First post...

I am coming to you as a last resort. I built my own PC and installed Vista Ultimate 64 bit OEM edition. Has been working fine for ~2 years.
Now every time I attempt to open a program I get the error "The application has failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect. Please see the application event log for more detail".

The only progam that is barely working is IE 64 bit edition. I cannot download or run any files.



Microsoft wants 59$ to speak to a technical support representative(What a joke, multibillion dollar company wants extra $ for tech support??...).

Doing a ton of research I have tried various things to remedy this with no avail. System restore did not work. Doing a sfc /scannow in command prompt does not work, it does not even run. Wasted 3 hours of my life doing a thorough checkdisk as well.

The error in the event log is as follows...
Error in manifest or policy file "C:\Windows\WinSxS\manifests\x86_microsoft.windows.c..-controls.resources_6595b64144ccf1df_6.0.6001.18000_en-us_72e6f33f34dfabb9.manifest" on line 18. Invalid Xml syntax.

So the problem has to do with this manifest file? I really am clueless as to my next move. I can not download and run anything at all.... Can I do a Vista repair installation with my OEM version?

Should I try and get my hands on a cheap upgrade version of Windows 7?

I have been doing research all day. The problem is with a lot of the threads on this topic is they suggest you to download / install this or that. I cannot download or run any programs =/. Thank for the help, I just don't know how to proceed here with such limited options.

Hello!

Looking at that manifest error, if that is the only cause, it should be very easy to fix. Let us check that out though, before you become too excited!

Download on another computer, copy to a memory stick, and run on the problem computer this tool: Description of the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista, for Windows Server 2008, for Windows 7, and for Windows Server 2008 R2

Make sure that you download the correct version for the problematic computer.

Run the tool. Split step:

1) If the tool runs, copy back to the memory stick C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CheckSUR.persist.log

2) If the tool does not run, check for the above log anyway, and copy to memory stick if you can. If not, copy C:\Windows\Winsxs\Manifests\x86_microsoft.windows.c..-controls.resources_6595b64144ccf1df_6.0.6001.18000_en-us_72e6f33f34dfabb9.manifest to your memory stick.

Back on the working computer, highlight together, right click on > Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder, and upload that here.

Thanks, and the very best of luck!

Richard

I have the files downloaded, going back to my house now to attempt to run these. Thanks for the help so far.

Hello!

No problem! Good luck!

Richard

This is so strange... I tried to install the program you told me to. It froze in the middle of installation so I control alt deleted and canceled it. I then tried to open it again and re do it but got a error message so I rebooted. Now everything is working... I am dumbfounded.

Is there anything I should do now to ensure everything is fixed? I am too paranoid to reboot again... lol

Hello!

Let us assume that a corrupt manifest was the issue. Occasionally, a replacement exists in the cache. Please be aware that the tool will jump to about 60% and pause for up to an hour. However, manifests are done either first or second, so you may have been lucky. Please upload whatever ChechSUR.persist.log so that I can see if any additionl errors were detected so we can fix them now rather than waiting for them to come back and haunt you.

Thanks!

Richard