How Do I Fix DLL File Errors on My PC? by Ed Lathrop

A computer error that involves getting a message pop-up about a missing or corrupt dll file can happen for a couple of different reasons. Many times the error can be taken care of without resorting to paying a guy like me a service charge. However, an upfront piece of advice is, getting rid of these types of problems and making sure they don't come back on you, takes a two point attack approach.

When you see the letters dll as a file extension, it means you are dealing with dynamic link library files. These are shared files. What this means is your Microsoft Windows operating system uses dll files and so do other kinds of software that are outside the realm of the operating system. These files include video cards, printer software and sound cards to name a few. You can think of dll files as the place your operating system goes when it needs to talk to the outside world.

Kernel32 and HAL

One common dll error is where the pop-up message reads "Explorer caused an invalid page fault in module Kernel32.DLL." This error is one involving memory access. Another common dll error will give a message about a HAL. DLL being missing or corrupt. The reference to HAL is making reference to the "Hardware Abstraction Layer." This is really a problem way back in the inner circle of the Windows boot sequence. At one time, such a problem would always be caused by a virus. Memory access problems can also be caused by a virus.

These days, most everyone has virus protection installed on his/her computer. If this is the case and you still receive errors involving dll files, the problem probably is registry corruption. However, consider this: Spyware is software that is outside of the operating system and so, it uses dll files to communicate with your operating system. Sometimes a spyware program will embed its own dll. Your computer may interpret this foreign computer file as a dll error of some kind. Add to this fact most virus cleaners do not find and delete all types of spyware and you can see how a dll error could be the result of spyware.

Spyware Does More Than Just Create error Messages

Yes, a dll file error is many times caused by registry corruption and when this is the case removing the corruption will put an end to the error. The problem is sometimes there is a spyware program behind a dll error. If this is the case, cleaning the registry will stop the error message for a while but the error will keep coming back until the offending spyware program is removed.

In the meantime, the spyware can do some horrible things while it is left to communicate with your operating system. It can steal your banking information, passwords and other personal information! This is why I recommend the two point plan of attack for dealing with dll errors.

If you have a computer showing this type of error, first run a spyware scanner. Secondly, you will need to run a registry cleaner because, if it turns out not to be spyware causing the problem, it will almost certainly be registry corruption causing it. However, if you do remove the offending, or any other kind of spyware from the OS, it will leave registry corruption behind and this corruption will have to be cleaned out.

About the Author:

You learned a lot about computer errors and how to properly deal with them. Now find out a lot more about how to get and keep your computer running smooth and fast and how to get a free registry scan at: Registry Fixer. Find out about Microsoft registries and how to get the best out of them at Microsoft Registry Cleaner.
 

Source: http://www.goarticles.com