KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q250542: "Msnls.dll Cannot Be Found" Error Message When Browsing with AOL

Article: Q250542
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): 4.0,5
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kb3rdparty kbenv kberrmsg msient
Last Modified: 10-AUG-2001

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

- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 
- Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 4.0, 5 for Windows NT 4.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

When you browse the Internet with Internet Explorer on your Windows NT-based
computer and America Online (AOL) as your Internet Service Provider (ISP), you
may periodically receive the following error message:

  msnls.dll cannot be found.

Also, the Msnls.dll file cannot be located on your AOL or Windows NT installation
media.

CAUSE
=====

This issue can occur if you are using an out of date version of the AOL
software. Older versions of the AOL software periodically try to use the
Msnls.dll file included with Internet Explorer version 3.x.

RESOLUTION
==========

To resolve this issue, obtain and install version 5.0 (or later) of the AOL
software. For information about how to do so, contact AOL.

NOTE: AOL does not support running the AOL software on Windows NT-based
computers, but the current version of their software does not require use of the
Msnls.dll file.


WORKAROUND
==========

Another way to resolve this issue is to create a "dummy" file. You can create a
"dummy" file and add it to the system directory of NT (normally winnt\system).
To do this, do one of these methods:

1. Create a new file on the system directory of NT:

   - Navigate to and open Notepad on your computer.

   - Add some sample text to the body of the Notepad file.

   - Select File, and save as Msnls.dll.

2. Copy a file to the system directory of NT and rename the file Msnsls.dll.

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kb3rdparty kbenv kberrmsg msient 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbIEsearch kbZNotKeyword2 kbIENT400Search kbIE500Search kbZNotKeyword3 kbIE400WinNT400 kbIE500WinNT400
Version           : :4.0,5
Issue type        : kbprb

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

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.