ActiveX: The Top 10 Errors A 110/1 By Stefan Johnson
Using the information given in this article you will be able to: • Solve almost any ActiveX problem • Locate the ActiveX control that is causing cryptic error messages • Avoid ActiveX problems with the right add-on settings Banish Inexplicable Crashes and Cryptic Error Messages: Read How to Take Control of Nasty ActiveX Errors Almost all websites these days rely on ActiveX to function. Internet Explorer uses ActiveX objects to extend the basic static web with dynamic content such as animations and videos, and even run complex web-based applications via your browser. Unfortunately, ActiveX objects can also cause major Windows problems, since they are closely integrated with the operating system. In addition, hackers can also use ActiveX objects in order to spy on your PC, by implanting malware infections in Windows. Because of this, ActiveX objects come with strict security policies which limit what they can do, however these can also increase the number of errors which can occur. Read this article to learn how to take control of the most common ActiveX problems you will encounter.
• ActiveX: Technology at the Heart of Internet Problems ...... A 110/2 • Enable Access to Blocked Office 2003/2007/ 2010 Documents ...... A 110/6 • Resolve ActiveX Errors Blocking Windows Update...... A 110/10 • Error-free HTML Display with the Correct Settings..... A 110/14 • More Stability by Disabling Browser Extensions ...... A 110/15
The Windows Advisor June/July 12 1 A 110/2 ActiveX: The Top 10 Errors
!? ActiveX: Technology at the Heart of Internet Problems ActiveX technology Without ActiveX, the Internet would be a very monotonous place, since the contents of many websites are spiced up by using it. ActiveX extends the functionality of basic websites via software components which can interact with one another in a network environment. The advantage of ActiveX is that it doesn’t depend on a particular programming language. Components developed in different languages can communicate with each other. But ActiveX objects can also pose a security risk, since the ActiveX code is executed directly on your PC. You need to be careful therefore which websites are allowed to run scripts or ActiveX controls on your computer. ActiveX controls can also cause errors, or allow unwanted content to be displayed on your system. Hackers use ActiveX programs to collect information from your PC, damage your system, or even install viruses or other malware on your computer without your permission. Given these risks, and the fact that more and more security holes are constantly being Microsoft are found in the ActiveX technology, Microsoft are regularly constantly fixing forced to issue fixes for ActiveX-related security problems, in problems order to plug these gaps. ActiveX is very closely tied to Internet Explorer and the Windows operating system. Due to the potential danger that they can pose, the system restricts what actions ActiveX Close integration objects can perform, but this in itself can lead to problems. is problematic The numerous updates from Microsoft relating to ActiveX do their best to fix compatibility problems with either Windows itself or with programs from other manufacturers. A safe system If you find that ActiveX works fine on your system, you may is paramount be tempted to turn off all Windows Update functions, on the basis that if something isn’t broken it doesn’t need fixing, but this is a risky thing to do: without the latest updates,
2 The Windows Advisor June/July 12 ActiveX: The Top 10 Errors A 110/3 your system is open to new malware infections designed to exploit the unplugged security holes. To stay safe you should always have the Windows Update Constantly feature enabled, with updates set to be installed recurring errors automatically. Even with Windows Update turned on, you Yes No Test are still likely to suffer from ActiveX problems. We’ve 4 4 examined the most common ActiveX error messages that 4 you might come across, and summarised them in the table 4 below, along with their fix: Error Solution ActiveX object error Note the filename given in the error message message (usually a DLL file). Register this file again with the system using the REGSVR32 command. Office 2003/2007/2010 Windows blocks the Office 2003/2007/2010 documents cannot document because it regards it as being unsafe. be opened You can fix this problem via the Office 2003/2007/2010 group policies template. Executable files or This problem can occur on all Windows versions add-ons that you when the executable file or add-on is blocked due download using Internet to an invalid digital signature. You can remove this Explorer cannot be block using the add-on management function of opened Internet Explorer, or by tweaking the ActiveX settings, to allow unsigned ActiveX controls to be run on your system. Error message When you try to access the Windows Update 0x800a01AD when website you receive the error message accessing the Windows ‘0x800a01AD ActiveX component can’t create Update website object’. To resolve this problem, install Microsoft XML Parser 3.0 Service Pack 4 or manually register the MSXML program files.
