Dial-a-fix

Dial-a-fix brings a set of tools to repair Windows problems regarding certain aspects of Windows Update, security, COM / ActiveX object or registry entries. The application does all of these on all 32-bit versions of Windows prior to Vista (98 to XP / 2003). It aids users of all levels of computer knowledge in the process of specific problems resolution.

The program doesn't require any installation and once you open it, the simple yet a bit crowded interface shows up on your screen. Its five sections are clearly delimited and they're even marked with numbers to point out the recommended step-by-step procedure.

The first of them, 'Prep', helps you 'Empty temp folders' in a flash as well as check whether your Windows clock is set to the current year – an incorrect setting here can easily result in errors with SSL certificates on the web that may make it impossible for you to have a pleasant web surfing experience.

Your next step takes you to the 'MSI' section that provides a succession of operations to fix any Microsoft Installer issues. What Dial-a-fix does here consists of stopping the service first, unregistering it followed by re-registration and start of the Installer service. This way, any related Windows Update service slip-ups are taken care of.

The 'WU/WUAU' section refers to Windows Update and Automatic Update services and prepares 'Stop / Start services' as well as 'Register WUAU DLLs' tools. You can also 'Flush SoftwareDistribution' in order to delete the collected data about the patches that have been downloaded and the ones that are about to be downloaded and installed. This button is very useful if you experience repetitive installations of patches through Windows Update.

Dial-a-fix also repairs errors regarding 'Code signing', 'Driver file signature verification' or 'SSL certificate verification'. These are encased within the SSL/HTTPS/CryptSvc section. The fifth frame of the application, 'Registration center', comprises ActiveX controls repairing for Internet Explorer, Control Panel broken applets fixes, VB and .NET runtime fixes as well as Windows core – Explorer repairing.

In conclusion, while not the complete set of tools for any Windows-related problem, Dial-a-fix coolly provides the search for an effective toolbox with comprehensive results, packing a few must-have quick fixes for some of the bulkiest and most annoying problems you may interfere with. Its sleeve-ace is, in fact, the ease-of-use as well as speed of execution and very light consumption of system resources and it may prove to be the reviver of your Windows installation.