Question: I can't boot up my Vista computer. When I try to start it I get the following error message - The Windows Boot Configuration Data file is missing required information.

Any ideas?

I'm going to assume that this is the error message you are getting:

File: \Boot\BCD
Status: 0xc0000034
Info: The Windows Boot Configuration Data file is missing required information

First off, don't panic or do anything rash. Don't rush out to reinstall Windows. If you work through the information in Microsoft's knowledge base article you're almost certain of success - I've come across this issue a few times and never lost any data.

Microsoft offers three methods to fix this problem - if you're lucky, method 1 will fix the problem, if not then method 2 should do it. If you're really unlucky you might have to work through the tedious steps in method 3.

Good luck!

Hey Constant Reader, have you noticed something different about the site?  Look closer ... see it now?

Yep, finally the PC Doc blog's had a serious facelift.  This update is the first of several new features that we plan to roll out for the site.

Hopefully everything works, but if you notice something thats misbehaving, I'd appreciate it if you could drop me a line.

Big thanks to Kathie for making this happen!

Enjoy!

Title
=====

ITsafe Warning 08-008

What is it?
===========

Microsoft Updates for Multiple Vulnerabilities

What does it affect?
====================

Microsoft Windows and Office for Windows and Mac

What does it do?
================

These vulnerabilities may allow an attacker to access your computer, install and run malicious software on your computer, or cause your computer to crash.

How do I fix it?
================

Update your copy of the software with the download available from the supplier.

Details of Specific Problem
===========================

The technical issues are described by the supplier and at the CVE website, and can be found from: - Microsoft TechNet security

Notes
=====

ITsafe Warnings are issued by e-mail when significant risks have been identified that are likely to affect the majority of ITsafe users. ITsafe Team Making IT safe for You

http://www.itsafe.gov.uk

The UK Government Alerting and Advisory Service for Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) Security

There's a lot of software available to download for free or to buy, but I'll let you into a little secret - a lot of it is junk. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that a good 80% of the software that's available (both free and commercial) is not worth the bother of downloading, and certainly not worth installing.

Since it can be difficult to separate out the good stuff from the not so good stuff, I thought it would be a good idea if every so often I highlight a piece of software that I think is worth having. Some of the software I feature will be free while other times I'll look at a commercial solution. No matter what I feature, rest assured that it will have been extensively battle tested at the PC Doctor HQ.

SlySoft AnyDVD

The first piece of software I'm going to look at is a must have for anyone who plays a lot of DVDs on their PC - SlySoft AnyDVD.

AnyDVD is a fabulous piece of software. Not only does it remove pesky content and copy protection schemes (that can sometimes get in the way of legitimate viewing) but it also allows your system to do things like ignore region encoding (useful if you buy DVDs from abroad), bypass the ever-present FBI warning, and also fast forward through those trailers that some studios force you to sit through.

I've been an AnyDVD user for years, and now that I have a Blu-ray player fitted to my PC I've upgraded to AnyDVD HD which deals with annoyances that these new formats bring.

The only slightly annoying aspect of AnyDVD ownership is the fact that the program is being upgraded regularly, and this means having to install the new version on a regular basis (this is necessary to fix bugs and keep up to date with new mechanisms that studios deploy). However, the upgrade process takes less than a minute so it's hardly a chore. Also, when you by a license you get updates free for life.

AnyDVD license starts at EUR 33.76 | Trial available.

Here's what coming down the tubes via Windows Update today:

Critical:

• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-026
  Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Word Could Allow Remote Code Execution (951207)
  This security update resolves several privately reported vulnerabilities in Microsoft Word that could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Word file. An attacker who successfully exploited these vulnerabilities could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-027
  Vulnerability in Microsoft Publisher Could Allow Remote Code Execution (951208)
  This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft Publisher that could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Publisher file. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-028
  Vulnerability in Microsoft Jet Database Engine Could Allow Remote Code Execution (950749)
  This security update resolves a security vulnerability in the Microsoft Jet Database Engine (Jet) in Windows. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

Moderate:

• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-029
  Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Malware Protection Engine Could Allow Denial of Service (952044)
  This security update resolves two privately reported vulnerabilities in the Microsoft Malware Protection Engine. An attacker could exploit either of the vulnerabilities by constructing a specially crafted file that could allow denial of service when received by the target computer system and scanned by the Microsoft Malware Protection Engine. An attacker who successfully exploited either vulnerability could cause the Microsoft Malware Protection Engine to stop responding and automatically restart.