View Full Version : Computer aggravation!
Strathclyde Eagle
15-06-2001, 02:04 PM
Hurrah! Add my name to the long list of people who asked for help on these boards.
The basic problem has come from me finally getting the proper installation CD for my new graphics card (ATI RagePro). I ran the installation program (without reading the readme file - I'm a plank, I know!), restarted my computer and all of a sudden I cannot get back into Windows.
The message I see says:
A required .DLL file, c:\windows\system\ole32.dll, was not found
I go into task manager and all I can then get working is Tasks and Ati2vxx. The only way I can really do anything from this point is by restarting and going into the MS-DOS prompt.
Anyone have any ideas?
I'm currently running Windows 95. Would an upgrade to Windows 98 possibly solve the problem?
As my old, demented and senile boss would say, "These computers are fine when they're working, but when they're not..." ;)
Jaffa
15-06-2001, 02:32 PM
Ole32.dll should be on your Windows95 installation disk.
If I were you I would consider upgrading, but perhaps if you could get yourself a nudge nudge wink wink copy of Win2000 rather than Win98.
Strathclyde Eagle
15-06-2001, 02:41 PM
I don't suppose you happen to know the path of the file on the typical installation CD? And how would I save it from DOS?
Many thanks.
Jaffa
15-06-2001, 02:47 PM
Yeah its in Win95_09.cab
Goto DOS and type (assuming you have F: as your CDRom change if necessary)
Extract F:\Win95\Win95_09.cab OLE32.DLL /L C:\Progra~1\Micros~1
Reboot. Sorted.
Strathclyde Eagle
15-06-2001, 03:03 PM
Cheers Jaffa. I will definitely try that, and if it solves the problem I will definitely find a way to make sure at least pint makes its way in your direction.
Thanks.
jonesy
15-06-2001, 03:07 PM
Im still having mega problems with my pile of crap.
On start up i get a dos message informing me that my vnetbios.vxd file is missing.
I have done a complete format of my C drive and followed the procedure for a full re-install to a 't'. I also get loads of error messages to do with the PGI card(including dll files missing insert Win98 CD Rom which I do to no avail.)It doesnt even seem to recognise I have a DVD as D drive and a CD RW as E drive any hints??!!!
I :clown:
Jaffa
15-06-2001, 03:11 PM
Sounds to me like you may have possible hardware problems. It is possible that it is a Memory or CPU problem.
Unfortunately, it is very hard to work this out. You would have to put the hard drive in another machine and put it on a soak test for 24hrs to see if similar problems occured. I am assuming you dont have access to another machine.
If you are under warranty with the dealer get it sent back.
Whos machine is it by the way.
Oh and Strathclyde no problems mate happy to share the knowledge - might as well cant get a bloody job in IT!!!!!!!
jonesy
15-06-2001, 03:22 PM
Cheers again my seedless one!! Its a Patriot purchased from PC World and is just out of warranty :( I'm going to have another bash at it this weekend and make a note of all the error messages and post them.
Jaffa
16-06-2001, 11:45 PM
It work Strathclyde?
e-Eagle
17-06-2001, 12:19 AM
Originally posted by Strathclyde Eagle
The message I see says:
A required .DLL file, c:\windows\system\ole32.dll, was not found
It is possible that the file is still in place but renamed, e.g. ole32old.dll or similar. It may be worth searching for variations on the original name. Problems can also occur when multiple versions of dlls are present in, say, \windows and \windows\system directories.
jonesy
18-06-2001, 11:32 AM
Sorted! Cheers for all your help peeps!!!
Strathclyde Eagle
18-06-2001, 12:58 PM
Originally posted by Jaffa
It work Strathclyde?
It found the .dll file, and then asked for another one. Was able to use the same command line and a process of elimination to find that one, but now Windows loads up and I still get an illegal operation occuring in Explorer (so it says), meaning that nothing loads up and I can't see a single item on my Desktop.
And it still won't let me run Windows setup again, saying that I need to go into Control Panel to change the display properties. Of course because of the Explorer fault I can't get into Control Panel. :grrr:
Any ideas?
For example...
1) Is there a command line that will take you into the Control Panel?
2) If I ran a setup program of an upgraded version of Windows would that be allowed to run?
3) If I upgraded would I lose any files, programs, etc. during the upgrading process?
e-Eagle
18-06-2001, 01:25 PM
Have you tried loading Windows in 'protected' mode? (F8 on boot-up me thinks). That allows you to start with only the bare essential drivers.
