Vista Problem - Side-by-side?

[Dieguito]

Hey guys... someone referred me here from another board I post on, but something really weird is going on with my computer. Whenever I run any application from Program Files (x86) I get an error that says "The application has failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect. Please see the application event log for more detail." Now I have no idea what on earth this means or what side-by-side is.

I've googled this, and some people say that you need to download one of a few programs from Microsoft, but I can't dowload anything from the internet or I get the same error. Even if you can't help I'd really appreciate if anyone has a theory on what's going on... just so I'm not completely at a loss as to what's going on.

[format]

I have to say I'm at a loss for this one, not seen or heard of anything like it?

[dangel]

Side-by-side refers to the WinSXS directory (in windows) which is where various support files live (e.g. MFC, common controls and the C-runtimes) which are needed by various programs to run (see http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa376307.aspx for tech. explaination but it probably won't help). Do not mess about with this directory kids ;0)

Which programs are failing?

Common runtimes that you *might* need (it does no harm to install these they're small):

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

Both of those are for 32bit programs (most likely you are running those even on 64bit windows). 64bit redists are available at MS too if you really need them (doubtful).

All a bit of guesswork given the info posted - also check your event viewer:

Start->control panel->system & security->admin tools->event viewer

Look at the application log - see if anything specific is mentioned etc.

Of course, this might be a wider problem with your configuration as you seem to be saying you can't download/install stuff too? again checking the event viewer logs might help..

In addition: when did this start to happen? after uninstalling something? do you have a system restore point that you can go back to? A backup?

[matty-hodgson]

I have to say I'm at a loss for this one, not seen or heard of anything like it?

why post to say you haven't a clue?

[MadduckUK]

why post to say you haven't a clue?

i dont know why he would do that

[Dieguito]

Side-by-side refers to the WinSXS directory (in windows) which is where various support files live (e.g. MFC, common controls and the C-runtimes) which are needed by various programs to run (see for tech. explaination but it probably won't help). Do not mess about with this directory kids ;0)

Which programs are failing?

Common runtimes that you *might* need (it does no harm to install these they're small):

Both of those are for 32bit programs (most likely you are running those even on 64bit windows). 64bit redists are available at MS too if you really need them (doubtful).

All a bit of guesswork given the info posted - also check your event viewer:

Start->control panel->system & security->admin tools->event viewer

Look at the application log - see if anything specific is mentioned etc.

Of course, this might be a wider problem with your configuration as you seem to be saying you can't download/install stuff too? again checking the event viewer logs might help..

In addition: when did this start to happen? after uninstalling something? do you have a system restore point that you can go back to? A backup?

Thanks, I'll try some of this to see if it works. (had to delete the links from your post for the post count rule)

why post to say you haven't a clue?

He's the one that referred me here so I suppose he's just dropping in.

[Dieguito]

Ok so I went to the event viewer so now I'll post a few errors and warnings that I think are relevant. Prior to these there were no warnings for a few hours.

1. (Logged 3/3/2009 7:15:08) Event ID 3013 Task Category: Gatherer Level: Error

The entry <C:/USERS/SEAN/DOCUMENTS/AZEREUS DOWNLOADS/INCUBUS - DISCOGRAPHY [CHANNEL NEO]\[1995] FUNGUS AMONGUS> in the hash map cannot be updated

Context: Application, SystemIndex Catalog

Details: A device attached to the system is not functioning. (0x8007001f)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Same error as above was duplicated at the same time, don't kow what that means)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Logged: 3/3/2009 7:18:05 Event ID 4226 Task Category: None Level: Warning

TCP/IP has reached the security limit imposed on the number of concurrent TCP connect attempts
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Logged: 3/3/2009 7:20:18 pm Event ID: 4001 Taske Category: None User: SYSTEM OpCode: (2) Level: Warning

WLAN AutoConfig service has successfully stopped.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Logged: 3/3/2009 7:21:48 pm Event ID: 59 Level: Error Source: SideBySide

Activation context generation failed for "System Default Context".Error in manifest or policy file "C:\Windows\WinSxS\manifests\x86_microsoft.windows.isolationautomation_6595b64144ccf1df_1.0.0.0_none _35d356a66c38ade4.manifest" on line 52. Invalid XML syntax
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The above is the first of many sidebyside errors. Oh, and the fixes are the ones that I already tried and still didn't work. But thanks for that anyways.

[format]

why post to say you haven't a clue?

Why post to complain about me posting to say that I didn't know?

Like he said, I referred him here and wanted to bump the thread so that the glowing recommendation I gave Hexus didn't fall on its face.

[matty-hodgson]

stop trolling