Error Message: Explorer.exe - DLL Initialization Failed...

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you open Control Panel, you may receive the following error message:

Explorer.exe - DLL Initialization Failed Initialization of the
dynamic link library E:\WINNT\System32\RASSCRPT.dll failed.
The process is terminating abnormally.

CAUSE

This error message can occur if Remote Access Service (RAS) or modem files are missing or damaged.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, follow these steps in the order in which they are listed:

Extract New Copies of the RAS Service Files

1. Using Windows NT Explorer, rename the Rascpl.cpl file and Rasscrpt.dll file located in the %systemroot%\system32 folder, where %systemroot% is the folder in which Windows NT is installed. To do so, right-click the file, click Rename, type a new name for the file (such as Rascpl.xxx), and then press ENTER. Repeat this step for each file.



2. At a command prompt, change to the <cd-rom>:\<platform> folder, where <cd-rom> is your CD-ROM drive containing your Windows NT CD-ROM and <platform> is the computer platform you are using. Use the I386 folder for Intel-based computers.



3. To expand a new copy of the Rascpl.cpl file, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
   
   expand rascpl.cp_ %systemroot%\system32\rascpl.cpl



4. To expand a new copy of the Rasscrpt.dll file, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
   
   expand rasscrpt.dl_ %systemroot%\system32\rasscrpt.dll



5. Type "exit" (without quotation marks), and then press ENTER.

Remove the RAS Service

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.



2. Double-click Network.



3. Click the Services tab.



4. Click Remote Access Service, and then click Remove. The following warning message is displayed:
   
   

   WARNING: This action will permanently remove the component from the
   system. If you wish to reinstall it, you will have to restart the
   system before doing so.
   
   Do you wish to continue?




5. Click Yes and then click Close.



6. Restart you computer when you are prompted to do so.

Remove Your Modem

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.



2. Double-click Modems.



3. Click the installed modem or RAS-capable device, and then click Remove.



4. Click Close, and then restart your computer.

Install Your Modem Again

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.



2. Double-click Modems to start the Install New Modem wizard.
   
   NOTE: If another modem is installed in your computer, click Add to start the Install New Modem wizard.



3. Follow the instructions on the screen.

Install the RAS Service Again

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.



2. Double-click Network.



3. Click the Services tab, and then click Add.



4. Click Remote Access Service, and then click OK.



5. Restart your computer when you are prompted to do so.

ARTICLE-ID: Q165418
TITLE : Before Installing a Windows NT Service Pack

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the Windows NT RAS service, click start, click Help, click the Index tab, type "ras" (without quotation marks), and then double-click the "RAS" topic.

If you have problems installing the RAS service, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

ARTICLE-ID: Q162293
TITLE : Troubleshooting RAS Client Issues in Windows NT 4.0

ARTICLE-ID: Q161516
TITLE : Troubleshooting Modem Problems Under Windows NT 4.0

Additional query words:

Keywords : kberrmsg ntras NTSrvWkst
Version : WINNT:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbprb