out there. If you don’t know about the daylight-savings time change, read this Cnet article. Basically starting this year, daylight-savings time will be extended by four weeks. Microsoft just released a patch this Tuesday to make sure everything is taken care of without a hitch, so just make sure you have automatic updates turned on or you run the updater manually.
…oh and by the way, when I said “without a hitch”, I meant mostly without a hitch. Microsoft just released a statement that there is not a patch for it’s calendaring programs (eg. the one in Outlook) which means you should double check all your appointments in March and April.
Microsoft Zune Makes It’s Move To Unseat iPod
Microsoft has just announced the launch of their first MP3 player, the Zune. The only release date that has been announced is “this holiday season”. They have also not announced the price for it’s 30GB player.
As much as I hate the term “iPod Killer”, no other players have had the 800-pound gorilla, that is Microsoft, on their side.
The specs on the device were pretty much as expected:
- WiFi – iPod doesn’t have
- 30GB HD – iPod now has 60GB & 80GB
- Built-in FM – iPod doesn’t have
- 3-inch Screen – larger than iPod
- Coded Support of: MP3, AAC, WMA and h.264
- Comes in black, brown and white
As you can see, just like most players on the market, the Zune offers the same options as the iPod but also adds some extras that Apple has never bothered with. I think the key to their success it the functionality of the Zune and Windows Media Player 11. If this integrations is as flawless as the iPod and iTunes, the Zune’s chances of success increase dramatically.
Windows Vista Price Leak
Well, the prices for Microsoft’s new operating system, Windows Vista have been leaked. Apparently a Canadian Microsoft retail page posted the prices and then took it down immediately. Unfortunately, immediately wasn’t quick enough and it looks like if you want to be an “early adopter” you better get out your credit card.
Here are the prices that have been converted from the Canadian dollar to U.S. dollars (full version/upgrade)
Vista Ultimate $450/269
Vista Business $341/224
Vista Home Premium $269/179
Vista Home Basic $233/116
It looks like by the time Vista ships, I’ll be in the running for a new computer anyway, so I won’t really have to worry about making the decision to upgrade. But I don’t see myself upgrading any of my XP machines unless Vista can offer me something more than a pretty GUI. Sorry Microsoft, Aero just doesn’t cut it. Show me a feature set that I can’t resist, and I’ll show Bill the money
Internet Explorer RC 1 Released
For those of you who have downloaded the beta version of Internet Explorer 7, Microsoft has just released the first Release Candidate.
Couple of things that didn’t get me off on the right foot were the download time and then I had to restart twice just to get it installed. Other than that, I haven’t played around with it yet to test it out, but I strongly suggest upgrading Internet Explorer if you are currently using IE 6 or IE 7 beta 1, 2 or 3.
You can get IE 7 RC 1 here.
