Laptop Crash, please help.

[samn01]

Ahhhh...it could not get any worse. I just rebooted after installing a webcam and I have an error message

A required DLL file, C:WindowsSystemSHWAPI.DLL, was not found

And when I OK it I get another message:
Error loading Explorer.exe you must reinstall windows

And then it freezes.

The laptop is a packard bell running ME.

Any ideas? It has worked with almost no bother at all for nearly 2 years and then this.

It has a systems restore feature but as I cant get past this message I cant access it.
I dont have a windows disk as ME was pre loaded.

What can I do?

Sam

[watkid]

Cant you start it in safe mode and uninstall the updates you installed?

[lotusfan]

you could update the op system to XP, the upgrade wont affect your data unless you tell it to remove the partition or format it
(if the laptop an handle XP)

[samn01]

Thanks guys

I dont know how to start it in safe mode?

Is upgrading to xp the only answer?

Sam

[Plotloss]

To get it into safe mode hit F8 after the screen with all the drive gubbins disappears.

When its in safe mode run scanreg /fix

Usually cures all install ills in ME

What I think has happened is that something in the registry has been cream cracked by the webcam install. Not neccesarily because of it but just at the same time.

>> Edited by Plotloss on Wednesday 28th April 09:32

[samn01]

Unfortunatly I have just tried that and I get the same error messages even in safe mode

Any other ideas of is it off to PC world for a copy of XP for me?

[Plotloss]

www.dll-files.com/dllindex/dll-files.shtml?shlwapi

Download a new copy and stick it in c:\windows\system32

Is the laptop on a network?

If not, this in itself could prove tricky unless you resort to the DOS shell...

[pdV6]

If Matt's suggestion doesn't work, obtain an install CD for ie6 (usually on most magazine cover disks) if you don't already have one and reinstall ie.

[samn01]

Not a network as such, no.
How do I install it though the DOS shell?

Sam

[samn01]

Reinstall IE ???

Now you have lost me

Sam

[Plotloss]

There used to be, and I have a sneaking suspision that ME doesnt, a DOS prompt only setting along with safe mode.

If you can get to that you should be able to copy the file from a floppy to the destination location through DOS.

copy a:\filename.ext c:\windows\system32

[samn01]

Thanks Plotloss very helpful as ever. I will give it a go now !!

[pdV6]

samn01 said:

Reinstall IE ??? Now you have lost me Sam

Internet Explorer.

Will sort out the problems with shlwapi.dll. Honest.

[samn01]

Plotloss you were right in that I cant get to a DOS prompt.

I am pissed off now big time. I can't believe I am going to have to spend c£180 just to get a copy of xp for a 2 year old laptop Maybe I am better off getting a new one for c£450.

I am pi$$ed off!

Thanks for all your help anyway guys!

Sam

[Plotloss]

Sam, is it urgent?

2000 could avail itself you see...

[malman]

Does it have a floppy drive? If so you could try going to www.bootdisk.com and create yourself a boot floppy that will get you to a DOS prompt. From there you can replace the file if it truly is missing by just copying it on.

As you don't have winME disk I'm sure some kind soul could mail you a copy of the file. Unfortunately I don't have any ME machines under my control.

HTH

[Jay-Aim]

I've just had the same problem on a Win 98 machine

How bizarre

I think it's microsoft. Last thing I did was to check for updates on their website but didn't download any as I didn't have the time thinking I'll do it tomorrow

[samn01]

OK, I have got the boot disk - Thanks!
Got a comand prompt, changed disk, copied the file.
received a 1 file copied message. switched power off and on and received the same error messages as before???

Am I doing something wrong???

Sam

[Plotloss]

Now this could be my fault.

Have you copied it to C:\Windows\System or C:\Windows\System32?

[samn01]

God knows what is going on now: once I had copied the shlwapi.dll driver it was missing the Comctl32.dll then I copied that and now it says
The shell.32.dll file is linked to missing export Shlwapi.dll:shcreatestreamonfilea
I have downloaded and replaced shell32.dll and now the error reads

Shell32.dll is linked to missing export SHLWAPI.DLL:SHRegGetUSValueA

What the hell???

I have a feeling this is beyod help

>> Edited by samn01 on Wednesday 28th April 13:12