My main XP system died from mobo processor failure, and I'm using my old 98FE box. Although slow with only 96MB RAM (less 8MB on board graphics) and a 400 MGHZ processor, it was doing pretty well. Suddenly, I'm being bombarded with errors when I try to install programs, and some programs that used to work don't work anymore.

The errors are related to DLL's and OCX's either not being found, or unable to register.

Some examples:

"A required DLL file, GDIPLUS.DLL was not found." (a system search showed the file at %.net\framework\v1.1.4322%.)

"Unable to register the DLL/OCX DllRegisterServer failed; code 0x80029C4A."

I've tried manually registering DLL's, etc., to no avail.

Is there any hope for this old box without a CD or floppy drive? System Restore has stopped working, too, though the recovery "D" drive seems intact.

Compaq Presario 5710 Desktop/PC

Sygate Firewall 5.6

ClamWin AV w/ Clam Sentinel

TIA for any help you can offer.

Copy gdiplus to the system directory and you won't have any more errors with it. As for other missing dlls let us know which one they are.

You've got system Restore on 98FE?

You've got system Restore on 98FE?

It works on 98SE too!

You've got system Restore on 98FE?

It works on 98SE too!

I thought that Windows Me was the first OS including System Restore.

I thought that Windows Me was the first OS including System Restore.

True but its also works on Win98SE.

I thought that Windows Me was the first OS including System Restore.

True but its also works on Win98SE.

What is the roadmap to give a try with it?

Does it sucks a lot of ressources/Ram

(that is to say Does it need a powerful install? apart from disk space).

Edited March 1, 201115 yr by CharlesF

What is the roadmap to give a try with it?

Does it such a lot of ressources/Ram

(that is to say Does it need a powerful install? apart from disk space).

copy PCHealth.inf from your WinME cd to C:\Windows\inf

Run this command

C:\windows\rundll.exe setupx.dll,InstallHinfSection PCHealth.Install 132 C:\WINDOWS\INF\PCHealth.inf

and then replace the patched vxdmon file, then intall 290700usam.exe

and you are good to go.

The VXD patch is from dencorso he used his downgrade technique and thats how I got it working.

Edited February 19, 201115 yr by PROBLEMCHYLD

Copy gdiplus to the system directory and you won't have any more errors with it. As for other missing dlls let us know which one they are.

You've got system Restore on 98FE?

Thanks for replying.

I have copied the gdiplus.dll to the system folder to see if that helps. Two other errors I get frequently are being unable to register two dll's: msstdfmt.dll and oleaut32.dll. The files do exist in the system folder, but they will not register either when installing a program or from the run command in normal or safe mode. Any thoughts?

Now, SpywareBlaster won't open anymore with error:

"Access violation at 0x66038111 (tried to read from 0xFFFFFFF), program terminated." I tried reinstalling, but same error.

I don't know what they're talking about above with system restore. On my 98 system it relates to Compaq System Restore, which is actually a recovery program designed to restore a system from the OS files on a separate drive partition (D:).

Can you help?

I have copied the gdiplus.dll to the system folder to see if that helps. Two other errors I get frequently are being unable to register two dll's: msstdfmt.dll and oleaut32.dll. The files do exist in the system folder, but they will not register either when installing a program or from the run command in normal or safe mode. Any thoughts?

What are the versions of those files?

msstdfmt.dll v.6.00.8804

oleaut32.dll v.5.1.2600.2180

copy PCHealth.inf ...

The VXD patch is from dencorso ...

Thanks a lot.

msstdfmt.dll v.6.00.8804

oleaut32.dll v.5.1.2600.2180

oleaut32.dll v.5.1.2600.2180 is a XP version which is incompatible with your operating system. Fix it by installing this pack: http://www.mdgx.com/files/OLEUP.EXE. If the installer asks you to install a file that is older than the one already in place, make sure you say yes.

I am not quite sure about msstdfmt.dll v.6.00.8804 since I think it should be OK normally but since it is dependent on oleaut32.dll, try to register it again after you've replaced the latter.

My main XP system died from mobo processor failure, and I'm using my old 98FE box.

Is there any hope for this old box without a CD or floppy drive? System Restore has stopped working, too, though the recovery "D" drive seems intact.

Compaq Presario 5710 Desktop/PC

You've got system Restore on 98FE?

I don't know what they're talking about above with system restore. On my 98 system it relates to Compaq System Restore, which is actually a recovery program designed to restore a system from the OS files on a separate drive partition (D).

If possible, could you list the folders/files in the Recovery Partition? There may be a way, however no Floppy/CD-Rom presents a problem, though...

Reason for listing request - "tricking" recovery on these PC's with this OS depends on how the Recover Image was initially created (ZIP, Compaq-Specialized PQ Drive Image, etc.). Danced through two (98FE Laptop and 98SE Desktop) so far...

msstdfmt.dll v.6.00.8804

oleaut32.dll v.5.1.2600.2180

AFAIK, last versions compatible with Windows 98 SE are:

MSSTDFMT.DLL version 6.00.8450

OLEAUT32.DLL version 2.40.4520

Um, the "System Restore" installation does no good unless done before the problem occurs. The problem the poster refers to is "Compaq Recovery from D-Partition - how-to without CD/Floppy". One of ye olde "no recovery CD" problems.

Not the topic...

Followup-

command from DOS prompt =

DIR D: /S /ONG > C:\!D-DIR.TXT

Get it transferred (somehow) and attached here to look over.

Edited February 20, 201115 yr by submix8c