If that fails, you could always rename the windows directory and do a fresh install rather than a reinstall. The system should find existing settings & drivers from the old directory.
2107
Strathclyde Eagle
18-06-2001, 01:52 PM
e-Eagle, thanks for the advice.
I have tried to do a protected start up. That still does not let me into the Control Panel, which is my biggest problem at the moment, as seemingly without getting into that I cannot proceed any further.
Any further ideas?
BTW we need a "desperate & frustrated" smiley. ;)
e-Eagle
18-06-2001, 02:10 PM
Originally posted by Strathclyde Eagle
Any further ideas?
BTW we need a "desperate & frustrated" smiley. ;)
Try my second suggestion as you can always revert back to original installation if it fails.
http://www.monmouth.com/~leelee/sf8.gif
jonesy
18-06-2001, 02:15 PM
SE I know its extreme but have you considered a complete re-install?
Strathclyde Eagle
18-06-2001, 02:28 PM
Okay, how do you rename the directory from the DOS prompt?
Strathclyde Eagle
18-06-2001, 02:31 PM
Originally posted by jonesy
SE I know its extreme but have you considered a complete re-install?
I can't do any sort of re-install at the moment. I can select e:\setup.exe from the run prompt, but when I try and run it I get a message telling me to go into the Control Panel and change the display settings before I can even try to re-install anything. And of course with things as they are I cannot get into the Control Panel...
It is a bit of a vicious circle really. :blue:
e-Eagle
18-06-2001, 02:34 PM
Originally posted by Strathclyde Eagle
Okay, how do you rename the directory from the DOS prompt?
ren c:\windows c:\winold
Windows will search your machine for existing installations and pick up your settings. If that still causes a problem, delete the new windows directory, repeat install but this time tell windows to ignore old settings. You will have the hassle of losing your settings but at least it should work!
arussell
18-06-2001, 02:36 PM
Originally posted by Strathclyde Eagle
Okay, how do you rename the directory from the DOS prompt?
Easy Tony ;)
Taking for example you have a directory called millwall (!) and you want to re-name it as Palace - at the C: prompt type ...
C:\ ren millwall palace
And that's it mate !
Strathclyde Eagle
18-06-2001, 03:35 PM
Originally posted by arussell
Easy Tony ;)
Taking for example you have a directory called millwall
LOL! :D There's more chance of the Sultan of Brunei claiming bankruptcy than that!
(That's the first thing that's made me smile this horrible Monday morning, thanks mate)
Right, so I basically try to boot up Windows, go into the DOS prompt (which only picks up the CD-ROM when I'm in the Windows version - when I boot into DOS it says there aren't any drivers), rename Windows, come out of the DOS prompt and then try to re-install it.
What if the "Control Panel" message appears again?
Time for a sledgehammer? :rolleyes:
e-Eagle
18-06-2001, 04:53 PM
Originally posted by Strathclyde Eagle
What if the "Control Panel" message appears again?
Time for a sledgehammer? :rolleyes:
It shouldn't unless you have some mean virus :o
Strathclyde Eagle
18-06-2001, 07:04 PM
Originally posted by e-Eagle
It shouldn't unless you have some mean virus :o
As the only thing I have installed to cause this problem came off an official ATI CD I would be very unimpressed if that was to be the case.
Sorry, make that even more unimpressed than I already am. :grrr:
Strathclyde Eagle
18-06-2001, 07:06 PM
Right, this is the plan.
1) Turn computer on, load windows, fail to get into anything except the DOS prompt.
2) From DOS prompt type:
ren c:\windows c:\winold
3) Exit DOS. Get run prompt, browse to CD and enter
e:\setup.exe
And that should do it. Have I got that right?
jonesy
18-06-2001, 07:13 PM
SE Format your HD and do a complete re-install!!!(Worked for me after the 6th attempt!!)
Strathclyde Eagle
18-06-2001, 07:17 PM
Definite last option jonesy, given that it is jam-packed with wedding plans/expenses/guest lists, numerous articles I've written, book ideas I have started, countless images that took me ages on Corel Draw/Photoshop... you get the idea!
jonesy
18-06-2001, 07:23 PM
Originally posted by Strathclyde Eagle
Definite last option jonesy, given that it is jam-packed with wedding plans/expenses/guest lists, numerous articles I've written, book ideas I have started, countless images that took me ages on Corel Draw/Photoshop... you get the idea!
