KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q143054: Err Msg: RUNDLL32.EXE Has Caused an Error in COMMCTRL.DLL

Article: Q143054
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:95
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kberrmsg kbtool win95
Last Modified: 17-DEC-2000

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows 95 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

You may receive one of the following error messages and Windows 95 may stop
responding (hang) or run with limited functionality:

- 

  RUNDLL32.EXE has caused an error in COMMCTRL.DLL

- 

  The COMCTL32.DLL file cannot start.

CAUSE
=====

These errors can occur if the Commctrl.dll file is missing or damaged.

RESOLUTION
==========

To resolve this problem, follow these steps:

1. Restart your computer. When you see the "Starting Windows 95" message, press
  the F8 key, and then choose Command Prompt Only from the Startup menu.

2. Type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each line:

  cd \windows\system
  ren commctrl.dll commctrl.old

3. Use the Extract tool to extract the Kommctrl.dll file from the Precopy1.cab
  file on disk 1 of your Windows 95 disks or in the Win95 folder on the Windows
  95 CD-ROM to the Windows\System folder.

  NOTE: The Precopy1.cab file also contains a Commctrl.dll file. This file is
  used only by Setup. If you extract this file instead of the Kommctrl.dll
  file, Windows 95 will not run.

  For information about using the Extract tool, please see the following article
  in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q129605 How to Extract Original Compressed Windows Files

4. Type the following lines, pressing ENTER after each line:

  cd \windows\system
  ren kommctrl.dll commctrl.dll

5. Type the following line, and then press ENTER:

  copy commctrl.dll c:\windows\sysbckup

  When you are prompted to overwrite the existing file, press Y.

6. Restart your computer.

Additional query words: corrupt

======================================================================
Keywords          : kberrmsg kbtool win95 
Technology        : kbWin95search kbZNotKeyword3
Version           : WINDOWS:95

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.