screwmez app

[wheeltapperParticipant @wheeltapper]

downloaded this to my win 10 comp and it won't run, says MSVBVM50.dll is missing.

whatever the hell that means.

upshot is it don't work.

Roy

[wheeltapperParticipant @wheeltapper]

failure to chooch.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Roy,

Put the phrase

MSVBVM50.dll is missing

into a Google search and enjoy the 'learning experience'

MichaelG.

[wheeltapperParticipant @wheeltapper]

well thanks for that, I now have even more of a headache than I started with,

I don't think I'll bother, I'll just use Machinerys handbook.

Roy.

[Gray62Participant @gray62]

That file is the Microsoft Visual Basic Virtual Machine runtime file, it's required by applications created with visual basic 5. That's as old as the hills and has not been supported for years ( Istopped developing in VB6 some 6 years ago and switched to dotnet.

You may have some success by downloading a copy of msvbvm50.exe

I've got a win 10 dev machine so I'll give it a go tomorrow and report back if all is ok.

 

Edited By Graeme W on 08/09/2016 22:08:11

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Runs fine on my W10 machine.

Its written in Visual Basic and it looks like you might have gotten rid of that DLL somehow. A DLL 'dynamic link library' is basically a program that other programs call to do specific things on their behalf. This one executes all the visual basic command that screwmez or other visual basic program issues.

Visit support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/179492

Download the missing file from microsoft, downloads from elsewhere might bring a virus with them or try to load spyware/malware

Neil

[wheeltapperParticipant @wheeltapper]

I don't know how I could have got rid of it, I only put Win 10 on this machine 3 months ago.

I can live without yet another 'app' (Oh how I hate that word)

I just thought it might be useful instead of looking in Machinerys handbook.

Roy.

[Enough!Participant @enough]

Posted by wheeltapper on 08/09/2016 22:44:10:

I don't know how I could have got rid of it, I only put Win 10 on this machine 3 months ago.

Highly unlikely that Win-10 ever came with it.

[wheeltapperParticipant @wheeltapper]

Posted by Bandersnatch on 08/09/2016 22:59:50:

Posted by wheeltapper on 08/09/2016 22:44:10:

I don't know how I could have got rid of it, I only put Win 10 on this machine 3 months ago.

Highly unlikely that Win-10 ever came with it.

If that's the case then why does it say in the magazine "it will run on win 10?

WAH WAH WAH fail!

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by wheeltapper on 08/09/2016 23:05:46:

If that's the case then why does it say in the magazine "it will run on win 10?

.

Because it's 'technically' true [but maybe not the whole truth]

MichaelG.

.

The Microsoft Visual Basic Virtual Machine (MSVBVM50.DLL) file is used to run native 32-bit visual basic applications on 64-bit machines.

[Enough!Participant @enough]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 08/09/2016 23:54:06:

The Microsoft Visual Basic Virtual Machine (MSVBVM50.DLL) file is used to run native 32-bit visual basic applications on 64-bit machines.

I've seen that stated too but it's not how MS describes it. They simply say it part of the VB 5 runtime file set and forum discussions suggest it's required in either case (32 or 64 bit installations).

But VB-5 is so old (90's I think), hasn't been supported for years and has been long essentially replaced by .NET I believe, that it's hardly surprising if MS didn't actively support it in Win-10 by including the runtime files.

[ It wouldn't be the first time that an author has assumed his program will run on a particular OS version because it runs on his – without allowing for the fact that he has additional files/updates over the original installation that others may not.

An R-Pi magazine recently published an article wherein the R-Pi would collect the latest pics from one of the solar observation satellites (SOHO I think) and display them on its monitor in real time. Pretty kewl I thought ….. except that when I downloaded and ran the program, it found something was missing from from my basic R-Pi Linux installation that it needed (the Linux version was the correct one). Every time I managed to fix the missing item, it would find something else that wasn't right. Not a word in the article about any additional packages or setups needed. I gave up in the end. Pity though. ]

[JOHN KNIGHTParticipant @johnknight56112]

I have tried to use both "screwmez" and the gear calculator, When I try to run them a box comes up saying I don't have permission, then my anti virus (Panda) says it is a dangerous program and removes it. My computer knowledge is very limited so to me, the programs are useless. I am using Windows 7.

