DLL – a brief description

DLL is short for Dynamic Link Library.  Although dynamic linking initiated with the Multics operating system in the 1960’s, today it is commonly associated with the running of Microsoft Windows and software programs that run on the Microsoft platform.   Simply put, a DLL file contains information stored in a library that is accessed and shared by other programs to perform similar tasks.  Component-based software architecture is more efficient and prevents duplication of coding.

DLL hell

When you encounter DLL problems with your computer you have entered “DLL hell”.  Once in DLL hell you can encounter errors such as missing or corrupt DLL’s, conflicts between DLL versions, inability obtaining or accessing DLL’s, incompatibility with DLL versions, or missing a DLL entry point.  Most common issue arises when overwriting a DLL with another version that results in application failure. 

Some of the causes include:  The DLL file…

-          was overwritten when installing an application

-          was corrupted due to another application

-          went missing after uninstalling an application that was sharing the file

-          has errors due to hardware issues (for example, faulty hard disk drive)

-          was deleted due to a malicious program

Some DLL’s and DLL issues are specific to the operating system.  Kernel32.dll errors can occur with Windows 95, 98, and Windows Me operating systems.  The Kernel32.dll is a 32-bit dynamic link library file that handles memory management.  Causes for Kernel32.dll errors include:

-          BIOS settings (for example, wait state or settings for RAM timing)

-          faulty registry

-          damaged control panel file

-          hardware issues (for example, over-clocking the CPU or a broken power supply)

-          low hard disk space

-          viruses or malicious software

Problems, Solutions and Repairs

The three main areas of DLL issues that are covered in this article: application, system, and malware.

When you are encountering issues with DLL files that are caused by an application (for example, you have just encountered an error related to a single missing DLL or you get a DLL error when you attempt to run a program), you can try to remedy the situation by restoring the file.  If you know the DLL came with a particular application, do the following:

1. Check for a new version of the program or any patch or update released by the manufacturer.
2. With the latest version of the application in hand, uninstall the program as directed by the manufacturer’s help file.
3. Re-install the application as directed. 

If you are not certain where the DLL file originated, you need to find out the name and the location of the DLL, search for it on the Internet, and then download it to the correct destination.

Best Practices: When you uninstall a program, there are situations when a window will appear asking if you want to delete a file that is shared.  Make sure not to delete system files or shared files.  If you are not sure, you can write down the name of the file (or files), cancel or pause the uninstall procedure, and search for the file on your hard drive.

If the problems continue and you are running Windows XP or 2000 you can try the following solutions.

With Windows XP you can try a system restore by doing the following:

1. Click the Start button and select Programs | Accessories | System Tools | System Restore.
2. Select the Restore my computer to an earlier time option.
3. Follow the steps to restore your computer.

With Windows 2000 you can use the Windows XP SFC command tool.  Here’s how:

1. Have your Windows installation CD’s on hand.
2. Click the Start button and select Run.
3. Type: “sfc /scannow” and click OK.

Windows File Protection opens and verifies that all the necessary system files are intact and reside in their original versions.  You may be prompted to insert your Windows CD’s.

If you continue to get errors or are having issues when starting your computer, you will need to boot your computer using safe mode and attempt to resolve the problem from there.  Refer to Microsoft documentation on their support web site for information on how to do this. The Microsoft Support Knowledge Base web site address is: http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1

Virus, Spyware, and Malware

It is good practice to discover the cause of the DLL error.  This can help prevent running into the same issue again.  DLL errors can be caused by malicious programs such as viruses or spyware also known as “malware”.  Even the brightest, computer savvy technicians could utilize best efforts and still have issues with malware programs.  These programs can be stealthy and can sometimes propagate themselves so that determining the source, let alone removing all traces of malware infection, can be near impossible using manual efforts.  In many situations computer users are faced with wiping the existing drive, reinstalling the operating system, and starting again.  Before doing this, we recommend that you run a good spyware scan and removal tool.

A good anti-spyware tool includes scheduling, quarantine capabilities, and backup options.  You will also want an anti-spyware utility that is frequently updated by the software developers and is capable of thorough scans.  XoftSpySE and RegCure meet these requirements.