Explorer Will Not Start-missing Shlwapi.dll

I recently downloaded windows 98 updates and when I restarted the computer it was unable to load explorer.exe because SHLWAPI.DLL was missing. The message tells me to reinstall windows. Can this problem be corrected without reloading windows?

 

First restart your computer again. I've had this problem after downloading updates and sometimes restarting more than once will clear it up. If the problem persists then click on Start > Find and search for the missing dll. It should be located in the C:\Windows\System folder. Lets verify its really missing. If its missing then place your Windows CD in the cd rom and extract the missing dll to the System folder and reboot.

-John

EDIT: I placed my Windows CD in the cd rom and tried to extract the file so I could tell you how to in case you didn't know. Seems I forgot how or am doing something wrong. (Not unusual for me). Hopefully, someone will come along and help us both.

-Embarressed John

 

Only problem is that explorer does not come up at all so the option of going the the start up is not possible.

 

Get your 98 Startup disk and place it in your floppy drive then restart your computer. When the menu appears choose " Start computer with CD-ROM support." Insert the Windows98 CD in the cd drive. Type Exit and then press enter, and follow the instructions on the screen. Remember to extract the missing .dll file to the C:/Windows/System folder. Remove the disks and restart your computer.

-John

 

Restoring from the Win CD will give you the wrong version of the file but it will get you going, if you have IE 5.5 SP2 or IE6 SP1.
http://www.dll-files.com/dllindex/dll-files.shtml?shlwapi will give you Version 4.70.1155, and is dated in the year 96, it may not work at all.
The correct version for IE6 SP1 is 6.00.2800.1226. You will need to reinstall IE, not a big problem if you just installed it, as the files are located in C:\Windows Update Setup Files.
But before you can reinstall IE, let's get windows up and running. Boot with a start floppy, choose CD-Rom support. Watch the screen for the drive letter for the CD, it will be that last thing that appears, and use that letter in place of the X below, it will not be the normal letter. It may be E: Insert the Win CD and type in these commands, pressing Enter at the end of each line:
c:
cd\windows\system
extract /y X:\win98\win98_41.cab shlwapi.dll
Remove floppy and press CTRL+ALT+DEL to reboot.
If you do not have a start floppy, go to Bootdisk's and get the file for 98. Do not copy the file to a floppy and expect it to work. Double click the downloaded file with a floppy in the drive and one will be created for you.

If you choose to go with the downloaded file [I wouldn't], you will need this command to copy it.
copy a:\shlwapi.dll c:\windows\system

Dopey, I do not understand your exit command. If you boot off the floppy and use the exit command, you are trying to exit the current command processor [command.com] and return to the previously loaded command.com. But that would be impossible since you have only one loaded at this time.
Yes, you can have more than one command.com loaded in dos. Try this, open a dos window, and then type in Command and press Enter. Then enter in "Mem /C" and you will see two Command.Com's there. Then do the Exit command, and you will have the dos window still open, as you exited the newer command.com and returned to the previous command.com, do the exit again and the dos window closes.

 

From my experience with this problem in the past, re-install of Windows is the better way to go.

This may well be a case of Versonitus which is best cured by a re-install.

This was a quite commom problem for me in the original 98.

Never had the problem in 98SE.

If this is not an OEM machine. ( HP, Dell etc. )

Boot to the Startup disk with CD support.

Type [cdrom letter ]:\Win98\setup and make sure Windows goes back into the existing folder.

For example: E:\Win98\Setup

If it is an OEM then things may have to be done differently.

I also do not understand why the reference to EXIT by dopey when booting to the SUD.

I am also wondering what instructions are being referred to ?

BillyBob

 

As a simpler option, before re-installing Windows, try renaming your autoexec.bat and config.sys files. These files are used mainly for old DOS compatibility, and are not necessary for Windows. At the DOS prompt, type "ren autoexec.bat autoexec.old ", then "ren config.sys config.old ". This simply renames the files so that Windows doesn't run them while booting. If this fixes the problem, then opne the files in a text editor (eg Notepad) and post the results here so we can decide where the problem is.

If, on the other hand, this makes things worse, then simply go back to the Dos prompt, and reverse the ren command (i.e. "ren config.old config.sys ").

The reason I mention this is because I had some VHF radio programming software that required it's own config.sys settings. Whenever I ran it, it would overwrite the existing config.sys file, and rebooting the computer would simply reload the program. It was very annoying until I figured out what the probelm was.

 

I couldn't remember how to extract a file from dos. I've always used the System File Checker to do this. I searched Google for an answer and posted what I found. Might have been an old site, I didn't check for a date. Never having used this option I didn't question the Exit.

Gary247 emailed me through this board and told me all he was getting when he started his computer was a blue screen and the error message. I told him he should have said so on his post, but went ahead and told him to reinstall. Also told him to post his results here afterwards.

-John

 

I would be willing to bet that the site you refer to was referring to the MS DOS mode arrived at from restarting Windows in the MS DOS mode. That does require "EXIT." So does the MS DOS Prompt.

