Activation context generation failed for "c:\program files (x86)\Python\Lib\distutils\command\wininst-8_d.exe". Dependent Assembly

SideBySide errors are typically caused by the current Microsoft Visual C++ version not being backward compatible with the application that failed. The Event ID 33 error message is typically: Activation context generation failed for “program name”..Please use sxstrace.exe for detailed diagnosis. There are other similar SideBySide errors with the same problem of backward compatibility. If the software works OK then you don't have to fix it but if it does not or you want to get rid of this error here are two Fixes:

1. Reinstall or Repair (preferred if an option) the application. Often the installation package will have the version of Microsoft Visual C++ that it uses and will install it.
2. Try to figure out what Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package version (available versions are: 2003, 2005, 2008, & 2010) the application needs (most likely the one that came out prior to the date that the application software was created; check the dates of the files in the package). . These are available through Microsoft's Downloads.

Worse comes to worse you can just try installing a previous version to see if it works, if not then try the one before that. Though I don't like it, you can have multiple versions of Microsoft  on your computer and most people do because various install programs will install the one that they like.

Hi Imran

Geek squad (best buy tech) upgraded my pc  (HP-Pavilion :System Type:x64-based PC) from vista 64 bit to Microsoft® Windows  7™ Home Premium - Service Pack 1. I picked up my pc on April 23,2011 as they informed that everything is ok.

Checked the event log and found that the error started on 4/21/2001 and  as of today occurred 10 times, including today.

What steps should I take to correct this  message as I am just a regular user .  I do not know what this (Python) program does as it came with my pc

The application event log information for the loading failure as follows

Here is the event log General Message:

Activation context generation failed for "c:\program files (x86)\Python\Lib\distutils\command\wininst-8_d.exe". Dependent Assembly Microsoft.VC80.DebugCRT,processorArchitecture="x86",publicKeyToken="1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b",type="win32",version="8.0.50608.0" could not be found. Please use sxstrace.exe for detailed diagnosis.

Here is the detail tab from the event log:

Log Name:      Application

Source:        SideBySide

Date:          5/14/2011 9:56:54 AM

Event ID:      33

Task Category: None

Level:         Error

Keywords:      Classic

User:          N/A

Computer:      Rao-PC

Description:

Activation context generation failed for "c:\program files (x86)\Python\Lib\distutils\command\wininst-8_d.exe". Dependent Assembly Microsoft.VC80.DebugCRT,processorArchitecture="x86",publicKeyToken="1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b",type="win32",version="8.0.50608.0" could not be found. Please use sxstrace.exe for detailed diagnosis.

Event Xml:

<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">

<System>

<Provider Name="SideBySide" />

<EventID Qualifiers="49409">33</EventID>

<Level>2</Level>

<Task>0</Task>

<Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>

<TimeCreated SystemTime="2011-05-14T13:56:54.000000000Z" />

<EventRecordID>31801</EventRecordID>

<Channel>Application</Channel>

<Computer>Rao-PC</Computer>

<Security />

</System>

<EventData>

<Data>Microsoft.VC80.DebugCRT,processorArchitecture="x86",publicKeyToken="1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b",type="win32",version="8.0.50608.0"</Data>

 <Data>

</Data>

<Data>

</Data>

<Data>

</Data>

<Data>

</Data>

<Data>

</Data>

<Data>

</Data>

<Data>

</Data>

<Data>

</Data>

<Data>

</Data>

<Data>c:\program files (x86)\Python\Lib\distutils\command\wininst-8_d.exe</Data>

<Data>

</Data>

<Data>

</Data>

<Data>

</Data>

<Data>

</Data>

<Data>

</Data>

<Data>

</Data>

<Data>

</Data>

<Data>

</Data>

<Data>

</Data>

</EventData>

</Event>

Please update

thank you

vlakshmi

Hi Vlakshmi,

·         What product or products have you installed? Can you restate the problem and error messages?

·         How long have you been facing this issue?

·         Did you make any recent changes prior to the issue?

Your question does not contain all the required information needed for us to help you. I would suggest you to include some more details regarding the issue you’re facing.

Please see the article provided below prior to posting your question in any of the forums.

How to ask a question

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

Reply back with more information on the issue so that we can assist you in better way.