Tag Archives: Win7

[RESOLVED] Windows Fax and Scan – Invalid procedure call or argument URL: res://ieframe.dll/preview.js

When you try to use Windows Fax and Scan to send a fax message with content in the body section of the fax you may get an error similar to the following example:

Script Error

Line: 2107

Char: 1

Error: Invalid procedure call or argument

Code: 0

URL: res://ieframe.dll/preview.js

This seems to start occurring after Internet Explorer 9 is installed and currently it seems that the only workaround is to uninstall Internet Explorer 9 or not enter text into the body section of the fax.

Following on from our Microsoft PSS case we have been given two different solutions to this issue, the first is to apply the latest Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer.  This can be obtained via Microsoft Update or Windows Update and may have already been installed automatically.  You can find further information here MS11-099: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer: December 13, 2011 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2618444

Another possible fix for this issue is to apply the hotfix mentioned in Microsoft KB 2647169 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2647169 this applies to Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2011 (SBS 2011).

A case is open with Microsoft PSS regarding this issue and once I have more permanent fix I will post it here.

Here is the official stance from Microsoft on this issue http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2629557

Sage Accounts and Sage Payroll – Crashing or Poor Performance

Sage Accounts and Sage Payroll are two very popular accounting products and in general work nicely on a well configured computer/network.

The most common issues that affect Sage Accounts and Payroll are listed below

  • Verify that your computer at least meets the minimum requirements to run your version of Sage Payroll or Sage Accounts (You cannot expect optimum performance from a machine that only just meets these basic requirements or that is below the outlined specs.  You might be able to upgrade the Memory in your existing machine to improve its performance or it may be time to consider a new machine)
  • Consumer Oriented Anti-Virus Products (These are usually bloated and will consume a large percentage of the system resources, the inbuilt software firewall may disrupt or interfere with the accessing of Sage Data files on other machines.  If you have a network strongly consider a corporate anti-virus product that does not bog down your machine and can be centrally configured rather than relying on each user to add exceptions for specific Sage files)
  • Accessing your Sage Data via a Wireless or VPN Connection (Both these type of connection only offer limited throughput and are prone to unexpected disconnections due to external factors, losing connection to your Sage Data whilst you are using it can result in a crash or worse still corruption. Consider having network data cabling installed or if this is not possible in your building/home then Ethernet Over the Mains may offer a suitable alternative)
  • Outdated Network Adapter Drivers (Your network adapter may have drivers installed that date back to 2005 or 2006 when you first purchased your computer, even most new computers do not have the very latest network adapter drivers installed.  Please take a look at my previous article for information on how you can find out if your network adapter driver is upto date and performing optimally)
  • Old Data Cabling and Network Hubs (Consider upgrading your internal cabling to Cat 5e or Cat 6, these both support speeds up to 1000Mbps or 1Gbps, this offers a significant boost over older 10Mbps networks.  You may also find that if your cabling is already suitable that your Network Hub or Switch is only capable of these slower speeds.  The best performance can be achieved by using a Managed Gigabit Switch, this will offer 1000Mbps to any computer/server/laptop that has a suitable network adapter installed or at least 100Mbps to those machines with older network adapters)
  • Unpatched Machine (Your desktop or server may be missing important Service Packs or updates that improve the overall responsiveness of the system or correct issues related to poor network or disk throughput.)
  • Operating System Hotfixes (Sometimes if an issue is not widely acknowledged Microsoft will release a requestable Hotfix rather than post the update to all users, this Hotfix may make it into a subsequent Service Pack but until this is released you may need to request appropriate hotfixes from Microsoft via http://support.microsoft.com )
  • Data Corruption or Repair may be required (If your data has been damaged in the past then a repair may be required to make it consistent, it is also possible that your Sage Data could be compacted to reduce the overall size and thus improve performance when accessing the data)

Hopefully you find this information useful, it does not cover all possible issues but should generally aid most Sage users.  Please always make several backups of your Sage Data before making any changes to your system or Sage.  Ideally you should make sure that at least one of these backups is to external media (USB pen, DVD/CD, External Hard Disk).

Microsoft Windows 7 – Service Pack 1 and Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 – How to Easily Free Up Some Disk Space

Have you started to notice that C drive is getting a little full or do you just want to have a spring clean, well you may not realise it but when you installed Service Pack 1 onto your lovely Windows 7 machine or Windows 2008 R2 Server that Microsoft very sensibly backed up all the old system file before replacing them with new ones.

Assuming that you have had Service Pack 1 installed for sometime without issue it may be good to know that you might be able to reclaim some disk space by dumping these obsolete system files.

Simply launch an elevated Command Prompt by right clicking “Command Prompt” and selecting “Run as administrator”.  Once you are in a command prompt simply paste in the following:

DISM /online /Cleanup-Image /SpSuperseded

Be patient with this command as it will need to enumerate a large number of files and could take up to 60 minutes to complete.  Once finished I would recommend a reboot.

Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 all use an imaging environment to install so with this command we are launching Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) and then telling it to remove any of the superseded service pack files.  If you do not have any files to remove, might be because someone else has already removed them or your computer/server may have already come with Service Pack 1 pre-installed/integrated.  In this instance you will get a message like the one below, you will also get this if you try to run the command a second time after all the old files have already been removed.

Poor Computer Performance due to Windows Power Management Settings

In an effort to be more “Green” you will often find that your shiny new computer, laptop or server have Power Management already set to “Balanced” or “Power Saver”.  This can be very useful for cutting your energy bills and saving the planet but sometimes you just get the need for speed.

It’s easy to check your current “Power Plan” in Microsoft Windows Vista, 7, Server 2008 or Server 2008 R2.  Simply click on the Windows Start Menu or Orb if you are using the Aero theme and then select “Control Panel”.  Once in “Control Panel” you can either find it under it’s category “Hardware and Sound” then “Power Options” or if you are in classic control panel mode then you will just need to click “Power Options”.

Once in Power Options you will usually only be presented with three options to choose from, most will find “High Performance” the best option if they want to avoid the occasional slowdowns that power management can introduce.  You will also find that on a laptop the screen brightness is usually increased in this mode and the laptop is not going to keep going to sleep if you walk away from your desk for a few minutes.

If you favour a nice balance between the two then your next best option is “Balanced”.

The “Power Saver” Plan which is the third option is really just for laptop users in my opinion, it’s great for a long flight or train ride where you just need to get some basic Word Documents typed up or reviewed.