Some of that type of site are VERY misleading.

Some sites seem to think that all four DOS points are they same. They are not.

A DOS boot from the Startup Disk. Should be nothing from the HD loaded.

The Command Prompt from the F8 Menu. A couple of Windows files load here. PLus anything needed by any software. ( which may cause confusion for an Windows install/reinstall.

MS DOS Mode. Part of Windows is still running ( COMMAND )

MS DOS Prompt. All of Windows is running.

They all have different capabilities. The Command Prompt from the F8 Menu is as close to pure DOS as you will get when booting from the HD.

A boot from the 98 Startup Disk is straight DOS.

But the Command prompt from the F8 menu at bootup or bootup from the floppy "EXIT" will get you nowhere other than maybe an error message.

BillyBob

 

Billy Bob: I was also under the impression that all dos points were the same or very close to the same.

Dos boot from startup disk - pure dos.

MS-Dos mode - I thought was pure dos. Didn't know part of Windows was running.

MS-Dos prompt - Again I thought pure dos was running while All of Windows was running. (If I only had a brain!) I should know Dos and Windows can't run together. Also I can't ever remember using this option. I've only used the other three. But I understand now that this option is very limited compared to the others.

The Command prompt from the F8 menu - I thought was the same as from the startup disk. Just with options instead of having to type commands.

But I did think the EXIT command was the way out of dos(all of them) unless you give another command like "Win" to return to Windows. I thought using the exit command would return you to windows or continue to load windows reguardless of which dos option you were using.

But if the exit command is only for MS-Dos mode and prompt, then the only way to exit the other two are by using what? Choice commands such as choosing 1 for normal mode in the F8 command prompt? My usage of dos is limited. The only time I've used dos from a startup disk was when I formated and reinstalled. Mostly I use the 'Restart in MS- Dos mode from the Start>Run when I need to get to dos and type 'Win' to exit so Windows will load.

I have a question which relates to this post concerning finding files on the Win disk. I inserted my Win98 disk in the drive and using the Find function from the start menu, I tried to find the shlwapi.dll file (which Gary247 posted as having lost)under Named: and I couldn't find it. After having no result there I used the containing text and typed in the dll there. The search took longer but still I came up empty. How do you located certain files on this disk? I remember using the system file checker to extract one once but cant remember if I can use that to search for a file.

I'd also like to take the time to say that I do post replies to some of the posts when I think I can help someone. Some were off base but not to the extent where the one in need of help would cause worse problems if followed my suggestion(s). I'm not here to cause problems for anyone. I am trying to increase my knowledge and have found reading the responses posted here, and posting responses, helps me understand more. Plus you guys seem to be more tolerant of others than some of the other boards I've checked out. For that I'm grateful. I know I'll never be as knowledgeable as most of you are, but I do want to learn more. Thanks.

-John

 

This is the impression that some sites give.

I am printing out your last reply so I can follow it better.

But I have to go out for a couple of hours but will rely later.

BillyBob

 

OK I am back.

Yes/ The Startup Disk is DOS. Gaet out any way you wish.

The Command prompt is pretty much DOS other than a couple of Windows files ( I believe ifshlp.xxx is one of them ). And any paramaters for any software are also loaded. This makes it tough on a re-install when booting from the HD. RAM IS NOT CLEAN. But is a full functional DOS. Your choice of a way out. Reboot, Cntrl-Atl.Del, Reset or just shut the machine down.

The MS DOS Prompt is limited. to get out of it PROPERLY requires "EXIT. "

Now the MS DOS Mode is a whole DIFFERENT ballgame.

I gotta start a 98SE machine to check out as I go here .

Normally when you select restart in MS DOS Mode the Machine reboots. And reboots again when EXIT it typed. ( safest way )

Also in the config.sys there may be a CDROM Device Driver loaded. This can stop Windows from picking up the CDROM properly ( if at all )

Now another file comes into play. The DOSSTART.BAT where the Mouse and CDROM are quite often loaded. And when it gets booted and you type EXIT you get the message Windows is restarting.

In the root folder of the C: drive there may be two sets of Autoexec,bat and config.sys files. One set will have the extention .DOS. When you select MS DOS Mode it can become a DUAL BOOT between two OS. This causes the renaming of the two file mentioned above. And when you exit they are renamed again.

If you just reset or CNTRL-ATL-DEL they may not get renamed properly and you can be stuck in the MS DOS Mode.

Depending on how a shortcut ( .PIF ) is set up for a DOS program depends what happens next.

If the .PIF is set to SUGGEST MS DOS Mode then the machine unsally does not reboot.

But if it is set to use MS DOS then the Dual Boot part comes in. If the same Autoexec and config sys are being used it is usually not much trouble. But if the .PIF is set up to use a different set of files then it can be BIG trouble. Then you may more than two sets of files in the Root Folder.

If you type "WIN" to get out of the MS DOS mode than you are more than likely using the same set of files for both WIN & DOS. It may work but must admit that I never used it.

But again MANY. MANY sites just say MS DOS Mode with no reference to WHICH ONE.

