How to Fix a Win32 Error

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A Win32 error is a standard computer error that occurs mainly on computers using Windows versions 95, 98 and 2000 and often during Internet usage. When your computer gets a Win32 error, the application that the error occurred in ceases to work and you are unable to use the function on your computer. The error message for a Win32 error states that "Win32 Services has encountered a problem and needs to close." If you continually get the Win32 error on your system, a few tweaks can help eliminate the issue.

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Install Updates

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Step 1

Install any updates that may be available for your Windows system. To find and install available updates, open the "Start" menu, click "All Programs" and select "Windows Update" from the menu. Click "Yes" to confirm the action if prompted.

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Step 2

Select the "Check for updates" option in the left pane of the "Windows Update" window. Click "View available updates" and "Driver updates" for all of the devices that are installed on your computer. Updates will appear in list form.

Step 3

Click each driver update that you want to install on your Windows system and press the "Install" button. If prompted to confirm the action or enter the administrator password, do so and click "OK." The updates to your device drivers are now installed on your system.

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Eliminate Viruses

Step 1

Run your antivirus software's virus scan on your system. This is generally accomplished by opening the program and clicking a "Scan Now" or "Start Scan" button on the main screen. The virus scan finds and eliminates files that are affiliated with viruses that are on your system. If you do not have an antivirus software installed on your system, this is probably part of the issue and you should install one for continuous antivirus protection.

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Step 2

Download and install a registry cleaner. Several are available to download for free at CNET.com.

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Step 3

Run the registry cleaner on your system. Like virus scan software, registry cleaners are generally started by clicking one button on the main page. The registry cleaner finds and deletes any remaining files that have been left behind in the system's registry by the antivirus software.

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Close the Ports

Step 1

Open the computer's registry editor by going to the "Start" menu and clicking on the "Run" option. When the "Run" box opens, type in "regedit" and then press "Enter" to open the Registry Editor on the screen.

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Step 2

Click the folder "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" to show its contents. Next, go to "SYSTEM" > "CurrentControlSet" > "NETBT" and click "Parameters." Double-click the "TransportBindName" component to open it, then delete any information in the "Value data" box and click "OK."

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Step 3

Go to the "SOFTWARE" folder under the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" key, then to "Microsoft" and click "Ole." Double click "EnableDCOM," change the "Value Data" from "Y" to "N" and click "OK."

Step 4

Restart the computer and the changes you have made in the registry should take effect. With the ports closed, the Win32 errors should stop.

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