A D.L.L. File Is Missing:
Responding to the Alert

Q. My Windows 98 computer keeps giving me an error message about missing D.L.L. files. What should I do?

A. Dynamic link library (D.L.L.) files are small programs that hold information and code used by programs to perform certain tasks efficiently. Windows and Windowsbased programs use them, but things can go awry when a D.L.L. file is damaged in a system crash or is accidentally overwritten by a poorly designed software installer file.

The next time you get a D.L.L.related error message, write down the name or names of the files that Windows is complaining about ' Then you can start tracking down replacement copies and reinstalling them.

Windows 98 comes with a program called System File Checker that you can use to replace damaged or missing Windows system files. Go to the Start Menu, to Programs, then to Accessories, on to System Tools and select System information. Go to the Tools menu and select System File Checker.

The System File Checker will give you two options: "Scan for altered files" or "Extract one file from installation disk." There are also some other options within the System File Checker box that you can use to help fix your system.. If you click on the Settings button, you can have the program check for changed or deleted files, or you can perform a customized search by clicking on the Search Criteria tab.

Click on O.K. once you have made your selections, and then on Start once you are ready to run the File Checker program. You may need to have your original Windows system CD-ROM loaded in case the program needs to extract and reinstall the missing file or files to your operating system.

If the System File Checker does not find anything, the missing files are probably from another program. Uninstalling and reinstalling programs can sometimes fix the missing-D.L.L. message, but you can also try searching for the missing files on the Web. Many help-oriented sites make copies of common D.L.L. files available. (In most cases, you only need to put the new D.L.L. file into the Windows\System folder on your computer.)

The Internet-Help.net site offers a list of sites that keep copies of D.L.L.
files and other resources at www .internet-help.net/DLL-Files.

Windows Me, 2000 and XP guard D.L.L. files more closely with built-in system protections that can help prevent accidental damage.