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Issue #217: September 18, 2011

Q: I read your column religiously.  After booting my laptop, it gave me a choice of starting in SAFE mode and 4 other choices … all led to the below message. Any thoughts?

… the dreaded blue screen appeared with this message:

 STOP: C0000219{Registry file failure}
The registry cannot load the hive (file):
\SystemRoot\System32\Config\Software or its log or alternate.
It is corrupt, absent, or not available. Begin dump of memory

– Tim F.
Fort Walton Beach, Fla

A: I know my column publishes on Sunday in most of the newspapers in which it appears, but I hope you find a more fitting religious experience to satisfy your soul than reading I.G.T.M.!  Beyond that, yes, I have a few thoughts.  I think you neglected to tell me which operating system you’re using, and whether this problem started spontaneously, or was brought on by the installation of a new driver, software update, or conversion between operating system versions.  The problem seems to be exactly what it says it is: your registry is corrupted beyond use, and you need to re-install Windows.  Your best option is a re-install that includes a full disk format, which will destroy the disk’s contents.  If there are files you need to save before doing so, you can put the drive into an external USB drive housing, or temporarily install it in another computer with a compatible adapter.  Once you’ve got all your files, either use the Recovery partition on your laptop, or start with a fresh CD, and follow the instructions to install Windows.

Q: I am using Windows 7 and subject software.  I can’t get envelops to printout.  The printer makes all the correct noises, but there is no print.  What’s the secret?

– Bill R.
Niceville, Fla

A: This could be almost anything, Bill.  Since you’re not getting any error messages, a few suggestions would be to check your envelope orientation and position in the paper tray to make sure it’s what the printer and software are expecting.  Also make sure you have adequate ink or toner, and that you’re not telling the thing to print in white on white.

TIP OF THE WEEK – Subject: Legalized Extortion.  Reader and friend Keith Y. of Destin brings this week’s tip in hopes of protecting fellow small business owners with websites from a new trend in online scamming.  Here is the gist, paraphrased from Keith’s words:  “I’ve recently been the victim of “legal extortion” from Masterfile Corporation that I feel the entire online community needs to be warned about.  I hired someone to build my company’s web site.  We legally purchased a template online. 3 years later I get a copyright infringement claim from Masterfile for $13,000 for use of the image which we legally purchased.  Masterfile claims to have the copyright, yes they don’t go after the 3rd party reseller of the image, but go after the end user.  Most feel they are in collusion with the 3rd party resellers. So, any small business that thinks they are legally purchasing templates from the many on-line vendors will find themselves getting sued by Getty or Masterfile.  This is happening all over, and a website has been established to provide the background: www.extortionletterinfo.com.  My insurance company recommended “settling out of court” for $2000 rather than fight this, because the lawyer’s fees plus court costs are far higher….which is exactly what Masterfile counts on.”  Watch out, Geeks!  Make sure you have complete title to any intellectual property that you use online.  That includes images, web page templates, push-button graphics, style sheets – all of it.  If someone can figure out a way to sue you, they obviously will do so.


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