DLL problems

Im running (walking is more like it!) Windows 98. I have just reformatted and restored my HD. I have error messages relating to oleaut32.dll and msvcp60.dll. I downloaded Registry Mechanic to try and repair the problem, but Reg Mec will not run because of the dll files. What do I do now???(Apart from applying a brick or other blunt object to the monitor) PLEASE.

Hi Valmai,

Do these error messages appear immediately after you boot up your freshly installed copy of Windows 98, or have you installed some other program in the meantime?

This piece of advice may be helpful:

1) Boot the computer into Safe Mode (By tapping the F8 key)
2) Go into C:WindowsSystem directory
3) Rename the file oleaut32.dll to .old
4) Run VBRun60.exe (VB6 runtime lib) which is available from the following web page on the MS site:

support.microsoft.com/kb/192461

5) Re-Boot the machine

I hope that helps.

P.S. When connected to the internet, PCs running Windows 98 are now EXTREMELY vulnerable. My Dad's PC running Windows 2000 got severely infected by spyware through his Dialup Xtra connection. As a minimum, you really should look at buying a second-hand computer on Trade Me which has Windows XP SP2 installed. It will protect you from all kinds of grief.

Cheers,
Grant.

The error messages appear when I try to run various applications. Do I rename the oleaut before downloading vbrun60? (Will I still be able to connect after renaming oleaut?) I downloaded firefox and was going to use that, but it gave the error msvcp60 so I uninstalled it. I will try firefox again after I have fixed this. I also get a script error message on everything except my homepage(LSB) and cant access MSN search either. BTW my problem file is Oleaut32dll:77. Can you imagine how frustrating it is to download and set up a utility to fix a problem only to find the "fixer" wont work because of the problem?!!
Thanks for your help so far.

It seems like this is a common problem when attempting to run Firefox with Windows 98. I ran a Google search for Oleaut32dll:77 and found the following:

forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=556438

It looks like my suggestion above about VBRun60.exe will resolve the problem but I also discovered that some of the links that used to point to patches on Microsoft's web site have now been removed (M$ no longer support Windows 95 or 98). You are going to encounter this more and more frequently I'm afraid...

I would try renaming Oleaut32.dll to .old first and then try to install Firefox.

But if it doesn't work, you have a problem as you won't be able to access the internet.

It may be necessary to download VBRun60.exe using a friend's computer and then copy it onto your PC via a CD or Floppy Disk (depending on the size).

I hope that one of these suggestions will work for you Valmai. Have a good look at that Mozilla forum post I have linked to above. There are some good tips in there.

Let me know how it goes.

Cheers,
Grant.

Me again. I have been fighting this for the last couple of days and have lost track of what Ive done and what errors I got for each action. I have been given a copy of Windows 98SE which I would like to try and use. I have to uninstall Win 98 before loading the Win98SE. It wont work via Add/Remove so I guess I need to do it from the C prompt but Im sure I cant just type C:/*.*. Is there an uninstall in Dos that I should use?

Would you like to borrow my sledgehammer! I find that most effective!

I very much doubt that you can 'uninstall win98', and playing around in DOS using *.* commands will very shortly have your computer in an unusable state.

Win98SE should install over win98, it is an upgrade. Can't say I've done it myself, but whatever you do, BACKUP your important files before the system eats them.

Thanks for the offer for the sledgehammer but I have plenty of bricks lined up and waiting! The Win98SE is for a pc without a operating system, when I try to overwrite Win98 it tells me I need an upgrade, rather than a completely new program.

quote:Originally posted by Valmai

Thanks for the offer for the sledgehammer but I have plenty of bricks lined up and waiting! The Win98SE is for a pc without a operating system, when I try to overwrite Win98 it tells me I need an upgrade, rather than a completely new program.

OK, it's good that you have Win 98 SE. It will fix all those problems with DLLs etc. You need to do the following:

1) Start up computer
2) Go to CONTROL PANEL
3) Double-click ADD/REMOVE Programs
4) Click STARTUP DISK tab
5) Put a blank floppy in Drive A: and click CREATE DISK
6) Exit Control Panel
7) Open Windows Explorer
Go to the WINDOWSCOMMAND folder
9) COPY the FORMAT.COM file to Drive A:
10) Click START and then RESTART COMPUTER

Now comes the tricky bit. Leave the floppy in the drive and see if the computer will boot up from it. If successful, you will end up at the DOS prompt A:>

If not, you need to go into BIOS setup and make sure your computer is set to boot up from the Floppy Drive as FIRST PRIORITY.

It strikes me this is possibly getting too complicated about here and you may be best to get your local PC repair shop to help. However, if you're brave and keen, read on...

Save the changes and exit BIOS setup.

You should now be able to boot up your computer and get to the A:> prompt.

1) FORMAT C: /S
2) Leave the floppy in the drive and restart the computer
3) You should again get to the A:> prompt.
4) Insert the Windows 98 SE CD into the CD drive
5)
6) SETUP
7) Install Windows 98SE onto your C: drive which is now blank

If or SETUP don't work, you can try removing the floppy disk and restarting the computer with the CD in the drive. It may boot up directly from CD. Many older PCs couldn't do that however, which is why I have suggested the process above.

If none of this works, then you will definitely have to call on your local PC shop for help.

Good Luck Valmai and let us know how it goes.