2010-04-20 10:17:30
Microsoft has launched "Fix It" software that keeps an eye on a PC and
automatically repairs common faults.
The software basically adds the automatic diagnostics system in Windows 7 to
older versions of Microsoft's operating system.
The software, currently available as a trial or beta version, is intended for
users of Windows XP and Vista.
The package also tries to anticipate how security updates will affect a PC
before they are installed.
Bug watch
Once installed, the software gets updates about known issues with Windows or
any connected devices, and regularly checks to see if a host machine has fallen
victim. Once fixes become available it will tell users they are ready or
attempt to apply them.
The software has onboard fixes for about 300 of the most widely encountered
problems that stop Windows working as it should.
The software also maintains a list of the hardware and software on a machine so
if the automatic fix does not solve a problem, it will be able to help users
supply detailed information to Microsoft's support staff about what has gone
wrong.
Those signing up and downloading the Fix It software can use it on several
different machines.
The free software can be downloaded from Microsoft's support pages. Windows XP
users wanting to use it must have Service Pack 3 for the operating system
installed.
The Fix It service began in late 2008, when Microsoft began using the logo to
highlight automatic fixes on its support pages that dealt with very common
problems.
Anyone clicking on the logo kicked off a download that tried to fix that
problem automatically.
Microsoft, like many other software firms, has built a vast database of faults
and problems as technology built into Windows reports back about crashes and
other bugs that machines encounter.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/technology/8629331.stm
Published: 2010/04/19 11:04:38 GMT