[peterm]

Ok lets try this
comctl32.dll
You need to download this file to a floppy then unzip it. start the computer in dos mode.
Start tapping F8 when you turn the computer on. On the screen pick (5) command prompt only.
C:>cd windows\system enter
c:\windows\system>rename comctl32.dll comctl32.old enter
put the floppy with the unzipped comctl32.dll in to the A: drive
C:\windows\system> A: enter
A:>copy *.* c: enter
A:>c: enter
C:\windows\system>dir comctl32.dll enter
you should get a listing of 1 file. If yes the reboot if not retrace and make sure of your spelling.

If you want when you rename the file to old then you can check by C:\windows\system>dir comctl32.old enter this should list the file as old. If you make a mistake and can't work out what went wrong it is most likley in your spelling. we can always rename the old back again.

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I'm ready to give it a shot but before I do, I have two questions:

1. Couldn't I select the option (in the Start menu) to re-start the computer in MS-DOS mode?

2. You recommended the following: put the floppy with the unzipped comctl32.dll in to the A: drive
C:\windows\system> A: enter
A:>copy *.* c: enter
A:>c: enter
C:\windows\system>dir comctl32.dll enter

Shouldn't the third line read: A:>copy *.* c:\windows\system enter ? Otherwise, it seems the file would be copied into the root directory when it belongs in the windows\system folder.

[dchord44]

I'm ready to give it a shot but before I do, I have two questions:

1. Couldn't I select the option (in the Start menu) to re-start the computer in MS-DOS mode?

2. You recommended the following: put the floppy with the unzipped comctl32.dll in to the A: drive
C:\windows\system> A: enter
A:>copy *.* c: enter
A:>c: enter
C:\windows\system>dir comctl32.dll enter

Shouldn't the third line read: A:>copy *.* c:\windows\system enter ? Otherwise, it seems the file would be copied into the root directory when it belongs in the windows\system folder.

[dchord44]

One other detail -- I just noticed that my windows\system folder contains the following two files:
comctl32.ocx and comctl32.oca ..... I can't find a .dll file with that name.

??

[peterm]

Hi Pirate
1) When you start the computer did you start tapping F8 ? this gives the menu to pick safe mode or command prompt(dos).
2) If not do you have the option to start windows then go start>run>then type in command ok
Once you change C:> to C:\windows\system then go to A: When you copy as
A:>copy c:*.* this will go to the C:\windows\system folder as that was the last folder you had open on c: but if you have doubts you can also copy the way you said.
3) As for those other 2 files are you running office 2000 or visual basic?

[dchord44]

Howdy, Peterm ...........

I got the .dll file unzipped and, working in DOS mode, renamed and replaced the existing one. Then rebooted and everything worked fine -- until I had occasion to use Windows Explorer. I had to do a little bit of file manipulation and -- right in the middle of it -- the error message displayed and Explorer shut itself down.

3) As for those other 2 files are you running office 2000 or visual basic?

No. I'm not sure how those files got there.

Is there anything else I could try?

Pirate

[peterm]

Hi Pirate
Did you Uninstall or install any programs before this started to happen more often I know you have had the error for a while but has anything changed just before it became more frequent.
Cheers
Peterm

[dchord44]

I'm sure that something specific has caused it but the onset of the problem was so gradual I couldn't tie it to anything specific.

I only know the following: it can occur at any time but usually happens when Win Explorer is running and usually the message advises that "explorer" has caused it. About 50% of the messages are received, it seems, while I'm trying to close Explorer, although the others come at less opportune times, causing loss of time and data.

I have now installed software for a digital camera and I find that Windows Explorer is essential for dealing with the image files it produces. I can get very little done when Explorer keeps committing illegalities and taking itself out of memory.

Pirate

[peterm]

The only only option I can think of now is a hijack log in malware.
There is a virus that causes page faults but not yours exactly.
I will ask Wannabe1 to have a look at this.
You say you do not have a cd for 98 have you checked to see if the files are on the computer already. ?

[dchord44]

Peterm:

Tell me which files to look for and where to look and I'll let you know if they're here.

thanks,
Pirate

[peterm]

normal place is in a folder called options
or search for cab files

Cheers
Peterm

[dchord44]

Howdy, Peterm ...

I've got CAB files, all right -- 167 of them, to be exact, in OPTIONS, SYSBCKUP, Windows Update and several other folders.

Pirate

[peterm]

Ok lets try
Start>run sfc.exe ok
Choose scan for altered files. If it scans and ask to replace files point to the options folder

Cheers
Peterm

[dchord44]

Hi, Peterm ...

As recommended, I ran SFC.EXE. The scan completed successfully -- no files were replaced.


Pirate

[wannabe1]

Hi dchord44...

Looks like you guys have been all over this one. Let's take a look at whats running on there.

Please download and run HiJackThis on the machine. Save a log and attach it to your next reply.

wannabe1

Edited by wannabe1, 10 September 2006 - 09:47 PM.

[dchord44]

 hijackthis.txt   4.15KB   421 downloads[attachmentid=10666log file is attached ........