Tip: Run a free scan for common Windows errors ad

re: comctl32.dll error closes explorer Monday, February 17, 2003 at 1:34 pm Posted by Ms. Eagle (32675 messages posted) This means that you have a version conflict, and a newer version of the comctl32.dll file has been installed with a program. You need to extract a copy of the original ME file from your ME CD or CAB files and rename the one in use with an .OLD extension. The problem is, it can get kind of complicated. I'm not sure, if I can help, unless you're experienced with doing this sort of thing. Do you have a ME install CD? [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: comctl32.dll error closes explorer Monday, February 17, 2003 at 2:21 pm Posted by Lindy (23 messages posted) im sure i have one somewhere, but i am far from a computer buff :) i did a search for the file, and i found 2 separate comctl32.dll files in 2 separate places, and both are version 5.81.4916.400 one is in c:/windows/system and the other is in c:/windows/system/msaabak. i take direction very well so if you could walk me through it, i could probably do it :) thanks for your help! On Monday, February 17, 2003 at 1:34 pm, Carol wrote: > >This means that you have a version conflict, and a newer version of the comctl32.dll >file has been installed with a program. > >You need to extract a copy of the original ME file from your ME CD or CAB files and >rename the one in use with an .OLD extension. The problem is, it can get kind of >complicated. I'm not sure, if I can help, unless you're experienced with doing this >sort of thing. Do you have a ME install CD? > > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: comctl32.dll error closes explorer Monday, February 17, 2003 at 2:40 pm Posted by Ms. Eagle (32675 messages posted) Well, I'm not exactly an expert on helping anyone with this sort of thing either. In fact, I'm not sure how to have you go about it. There's always more than one way to do things. Plus, I'm not running ME. Are you able to get past your desktop and use any of your applications? It sounds that way. If so, you can extract it using msconfig (System Configuration Utility). I think I've kept Jack Gulley's instructions on using it for extracting files. I need to ponder this for awhile. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: comctl32.dll error closes explorer Monday, February 17, 2003 at 3:16 pm Posted by Ms. Eagle (32675 messages posted) Since you said you located those files, obviously you can get into Windows and shouldn't have to do anything from the command prompt. If I misunderstood, please let me know. It doesn't make any difference what the original version is, because there'll only be one file on the install CD or CABS. I know a lot of people have had that file replaced with a newer version, after installing Office 2000. That's not the only program that replaces it with a newer file, though. If you have a name brand PC, you would have CAB install files on your hard drive, rather than a ME OS install CD. In ME, they're in either one of these locations. The file you need to replace is the one in the Windows\System folder. Locations: C:\Windows\Options\Install folder. If it is an OEM pre install package they may be in the C:\Windows\Options\CABS folder. Start - RUN - MSCONFIG - OK, click Extract File... button. Then in the "Extract one file from installation disk" window, use the Browse button to locate the OLD file to be replaced and click OPEN. And then Start. This will fill out the Save in Location: for you in the "Extract File" window along with the file/program name and extension. Then use the "Restore from: pull down to select the correct location of the system CAB files (C:\Windows\Options\Install or C:\Windows\Options\CABS). If the CAB files are located elsewhere (other folder, disk or CD), you can use the Browse button to locate the CAB files. Then click OK and you will be given an option to save the OLD copy in a backup location. Normally you can just SKIP this. MSCONFIG will then extract the file from the CAB files and place it into the correct folder. Do you think you can manage this alright? If you have any questions about the instructions, please let me know. It's not like I'm going about this totally blind. he he I wouldn't even attempt to help anyone with this, if I didn't know something. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: comctl32.dll error closes explorer Monday, February 17, 2003 at 4:45 pm Posted by Lindy (23 messages posted) ok i did everything you said with msconfig, but when i pressed start, i got the following error messsage "the specified file is protected and may not be copied over or deleted." do i need to rename the old file first or something? thanks a bunch!!! On Monday, February 17, 2003 at 3:16 pm, Carol wrote: > >Since you said you located those files, obviously you can get into Windows and shouldn't >have to do anything from the command prompt. If I misunderstood, please let me know. > >It doesn't make any difference what the original version is, because there'll only >be one file on the install CD or CABS. I know a lot of people have had that file >replaced with a newer version, after installing Office 2000. That's not the only >program that replaces it with a newer file, though. > >If you have a name brand PC, you would have CAB install files on your hard drive, >rather than