AutoPatcher Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Antonis
02 Jul 2007
AutoPatcher FAQ / Common Problems and Solutions
Other useful links:
Common Problems and Solutions
[indent]1) Run time error 429 - activeX component can't create object!
Install both the setup files in AutoPatchers \win9xnt folder
If that doesnt work, go to start > run, type REGSVR32 SCRRUN.DLL and press enter
If that doesnt work, copy files from C:\Program Files\AutoPatcher\bin to C:\Windows\System32
2) 35602: Key is not unique in collection
You've probably installed the release over an older version, and modules are conflicting.
Delete the folder your installing to, and reinstall the latest version.
Only 'update' releases should be installed on a previous release.
3) AutoPatcher stops with a red X when loading modules
The most common cause is that you've downloaded the English release and you are trying to use it on a non-English system.
Modules only load on systems there designed for! In this case, the release is obviously not meant for your system!
4) Installation wizzes by in about 10 seconds but nothing installs
Likely cause: you have non-alphanumeric characters in your Windows username! For example, only user names with numbers, letters and possibly spaces will work!
Note, altering your username in Windows User Accounts will, i believe, simply change what's displayed, not what is used behind the scenes! You should be able to change it properly via the admin tool 'computer management', or else create a new user account.
5) Networking problems after using AutoPatcher
Probably caused by the IPC$ security tweak. Run AutoPatchers tweakundo tool located in the \Tools directory, and undo the tweak.
This tweak is highly recommended for security reasons which is why im reluctant to remove it, but it can interfere with networking, so undo it if you have trouble.
6) When i double click the AutoPatcher shortcut nothing happens
Go to: C:\Program Files\AutoPatcher\tools, run 'AutoPatcher Module Editor.exe' and close it - next run autopatcher.
If that doesn't help, copy comdlg32.ocx from the AutoPatcher \bin folder to c:\windows\system32 (overwrite existing file if there is one).
7) Run-time error '380': Invalid property value
Copy files from C:\Program Files\AutoPatcher\bin to C:\Windows\System32
[/indent]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)[indent]Here are some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about AutoPatcher.
General
Q: What is AutoPatcher?
A: AutoPatcher could be described as an offline Windows Update. AutoPatcher provides an interface to a large collection of updates, common applications and registry tweaks, that can be easily and quickly applied to your computer system.
Q: What are the advantages of AutoPatcher over Windows Update?
A: The main advantage is that you just have to do one download in order to have all the patches and add-ons, such as Sun Java, MSN Messenger 7.x and Windows Media Player 10. If you have many computers or if you format your computer frequently, it saves both time and bandwidth. With AutoPatcher, you can install critical patches offline, eliminating the risk of getting infected while using Windows Update. You can also come in handy when updating a friends PC, if he/she can't access the Internet (or uses a narrowband connection).
Q: Where can I find more information on AutoPatcher?
A: You can visit the official forum here: www.autopatcher.com/forums/, and the official website here: www.autopatcher.com
Q: Is AutoPatcher legal?
A: Yes, you download all Microsoft files direct from Microsoft.
Windows Versions
Q: Which versions of Windows are supported?
A: The main AutoPatcher releases are aimed at English language versions of Windows 2000, Windows XP and Vista with the latest Service Pack already installed. However, AutoPatcher will load on any Windows version, showing only the included items (modules) which match the running environment.
Q: Does AutoPatcher include Windows Service Packs?
A: No, AutoPatcher does not install Windows Service Packs for you.
Q: Does AutoPatcher work with systems without the latest service pack?
A: Yes and No! Yes, AutoPatcher will run on the system. However, because the releases are aimed at the latest Service Packs, many things included will not be available for installation, and many updates will be missing that would otherwise be installed by the latest Service Pack. We strongly advise you to install the latest Service Pack.
Q: Does AutoPatcher work with 64bit or XP-MCE systems?
