Topic: Install missing DLL in DOS?

[Simon]

A friend has asked how he can use DOS to install a missing / corrupt DLL file.  He cannot start his Windows 98 machine in normal or safe mode.  The BSOD error message he gets when trying to start Windows is:-

"Explorer caused an invalid page fault in module OLE32.DLL at 65f01a32"

From this, he has assumed that OLE32.DLL needs replacing.  He found the file on Tinternet, and now has it on a floppy disc, but doesn't know how to install it.  I know nothing about DOS - can anyone help?

[Clive]

If he doesn't already have one then he will need to create a DOS boot disc Simon.  This can be done on any computer by clicking Start / Settings / Control Panel / double click the Add Remove programs icon / click the Startup Disk and create disk.  This should get you back to the good old A: prompt.  Not sure how you proceed from there though but I'm sure someone else will know!

[Simon]

Yes, he has done that already, thanks Clive.  I think it's the DOS commands from there on he's not sure of.

[Sandra]

Have a look at this Simon :

Copying Files
To copy a single file from one place to another you should first read Directories and Directory and File Names sections so that you will be able to construct the path of where you want to get or put the file.

To copy a file, type:

     COPY
where: is the directory path to where the file is if it is not in the current working directory. is the name of the file you are trying to copy. is the directory path of where you are trying to put the file. is the new filename to give to the file if it is different from the current file name. If any of these arguements are not different from the defaults, then they could be left out. Here are some examples:

To copy a file from the current directory to the root directory of the floppy in the A: drive:

     Copy file1.txt a:\
To copy a file to another file with a different name in the same directory:

     Copy file1.txt file2.txt
To copy a file from the A: drive to the current working directory:

     Copy A:\file1.txt

He needs to be in the directory where the .dll file is missing or corrupted then use the last example.

Copy A:\OLE32.DLL

Or from the A prompt he would need the path for the file to be copied to and use

Copy A:\OLE32.DLL (PATH)OLE32.DLL

Unfortunately DOS can only use 8 characters and OLE32.DLL is 9 so it will need to be renamed as a DOS recognisable name.
I will try and find it but we may have to wait untli Scrumpy Jack comes on later this evening to find out  

[Simon]

How does he get to the directory to begin with in DOS?  Does he just type, for example, C:\windows\system32\ole32.dll and press enter?

I'm afraid the stuff in that quote box is a clear as mud to me, San.  :|

[Sandra]

Ah I misunderstood about the 8 character limit so you should be ok with what I posted earlier Simon  

Files in DOS are limited to 8 character names and a three character extension which is seperated by a period.

So as long as he knows which directory to copy the .DLL into he should be ok.

Like you I am not used to DOS, apart from very basic things like DIR and DIR /P and Fdisk so I will ask SJ to verify later that what I have suggested will work  

[Sandra]

You cant go from one directory straight to another subdirectory and location, it has to be done one step at a time.
Only when in a subdirectory can you skip the CD part so he needs to do this :

At the A: prompt type C: then enter.

From C: he needs to type CD WINDOWS then enter.

At C:\windows type SYSTEM 32 then enter.

That should put him in the C:\windows\system32\ directory so he can then type :

Copy A:\OLE32.DLL
 
Then hit enter and it should hopefully be done    

DOS isnt case sensative, I used capitals for clarity, make sure of the correct spaces though Simon  

[Simon]

That looks clear enough, San.  Can you just clarify, because he's bound to ask, he has to type 'CD WINDOWS'?  What's the 'CD' bit?

[Sandra]

Change Directory

I havent got a pc running in DOS to check it but I am 99.9% certain I have got the typing correct.

If at some poin it just reverts back to the last line after windows then it may need \system32 but I think as its in the windows directory its just system32  

[Simon]

I've actually just found this, which may be of some use:-

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=312488

He should be able to work out what he needs to do from that.  

[Sandra]

As he already has the replacement dll on a floppy Simon then I would suggest that he does the bit down to and including the renaming the original file to old and then as hes already in the correct directory he can just type :

Copy A:\OLE32.DLL  and hit enter and he should be sorted  

[Simon]

Thanks San, I'll pass all that on!  

[Sandra]

Ok an old dosser has just come on messenger (Scrumpy Jack) and corrected a couple of things Simon  

Apparently as long as any directory name in the path is not more than 8 characters long then you dont need to go step by step as I thought.

All you need to do to copy it from the floppy to the windows\system directory is to type this at the A:\ prompt  :


copy OLE32.DLL C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM

Unless he wants to back up the original .DLL then he can skip the renaming to old part as it will just overwrite it.

Although he reckons it would be just as easy to reinstall 98 overitself  

[Simon]

Thanks, San, I'll pass that on.  :kiss:

[joudi]

All you need to do to copy it from the floppy to the windows\system directory is to type this at the A:\ prompt  :

copy OLE32.DLL C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM

In fact, as I don't know enough about the "DLL" files, I didn't like to make an intervention here. But I corrected a similar problem by simply "Copy /Paste" directly in the "System" Directory of Windows. (without using the prompt command).

I corrected another to a friend by using the "SetUp" of another DLL file. (It had a "setup" file to be installed.)