Corrupt kernel32.dll?

Doyle · Post by **Doyle** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 4:34 am

My parent's eMachine running XP is experiencing some weird problems. Whenever they try to run a CD, an error box pops up saying autorun ran into an entry-point error involving kernel32.dll. The exact error varies from CD to CD, but it's always an entry-point error involving kernel32. Does anyone know what might have happened? I ran a virus check with an up to date NAV 2002(or 03, I forget which one) that came up clean, but does this sound like a virus anyone has heard about? Is there anyway to fix this short of reinstalling windows?

Mad Max RW · Post by **Mad Max RW** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 5:05 am

I remember having a kernel32.dll problem a long time ago with a nasty crash. The only fix was to format the hard drive. There is a page that might help you: http://www.all-windows.com/kernel32.html

If you can't find somekinda fix I'd suggest reinstalling windows.

Mandalorian FaLLouT GoD · Sat Jan 17, 2004 5:49 am

kernel32.dll problems are fun because the only effective way to fix it is to format which makes you lose everything you had on your comp.

i had a site that said there was a way to replace the corrupt kernel32.dll before windows starts up but i cant seem to find the site.

Menno · Post by **Menno** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 7:55 am

How long have you been having this problem? The reason why I ask is that maybe with Windows XP System Restore you'd be able to set your PC back to a time where it was working properly [as long as you haven't been having this problem for months]. System Restore has saved my ass at least twice.

Doyle · Post by **Doyle** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 8:03 am

We tried that, Menno, but for some reason Windows told us we couldn't restore to that date. Tried it with a couple different dates.

Menno · Post by **Menno** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 8:22 am

Doyle wrote:We tried that, Menno, but for some reason Windows told us we couldn't restore to that date. Tried it with a couple different dates.

When you can't use System Restore, the only thing left to do is format your HD. The one time where I wasn't able to use System Restore [to fix a problem similiar to the one you had; I had this error message pop up every single time I started up windows] I called up Dell support, went through several methods to try and fix the problem, but ended up having to reformat once nothing worked. Have you tried doing a Windows Repair with your Windows disc [it re-installs all those windows files and such]? Sometimes it ends up causing more problems; but in your case since you have nothing to lose, it may be worth trying out.

Here's a link to show how to Repair XP:

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm [scroll down to "Repair Install"; and if you do go this route it would be wise to back-up your files anyway]

EDIT: Have you tried using System Restore under Safe Mode?

Doyle · Post by **Doyle** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 8:33 am

Thanks, I'll let my father know about that "repair install" thing.

Haven't tried a safe mode restore, but I'm not confident that it would work either. Previously, the computer gets through the whole thing and then tells us after it rebooted that it didn't complete the restore, which is frustrating.

Menno · Post by **Menno** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 8:37 am

Doyle wrote:Thanks, I'll let my father know about that "repair install" thing.

Haven't tried a safe mode restore, but I'm not confident that it would work either. Previously, the computer gets through the whole thing and then tells us after it rebooted that it didn't complete the restore, which is frustrating.

Alright. Just know that 'Repair Install' can sometimes cause problems of it's own [such as fucking up your modem drivers; make sure you have them ready just in case]. The only thing that would make taking this course of action worth the risk is if you lack the means to backup your entire PC, because with 'Repair Install' you don't lose any of your files.

Silver · Post by **Silver** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 12:26 pm

I've got a bit of hangover and looking at all the previous doesn't make it better. All I know is you can burn everyting to CD BEFORE you format.

This is also why people have 2 Partitions, lets say Drive C and D. If windows screws up, which it will, you can format C and still have D with all the important stuff. Hell been doing that for years, even the shit I install that require windows registry still works, no reinstall's of anything needed (95% that is).

... If you got XP, you can put the CD in in windows and just reinstall, or repair. You DONT loose anything aslong as you REPAIR and dont format.

XP CD boots in 'DOS' before windows too, if your CD drive supports it. In DOS you can even repair.

If you still have to format, make sure you make 2 Partitions after, not that hard. You only need a Windows ME Bootflop (wich is prolly the best, hate to say it), I had problems with the 98SE one, cause I had a too big hard drive, ME version didn't).

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

Goodluck.

Megatron · Post by **Megatron** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 1:50 pm

Is there any-way to make a partition after you have stuff on your hd?

Also: I bought my computer from a shop, but they didn't give me any of the software discs for it (Windows XP). So I can't format. I've thought of asking for it, but chances are they'd just ask me too take my computer into there shop so they can do it, so fuck that. I'll ask before the warranty runs out though, but do I have the right to own the disc since I already payed for it?

Silver · Post by **Silver** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 10:30 pm

You should ask there policy, most stores dont give a hell about windows keys and stuff, they really don't and they tell you honestly.

There is software to partition after, partition magic or something, but it can fuck up, then again your more then likely already screwed, just READ all you can before you partionize the new space.

Doyle · Post by **Doyle** » Sun Jan 18, 2004 1:36 am

Thanks for your help, everyone. The repair install seems to have done the trick.

Stainless · Post by **Stainless** » Sun Jan 18, 2004 11:56 am

I do the same with my drives, Silver. Although I lost both HDD at the same time, once.