Error 46! How do I fix this?

I don't have a fix either. Instead I have the very same problem.
Is anyone from Apple reading this forum? * This is absolutely ridiculous! * Please, guys, fix this error! I don't care whether it's your fault or Microsoft's fault - both Apple and Microsoft are huge companies, and it is an impertinence to leave this issue to users * for years * without even giving hints on how to get rid of this ordeal!
I've spent hours now trying to find a solution for myself. I give up. The method Gareth has found did not work for me, either.
BTW: The posts saying "the old trick does not work for me" are increasing.

Message was edited by: frunz

I sent this link to someone a few weeks ago and told them to take a look at the post by Eric. They claimed it worked for them with the error 46
http://www.windowsreference.com/windows-vista/fix-for-quicktime-error-46-could-n ot-find-or-load-activex-control/

Hello Frunz!
I agree with you! I have the same error with quicktime on Vista. Although I'm an Apple fan (ipodS, iphone, laptop owner) It's a shame to let this problem unsolved for years! ......ok I'm running vista ultimate, may be they don't care about windows problems........what ever......I'm editing movies on my pc and use to create .mov preview before the final output.....I can't do it anymore due to this error.....nice job Apple!

Tatankha

Apple or Microsoft will likely not do anything about this, the problem is with your computer, I installed QT on a Vista OS 32 bit system, and QT works fine, now lets try and find some solution to this.

The error 46, points out, "cannot find or locate the ActiveX control".
QTPlugin.ocx right click>Properties>General tab>Type of file:, shows to be a ActiveX Control. Permissions or Corrupt? Check the Permissions if Corrupt>C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Apple Computer\Insatller Cache\QuickTime.msi and try a repair.

In the Registry QuickTime.ocx, and will also appear as QuickTime Object. Do permissions need to be looked at in the Registry?
The ActiveX Control from Apple in IE browser shows as QuickTime Object. So the problem appears to be related to QTPlugin.ocx wether its called a ActiveX Control or QuickTime Object, and seems to be permissions related. Or if the problem with the error 46 is on the web, it may be with how the browser is configured to use ActiveX Control software

Jacumba,
it is indeed likely there is a permission problem. This is what the original "solution" posted years ago relies on. In fact, I did even check the registry. I spent hours trying to set the right permissions for the ActiveX control.
You know, the question is: Why do I have to do that? Be sure I did not mess around with the permissions before. QuickTime worked perfectly until I permitted the automatic "Apple update". So it was not me who did not keep the computer "clean", it was obviously something in the automatic update.
The ordinary user (me, for instance) takes the computer out of the box and runs it and does not mess around with permission controls. So if that is the case, I ask: What the **** happened to the registry? And: Why would I have to look into the registry *at all* ? In fact, the ordinary user is not supposed to do that.

The real problem is: Both Apple and Microsoft execute "black boxes", thousands of times a day. And no one knows what these black boxes do. There are miles long lists of things that just happen and are not documented at all.
So - thanks for trying to help anyway, but be sure I don't mess up my system deliberately by constantly fumbling with some preferences buried deep within the registry or somewhere else (unless trying to fix what already happened which has been the first time I opened the registry on the system in question). In other words: I'm quite sure this crap is not my fault.
Yes, I have installed other media software like the VLC player, and theoretically these programs can interfere with each other. But that would likely show as problems with some codec or the other, not as a general error concerning some ActiveX control.
And even if that is the case: What would I be supposed to do? Is the solution like "If you want to run QuickTime, buy a clean system, install QuickTime and beware of installing anything else, ever, because it might mess up your registry and cause problems"?

frunz, I agree with most of what your saying. And most people are not concerned with the registry, permissions, etc. and should not have to be. But there are alot of post's that come into here that are directly related to these. Because of having different user accounts, various downloads of QT, and a computer that's just loaded with junk files and not clean.

Based on what the error was showing I was trying to point out where I thought it could be originating from, and didn't do a good job about it. I did spend some time in the registry and QT system trying to duplicate the error on this system, and will go back and give it another shot.

I know for a fact QT is working on windows Vista computers, so therefore it appears to be some issue with your computer. Keep the thread going someone should come up with a solution. Myself I'd "completely" remove QT and VLC and go with a fresh install of QT. Do any of the regular folks that post here have any idea's even if it seems far fetched? Sawyer is good, any thoughts?

Jacumba,
thanks for still digging for a solution. Indeed, a registry cleaner might help; I'm not sure the one you link to is a good one - it says "free", but I read on several sites you have to pay if you want to fix the errors found in the registry.
Seems the hard part is to find a registry cleaner one can be sure of it's not spyware, adware or just ware without any functions other than making money.
An idea, anyone? A registry cleaner with a website behind that doesn't say "we have no company name, no developer name and no phone number"?

nice job Apple!
Apple cannot keep your computer {"CLEAN"}>Jacumba

This might we worth a try
http://simple-pc-help.com/support/error_46.html?t202id=231&t202kw=error 46

I don't use any registry programs myself, but obviously the computer is not clean. And QT does install and work well on Vista OS's. So you either need to either clean it up or re-install the OS...