The Windows Advisor June/July 12 3 A 110/4 ActiveX: The Top 10 Errors
Error Solution Internet Explorer cannot If you have a 64-bit version of Windows and use run 32-bit ActiveX the corresponding 64-bit version of Internet controls on a 64-bit Explorer, when you try to install a 32-bit ActiveX version of Windows control the installation may appear to work at first, but will eventually fail. In order to get around this problem, launch the 32-bit version of Internet Explorer by opening Windows Explorer and clicking on IEXPLORE.EXE in the Syswow64 folder (C:\Windows\Syswow64). This will run the 32-bit version on your computer. ActiveX blocks the WGA When you need to install software from Microsoft, validity check you may find that the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) check is blocked. To fix this problem you need to change the ActiveX security zone settings. When opening an HTML This problem is caused by an advanced security file, error messages feature from Windows XP SP2. This function is appear or pictures are designed to protect against attacks by hackers, but not displayed as in this case is blocking you from opening your expected HTML file in error. To resolve the problem you need to tweak the security settings in the registry.
As you can see from the table above, ActiveX can cause a whole host of errors. But sometimes it may appear that an ActiveX control does nothing, when you try to access the web page containing it. In these cases, it might just be that Internet Explorer has blocked the control until you choose to enable it. You'll see a pop-up bar at the top of the screen (if you're using IE6), or at the bottom of the screen with later IE versions, asking you to run the control. If you're expecting the ActiveX control to have some big effect on the page you are viewing it can be easy to miss this box, but you will need to right-click on it and choose to run the control for anything to happen.
4 The Windows Advisor June/July 12 ActiveX: The Top 10 Errors A 110/5
How to Solve ActiveX Object !? Creation Errors
When you are working with some Windows applications you ActiveX error may be constantly shown the following error message: message ActiveX component can’t create object.
3. Open the command prompt via > All Programs > Open the Accessories. Windows 7/Vista users, right-click on command line Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator. XP users, just click on Command Prompt. 4. Type in the following command at the command prompt: regsvr32 /i
The Windows Advisor June/July 12 5 A 110/6 ActiveX: The Top 10 Errors
!? Enable Access to Blocked Office 2003/2007/2010 Documents Customise group When you try to open Office 2003/2007/2010 documents you policies may come across an error message requesting that you allow an ActiveX control to run, or that a particular ActiveX control cannot be loaded or does not work. This error can happen with any Office application – Word, Excel or PowerPoint – and will prevent you from opening the document. Cause: unsafe The problem occurs because Office is trying to open ActiveX ActiveX controls controls that are marked as unsafe. By default, Office 2003/2007/2010 will not load any unsafe ActiveX controls. This problem can happen with both third party ActiveX controls, and controls developed by Microsoft that are in fact part of Office itself.
Solution: configure To ensure your system stays secure, you can configure access Office access policies to Office modules using policies. Before you can administer these security policies for Office you first need to create them using the Group Policy Editor (note: the Group Policy Editor is only available on the professional versions of Windows and above). To create the security policies you need to install the relevant policy template for your version of Office. The available templates are OFFICE 11.ADM (Office 2003), OFFICE 12. ADM (Office 2007) and OFFICE13.ADM (Office 2010). All of these templates are available from the Downloads area of the Windows Advisor website (www.windowsadvisor.co.uk). Once you have downloaded the template file for your version of Office, run the installer program and save the template files to a directory on your desktop. Once you’ve done that, proceed as follows to install and configure it:
6 The Windows Advisor June/July 12 ActiveX: The Top 10 Errors A 110/7
1. Press + R , type GPEDIT.MSC and click OK. 2. Select Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates, then click Action > Add/Remove Templates. Add a new 3. Click Add and navigate to the folder where you administrative unpacked the downloaded template files. Open the template ADM folder, then select the OfficeX.ADM files, where the X stands for your Office version number.
After adding your template, you will find a new menu item for Microsoft Office
Check in the security settings for the policy relating to ActiveX
Add a new Group Policy template for your version of Office
4. Open the Administrative Templates option under User Configuration, then open the template for your version of Office (e.g. Microsoft Office 2010). This will be under Classic Administrative Templates in Windows 7/Vista). 5. Double-click on Security Settings. 6. Double-click the option ActiveX Control Initialization (XP users, click on the Setting tab).
