--shell32.dll--

[sdklug]

I was doing a fresh install of Win XP sp1 when I got the error message that
"shell32.dll could not be installed". I retried a couple of times with no
success. I finally did the whole install over and just continued afer the
error message. The install seems to work with the exception of a few
glitches.
What does shell32.dll do and how can I get XP to load it. I checked , and it
IS on the distibution CD.
Dick in San Diego

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Please define "fresh install." If you mean you were doing a new install of
XP SP1 over your current setup, if you have antivirus and firewall
applications running, try turning of those applications before running XP
setup.

If you did a clean install, try the following to resolve the shell32.dll
issue as well as other issues on your setup:
he following assumes you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a restore CD or
restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.

Go to Start, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press enter. Note, there
is a space between sfc and the forward slash. You will be asked for your XP
CD. Be aware, upon inserting the CD the XP setup screen may appear, this is
not a part of sfc /scannow, rather it is being invoked by autorun. Simply
minimize the screen and allow sfc to continue.

If the above fails to resolve the issue, try a repair install as follows:

Be sure you are well backed up in case there is a problem from which you are
unable to recover. NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data
files intact, if something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be
forced to start over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your
data backed up, you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.

Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive, boot with the XP
CD in the drive. If it isn't or you are not sure, you need to enter the
system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter setup press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

 

[Ed]

Michael,
I tried to follow the instructions you left for sdklug,
and after the repair the chosen version happens, there is
a message saying remove any disks from drive A, and reboot
will happen in 14 seconds. I remove my cd and wait for
reboot. After reboot a screen comes up with the collecting
and dynamic update and preparing install all green. The
installing windows screen comes up. A files needed dialog
box pops up and says it needs asms on the xp home cd. Type
path. When I type d: for cd, the disc is not read. I can
not do anything but cancel, and that just aborts the
install. Do I need to do a full install? I hope that will
not wipe out all my previous configurations. Any thoughts?
Ed

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Actually you didn't need to remove the CD. The message only applies to a
disk in the floppy drive. I suspect having removed the CD might have been
the source of the error.

Please check the following Knowledge Base Article:
http://tinyurl.com/2xhn3

 

[Ed]

Thanks for your response. I have tried to repeat the
procedure with the cd in. Same issue. If it boots from the
cd it tries to start the setup again. If it boots from the
hard drive, it goes into the install phase and asks for
that file, which does not seem to access my cd or dvd
drive or c drive if I point the browser to them. Any other
thoughts?
Ed

 

[Ed]

Thank you for your attempts to help me. I really
appreciate your help. I went to the site you suggested.
This is exactly the message I am getting. However, I can
not attempt any of these possible fixes, because I do not
have a windows 98 cd, or ME cd. My computer will not boot
up See my other post: Problem starting computer with
windows xp. In attempting to correct the boot up problem I
am using the xp cd to "repair" the installation. But,
after a reboot the new install does not seem to recognize
my cd drive. Is there any thing else you can think of? Are
you connected to AIM or some other chat for easier
communication? Thanks again,
Ed

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

I don't use chat, sorry.

Please explain, "New install does not seem to recognize CD drive." Do you
mean, you are able to install but after the installation, your CD-ROM drive
is not recognized, in which case you would not be able to boot from the XP
CD to perform a repair install or new install or after installation, your
CD-ROM drive is not recognized?

 

[Ed]

Thanks again.
What I mean by it does not seem to recognize the cd drive
is that after I reboot, I do not choose the cd as the boot
drive,(where the xp cd is) I boot from the c drive. Setup
is resuming screen. Then a list of radio buttons saying
what phase the install in up to. Now it is installing.
Some words scroll telling me that in 39 minutes my
computer will boot up faster and look neater etc. Then an
error box pops up. It says looking for the file asms. When
I choose D: for where the cd is, the D: text blinks, but
no reading of the cdrom drive takes place. This is what I
mean by not seeming to read the cdrom. the 311755 talks
about this problem, but I do not have a window 98 cd to
perform the fix. Any additional help would be appreciated.
ED

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

I still don't understand. Why are you intervening in what should be an
automatic process? If the machine needs to reboot during the install, it
should not need you to tell it where to go, it should simply continue on its
own.