John

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by wheeltapper on 08/09/2016 23:05:46:

Posted by Bandersnatch on 08/09/2016 22:59:50:

Posted by wheeltapper on 08/09/2016 22:44:10:

I don't know how I could have got rid of it, I only put Win 10 on this machine 3 months ago.

 

Highly unlikely that Win-10 ever came with it.

 

 

If that's the case then why does it say in the magazine "it will run on win 10?

WAH WAH WAH fail!

 

Because I tested it on my computer with W8.1 and then again after upgrading to W10 and it works.

And I haven't ever (knowingly) put Virtual Basic on this machine, although I do have Office 365 on it.

Neil

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 09/09/2016 08:21:57

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I think I've learned my lesson.

It's clear that the variations in people's individual computer setups/antivirus etc.mean that hobbyists won't be able to afford to pay for security certificates from Microsoft or have the resources to 'beta test' their programs with hundreds of volunteers and then bundle any essential DLLs etc. and set up the programs with a fully featured installer.

I think, therefore, that in future I had best politely turn down any more offers of utilities for readers.

Neil

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 09/09/2016 08:26:34:

I think I've learned my lesson.

…

I think, therefore, that in future I had best politely turn down any more offers of utilities for readers.

.

Very wise, Neil

MichaelG.

[Gray62Participant @gray62]

Neil,

rather than decline the offer, why not have a group of members who are willing to test, some of us have been involved with software development for many years and I'm sure there are others like myself who would be willing to test software and report back any problems or fixes before it goes to the wider audience.

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 09/09/2016 08:17:43:

Posted by wheeltapper on 08/09/2016 23:05:46:

Posted by Bandersnatch on 08/09/2016 22:59:50:

Posted by wheeltapper on 08/09/2016 22:44:10:

I don't know how I could have got rid of it, I only put Win 10 on this machine 3 months ago.

 

Highly unlikely that Win-10 ever came with it.

 

 

If that's the case then why does it say in the magazine "it will run on win 10?

WAH WAH WAH fail!

 

Because I tested it on my computer with W8.1 and then again after upgrading to W10 and it works.

And I haven't ever (knowingly) put Virtual Basic on this machine, although I do have Office 365 on it.

Neil

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 09/09/2016 08:21:57

 

I'm not sure why anybody still uses and pays for Office/Word etc, when LibreOffice 5 can be had for nothing.

It seemed to do everything right when I put it onto my better half's new laptop and loaded in all manner of Office 365 files – no problems at all!

Martin.

Edited By blowlamp on 09/09/2016 11:36:08

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

My Win10 laptop keeps telling me that my MS Office is out of date and to update, yes I am likely to spend money doing that I do not think. The one I use is more than adequate for me.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

In the trade this sort of problem is called "Dependency Hell" and it can be much, much more difficult and expensive to fix than this example.

Part of the problem is the assumption that Windows 10 or Linux are simple entities. They're not. I have two machines that came pre-loaded with Windows 10 and they aren't identical. Then , every time I've added software I've further changed my individual configurations. Usually the differences are benign, but there are no guarantees that what I've got is completely compatible with anyone else.

Dynamic Link Libraries aren't programs as such: rather they are collections of common functions in a library that can be called by on the fly by an executing process . (A process is a program that is running). This is a very convenient and efficient arrangement for sharing common code, but it's quite easy to get into difficulties like:

1. Program fails because a DLL it needs has never been installed.
2. Program fails because the DLL is on the machine, but can't be found because it is located in the wrong part of the file system
3. Program fails because it doesn't have permission to use the DLL
4. Program fails because it requires an earlier version of the DLL than you already have
5. Program fails because it requires a later version of the DLL than the one you have
6. You have two or programs that turn out to need different versions of the same DLL
7. An older Program fails because the DLL has been replaced by a newer, different DLL installed by something else.
8. Program fails because you installed another program that came with an incompatible version of the DLL you already had.
9. Program fails because it uses a DLL that uses another DLL that has one of the problems above
10. Program requires a DLL provided for compatibility reasons (like 32 to 64 bit), that is no longer supported. A DLL provided to let something work during transition from XP to Windows 7, might work on Windows 8, but break on Windows 10.
11. etc etc

This potential for DLL chaos is one of the reasons that IT managers usually forbid staff from loading their favourite home applications on a work computer, and why regular upgrading of a computer system is a "good thing". On the down side of regular upgrading, perfectly functional and paid for software can suddenly be rendered useless just because a upgraded DLL no longer supports your elderly configuration. Being forced to pay again for something you know works perfectly well is very annoying!