a ME OS install CD. In ME, they're in either one of these locations. >The file you need to replace is the one in the Windows\System folder. > >Locations: C:\Windows\Options\Install folder. If it is an OEM pre install package >they may be in the C:\Windows\Options\CABS folder. > >Start - RUN - MSCONFIG - OK, click Extract File... button. Then in the "Extract one >file from installation disk" window, use the Browse button to locate the OLD file >to be replaced and click OPEN. And then Start. This will fill out the Save in Location: > for you in the "Extract File" window along with the file/program name and extension. > Then use the "Restore from: pull down to select the correct location of the system >CAB files (C:\Windows\Options\Install or C:\Windows\Options\CABS). > >If the CAB files are located elsewhere (other folder, disk or CD), you can use the >Browse button to locate the CAB files. Then click OK and you will be given an option >to save the OLD copy in a backup location. Normally you can just SKIP this. MSCONFIG >will then extract the file from the CAB files and place it into the correct folder. > >Do you think you can manage this alright? If you have any questions about the instructions, >please let me know. It's not like I'm going about this totally blind. he he I wouldn't >even attempt to help anyone with this, if I didn't know something. > > > > > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: comctl32.dll error closes explorer Monday, February 17, 2003 at 4:47 pm Posted by Lindy (23 messages posted) ok. i think my question in my last response should have been how do i go about renaming the old file so i can extract the replacement? thanks again! [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: comctl32.dll error closes explorer Monday, February 17, 2003 at 5:38 pm Posted by Ms. Eagle (32675 messages posted) You're welcome. I'm sorry, I had to sign off for awhile. It sounds like this needs to be done at the command prompt (DOS). I'm need to do a bit of studying on what the exact command needs to be, in order to rename that file and extract the other one to the correct location. I wish Jack Gulley were around. He's a pro at using DOS. No, you won't be able to rename it in Windows, I don't think. I thought you'd get a message asking, if you wanted to replace the current file with the one you were extracting. This is where it gets difficult. In the meantime, I hope this is all you need to get rid of the error. I'll get back to you as soon as I can. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: comctl32.dll error closes explorer Monday, February 17, 2003 at 5:47 pm Posted by Lindy (23 messages posted) thank you so much for your help. what ive done hasnt fixed it yet, but hopefully we will figure it all out soon *sigh* i really dislike microsoft products :) LOL On Monday, February 17, 2003 at 5:38 pm, Carol wrote: > >You're welcome. I'm sorry, I had to sign off for awhile. > >It sounds like this needs to be done at the command prompt (DOS). I'm need to do >a bit of studying on what the exact command needs to be, in order to rename that >file and extract the other one to the correct location. I wish Jack Gulley were around. >He's a pro at using DOS. > >No, you won't be able to rename it in Windows, I don't think. I thought you'd get >a message asking, if you wanted to replace the current file with the one you were >extracting. This is where it gets difficult. > >In the meantime, I hope this is all you need to get rid of the error. I'll get back >to you as soon as I can. > > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: comctl32.dll error closes explorer Monday, February 17, 2003 at 6:31 pm Posted by Ms. Eagle (32675 messages posted) Lindy, I'm having second thoughts on whether that file even needs to be replaced. The reason being, normally you'd get an error that the Comctl.32.dll couldn't be started, or similiar. Since I.E. is a part of the OS and shares many problems with Explorer, I'm wondering, if repairing I.E. might help. It's worth a try. In Win9x, that's one of the files the repair tool will replace, if it's corrupt. I can't find anything on whether the same goes for ME. Go to - Start - Programs - Accessories - System Tools - System Information tool - From Tools the menu - choose IE Repair Tool -- Repair IE. Another way: Control Panel - Add-Remove Programs > Highlight Internet Explorer > Click Change-Remove tab > Repair I.E. > OK - Yes Note: If you get an error message saying it cannot be repaired, redownload and install "then" run the repair. I don't know which version I.E. you're using, so here are links to both. I.E. Downloads: IE 5.5. SP2 I.E. 6.0 Also, do you have a ME startup disk? [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: comctl32.dll error closes explorer Monday, February 17, 2003 at 7:28 pm Posted by Lindy (23 messages posted) i dont have a startup disc...but i was thinking,....could all my problems be because of the evil version IE6? do i just need to uninstall it and then reinstall 5.5? just curious, as i cant find any repairs for IE6 that i dont have.....but i DID NOT install the SP1 package......thanks a bunch! [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: comctl32.dll error closes explorer Monday, February 17, 2003 at 7:31 pm Posted by Ms. Eagle (32675 messages posted) I don't know, Lindy, but it wouldn't hurt to