Microsoft debuts 'Fix It' program

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 would affect a PC before they are installed. 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 would 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 would be able to help users supply detailed information to Microsoft's support staff about what has gone wrong.