Dial-a-fix tackles issues with SSL/Cryptography, Windows Update, Microsoft Installer, and many miscellaneous shell problems. Example: If you get a blank screen when trying to visit Windows Update, simply checkmark the main Windows Update checkmark (in box #3) and click GO. Most issues can be resolved in a similar manner, if not by combinations of fixes. There is also a 'check all' button which is useful as a last ditch effort, or when you don't understand where a particular problem is coming from.
Dial-a-fix is a collection of 'known fixes' that have been compiled over the past year that really knock out some serious Windows problems, all with one or two clicks. "When in doubt, check 'em all".
Most of the fixes Dial-a-fix uses are found in various Microsoft Knowledgebase articles, and articles written by Microsoft MVPs. When you see a list of DLLs that need to be registered using REGSVR32.EXE, chances are they are already listed in Dial-a-fix. Mouseover a checkbox or button to obtain more information about what will be executed, or what DLLs will be registered.
In a nutshell, Dial-a-fix: stops services, installs selected software (if packages are available -- see below), registers DLLs, restarts services, and removes several rogue policies. Dial-a-fix will not cause any issues if your system is already working properly.There is an optional package available that includes many Microsoft redistributable libraries (such as Script Engine, XML 3.0 & 4.0, Windows Installer 2.0 & 3.0 and more).
NOTE:
Dial-a-fix does not work with any Windows OS higher than Windows XP. This includes Windows Vista, Windows 7.
Dial-a-fix also has a critical unpatched bug that will delete your C:\Documents folder.
It is highly recommended to read the Warnings page before downloading and using this software.
What's New in This Release: [ read full changelog ]
· Added "dispex.dll" registration
· New option: Unregister objects first (performs "regsvr32 /u file.ext" before performing "regsvr32 file.ext" - for the paranoid)
· Added OLE registration section, with 23 new DLLs: msdadc.dll, msdaenum.dll, msdaer.dll, msdaipp.dll, msdaora.dll, msdaosp.dll, msdaps.dll, msdasc.dll, msdasql.dll, msdatt.dll, msdaurl.dll, msdmeng.dll, msdmine.dll, msjtor35.dll, msmdcb80.dll, msmdgd80.dll, msolap80.dll, msolui80.dll, msxactps.dll, oledb32.dll, oledb32r.dll, sqloledb.dll, and sqlxmlx.dll
· Properly disables "Flush SoftwareDistribution" in Windows 98/Me now
· No longer tries to register DLLs that aren't registerable in Windows 98/Me
· Checkmarking "Fix Windows Update" now checkmarks "Programming cores/runtimes" in box #5 because Windows Update is dependant upon those DLLs