But surely you must take a back-up every week. ;)
e-Eagle
18-06-2001, 07:24 PM
Originally posted by e-Eagle
ren c:\windows c:\winold
Windows will search your machine for existing installations and pick up your settings. If that still causes a problem, delete the new windows directory, repeat install but this time tell windows to ignore old settings. You will have the hassle of losing your settings but at least it should work!
SE - as per your instructions then note my original point above.
It seems from your post that you haven't actually installed anything much so far so you could actually delete windows without major inconvenience. Failing the above I agree that formatting would be a sensible last resort.
e-Eagle
18-06-2001, 07:27 PM
Originally posted by Strathclyde Eagle
Definite last option jonesy, given that it is jam-packed with wedding plans/expenses/guest lists, numerous articles I've written, book ideas I have started, countless images that took me ages on Corel Draw/Photoshop... you get the idea!
Whoops, just noticed the above. Last resort ought to be adding an additional ide drive, switching existing drive to slave, reinstalling to new drive etc. If you are strapped for cash I can probably dig out an old drive for you.
21f1
Strathclyde Eagle
18-06-2001, 07:48 PM
Dear ATI,
At this very moment in time I feel that the worst mistake I ever made in my life was to buy one of your products.
Your RagePro graphics card has caused nothing but problems since I first tried to install it. When you don't include the installation CD with the original package I suppose this was all I could expect, but for that CD to then delete .DLL files from my system and render it effectively useless is a bit much.
To compensate me for the trouble and expense this has caused please send me:
20,000 Advil tablets
A graphics card made by another manufacturer that does what it says on the box, including being fully compatible with Windows 95 (which I simply cannot see as being the case with this card).
For time and materials please also send £250 in cash.
In addition to this please send the following to the appropriate friends/relatives:
1 x colossal bunch of flowers to my better half, for being the recipient of "passive frustration".
1 x smaller bunch of flowers to future Mother-in-law, and 1 x car valet to future Father-in-law, for stress involved in wondering what is happening to wedding plans on aforementioned computer.
10 x large crates of beer of choosing to old best friend, who feels horribly and needlessly guilty for advising me to buy your product.
£5,000 to CPFC BBS Services, for help and support given by their users, when your own customer services department seems too under-staffed and too over-run to be able to handle genuine customer services queries.
Oh well, it was worth a try. ;) :rolleyes:
Random*
18-06-2001, 07:55 PM
I had an ATi RagePro for a while in my Windows 95 computer - and it never caused me a problem...although I suppose I also had the install cd.
Anyway - how about stealing a friends HD, connecting it up as a second drive, then copying all your essential stuff over in dos, then doing a complete reformat. Alternatively - connect your HD up into a friends PC and copy stuff across in windows.
Crappy ideas...but its worked for me in the past.
e-Eagle
18-06-2001, 07:56 PM
Originally posted by Strathclyde Eagle
... Your RagePro graphics card has caused nothing but problems ...
They got the 'Rage' bit right! :(
My brother had problems with their drivers and only got the graphics card working by going back several versions to older drivers. I would suggest that you opt for standard graphics set up to start with on your reinstall just so that you have a working system.
arussell
18-06-2001, 08:30 PM
Originally posted by Strathclyde Eagle
That should do it. Have I got that right?
Possibly - but these things don't always work out like that !! :)
You could always send me the hard drive and I'll have a look for ya !
Strathclyde Eagle
18-06-2001, 08:34 PM
I think the plan for tonight is to go home, spend time with my fiancée (who I'm taking to work on a nightshift and won't see again until Thursday :blue: ) and forget about the thing for one night - it has been one of those days and I don't want to risk making it worse for the moment.
Forget about it and relax, that's the plan!
BTW don't you hate it when you have to go into a meeting in the middle of a post?
Quizzical
18-06-2001, 09:58 PM
why don't you reinstall it in the same directory(c:\windows) and it should fix all your probs and keep any profiles and settings from the old installation. You only lose all of your files and programs if you wipe the disk or install in a different place i.e not c:\windows
e-Eagle
18-06-2001, 10:03 PM
Originally posted by Quizzical
why don't you reinstall it in the same directory(c:\windows) and it should fix all your probs and keep any profiles and settings from the old installation.
Ordinarily yes, but not if Windows Registry is corrupt.