A: Yes, the code for apup and autopatcher.exe works with booth. Also, booth apup.exe and AutoPatcher.exe are always subject of improvements, to add support to new OS's. But just remember one thing: support it doesn't mean that we have an script for an specific OS. Given time, OS's and releaser managers come and go. So, there's no guarantee that we always will have an script for any OS in the world forever, but we also don't remove support for detection just because we don't have the OS anymore. So, the executables will keep working, but we may not have an script for it. For an up-to-date list of releases, please run apup and check the list. If your OS isn't listed in there, sorry, but we may not have the OS anymore and due that we can't keep it. But if you think that can help becoming an release manager as well, please contact us in the foruns.
General Usage
Q: Does AutoPatcher install anything without my permission?
A: Absolutely not! AutoPatcher does nothing secretly. The user has total control over the installation.
Q: I've downloaded AutoPatcher and executed it but the program didn't install anything.
A: When executing the downloaded file, you've only decompressed it to a folder. To proceed with the installation of the included patches, you must run the AutoPatcher program itself, use the shortcut created on the desktop.
Q: In AutoPatcher's selection screen, I see some items in blue. What does that mean?
A: AutoPatcher uses different colours as a way to provide the end user with additional information about an item. Blue is assigned to items which are detected as already installed.
Q: I want to remove a tweak that I applied with AutoPatcher. How is it done?
A: In previous versions of AutoPatcher (version 5.1) you have to use the 'tweak undo' tool. With the new AutoPatcher v5.6 you can right click an item in the selection window and choose the uninstall option.
Q: Can i use AutoPatcher from a CD/DVD/Flash drive/external hard drive?
A: Yes, simply copy the contents of C:\Program Files\AutoPatcher (default location) over.
Q: Can i use AutoPatcher from a network share?
A: Yes. Note, with a UNC path, either use this utility someone was working on, or follow rtk's instructions found here.
Releases
Q: What happened to the 'Full' and 'Lite' 'Core' and 'Update' releases?
A: As of May 2007 we have scrapped 'Full' and 'Lite' releases in favour of just a 'Core' release and a monthly 'Update' cumulative addon release. As of August 2007 we scrapped 'Core' and 'Update' releases too.
Q: How do I update my release now?
A: You use the new AutoPatcher Updater APUP, available on the Download page: www.autopatcher.com/downloads/
[/indent]
Edited by Cristiano, 25 February 2010 - 11:51 AM.
Other useful links:
Common Problems and Solutions
[indent]1) Run time error 429 - activeX component can't create object!
Install both the setup files in AutoPatchers \win9xnt folder
If that doesnt work, go to start > run, type REGSVR32 SCRRUN.DLL and press enter
If that doesnt work, copy files from C:\Program Files\AutoPatcher\bin to C:\Windows\System32
2) 35602: Key is not unique in collection
You've probably installed the release over an older version, and modules are conflicting.
Delete the folder your installing to, and reinstall the latest version.
Only 'update' releases should be installed on a previous release.
3) AutoPatcher stops with a red X when loading modules
The most common cause is that you've downloaded the English release and you are trying to use it on a non-English system.
Modules only load on systems there designed for! In this case, the release is obviously not meant for your system!
4) Installation wizzes by in about 10 seconds but nothing installs
Likely cause: you have non-alphanumeric characters in your Windows username! For example, only user names with numbers, letters and possibly spaces will work!
Note, altering your username in Windows User Accounts will, i believe, simply change what's displayed, not what is used behind the scenes! You should be able to change it properly via the admin tool 'computer management', or else create a new user account.
5) Networking problems after using AutoPatcher
Probably caused by the IPC$ security tweak. Run AutoPatchers tweakundo tool located in the \Tools directory, and undo the tweak.
This tweak is highly recommended for security reasons which is why im reluctant to remove it, but it can interfere with networking, so undo it if you have trouble.
6) When i double click the AutoPatcher shortcut nothing happens
Go to: C:\Program Files\AutoPatcher\tools, run 'AutoPatcher Module Editor.exe' and close it - next run autopatcher.
If that doesn't help, copy comdlg32.ocx from the AutoPatcher \bin folder to c:\windows\system32 (overwrite existing file if there is one).
7) Run-time error '380': Invalid property value
Copy files from C:\Program Files\AutoPatcher\bin to C:\Windows\System32
[/indent]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)[indent]Here are some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about AutoPatcher.
General
Q: What is AutoPatcher?
