PRB: Error "...MSVCRT20.DLL is not compatible with Win32s"

• The C Run-time (CRT) included with: - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Edition, versions 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 4.0, 4.1

SYMPTOMS

When running a Win32-based application that was linked with MSVCRT.LIB on Win32s, a message box titled "MSVCRT??.DLL for Win32" displays the message "Error: This version of MSVCRT??.DLL is not compatible with Win32s" where ?? specifies the runtime version. The application terminates following this message.

CAUSE

There are two versions of each MSVCRT??.DLL -- one for Win32s and one for Windows NT/Windows 95. If you use the wrong version on Win32s, the error described above occurs.

The following is a list of Visual C++ versions and the runtime DLLs that are included with them:

   Visual C++ File                         Size       Date / Time
   ---------- ---------------              --------   -----------
     2.0      WIN32S\REDIST\MSVCRT20.DLL   237,568    09-12-94 / 7:00a
     2.0      MSVC20\REDIST\MSVCRT20.DLL   243,200    09-12-94 / 8:00a

     2.1      WIN32S\REDIST\MSVCRT20.DLL   244,736    01-20-95 / 9:46a
     2.1      MSVC20\REDIST\MSVCRT20.DLL   250,368    01-20-95 / 9:45a

     2.2      WIN32S\REDIST\MSVCRT20.DLL   244,736    01-20-95 / 1:46a
     2.2      MSVC20\REDIST\MSVCRT20.DLL   253,952    02-23-95 / 11:32a

     4.0      WIN32S\DEBUG\MSVCR40D.DLL    437,760    09-29-95 / 9:33p
     4.0      WIN32S\REDIST\MSVCRT40.DLL   320,000    09-29-95 / 9:35p
     4.0      MSDEV\DEBUG\MSVCR40D.DLL     439,296    09-29-95 / 9:25p
     4.0      MSDEV\REDIST\MSVCRT40.DLL    312,832    09-29-95 / 10:06p

     4.1      WIN32S\DEBUG\MSVCR40D.DLL    439,296    02-14-96 / 4:43p
     4.1      WIN32S\REDIST\MSVCRT40.DLL   332,048    02-07-96 / 3:24a
     4.1      MSDEV\DEBUG\MSVCR40D.DLL     444,928    02-19-96 / 5:05P
     4.1      MSDEV\REDIST\MSVCRT40.DLL    326,656    02-19-96 / 5:03p

RESOLUTION

On the Visual C++ product CD, you will find the Windows NT/Windows 95 version of the runtime DLL in the MSVC20\REDIST or MSDEV\ directories shown above and the Win32s version of the runtime DLL under the WIN32S\ directories shown above. The files that end with the letter "D" are the debug versions of the libraries which are accompanied by a debug info file that has the same name and a ".PDB" file extension.

You should ship both release versions of the runtime DLL with your application if it is to be run under Win32s. Your setup program should detect which platform you are installing the application under and copy the appropriate DLL. Install the Win32s version in the WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory of your Windows or Windows for Workgroups machine.

MORE INFORMATION

A similar error occurs if the Win32s version of MSVCRT??.DLL is used on a Windows NT machine or a Windows 95 machine. The error's title is "MSVCRT??.DLL for Win32s," and the message is:

   Error: This version of MSVCRT??.DLL is only intended for Win32s.

Keywords          : CRTIss W32s kberrmsg
Version           : 2.0 2.1 2.2 4.0 4.1
Platform          : NT WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbprb
Solution Type     : kbworkaround