How to Fix or Repair “COM Surrogate Has Stopped Working Error” in Windows Vista

Why this COM Surrogate Error Occur ?

This problem is basically caused due to incompatible codecs and other COM components installed by various softwares that aren’t fully comtable with Windows Vista, like some versions of DivX or Nero.

Possible Solution to Fix COM Surrogate ?

• If you are using DivX, you should be upgraded to the very latest version (6.5+)
• If you are using Nero, you can try upgrading to the latest version (7.7.5.1+)
• You can also disable thumbnail views in windows vista.
• One another type of possible solution illustrated below of turning off DEP fordllhost, which might not work for everybody.

How To Turn DEP(Data Execution Protection for dllhost.exe) ?

Step By step Procedure:

1. Right click on My computer>Properties.
2. Now Click on Advanced System Settings, and then under Advanced, click Settings.
3. Click the “Data Execution Protection” tab, and then click “Turn on DEP fo all programs.
4. With Add button, click dd then browse to C:\Windows\System32\dllhost.exe

Thats it..Done

Now you will not encounter the com surrogate again but if you still encounter this problem leave us your feedback as comments

Increase your Windows Experience Index or system rating in windows vista artificially

Well it is very easy to artificially raise your WEI(windows experience index) score by modifying the configuration file.

How to Rate Your system in windows vista:

First check your current score. In order to check your WEI score, go to Start >> Computer >> System Properties >> Performance.

• Click Rate this computer.Your baseline WEI score will now be set.
• In order to raise this score, navigate to the following directory:C:\Windows\Performance\WinSAT\DataStore

Note: You will need to have your UAC temporarily disabled i.e "disable UAC in vista"

• You will get one or more XML files. Open the most recent file in wordpad. Lines 14 – 21 have a simple score on each line with XML tags.Change the score you want to be displayed.
• Save that file after editing the value if windows doesn’t allow you to save that file check whether UAC is turn off if not turn UAC off.
• Check your WEI score again, you will notice the change you made in that value.

Following the above procedure you can simply change your system WEI index score but just for the sake of viewing actually it remains the same.

Make file copy faster with Robocopy in windows vista Read

What is Robocopy ?

It is an advanced copy utility with has the feature to automatically resume file transfer on error or network disruption, or recover from terminated file copying, with selective copying based on new or updated criteria.Beside,It can preserve all of the file properties and information, including date and time stamps, security access control lists (ACLs) and more while replicating the file.

By default Robocopy came built-in with windows vista as a command line but as a command line interface only but microsoft has also released a GUI (graphical user interface) application comprising robocopy command completely.

See the snapshot below for more details.

all of these features comes with with traditional Robocopy command line functionality, but for most of us , having these options integrated in a graphical interface really make it more useful.

Download Robocopy for Windows Vista

Remove or hide the arrow on the shortcuts in windows vista

There is very simple registry trick behind removing the arrow from the shortcuts in windows vista.

By following the procedure below you will be able to hide or remove the arrow displayed with the shortcuts in windows vista.

Step By Step Procedure :

• Type “regedit.exe” in the search box without double quotes.
• Browse to key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
• Open the Key LNKFILE
• Rename the value assigned with this key “IsShortcut” something other than.
• Log out and back in again.
• You will notice the change.

Revert the procedure to get the arrow again on the shortcuts.If you have any problems in implementing it leave a comment here.

How to install windows vista from orignal vista dvd with No Product Key

Yes you can Install Windows Vista with no product key and still have 30 days to evaluate it before buying it.

Step by step procedure:

Boot from your vista dvd and start the installation.

Select the Language, Time and Currency, and Keyboard

Click on Next

Click on Install Now

Don’t enter a Product Key

Uncheck Automatically activate Windows when I’m online

Click on Next

Click on No to confirm you do not want to enter a product key

Highlight the version of Vista you want to install

Check that it is the same edition you have purchased.

Click on Next

Check accept the license and terms

Click on Next

Install a clean copy and continue as with a regular install.

How to Change the Action for the Start Menu Power Button in windows vista

In case of windows vista we can change the action of the power button in the start menu to any of the actions like (Hibernate, Sleep, Power Off).

How To Change The Default action with the power button in windows vista:

To change the action (Sleep, Hibernate or Power Off)

1. Go to the Control Panel
2. Select System Maintenance and then Power Options if it is the Default View or
3. Select Power Options if it is the Classic View
4. Under your current plan, click on Change plans settings
5. Click on Change advanced power settings
6. Click on the + by Power buttons and lid
7. Click on the + by Start menu power button
8. For the Setting, select Sleep, Hibernate or Shutdown
9. Click on Apply and OK
10. Now when you hover over icon, you can see the action it will take.

Turn off Some Visual effects to make vista more faster and quick inoperations

Windows vista can be made more faster in general user operations by simply turning off some unessential visual effects.

Turn off these visual effects to speed up the graphics performance in vista.

1. Show preview and filters in folder.
2. Show shadows under mouse pointer.
3. Show thumbnails instead of icons.
4. Show window contents while dragging.
5. Smooth edges of screen fonts.
6. Use drop shadows for icon labels.
7. Use visual styles on windows and buttons.

Procedure:

• Open the Start menu
• Right click on My Computer
• Select Properties
• Click on Advanced System Settings
• In the Performance section, click on the Settings button
• Click on Custom
• Uncheck the unneeded effects.