[Joe_4090]

Hi Everyone:

I hope someone here can give me some ideas.
I let a young relative 'practice' on my computer
unsupervised (terrible mistake) and he apparently
either moved or deleted the oleaut32.dll file from
the systems32 folder. And now....nothing, I mean
absolutely NOTHING...will work! Anything I
attempt I get the explorer.exe 'missing component'
error message. Not even my cd/rom drive will write
so I can reinstall XP. I am currently using my (rinky-
dink) backup machine.
Is the problem fixable...or do I need to take the poor
thing outside and use an axe on it?
Thanks much for any help you can give me.

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Make sure you have the latest windows update at the following link
http://v4.windowsupd.../en/default.asp


After up date, download this microsoft visual basic run time files. It contains the oleaut32.dll file.
http://download.micr...US/Msvbvm50.exe

[ditto]

Make sure you have the latest windows update at the following link
http://v4.windowsupd.../en/default.asp


After up date, download this microsoft visual basic run time files. It contains the oleaut32.dll file.
http://download.micr...US/Msvbvm50.exe

[Joe_4090]

Thank you, ditto...but the problem is I can't do anything on
the machine! All I get is the desktop background. XP will
not load. No programs will run, safe mode will not work prop-
erly....I have tried command prompt with no success...etc.
I can't download anything because windows is not there!
There are no icons on the desktop, just the background.
I have tried the new task/run function, and just get the error
message I mentioned.

Thanks for your reply....can you think of any way out of
this predicament??

Edited by Joe_4090, 29 May 2004 - 08:33 AM.

[ditto]

Try restarting starting the computer using "last known good configuration":
1. Start Windows, or if it is running, shut Windows down, and then turn off the computer.
2. Restart the computer. The computer begins processing a set of instructions known as the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS). What is displayed depends on the BIOS manufacturer. Some computers display a progress bar that refers to the word BIOS, while others may not display any indication that this process is happening.
3. As soon as the BIOS has finished loading, begin tapping the F8 key on your keyboard. Continue to do so until the Windows Advanced Options menu appears. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again.
4. Using the arrow keys on the keyboard, scroll to and select the Last Known Good Configuration menu item, and then press Enter.

[Joe_4090]

Thanks again ditto:

I had tried 'last known good configuration' but I may
have tapped F8 too late. All it did was go back to
the main menu. Let me try that one again. I will
get back here and let you know what happens.

Thanks very much!

[Joe_4090]

Ditto....or anyone else.

I tried 'last known good configuration' several times.
Made no difference.
If anyone can think of anything else that might work,
please post and let me know.
Once again, the oleaut32 file has been displaced.
The machine will not boot windows, no programs will
run. cd/rom drive cannot write to the machine.
Suggestions??

Thanks again.

[ditto]

hey joe,

i thought of another solution. Lets try doing a system restore. You have previously said that when you start your computer, all you get is your desktop. Well at your desktop, hit ctrl-alt-del. Then hit the task manager button.

Next press new task, and in the box go to this program

C:\WINDOWS\system32\Restore\rstrui.exe

Set the restore back to a previous date before your young relative got to your computer.

let me know how it goes.

ditto

[Joe_4090]

Hi again ditto:

Thanks for you continuing effort to help me.

First off, in case I misled you...I don't have
the desktop itself...just the background. The
icons and task bar do not load. All I have is
a blank desktop.
I'm afraid I have tried the task manager re-
peatedly. Each time I punch up the task box,
that 'explorer.exe missing component' box
pops up. That missing file won't let me run
any programs at all. I have tried to start
the rstrui.exe via command prompt...same
thing.

There may be no hope for it!

Thanks for your reply. Please let me
know if you come up with anything else.

[ditto]

sorry may have missed this, but how do u know he moved the oleaut32.dll file. Is that what the explorer.exe missing component box says?

[admin]

You should be able to boot your computer using the Windows XP CD and perform a repair installation.

Guide here:
http://www.geekstogo...p?showtopic=138