[dogeatery]

Saw another thread with a similar problem but mine might be slightly different...

Have been running WinME for 5 years and no major problems. I always use antivirus and spyware removal software. I also try to go open source as much as possible.

Recently installed some photo-browsing software (picasa, etc.) trying to see which I liked the best and somewhere along the lines I started getting errors when I tried opening hte programs. They all said it involved kernel32.dll

Photoshop will not open either. It just says 'caused an error in <unknown>'

And when I boot Windows it immediately gives me a message saying 'Explorer caused an error in kernel32.dll. Explorer will now close'

Any applications I run will randomly give me a dll error message as well. Do I simply replace the kernel32.dll file? I'm totally confused...

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I'm considering upgrading to WinXP just to be over with it... will this solve my problem since it would be reinstalling Explorer and I assume the System files where kernel32.dll comes from?

[dogeatery]

I'm considering upgrading to WinXP just to be over with it... will this solve my problem since it would be reinstalling Explorer and I assume the System files where kernel32.dll comes from?

[123Runner]

Kernel32 errors can be caused by numerous things.

Kernel32 interesting reading

Before we get to deep, can you uninstall the programs that you were trying and see if the errors go away?

IE can be reinstalled in attempts to fix that problem.
Memory errors (ram) can cause kernel32 errors. You can run a memory checker.
Try reseating the boards in your computer. Make sure you turn it off and unplug.

There has also been talk that reinstalling the OS will resolve the errors.
I am not a fan of "upgrading" to XP (that is XP over any OS)
I recommend a full reformat and install to give a clean system.
Of course you need to back up your data.

[dogeatery]

I got rid of every one of those files/applications immediately, fearing I'd gotten a virus. Scans showed otherwise but the dll errors keep coming.

Interestingly, I downloaded a crack to upgrade my adobe photoshop 7.0 to v7.0.1 because it wouldn't recognize some plugins I wanted to install. The crack instructed me to put it in program files/photoshop and I'm wondering if that crack was malicious... The one time I let my guard down and BAM.

I've read that 5star thing earlier today and apparently EVERYTHING can ruin your kernel32

I've been trying to find my system restore CDs that came with this computer years ago and they're not turning up. Before we go in 'too deep,' would having those CDs be the most painless way of going about all of this? If that's the case I can think of a couple more places to look before taking any drastic measures, it would just require waiting a week or two.

Thanks for your response and willingness to help out!

-dogeatery