LAN WorkPlace Replaces Shell.dll File

• Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

After you install Novell LAN WorkPlace and restart your computer, Windows 95 notifies you that the Commdlg.dll, Shell.dll, Toolhelp.dll, and Winhelp.exe file have been replaced and prompts you to replace them. If you click Restore and then log on to the network, you receive a blue error screen and no programs appear in the Close Programs dialog box.

CAUSE

LAN WorkPlace replaces the Shell.dll file without checking its version. Windows 95 requires the correct version of the Shell.dll file and cannot function without it. You can press CTRL+ALT+DEL to open the Close Programs dialog box and shut down Windows 95, but you can do nothing else. Before you extract the files mentioned below rename the existing copies in your Windows directory. This will prevent the files from being overwritten when you extract copies from the CD or floppies.

RESOLUTION

Follow these steps to restore Windows 95 to functionality:

1. Restart your computer. When you see the "Starting Windows 95" message, press the F8 key, then choose Safe Mode Command Prompt Only from the Startup menu.

2. Change to the drive containing your Windows 95 CD-ROM or original disks and type the following commands. If you are using Windows 95 disks, make sure to insert the appropriate disk in the floppy disk drive for each command

         extract precopy1.cab /l <path>\system commdlg.dll
         extract precopy1.cab /l <path>\system shell.dll
         extract win95_03.cab /l <path>\system toolhelp.dll
         extract win95_05.cab /l <path> winhelp.exe
   

   where <path> is the full path for the Windows folder.

MORE INFORMATION

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