Epson Driver and Missing Shell.dll

[Guest]

Trying to install driver for new Epson printer - keep getting Missing
Shell.dll message. Have done the following:
sfc/scannow - asked to insert XP disc, got message stating disc is for
previous, outdated version (have a Dell - will never buy another one again!)
Checked files - have shell.dll in System folder and System 32 folder
Have Zone Alarm as firewall, Ran Webroot Spysweeper, Spybot, Panda Active
Scan-no problems found
Tried downloading shell.dll file from recommened website in other posting -
didn't fix problem
Please Help - am going Bonkers!!!

 

[Kevin]

Your XP disk is for what "previous, outdated version" of what? Did you get
the driver from the Epson website?

 

[Guest]

I have a Dell computer which means I don't have a Windows XP disc, I have a
'recovery' disc for Windows. When I put said disc in the drive I get a
startup screen which has options - when I click on any of the options, I get
this "outdated version" message regarding the version of Windows on the disc
vs. what I have on the computer. Dunno why this is and I'm going to try
AGAIN today to get thru to Dell. As for the Epson driver, I've tried both
the driver on the disc provided and the driver download from the Epson
website.

 

[Guest]

Update:
Just contacted Dell and found out how to use sfc /scannow with recovery disc
(put disc in first, then do sfc . . .) - this did not fix the problem. Am
now contacting Epson again - after the Shell.dll error message I get a "Can't
run 16-bit Windows program" window stating cannot find file
D:\Printer\English\SETUP.EXE - seems to me Epson has the problem - maybe
their drivers are not compatible with the recent big Windows update???

 

[Guest]

Another Update:
Tried un-installing SP2 then installing the printer driver - same problem so
I contacted Epson and was snottily informed that this is an OS problem.
Wheee - this is fun. Epson says OS, Dell says Epson, these Microsoft news
postings seem to point to Epson who says it's an OS - oh right! I already
said that.
I have 14 days to return my Epson printer and suffer the 15% re-stocking
fee. Will check back later to see if anyone has a solution.

 

[DL]

The msg re 'Can't run 16bit etc' has numerous responses on the MS knowledge
base.
Try installing printer in safe mode.

 

[Guest]

Tried installing in Safe Mode - same problem.
Still looking thru MS knowledge base articles - most of them are waaaay over
my head.
Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[DL]

I had a similar prob. (16bit etc, when trying to install) I used msconfig
and stopped all start-ups, then on Services Tab, hid all MS, stopped the
rest.
Rebooted, the app then ran.
On further investigation, a tedious process, I found one start up app, that
when uninstalled, was the culprit.
Its unlikely to be either an Epson or Win problem, other than there is a
conflict on yr sys.
You can always use MS email tech support, its free and they're quite
helpful - the specific 'can't run....' is the crucial bit.

 

[Guest]

Okay - if I want to stop the start-ups . . . (this is new to me)
msconfig
Start-ups tab - Disable All
Services tab - Hide all Microsoft Services then Disable All
Reboot
What will I see on my monitor when I re-boot - will there still be Windows?
I'm assuming I then insert Epson CD and follow the prompts?
Reboot
msconfig and undo above?
Thanks!