Tag Archives: Windows Vista

Windows 7: Installer encountered an error: 0xc8000222

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I fixed this issue for a customer this morning on a Windows 7 machine. When you loaded Windows Update, it’d say no updates are available despite the fact the machine had no service pack installed (SP1 is the latest release at the time of writing).

I tried to install the System Update Readiness Tool but was presented with the error “Installer encountered an error: 0xc8000222”.

The fault was caused by a corrupted SoftwareDistribution folder. So if you rename or delete %windir%\SoftwareDistribution and then try Windows Update or the System Update Readiness Tool, the problem is then fixed.

Supposedly the same issue can occur on Windows Vista and would have the same fix.

Windows Vista: Windows can’t check for updates

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I fixed this problem on a machine today so I thought I’d blog about how its done.

  1. Remove malware/spyware/virus infections. Use MalwareBytes, Microsoft’s Malicious Removal Tool, ComboFix, or whatever is necessary.
  2. Run “System File Checker”. Go to start, type “command prompt” and when it pops up in the list, right click, select “Run as administrator”. In the command prompt enter the command “sfc /scannow”. Reboot after completed.
  3. Run Microsoft’s System Update Readiness Tool
  4. Check the computers date and time and verify its correct
  5. Reboot
  6. Run Windows Update. Should work this time.

Logging in to Windows XP or greater with the Administrator account

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I get asked this from time to time, or come across a machine that has a damaged profile and the only other existing profile is the Administrator account.

So how do you login as the Administrator since its missing from the logon screen?

Press Ctrl + Alt + Del at the logon screen. The administrator account will either appear, or you’ll be taken to the form based logon where you can enter Administrator as the username.

Windows 7

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So I finally installed the beta versions of Windows 7 that Microsoft sent me. Thought I’d give it a whirl to confirm a few suspicions.

It does seem Microsoft have improved the kernel since Vista, so there are some performance benefits. Additionally the visual effects have been “toned down” so they don’t hammer graphics and CPU as much.

And probably the most significant change – User Access Control is nothing like it is in Vista and prompts far less.

I myself did end up skipping Windows Vista. However selling it as an OEM I never had much complaints and in fact told my customers I believed the bad rumours about Vista do not come from knowledgeable sources, neither are the rumours accurate. I actually built quite a success list of machines upgraded to Vista etc., where Vista was actually faster! Although I do disable UAC on Vista completely.

Trying out the Windows Live Writer too, since its compatible with WordPress. I just might blog more often if I can easily post articles.

Win7 Screenshot