The Windows Advisor June/July 12 7 A 110/8 ActiveX: The Top 10 Errors
Activate security 7. Here you can configure whether the policy is Enabled settings or Disabled. Once you have enabled the policy, you can set the security level using the ActiveX Control Initialization drop-down list. There are six possible settings you can choose from; to turn off the ActiveX warning messages you need to select option 1. 8. Once you’ve made your changes, click on Apply > OK then close the Group Policy editor, and re-boot your system. You will now be able to open your Office 2003/2007/2010 documents without any errors. This fix is applied on a per user account basis, so if you find that another user of your PC is having the same problem, you will have to log into their account and apply the above steps again in order to fix it. For best security you should also repeat the above steps and re-enable the ActiveX warning messages in step 7 once you have accessed the document you are having problems with.
How to Run Downloaded Files and Add-ons !? without Problems When you try to run a program downloaded from the Download denied Internet you may find that Internet Explorer blocks you from doing so. The same thing can happen when you try to add or run an Internet Explorer add-on that you have downloaded, via the Internet Explorer add-ons menu.
Cause: security This happens because from XP SP2 onwards, Windows is setting configured to block the execution of programs or add-ons which have an invalid signature, meaning that their authenticity cannot be proved.
Remove the block In order to solve the problem, remove the block on unsigned objects via the Manage add-ons tool in Internet Explorer. To do so, proceed as follows:
8 The Windows Advisor June/July 12 ActiveX: The Top 10 Errors A 110/9
1. In Internet Explorer, click on the cog icon and choose Manage add-ons (Tools > Manage Add-ons in older versions of IE).
2. Select the add-on that is being blocked and click Enable the add-on Enable to activate it, then agree to the prompt. On older versions of Internet Explorer you can also click on the Update ActiveX button if it is enabled, and Windows will look for an updated version with a valid signature. 3. Click OK or Close to activate your choice. The radical fix: allow the installation of all ActiveX controls without a valid signature It is possible to configure Windows so that it will install any Unblock all add-ons ActiveX control without requiring it to be signed. This can be quite risky, since a virus or other malware infection could use it to install itself onto your PC. However, sometimes it is the only way to get an ActiveX control to work. In these ! circumstances, you should disable the protection temporarily while you install the control, then re-enable it again when you are done. To do so, proceed as follows: 1. In Internet Explorer click the cog icon then Internet Options (Tools > Internet Options in older IE versions). 2. Click on the Security tab, and then click on Custom level under the Security zone settings. 3. Select Enable under Download unsigned ActiveX controls. 4. Click OK > OK.
The Windows Advisor June/July 12 9 A 110/10 ActiveX: The Top 10 Errors
Now run your problematic ActiveX control, and once you have done repeat the above steps, selecting Disable in step 3. If the above steps don’t work, you need to unblock ActiveX restrictions in the registry. To do so, proceed as follows: 1. Press + R , type REGEDIT and click OK. 2. Navigate to the registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ Enable add-ons in Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions the registry 3. Right-click on a blank area of the right-hand panel Create the and choose New > DWORD Value. Name the new DWORD Value value that you create NoExtensionManagement 4. Double-click on NoExtensionManagement and in the Value data field you can enter one of two options: • 0 – the user is able to activate or deactivate add-ons. • 1 – the user is not able to make any changes to add-ons.
Resolve ActiveX Errors Blocking !? Windows Update It is essential that you use the automatic Windows Update Error 0x800a01AD feature to keep your system up-to-date with the latest fixes from Microsoft. However, ActiveX components can block access to Microsoft download pages, and when they do so you receive the following error when you try to run Windows Update: Windows has encountered an error and cannot display the requested page.
0x800a01AD ActiveX component can’t create object.
