Windows DLL problems

[Nicholas Adams_1]

I have an HP pavilion xz295. Recently it stopped opening widows folders. All the programs run fine using desktop shortcuts or from menu/programs but anything that utilizes window folders crashes. That means the internet browser, control panel, my documents folder, etc.. The message I get is :

"The instruction at 0x73e2bf55 referenced memory at 0x00000000. The memory could not be accessed. Click OK to close the window."

As near as I can figure it the problem seems to be pointed at some incompatable DLL files, at the least the msvcrt.dll and msvcrt40 files. What I can't figure out is how to reload the original files or how to download updated, matched files.

HP says to reformat the drive but that seems a little drastic.

At this time I've loaded Netscape so I can access the web.

[Ron Kinner]

Might help if you would report what version of Windows you are running and what versions of msvcrt.dll and msvcrt40 you have. For example: A new version of msvcrt.dll for Win98 is available here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;197298

Instructions for recovering the files from your install disk is here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302756


An article on a similar problem in NT says you need to replace four files:

Msvcrt.dll
Msvcirt.dll
Msvcrt20.dll
Msvcrt40.dll

Ron

[Gregory Lee_1]

I had a simular problem on my W98 machine. Turned out to be spyware. I got instructions on how to remove it and the problem was solved. You may try running some kind of spyware detection program on your machine.

Regards,
Greg

[Ron Kinner]

Good point Greg. Spyware causes all sorts of problems.

www.lavasoftusa.com and download the free version of ad-aware. Install it and run it and let it delete anything it finds.

Wouldn't hurt to visit http://housecall.antivirus.com/

and let them scan your system too. Maybe you picked up a poorly written virus.

Ron

[Nicholas Adams_1]

I can be forgetfull at times. I'm running windows XP, home edition. It came loaded when I bought the machine.

thanks for pointing out that I forgot to be complete.