Although "Dependency Hell" can seem complicated and difficult and often is, it is also possible that the problem is easy to fix simply by installing the missing DLL after downloading it from a reputable source. Sometimes the individual DLL isn't available but can be got by installing a package (like the VB or VC runtimes) that includes it.

As Neil pointed out, be very careful where you get the DLL from. Fake DLLs are a classic way of getting evil into a computer.

Strictly speaking software ought to come with an install package that understands what all the necessary dependencies are and does it's best to automatically sort them out. Trouble is, putting a decent install package together can be more work than writing the blasted program in the first place.

Dave

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by blowlamp on 09/09/2016 11:35:40:

I'm not sure why anybody still uses and pays for Office/Word etc, when LibreOffice 5 can be had for nothing.

I gave up on Open Office/Libre Office in complete despair after giving each a good run for its money – I honestly think that though they are OK for home use, they really don't cut it for commercial use as they can really screw up files that have complex formatting and being able to exchange files seamlessly is essential for me. Once you have use the newer versions of Office you can see how far behind they have left the free options. I speak as someone who would always take the cheap route if it does the job, plus at about £15 a year per computer Office 365 isn't really expensive.

Neil

[VicParticipant @vic]

Office 365 is £59.99 PER YEAR.

**LINK**

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Vic on 09/09/2016 15:37:14:

Office 365 is £59.99 PER YEAR.

**LINK**

I have Office 365 home which gives me 5 licences for less than £80/year (I paid less than the headline price). I use two and share the others with family.

It can also go on 5 tablets and 5 phones as well, so that actually works out at about £5 per copy if I used them all.

Neil

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 09/09/2016 14:23:46:

Posted by blowlamp on 09/09/2016 11:35:40:

I'm not sure why anybody still uses and pays for Office/Word etc, when LibreOffice 5 can be had for nothing.

I gave up on Open Office/Libre Office in complete despair after giving each a good run for its money – I honestly think that though they are OK for home use, they really don't cut it for commercial use as they can really screw up files that have complex formatting and being able to exchange files seamlessly is essential for me. Once you have use the newer versions of Office you can see how far behind they have left the free options. I speak as someone who would always take the cheap route if it does the job, plus at about £15 a year per computer Office 365 isn't really expensive.

Neil

This is a really good subject for one of those "I've come for an argument" discussions!

I would argue that Office is a classic example of the "Proprietary Trap".

There's no technical reason why a word processor should generate files containing features that are incompatible with another word processor. There's a profit motive for compromising inter-operabiliy and some vendors repeatedly fall foul of anti-trust legislation and the like. It's revealing that they can afford to keep paying fines running to billions of dollars.

An enterprise will have big problems escaping from a proprietary trap. Once addicted it's painful and expensive to give up such software once it's deeply embedded across the organisation and it's partners.

Not using incompatible features is a good strategy. Word processors have been adding features ever since Mr Wang hit the market in the 70's. Nowadays very few people are capable of using all the capabilities of their word processor. I wonder what it is that new versions of Office provide that's so essential?

In the spirit of starting a row, I declare that proprietary software will end civilisation as we know it; it's only used by people who've been brainwashed; people who like it won't be invited to the rapture; they'll be drummed out of the regiment; and we should all be using quills anyway.

If anyone wants to punch me there's no need. I'm only online causing trouble because I have a messy nose-bleed. Ho hum.

Cheers,

Dave

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 09/09/2016 15:48:28:

This is a really good subject for one of those "I've come for an argument" discussions!

I would argue that Office is a classic example of the "Proprietary Trap".

.

I'm happy to be on your side in that particular brawl, Dave

MichaelG.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Oh I don't disagree that I'm 'trapped' by the need to read client's files with 100% reliability. But it's not expensive for an 'insurance policy'.

I also LIKE the way it works, compared to the free ones, which look and feel like Office circa 2005 – I actually like all the new bits as they make me more productive iMHO even if they are mostly just colourful ways of accessing old functionality they are much easier to use.

N.

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