10 The Windows Advisor June/July 12 ActiveX: The Top 10 Errors A 110/11
The cause of this problem is the Microsoft XML Parser Cause: Microsoft Version 3.0. Either: XML Parser • You have not installed the Microsoft XML Parser 3.0 Service Pack 4; or • The MSXML program files are not properly registered with Windows. The MSXML 3.0 SP4 can be downloaded from the Downloads area of the Windows Advisor website, www.windowsadvisor.co.uk. Download SP4 If the problem persists after you have installed the Microsoft XML Parser, you need to re-register the required DLL files as follows: 1. Open the command prompt via > All Programs > Accessories. Windows 7/Vista users, right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator. XP users, just click on Command Prompt. Register the MSXML files 2. At the command prompt type: Regsvr32 C:\Windows\System32\Msxml.dll and press Enter . 3. Look for the message saying that the components has Note the message been successfully re-registered, then click OK. 4. Next type: Regsvr32 C:\Windows\System32\Msxml2.dll and press Enter . 5. Again, confirm the successful re-registration by clicking OK. 6. Finally type: Regsvr32 C:\Windows\System32\Msxml3.dll and press Enter . 7. Again, confirm the message by clicking OK, then close the Command Prompt. You should now find that Windows Update works again.
The Windows Advisor June/July 12 11 A 110/12 ActiveX: The Top 10 Errors
!? How to Re-enable the WGA Validity Check Many Microsoft downloads or updates require a WGA WGA validity check validity check (Windows Genuine Advantage). You’ve probably come across this check when you’ve tried to download a piece of software from the Microsoft website. The WGA check examines your version of Windows to make sure it has a legitimate licence before you are allowed to download the software. If your Windows system isn’t properly activated with a legitimate licence code, then the download will be blocked. Sometimes you may find that WGA blocks a download even if you do have a genuine, activated Windows version. Your web browser may not even make it to the download page after the Microsoft Download site has told you that you need to run WGA. In these circumstances, you will usually see an error message relating to ActiveX.
Cause: blocked Since the WGA test runs as an ActiveX control, problems ActiveX controls with your ActiveX settings are likely to be the culprit here. If you have configured Internet Explorer to block all ActiveX controls then WGA will not work, and you will not be able to download any Microsoft software.
Enable ActiveX To troubleshoot the problem, take a look at the information controls displayed in your Internet Explorer browser window. You should see a message telling you that you need to install an ActiveX control in the menu bar at the top of the window. Click on this and choose to install the control – WGA should now work. If this message isn't displayed, then your Internet Explorer security settings are blocking the WGA control. Internet Explorer uses a system of security zones to section off parts of the Internet, allowing the sites in those zones to perform different actions depending on whether or not you trust them.
12 The Windows Advisor June/July 12 ActiveX: The Top 10 Errors A 110/13
If IE is configured such that sites in the default Internet zone are not able to run ActiveX controls, and you haven't placed the Microsoft download site in the Trusted zone, the problems will occur. The quickest way to fix this is to reset all of the security zone settings to their default, since ActiveX controls are permitted to run in the Internet zone with the default settings. To apply this fix proceed as follows: 1. In Internet Explorer click the cog icon then Internet Options (Tools > Internet Options in older IE versions). 2. Click on the Security tab, and then click on Internet. 3. At the bottom of the screen click on Reset all zones to default level.
4. Click on Custom level and set the following options Switch on to Enabled under ActiveX controls and plug-ins: following options • Download Signed ActiveX controls. • Run ActiveX controls and Plugins. • Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting.
Confirm these settings by clicking on OK
The Windows Advisor June/July 12 13 A 110/14 ActiveX: The Top 10 Errors
5. You should now find that the WGA validity check works. Warning: if you are prompted to install an ActiveX control, make sure that it’s signed by Microsoft before clicking Install.
Error-free HTML Display with the !? Correct Settings When you try to open an HTML file you may find that HTML display errors sometimes pictures and other content are not displayed, often without any errors being displayed. When this happens: • You receive a script error message when you try to display an HTML file embedded in a Windows program. • You see an ActiveX error message when opening an HTML file in a Windows program. • If you open the HTML file manually in Internet Explorer, the images in the file are not displayed correctly.
Cause: Windows These types of problems are caused by Windows advanced security features security features. These functions are designed to protect you from hacker attack, but they also block you from viewing HTML files too. To get around the problem you need to disable the relevant security feature in the registry:
1. Press + R , type REGEDIT and click OK. 2. Navigate to the registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl \FEATURE_LOCALMACHINE_LOCKDOWN 3. Double-click on iexplore.exe.
