Windows Update Code 80070BC9 - for .NET Framework 3.5.1 Security Update on Windows 7 SP1 x86

Quick note (mostly for personal use, but happy if this helps someone else) only.

I suspect this error was due to Returnil messing things up in the system.
So first solution is to disable then uninstall Returnil.

Then this worked for me, not sure if the order mattered:

1. Found the .NET Repair Tool (note: not the removal tool) and  Ran it.
2. Uninstall .NET 4 Client software.
3. Restarted the computer.

Windows Update ran a couple of times after that and fixed the problem.

These were the web sites that proved insightful, but I didn't need to go through all the steps covered here. Might prove useful to someone else though.

support.microsoft.com/kb/976982/en-us - this one didn't have the same error code, but had useful info nevertheless.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30135 - .NET Framework Repair Tool
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/astebner/archive/2012/10/12/10359320.aspx - ".NET Framework Repair Tool now supports diagnosing and repairing .NET Framework 2.0, 3.0 and 3.5 setup issues"
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/astebner/archive/2008/03/07/8108332.aspx - "Updated: what to do if other .NET Framework setup troubleshooting steps do not help"
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/astebner/archive/2008/08/28/8904493.aspx - ".NET Framework Cleanup Tool User's Guide"

Mail Merge with Gmail and Google Docs [External Link]

This blog entry is a useful tip on how to do mail merge with Gmail and Google Docs. There might be an issue with limits on number of e-mails sent though.

http://www.labnol.org/software/mail-merge-with-gmail/13289/

How to uninstall software in Windows XP via the Registry

1. In Registry Editor, locate the following registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
2. Look for the software you want to uninstall by clicking on each key (folder) under 'Uninstall'. The name of the software related to each key is shown in the field 'DisplayName'.
3. Once you find the key for the software you want to uninstall, look for the field 'UninstallString'.
4. Open up the 'Run' programme from the start menu, and copy and paste the 'UninstallString'.
5. The uninstallation should kick off.

Resolving Windows Update Error Code 80071a91

Scenario:
Windows 7 Ultimate, security update KB2436673 failed with error code 80071a91.

Solution:
Found here: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/itprovistasetup/thread/2457b70d-d1d0-4049-ad8c-f769d3fb6578/, entry by vivekyadav75

Hi Friends,

Please check TxR folder in (c:\windows\system32\config).

If it is not there create it and issue will be resolved.

If not follow following commands.

1. Bring up an elevated (Administrator) command prompt

2. Execute the following commands sequentially:

a. fsutil resource setautoreset true c:\

b. cd %windir%\system32\config\txr 

c. attrib -r -s -h *

d. del *

3.Type: Cd c:\windows\System32\SMI\Store\Machine

Type: Attrib –a –h –s *.TM*

Type: Del *.TM*

Issue will get fixed.

Thanks and regards, 

Vivek

Resolving "The media is write protected" error for external hard drives in Windows 7

Scenario:
- PC running Windows 7 Ultimate, 64 bit.
- External USB drive Western Digital WD10000HIU
- Error: "The media is write protected" when trying to perform a 'write' (e.g. create a new folder/file, rename file, delete or otherwise modify the file).

Solution:
(Originally mentioned with thanks here: http://www.daniweb.com/forums/thread137013.html, by user 'Paddy')

1.) Launch 'regedit'
2.) Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies\WriteProtect
    2.1) If the key 'StorageDevicePolicies' doesn't exist, create it
    2.2) Then create a new DWORD key under 'StorageDevicePolicies' called WriteProtect
3.) Modify value for 'WriteProtect' to 0, i.e. to turn off write protection.
4.) Reboot computer.
5.) Confirm resolution.

This worked for me.