Netscpe has caused error in xpcom.dll...

I have had Netscape 7.0 and it worked well. I got a popup while opening the browser that said I could upgrade to 7.1, so I tried. I use cable, so the dl was rapid, and the installation went OK. However, when it closed, the message came up: "Netscp has caused an error in xpcom.dll. Netscp will now close. If you continue to experience problems, try restarting the computer." I did. No change. I reinstalled. Same error. I used Add/Remove to remove Netscape 7.1, reinstalled and got the same. I find some references to Mozilla and a conflict with 7.*, but I have no separate Mozilla installed on my computer. I have the reference to "Performing a 'clean' install..." What will determine if this is what I need to do? There are other references to separate installation procedures. Is there a simplier fix? If not, "bite it and go" must be the word. I use WinME. IE6 is my default browser, and I use Eudora for mail, so I do not have much I need to save in Netscape in the way of addresses, etc. I am the only one using the program and computer. Thanks for your assistance.

 

Welcome to the Forum, jgb38018!

Hi jgb38018,

Both Microsoft and Netscape have looked into this problem with ZLIB.DLL, a common file that can cause the XPCOM error, especially after installing SP1 for XP.

Use the WINDOWS "Find" feature, or look for the file in the Windows XP or NT directory (folder). If found, rename to ZLIB_DLL.BAD. Try installing NS again.

Post back if you continue to have problems.

Ramona

 

Thanks for the reply. I use WinME, and the only zlib.dll file that I have on my computer is in the program files/OpenOffice/program folder -- or something that reads that way, as I have OpenOffice on my computer. From your post, I understood it to indicate that this file, in the WindowsXP folder, could be the problem. If my zlib.dll file is not in that path, it seems it would not affect my installation. That folder also has an OpenOffice version of this xpcom.dll. What would you suggest under this arrangement? Thanks again for replying.

 

Hi jgb,

O.K., then let's try another approach:

Close Netscape
Open Windows Explorer
Browse to your profile directory
C:\Windows\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\profilename\xxxxxxxx.slt

Delete the following files:
history.dat
history.mab
panacea.dat
Cache folder
Chrome folder
All msf files in the Mail and News Folders
Try to start Netscape

If no joy, then install xpcom.xpi. The file could have become corrupt during the install of Netscape 7.1.

To install xpcom.xpi you must have software installation enabled:
Edit | Preferences | Advanced | Software Installation | Enable Software installation

Once you have installed the xpcom.xpi, then disable the Software installation. This way no program can sneak in updates, etc., without your permission.

Post back and let us know if this solves your problem.

Ramona

 

Again, thanks for the followup. I deleted the sugested files and folders. Netscape gave the same error. I dl'd the xpcom.xpi, but with WinME, where do I find the Edit|preferences... you mention? Is this in XP but not ME? If it is in Netscape, I can not get into it to do this. And what does one do to "Install xpcom.xpi? If I click on it, I am asked what ptogam to use to open it. Is rundll what I would use? Sorry to be so ill advised. Thanks for following this problem with me.

 

Hi jpg,

Of course you can't install the software, via Internet because Netscape won't run.
So sorry...

Try this:
Backup your Profile
Close Netscape & Quick Launch

Uninstall Netscape via Windows Add/Remove.
If you have installed plugins, then backup your plugins folder
Next delete the C:\Program Files\Netscape\Netscape folder
Also delete the C:\Program Files\Common Files\mozilla.org\GRE folder
Next go to C:\WINDOWS\temp
Empty your temp directory. That will get rid of the corrupt XPI file that is causing the problem (the installer doesn't always overwrite existing XPIs in the TEMP directory for some reason).

Reboot your PC

Now try to reinstall Netscape 7.1 using the full install. If you are concerned about the rather serious resource leak in Netscape 7.1, you may wish to either regress to Netscape 7.02, or move to Mozilla 1.4.1 which is the same Gecko engine as Netscape 7.1, but without the Resource Leak. Mozilla 1.5 also has the resource leak fix.

The SillyDog701 Streamline Version, has the option to deselect Mail & Newsgroups:

Download Netscape 7.1
Download Netscape 7.02

Netscape 7.1 FTP Site
Download Mozilla 1.4.1 OR 1.5

Ramona

 

I am working on this and will let you know how this works. I saved the Netscape installation (upgrade to 7.1) on my hard drive, as it suggested I could, but from reading your post, it looks as if I should discard that and dl it from the site you gave me. I will use the 7.02 dl. I do not use Netscape much, but there was a time or so that I could not get IE to function, and I used Netscape to find the problem, as I am using IE now to work out the Netscape difficulty. Again, thanks for your patience.

 

Hi jgb,

The SillyDog701 Netscape 7.02 is quite stable, and without the Mail & Newsgroups, is also a small program, as you have no doubt noticed.

Again:
Backup your Profile
Close Netscape & Quick Launch

Uninstall Netscape via Windows Add/Remove.
If you have installed plugins, then backup your plugins folder
Next delete the C:\Program Files\Netscape\Netscape folder
Also delete the C:\Program Files\Common Files\mozilla.org\GRE folder
Next go to C:\WINDOWS\temp
Empty your temp directory. That will get rid of the corrupt XPI file that is causing the problem
(the installer doesn't always overwrite existing XPIs in the TEMP directory for some reason).

Reboot your PC

Install Netscape 7.02

You shouldn't have any problems, and I hope to hear that your XPCOM problems are over. Thank you for your patience!

Ramona

 

Netscape is now working. Thanks a whole bunch. I used the SillyDog 7.02. The original one I had worked fine, and I wish I had not decided to update the thing. Thnaks again. BTW, I had posted this request on another board, and after three days no one had even replied. Some had looked at it. Your reply came the first day or less from my request. All instructions were easy to understand. I wondered at one time if the XPcom thing was related to WinXP, which I am not using, but it evidently was not.

 

Hi jgb,

Good news! I'm always delighted to hear that a broken Netscape is now up and running!

Come back anytime, as we are always here to give a helping hand.

Ramona