Just when things were going swimmingly……………OK, so this time it’s a DLL problem, maybe a big one - specifically “A required DLL file MSVBVM50.DLL” is missing and that seems to have caused a range of things like the printer, ZoneAlarm, OutLook Express and a webcam to not exist.
A couple of days ago the Scan Disk froze on 16% and nothing would shift it. I finally came across a MacFee reboot programme on an old floppy and it worked like a dream and cleaned up a lot of minor glitches - except I seems to have done something with this DLL (uninstalled it ? - I really hope not)
I went to the MS Knowledge Base and this particular DLL came up as being contained in the following:
MSVBVM50.cab File
Contents of win98.35 cab File
Contents of win98.37 cab File
This DLL seems to be cross-wired around win98 so I’m thinking it might be a re-installation jobbie. A lot of functions have gone awol and I really need them back. Anyone have any suggestions before I reach for the hard liquor ?
London, I hope someone else knows what I’m talking about, because I’m seriously bandwidth challenged right now and can’t find the links I need off the top of my head.
Recently, a number of tech sites have claimed that the w9x installation fails to load a number of needed dlls during installation. Instead, it directs various systems to a larger multi-purpose dll file. Cynical tech-writers claim that this is a built-in trick so that an MCSE can waltz into an office, install the necessary dlls off of the w9x disc, and speed up a system noticeably.
There are dissenters, so don’t take my word for it.
Whether or not that is true, several of these guides show some pretty trick ways to get a dll where it belongs quickly and painlessly, which sounds like what you want. I’ll find it for you tomorrow if nobody else coughs up the goods.
That’s your Visual Basic 5.0 Runtime libraries LC.
Here’s a link where you can get them (you may want to find Visual Basic 6 runtimes too): Enjoy!.
Oh and yes I’ve read all of that Sofa King, the fact of the matter is they don’t install some DLLs by default and you don’t really need them for the most part. Some people install the “missing” drivers and it improves their system, and some people experience problems. Click here for a summary as well as how to install these files yourself (warning: somewhat advanced). Also, check out the FORUMS at the bottom of the second page.
Holy Smoke guys! If a proper grown up geek is telling me this is “somewhat advanced” I’m hesitant to even click on the link.
OK, I did. The way it’s comprehensively and clearly explained makes it sound almost idiot proof, which it seriously needs to be. I think I’ll leave this for the morning (clearer head) but I do plan to try it.
Thank you both very much for the input and great link!!
One more question: If I blow this, what the worst case scenario guys ?
Sorry, one more question. Mr Sheepshead, when I first went to the Knowledge Base I could only find references to VB (as you mention) but the second time I did find the Win98 stuff. Before I go ahead, can you confirm that the problems I’m having - apparent non-installation of software - are related to this particular Win98 DLL file ?
I’d just hate to do this and find the problem lies elsewhere.
Mr. Sheepshead is the guy to ask, here, but I found this tidbit:
“Msvbvm50.dll This is a .zip file containing Msvbvm50.dll, a dynamic link library file that some systems may require to run 3dchess.exe. Place it in your \WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory. As far as I know, Win95 comes with this file; WinNT doesn’t.” From: http://freespace.virgin.net/richard.goode/3dchess/download.htm
So I got to wondering, “just how old was that disk you used?” Then I found this on another page:
“1. Necessary library for VB v.5.0 in SYSTEM folder of Windows is c:\windows\system\msvbvm50.dll. It is present in Windows98. In the other operation system you must be sure that msvbvm50.dll of 05.00.4319 (SP2) version in SYSTEM folder is present .”
What mean this Sofa King not know. Only overclock computer for games. But it seems like there are different versions of this file. Perhaps your old floppy installed an old version of that dll, and now some of your programs are choking on it. Listen to me: “maybe it’s the power trying to come back on…” Hell, I wouldn’t trust me on that.
Anyway, a search for this file on google yields loads of hits. Make no mistake, I’m using the holistic approach to software maintenance here. Many of the sites I found offer the file itself as a .zip or an executable. Convenient, but sort of like a guy on the street offering you a needle for that necessary insulin shot. I advise caution.
Another way to get this DLL file is to install any program compiled in Visual Basic. MSVBVM50.DLL is a shared file for all VB programs, and if it is not registered on your computer, the installation will add it to the System Registry for you automatically.
Sofa King - I hear you. But that link to a zip file sure looks tempting - thanks for that.
Starbury - This also sounds good. How do I spot a programme compiled in VB ?
handy - You pointed me toward SFC once before so I tried to run the first (of two) option ‘Scan for altered files’ but this comes up:
'SFC cannot check the following folders
CKWINDOWS\SYSTEM\VIEWERS
The reported error is267. The directory name is invalid’
However, the second option affords this possibility::
‘Extract one file from installation disk’
I’ve looked through and couldn’t see where this DLL might be and also did a search to no avail.
These options all sound promising. I’ve postponed an attempt to get this sorted until tonight in the hope that one option might emerge as favourite.
You could download this, though to be honest I have not tried it. Basically, I just did a quick search on Google for “VB Programs”…anything that you find in the search that is in a zip format (and is ‘compiled’, rather than ‘source code’), should work. Just get one, unzip it, and run whatever .exe file that is unzipped. Hopefully that will solve your problems.
Lots o’ stuff flying around now! I hope this gets to you in time LC, because I realized I might have sent you in the wrong direction inadvertantly…
I didn’t mean for you to do the second half of my post (everything related to the second link). I added it because as I was previewing my response to you (to install the VB5 runtimes), Sofa King mentioned that technique (which doesn’t apply to your problem) so I thought I’d divulge a little info on that too. I’m sorry I didn’t make this more clear in my post!
All I meant for you to do was install those VB5 runtime libraries and see what that fixed.
Also, StarBury when you say that running any VB program will install the file. I write stuff in VB and I never include that file in ZIPs. The purpose of the runtimes is to save the end-user (which would be LC) download time, by only having to download common files (the DLL) once. And for that matter, if this method works, I can provide you with something definitely compiled in VB5 or VB6, but I honestly don’t understand what you mean StarBury!
Anyway install the runtimes, see what happens.
[QUOTE] Originally posted by Mr. Sheepshead *
**
Also, StarBury when you say that running any VB program will install the file. I write stuff in VB and I never include that file in ZIPs. The purpose of the runtimes is to save the end-user (which would be LC) download time, by only having to download common files (the DLL) once. And for that matter, if this method works, I can provide you with something definitely compiled in VB5 or VB6, but I honestly don’t understand what you mean StarBury!*
No…I said to install any program compiled in VB. When you run the package and deployment wizard within Visual Studioe(to create the .cab files), this dll is included in the first .cab. (I think its under setup.lst…I don’t really remember).
Anyway, all VB programs require this .dll to run. The installation program that the P&D Wizard creates will check to see if this dll is already registered on his computer…if its not, the dll will then be registered.