SHLWAPI.DLL Error - WIN2K Server

[haxzter]

Hello.

I have a major problem with a extremely critical windows 2000 server.

This morning I installed some new MS patches that the WSUS server had pushed out. The server needed a reboot, so I rebooted it. That's when the "gates to hell" opened.

When the server rebooted and login screen appeared, an error message was shown. The message said:

The procedure entry point SHRegGetValueW could not be located in the dynamic link library SHLWAPI.dll

I just clicked OK on it and logged in to the server.

Then for each third party software that started up, like MSSQL Server etc. this message appeared and none of the autostart applications started.

I then tried to start them manually, but same problem occurred.

This must be the new patches doing this i though, so I opened add/remove programs, to uninstall them, but I got a dll error this time also (but another one).

I then was going to check the application log, but do you think the management console opened...no.

File browsing, IE, Outlook all works, but no system programs, like regedit, management console etc.

I browsed to WINNT catalog and did the uninstall of the patches from there, rebooted and got same message.

I have now tried to fix this problem for 13 hours, without luck.

I have looked through every article on the internet (sure feels like it), but nothing have helped me out. Most of the articles about SHLWAPI.DLL is about windows XP SP2 and not W2K Server SP4.

This is what I have done so far:

- Removed new patches and patches 6 months back in time

- Reinstalled SP4

- Reinstalled IE6.x

- Booted to safemode command and replaced the SHLWAPI.DLL with many different versions

Nothing have helped.

I would like to solve the problem without repairing or reinstalling the server, since this will give me loads of other problems.

Also I tried to run the W2K Server CD and do a repair, but after pressing F6 and adding additional RAID controller drivers, the install program tells me that there is no disks to me found.. (first time I have gotten that message).

It can be a virus, but I can't start the antivirus program and I can't run a houscall (since server can't "start" the activex components needed.

I will try to get some sleep now, but this problem really makes me sick.

I know there are many IT peoples here and maybe someone know more about W2K server than I do (I'm more of the 2003 type ).

If someone can help me solve this, you will forever have my respect!

Hope you all understand my English writing, I'm kind of tired now.

Thanks for reading and hoping someone can give me the solution fast

Edited December 6, 2006 by haxzter

[cluberti]

I've seen this happen quite a few times on Win2K after installing IE or shell updates to IE 5.x and IE 6.x versions, and I've never seen anything work other than rolling back the updates and crossing your fingers (it does work sometimes, if you haven't messed with the system too much since the errors started) or doing a repair install to replace the files and registry information.