You only lose all of your files and programs if you wipe the disk or install in a different place i.e not c:\windows
You will not necessarily lose any of your files as Windows will spot the old installation and pick up the settings (if you choose to).
Strathclyde Eagle
20-06-2001, 01:13 PM
Well, I tried to have a go at it last night, and (in Horse Racing terms) fell at the first fence.
When I went into DOS and typed in ren c:\windows winold the message, Attempt to remove current directory was displayed.
I rebooted and went back into Windows and upon having a look around saw that my c:\Windows directory was still called c:\Windows. :blue:
Any ideas?
e-Eagle
20-06-2001, 01:36 PM
Maybe you are not in root directory?
Try cd c:\, then ren c:\windows c:\winold
If windows is preventing this then, you could create a new directory (md c:\winold) copy the windows directory (xcopy c:\windows c:\winold) then having checked that the copy (and my syntax) has worked (dir c:\winold /s), delete the windows directory (del c:\windows), then reinstall windows.
Strathclyde Eagle
20-06-2001, 01:38 PM
Originally posted by e-Eagle
Try ren c:\windows c:\winold
That was the line I tried first. When I tried that I got this message:
Invalid parameter - c:\winold
Will try the new plan tonight.
e-Eagle
21-06-2001, 01:58 AM
sorry your original syntax was fine (just tested it) - may be that you typed the original command from within windows directory. I assume that you are starting in dos without loading windows at all as if any windows drivers are in memory it will prevent you renaming the directory.
Strathclyde Eagle
21-06-2001, 02:04 PM
Okay, here is the latest update.
Did as planned and was able to rename Windows directory this time. Went to reboot and now can't get into Windows at all, as the system says these files are missing or corrupt:
c:\windows\himem.sys
c:\windows\dblbuff.sys
c:\windows\ifshlp.sys
I quick search seemed to indicate that they are in the new c:\winold directory, which is to be expected.
For some reason I do still have a c:\windows directory, only with a few small files on it (a users directory, temp directory and a few others - not sure for definite on that, just going on what I remember).
I guessed the next step would be to reinstall windows again, so remembering that in DOS it doesn't pick up my CD-ROM for some reason I went to re-install the CD-ROM drive. I put in the floppy disk to reinstall it, but it says I need to specify where the file mscdex.exe is. At that point I realised I didn't have the first clue where it is, and gave up for the night.
So (I realise this is almost becoming a quiz show catchphrase now...) any ideas?
e36
e-Eagle
21-06-2001, 04:52 PM
It is very useful to have a windows recovery diskette to get around these problems. Probably late in the day if you haven't but Windows should prompt you to create one when you finally manage to install it. MSCDEX and other dos drivers are generally in \windows\command. I can't check this at present as I am on NT at Work. You can check with dir mscdex.* /s entered from the root. I suggest that you copy these files to the correct directory (you may need to recreate \windows\command directory) rather than change any config files.
Strathclyde Eagle
21-06-2001, 09:01 PM
Am I right in thinking that there aren't many options left before I'll need to completely re-format my hard drive?
Jaffa
21-06-2001, 09:12 PM
Thats right Strathyclyde, personally I think you are f!ucked.
May I suggest backing up files onto floppies and reinstalling (or installing 98 or preferably 2000 if you can get hold of a copy)
Strathclyde Eagle
21-06-2001, 09:14 PM
Have already zipped the files I wanted to keep onto my secondary drive.
Would an upgrade CD do the job, or would I need to get a full package?
Strathclyde Eagle
25-06-2001, 06:57 PM
Before I go and buy the wrong thing (!) am I right to only get the upgrade CD to Windows 98, and not the full package?
If someone could confirm that I'd be grateful, thanks.
98 upgrade CD will do it. But I'd think long and hard about installing NT Workstation instead. It'll cost more but its much more solid.
Strathclyde Eagle
25-06-2001, 08:10 PM
Did I see the words "Cost more"? Being practical that has to be the deciding factor (unless it W98 is utterly guff, which in my experiences at work it isn't), so Windows 98 upgrade it is.
Thanks for the advice anyway, Tim.
Originally posted by Strathclyde Eagle
Thanks for the advice anyway, Tim.
That'll be 25 guineas plus VAT and disbursements. Thank you :)
It seems to me that you Strathclyde Eagle is the only one keeping this thread alive.
Anyway Computer, Computer Problems, I get alot of them and they really are annoying.
:D :eek: :blue:
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