A: AutoPatcher could be described as an offline Windows Update. AutoPatcher provides an interface to a large collection of updates, common applications and registry tweaks, that can be easily and quickly applied to your computer system.
Q: What are the advantages of AutoPatcher over Windows Update?
A: The main advantage is that you just have to do one download in order to have all the patches and add-ons, such as Sun Java, MSN Messenger 7.x and Windows Media Player 10. If you have many computers or if you format your computer frequently, it saves both time and bandwidth. With AutoPatcher, you can install critical patches offline, eliminating the risk of getting infected while using Windows Update. You can also come in handy when updating a friends PC, if he/she can't access the Internet (or uses a narrowband connection).
Q: Where can I find more information on AutoPatcher?
A: You can visit the official forum here: www.autopatcher.com/forums/, and the official website here: www.autopatcher.com
Q: Is AutoPatcher legal?
A: Yes, you download all Microsoft files direct from Microsoft.
Windows Versions
Q: Which versions of Windows are supported?
A: The main AutoPatcher releases are aimed at English language versions of Windows 2000, Windows XP and Vista with the latest Service Pack already installed. However, AutoPatcher will load on any Windows version, showing only the included items (modules) which match the running environment.
Q: Does AutoPatcher include Windows Service Packs?
A: No, AutoPatcher does not install Windows Service Packs for you.
Q: Does AutoPatcher work with systems without the latest service pack?
A: Yes and No! Yes, AutoPatcher will run on the system. However, because the releases are aimed at the latest Service Packs, many things included will not be available for installation, and many updates will be missing that would otherwise be installed by the latest Service Pack. We strongly advise you to install the latest Service Pack.
Q: Does AutoPatcher work with 64bit or XP-MCE systems?
A: Yes, the code for apup and autopatcher.exe works with booth. Also, booth apup.exe and AutoPatcher.exe are always subject of improvements, to add support to new OS's. But just remember one thing: support it doesn't mean that we have an script for an specific OS. Given time, OS's and releaser managers come and go. So, there's no guarantee that we always will have an script for any OS in the world forever, but we also don't remove support for detection just because we don't have the OS anymore. So, the executables will keep working, but we may not have an script for it. For an up-to-date list of releases, please run apup and check the list. If your OS isn't listed in there, sorry, but we may not have the OS anymore and due that we can't keep it. But if you think that can help becoming an release manager as well, please contact us in the foruns.
General Usage
Q: Does AutoPatcher install anything without my permission?
A: Absolutely not! AutoPatcher does nothing secretly. The user has total control over the installation.
Q: I've downloaded AutoPatcher and executed it but the program didn't install anything.
A: When executing the downloaded file, you've only decompressed it to a folder. To proceed with the installation of the included patches, you must run the AutoPatcher program itself, use the shortcut created on the desktop.
Q: In AutoPatcher's selection screen, I see some items in blue. What does that mean?
A: AutoPatcher uses different colours as a way to provide the end user with additional information about an item. Blue is assigned to items which are detected as already installed.
Q: I want to remove a tweak that I applied with AutoPatcher. How is it done?
A: In previous versions of AutoPatcher (version 5.1) you have to use the 'tweak undo' tool. With the new AutoPatcher v5.6 you can right click an item in the selection window and choose the uninstall option.
Q: Can i use AutoPatcher from a CD/DVD/Flash drive/external hard drive?
A: Yes, simply copy the contents of C:\Program Files\AutoPatcher (default location) over.
Q: Can i use AutoPatcher from a network share?
A: Yes. Note, with a UNC path, either use this utility someone was working on, or follow rtk's instructions found here.
Releases
Q: What happened to the 'Full' and 'Lite' 'Core' and 'Update' releases?
A: As of May 2007 we have scrapped 'Full' and 'Lite' releases in favour of just a 'Core' release and a monthly 'Update' cumulative addon release. As of August 2007 we scrapped 'Core' and 'Update' releases too.
Q: How do I update my release now?
A: You use the new AutoPatcher Updater APUP, available on the Download page: www.autopatcher.com/downloads/
[/indent]
The AutoPatcher Team
www.autopatcher.com
New Layout by James (updated: 2008-09-22)
Edited by Cristiano, 25 February 2010 - 11:51 AM.
