subject: fix Runtime Error 217 - How to fix Runtime Error 217 Safely [print this page] fix Runtime Error 217 - How to fix Runtime Error 217 Safely
An error 217, and most other computer errors for that matter, usually occurs when installing a program. Many times the program installation this error results in deals with the program "Visual Basic" and the missing file is an ocx file. An ocx file is used for object linking and imbedding and supports plug and play operations. So you can think of an ocx file as a plug and play ole (object linking and embedding) file.
Sometimes the 217 error message will tell you which file needs to be replaced. The error message will display something similar to; "mscomcth.ocx file missing." This message means the installation process cannot find the operating system file mscomcth.ocx. Of course, you could go to the Microsoft website and download and install this file, but there is one very important piece of information missing in this whole scenario.
Dealing With the So-Called Missing File
It would be very unusual for a Microsoft file of this type to actually be missing from your operating system. The real problem probably is that the file is there but the installation software doesn't know where to look for it. In other words, the installation software is receiving bad information as to where to go to find the mscomcth.ocx. This is happening, more than likely because the operating system's registry has false information present in its files.
False information in the registry files is better known as registry corruption. Actually, replacing the ocx file with a new one will repair the problem because as the installation of the replacement file is being made, a new entry telling of its whereabouts is being entered in the proper place in the operating system's registry.
In short, to repair a 217 error, you can either replace the missing file causing the error, or an easier way is to run a good reliable registry cleaner. A good registry cleaner will restore the registry to good health and thereby resolve the issue immediately. The reason for this is with the operating system's registry no longer corrupted, the installation program will have no trouble finding all the files it needs to complete its mission.
I find the registry cleaner solution to be a superior one because it stands to reason if there is one incident of corruption present in the registry; chances are there are more incidents of corruption waiting to rear their ugly heads as well!
If a good registry cleaner is run regularly, most computer errors will never pop-up in the first place. However, if you don't already have a registry cleaner and you encounter an error message, you can get a registry scan for free. This will very likely lead you to resolving the problem and the time it will save you will be considerable!
Now that you know more about the runtime error 217 and computer errors in general, you may want to get a free registry scan from a top rated registry cleaner so you can see if there are any such errors ready to pounce on your PC. Free Registry Scan. Also, which are the top registry cleaners and how do they rate against one another? Find out at: Registry Cleaner Review.