Did you point it to the Win98 Folder on the CD ? Otherwise it won't find it.

SFC must also be pointed to the Win98 Folder on the CD. Or to the folder that contains the setup files on the HD.

Well now I have my shopping done and this reply made I go feed the tummy.

BillyBob

 

Typing 'Win' to get out of MS-DOS doesn't seem to me to restart the computer, but rather it continues loading Windows from where it left off before getting to dos. That's how it seems to me, but I could be wrong. I understand about the .pifs and their relationships with dos. Somewhat. When I wrote a batch file and created a shortcut for it the shortcut wouldn't work at first. Some minor studing on this set me right.


As far as the find function goes, no I had it pointed to Windows98(D). After reading your last post I browsed and pointed to the win98 folder and did a search. Placing the file name under NAME didn't find anything, but when I put the file name under Containing Text: it was found with no problem. So thanks for getting me in the right direction there. I assumed that having it pointed to the D drive it would search all files on the disk.

Also much thanks for taking the time to explain the dos. It really helps.

-John


EDIT: Getting back to the original problem that Gary247 has/had.
He couldn't extract any file without doing so from dos. How is this accomplished? Especially when you don't know where the file is located on the disk?

-John

 

That does make sense as the file is in a .cab file.

But as far as the MS DOS mode goes it does depend as lot on the setting of the shortcut ( .PIF )

I fought with many of them way back in the early days of 95 and 98.

I also lost a few battles and found myself stuck in the MS DOS Mode.

As far as taking time goes, I have plenty of it and enjoy doing it.

BillyBob.

 

extract /y /a e:\win98\win98_21.cab shlwapi.dll
The /y tells Extract to overwrite an existing file.
The /a tells Extract to process every file after that one , until shlwapi.dll is found. Extract will accept wildcards. If went to extract *.dll, you get all the DLL files starting in win98_21.cab and the next numerical sequential file, until all are cab files are processed with a beginning name of Win98_

 

Thanks Billy Bob.

Markp62: So in order to extract a file from the disk in dos I would have to know exactly where the file is located on the disk right? Like in the previous example of shlwapi.dll, I would have to know that this file is located in the Win98 folder under .cab 21? Or is there a way I can use dos to search the disk to find a specific file before I extract it? I mean, if I didn't know that shlwapi.dll was located in the .cab 21 and I needed to extract it how could I find it using only dos?
Thanks,

-John

 

First off unless I missed it ( which is entirely possible ) I see no meantion of which version of 98 is being used. I does make a difference.

The original Win98. The original with SP1 added. Or 98SE.

I believe the better way to find a file is to use Explorer and do a find for "containing ABCD.EFG" in the Win98 Folder.

I suggest thiis because the fle may not be in the same .cab file on all Versions of Win98 CDs.

And if looking for the file with ME it would be Win9x folder on the CD.

And if the original Win98 has had the SP1 CD installed then it is another story also. I just looked at said CD and it is much different.

If SP1 has been added then for sure you do not want individual files from the original.

Also the original 98 is not 2K compatable. SP1 makes it that way

SE very nicely took care of both of those problems. It is all on one CD.

And in the case of the shlwapi.dll it may not even be that file that is the probelm. The error message may just be saying that it is incompatable with something. It may not even be missing. Just the wrong version of it or some other file.

There is no one file that works alone in Windows. There is often several others that it depends on or depend on it.

Replacing just one file because of the error message can ( and has ) lead to worse problems.

I had all kinds of this type of problem until I put SE over the original. A lot of problems disappeared then.

BillyBob

 

I understand what you are saying BillyBob but it doesn't answer my question.

Lets say I have the same problem that Gary247 had when he first posted. I start my computer and Windows won't load. All I get is a blue screen with the error message that shlwapi.dll is missing and I need to reinstall Windows. He, Gary247, wanted to know if there was another way to replace the file without having to reinstall. Me too, but I can't get to Windows, no Safe Mode, nothing. My only option to replace the file without reinstalling is to extract the file from the disk while in dos. What I want to know is how can I, if I can, find the file first before I extract it? It doesn't matter which opperating system is being used since I have the disk for that system.

Markp62 suggested that I use the following to extract:

extract /y /a e:\win98\win98_21.cab shlwapi.dll

But that will only work if I know where the missing file is located on the disk. I'm asking my question under the pretense that I don't know where the file is located. While in dos, is there a way to search the disk for the needed file before I extract it?

Markp62 explained in his earlier post that the /a from above would tell extract to process every file after that one until shlwapi.dll was found. I forgot to ask him to define "process. "
By "process" does that mean that extract is searching for the file?
If so, then Markp62 has already answered my question but I'm too dense to realize it. But by the above command given the part I'm having trouble with is \win98_21.cab. To me this assumes I know that the file I'm looking for is in the 21.cab. But my question is under the assumption that I don't know where it is located. Would this work:

extract /y /a e:\win98\shlwapi.dll, since, supposedly, I don't know where the file is located? Would this find the file for me since I don't know where it is?

Hope I'm not too confusing.....

-John