Topic: DLL Error

[marklhess90745]

Thanks to all that saw my very first post and made me feel so welcome.

The first problem I'd like to straighten out is a DLL error that pops up when I log into Windows.

It pops up with

DLL
Error loading w03764f8.dll
The specified module could not be found


I have talked to others who tell me this is a virus but not how to correct it.

Would someone be able to help stop this from occuring?

[Simon]

Hi Mark,

I assume, to eliminate the possibility of it being a virus, you have done a complete virus scan, with fully updated anti-virus software?

DLL problems are notoriously difficult to rectify.  That particular dll isn't recognised on Google - is there any other information which could give us a clue as to what it relates to?

[Sandra]

Do any of your programs not run properly ?

If so then it may be connected to that program and if you unistall and reinstall that program it may repair or replace that .dll

If everything seems to be ok then go to Start/Run and type in MSCONFIG then click ok.
Tick the selective start up part then Startup.
Untick anything in there that doesnt relate to your anti virus or firewall.
Click on Apply then Close and it will ask you to reboot.

That will stop the .dll loading with windows, hopefully.

[Simon]

If you go to http://www.hijackthis.de/, download and run the program, this might, with a bit of luck, reveal what the .dll is related to, and then you can decide whether to remove it, reinstall the connected program, or disable it in MSCONFIG, as Sandra suggested.

[Clive]

I seem to have a number of software packages showing up in HiJack this, all of which I've previously deleted.  Is it safe for me to check the boxes and remove them?  "Weather Watcher" and "Spyware Doctor" are examples.

[Simon]

Well, you have to be a bit careful with shared .dlls, Clive, but if you have previously uninstalled those programs, they are probably just remnants left behind, and therefore safe to delete.

[Clive]

I've deleted a couple of the remnants and everything is still fine.   

[marklhess90745]

After viewing your suggestion(s), I really watched  what takes place during the .DLL error.  I noticed that my Lexmark 4200 Series All-In-One shows up with an "X" on it, then the "error" pops up. After clicking the OK button the computer continues the Start-up sequence and the "X" disappears.  So it would appear that the DLL could be related to my Lexmark printer.

All ideas for resolving this issue are greatly appreciated.

[Simon]

You could start by reinstalling any software and drivers that came with the Lexmark.  That should replace any damaged or missing .DLL files.

[marklhess90745]

So, you are suggesting I un-install the printer.  Is it suitable to use the Control Panel's Printers and Other Hardware? or should I see if there is an uninstall on the original Installation CD?

[Sandra]

If it will unistall from the Printers and Faxes folder that should be ok.
If not do it from inside teh Device Manager.

Then reboot and it should reinstall the printer or ask for the CD.

[marklhess90745]

Well, the .DLL problem persisted even after removing the Lemark All-In-One.  Is there any way to find out when this thing pops up in the sequence of the boot process?

As you have done, I scoured the internet (if that's possible) for references where W03------.DLL are mentioned and came up with a big fat goose egg, almost like this is a dummy popup that has been placed by a virus, worm, or malware that puts the pop-up there to annoy me.

Is this a possibility, and would re-installing WindowsXP resolve an issue like this?

[Sandra]

Some popups are put there with a link to a program that will supposedly "cure" the problem.

If you are not getting a message saying free scan for this or that and buy this then its probably not one of those.

Did you try stopping unnecessary programs starting up as windows boots up by using MSCONFIG as I suggested earlier ?

[marklhess90745]

When I went to the MSCONFIG as you suggested, I found the first line item Startup Item is:
RUNDLL32

Its associtated Command is (if I can copy is correctly):
RUNDLL32.EXE w03764f8.dll,n 003563a40000000303764f8

Its Location:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run


From its face value, this is the offending line!  What can be done (now) to resolve/prevent this from continuing to be a problem?

[Clive]

RUNDLL32 is an important Windows file Mark.  For gawds sake don't delete that!