14 The Windows Advisor June/July 12 ActiveX: The Top 10 Errors A 110/15
Value of 0 = deactivated
Set the Value data field to 0
4. Close the Registry Editor and re-boot Windows. Re-boot
More Stability by Disabling Browser Extensions !? Many programs seem to sneak into Internet Explorer to extend the functionality of the browser. Often these Deactivate extensions are themselves ActiveX controls. If you are add-ons experiencing problems with Internet Explorer, it could be one of these extensions that is causing the problem. To fix the problem, you need to deactivate the extensions to see if the problem is cured. To do so: 1. Close Internet Explorer if it is open and then open Internet Options in the Control Panel. 2. Click on the Advanced tab. 3. Under Browsing, untick the option Enable third-party browser extensions. Click Apply > OK. 4. Launch Internet Explorer and check to see if the error persists.
The Windows Advisor June/July 12 15 A 110/16 ActiveX: The Top 10 Errors
!? Check Your Browser Add-ons All versions of Internet Explorer from version 6 offer you the possibility to individually manage your browser add-ons (see screenshot on the next page). Test: run Internet Explorer without add-ons Hidden IE version Hidden deep in the Windows Start menu, you will find a slimmed version of Internet Explorer which has all browser add-ons and extensions deactivated. This version of IE guarantees safe surfing, and should always be used if you suspect that there is a problem with an add-on or extension that is being caused by ActiveX. If there are add-ons that you rely on in Internet Explorer, for example, to synchronise your bookmarks with an online bookmark synchronisation service, they will not work in this mode, so you should only use it for troubleshooting. However, if you never use any Internet Explorer add-ons, you can use the add-on free version of Internet Explorer as your main web browser, avoiding problems caused by unused add-ons that are installed by third party software. To launch the add-on free version of Internet Explorer, click on > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Internet Explorer (No Add-ons). When you run this slimmed-down version of Internet Explorer, all potentially dangerous extensions are disabled, and just the browser itself will run. However, this can mean that some websites which rely on certain browser extensions fail to work properly. But it does mean that you can surf the Web in greater safety, which is useful when you are using your online banking site, for example. If you find that the add-on free version of Internet Explorer works perfectly (because you never use add-ons, for example) you can create a quick desktop shortcut that will
16 The Windows Advisor June/July 12 ActiveX: The Top 10 Errors A 110/17 always run the add-on free version. You can then use this as your main browser. To create the shortcut: 1. Click > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools. 2. Right-click on Internet Explorer (No Add-ons). 3. Choose Send to > Desktop (create shortcut) from the menu that pops up. Use this shortcut for greater security whenever you want to access the Internet.
In the add-on management screen, you’ll see all of your add-ons grouped by developer
Selecting an add-on will allow you to configure it
Click here to enable and disable an add-on
Manage your add-ons in Internet Explorer
What to do when errors occur on certain websites If you only experience errors when you visit certain Delete problematic websites, then it is likely that an ActiveX control is not content
The Windows Advisor June/July 12 17 A 110/18 ActiveX: The Top 10 Errors
responsible for the problem. The problem might be caused by damaged Internet Favorites, cookies, or temporary Internet files. You can usually solve the problem by removing these damaged files. Delete temporary Delete the temporary files and cookies from your computer. files and cookies How you do this depends on the version of Internet Explorer that you have: Version Description Internet Click on Tools > Internet Options > General, then under Explorer 6 Temporary Internet Files click Delete Cookies and Delete Files. Internet Click Tools > Internet Options > General > Browsing History > Explorer 7 Delete. Use the options to delete both files and cookies. If this doesn’t help then reset the browser by clicking the Advanced tab then clicking Reset. Internet Click on the Tools menu (press Alt if Tools is not visible), then Explorer Internet Options > General, then under Browsing History click 8/9/10 Delete. Tick the options for Temporary Internet files, Cookies and ActiveX Filtering and Tracking Protection data and click Delete. If this doesn’t help then reset the browser by clicking the Advanced tab then clicking Reset.
ActiveX controls represent a security risk and are responsible 1. 2. 3. for many errors. Because ActiveX controls are small pieces of 4. 5. code that are downloaded from the Web and run on your PC, hackers and virus writers routinely use them to try to spread infections. However, without ActiveX, many programs and Internet content would not work. Many websites rely on ActiveX controls to provide dynamic content such as videos. If you find that parts of a website are not working properly, it is likely that a faulty ActiveX control is to blame. With the information given in this article, you will be able to solve almost any ActiveX-related problem in no time.
18 The Windows Advisor June/July 12