try. I.E. would need to be listed in Add/Remove in order to return to 5.5. Are you saying it isn't listed there, and that's why I.E. 6 can't be repaired? I should have asked whether you've installed a program recently, or do you have any idea what changed that might have caused this error? I've never heard of ver. 6 causing this problem with that file. You could try either (or both) reinstalling 6. or returning to 5.5. Whatever works! [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: comctl32.dll error closes explorer Monday, February 17, 2003 at 7:44 pm Posted by Lindy (23 messages posted) i just read a response you posted to someone elses question about random .dll files causing problems and their needing to run spybot, so i just dled it and am running it now.....occasionally it will be DIMM.dll as well.... IE6 is in my add/remove list, but i have no repair button.....am i overlooking it? thanks! [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: comctl32.dll error closes explorer Monday, February 17, 2003 at 7:56 pm Posted by Ms. Eagle (32675 messages posted) The post you're referring to may be one of those cases where Explorer or other apps keep crashing. Nevertheless, Spybot S&D is an excellent program, and who knows. I don't understand why the repair option wouldn't show. Although, others have had the same prob. Is it greyed out? I listed two ways to repair, so I would think one of them would work. In that same window is the choice to "Return to previous Windows configuration" (hopefully) if you'd want to try that. Version 5.5 is the best version. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: comctl32.dll error closes explorer Monday, February 17, 2003 at 8:15 pm Posted by Lindy (23 messages posted) ok i think i want to uninstall IE6 and reinstall 5.5 so is there anything special i need to do or just go to add/remove programs and remove IE6 then to microsoft.com and download 5.5? thanks again for all your help :) [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: comctl32.dll error closes explorer Monday, February 17, 2003 at 8:27 pm Posted by Lindy (23 messages posted) i have just realized that im an idiot LOL i found the "repair" button and ran the repair program, so i guess ill see what happens with that :p if it starts having the error again, i will uninstall and reinstall 5.5 thank you SO much for all your help, and your "dumbing down" of the technological terms for me :D i really appreciate it :) [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: comctl32.dll error closes explorer Monday, February 17, 2003 at 8:35 pm Posted by Ms. Eagle (32675 messages posted) Sometimes, we just don't notice things. :) Anyway, that's where your choice is to return to 5.5 too. I assume you had 5.5 installed prior to 6. I have a download link to 5.5 in one of my previous posts. You see I.E. cannot be completely uninstalled the normal way, since it's part of Windows. Thanks BG! There's an app called IEradicator, and you may have seen mention of it on the forum. It totally nukes I.E. from your system. I hope it works! [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: comctl32.dll error closes explorer Monday, February 17, 2003 at 10:02 pm Posted by Lindy (23 messages posted) thanks yet again for all your help! i dled ieradicator, used it, and reinstalled ie5.5 so far, things are going smoother....keep your fingers crossed for me :) [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: comctl32.dll error closes explorer Tuesday, February 18, 2003 at 11:07 am Posted by Ms. Eagle (32675 messages posted) You're welcome! You didn't waste any time, did you. I hope that's the end of that problem. Good luck. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: comctl32.dll error closes explorer Sunday, December 26, 2004 at 2:39 am Posted by Per-Helge Aurdal (1 messages posted) Hi! I had exactly the same problem. I reinstallede service pack #1 for Internet Explorer version 6. I even got a message that told me that the service pack allready was installed and that I didn't need to reinstall it. Anyhow I reinstallede the service pack and the problem was gone. Before this I tried several times to change/rename/delete comctl32.dll without success. I don't know why I got the problem. I suspect that using automatic update from Microsoft being the root of the problem. Anyhow you lose controll of what last has been installed when you find yourself in a problem. PHA On Monday, February 17, 2003 at 12:34 pm, Lindy wrote: >ok this has just started occurring, but it happens frequently now. a warning message >pops up stating "Explorer has caused an error in comctl32.dll. explorer will now >close." and its the acutal explorer that runs windows, so my taskbar and all my >desktop icons disappear. then i have to reboot manually. i have run norton antivirus, >and nothing is detected. i have run norton windows doctor and fixed the problems >(which were just invalid shortcuts), and run norton disc doctor and no problems were >found. i have even defragmented, but of course that hasnt helped either. this is >driving me insane!!!! PLEASE HELP!!! [Reply or follow-up to this message] Tip: Use one of the [Reply or follow-up to this message] links above to add a message to this thread Search this forum Start a new thread on a different subject Report abuse of the forum Return to the Windows Me Discussion Forum