Codepage errors when creating installation package with WiX Toolset on Windows 8 CP

Problem

When trying to create Windows installation packages using WiX Toolset 3.5 on Windows 8 CP, you get errors like below.

A string was provided with characters that are not available in the specified database code page '1252'. Either change these characters to ones that exist in the database's code page, or update the database's code page by modifying one of the following attributes: Product/@Codepage, Module/@Codepage, Patch/@Codepage, PatchCreation/@Codepage, or WixLocalization/@Codepage.

Solution

This occurs when you’re using Visual Studio 2010, or Visual Studio 11 on Windows 8 CP that has specific Regional settings. If you’re using Finnish (Finland) regional settings, your Negative sign symbol is the culprit for this issue. Change Negative sign symbol to, e.g., -, and you’re good to go.

Technorati Tags: Windows 8,WiX

Win8: Could not find usable certificate. Error: Element not found. 0x80070490

Problem

When trying to start Hyper-V virtual machine in Windows 8 CP, you get error

Could not find usable certificate. Error: Element not found. 0x80070490.

Thoughts

Restarting Windows doesn't help.

Solution

Check that your Hyper-V VMM service has generated a self-signed certificate required to run virtual machines.

Steps (from KB967902):

1. Click Start , click Run, type mmc, and then click OK.
2. On the File menu, click Add/Remove Snap-in.
3. Click Certificates , and then click Add.
4. Click Service account , and then click Next.
5. Click Local Computer , and then click Next.
6. Click Hyper-V Virtual Machine Management , and then click Finish.
7. Click OK to close the Add/Remove Snap-in window.
8. SEE BELOW! Expand Certificates - Service , expand vmms\Personal, and then click Certificates.
9. SEE BELOW! Double-click the VMM Service certificate, and you should be able to view it's properties, such as expiration date.

If you don't see the Certificates folder under vmms\Personal, you don't have the required certificate.

Creating the missing certificate is easy:

1. Open Hyper-V Manager
2. Right click on the name of your local Hyper-V host machine
3. Select Stop Service, then Turn Off
4. Right click on the name of your local Hyper-V host machine
5. Select Start Service
6. Refresh the Certificate MMC window you hopefully still have open, and you will see the new certificate under vmms\Personal\Certificates, and you're good to go for the next 1000(!) years.