mcrepair failing to replace oleaut file

i'm in the situation where the incompatible, newer oleaut32.dll has been installed on my windows ME OS, and i've found the mcrepair.exe solution by googling the web.

however, mcrepair is failing to replace the file, even though i tell it that it is ok to replace with an older version. i've tried several times to make sure i've followed instructions properly, and still no sucess.

also, i found the correct version of oleaut32.dll in an archive folder, so i'm wondering, if mcrepair refuses to work, is there some way that i can manually replace the wrong oleaut with the right one? i can't move/rename/etc the wrong one, because windows complains that it is currently in use.

 

Hello miss crocodile and welcome

MS instructions:
How to Extract and Replace a Protected File in Windows Me http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=265371

Regards - Charles

 

thanks for that, i've printed out the instructions, so i can give that a go after i've finished with the internet, and i'll post to say how i went next time i get on the internet.

 

i don't understand the instructions.

for one thing, i don't know how to get into safe mode. i don't know what POST is or looks like. i don't know when i'm supposed to hold down the control key.

for another, if or when i do get into safe mode, i'm unsure about how the instructions are supposed to correlate to what i need to do.

i'm not game to do anything at the moment, but this is what i think i'm supposed to do:

1. start in safe mode (which i don't know how to do, other than by accident)

2-4. start/program/accessories/system tools/system information/tools/system configurration utility/extract file (easy)

5. in extract one file box, type OLEAUT32.DLL, click start (is this right?)

6. in restore from box, type c:\windows\system\sfp\archive (this is where the correct version of oleaut is located on my machine - is this what i'm supposed to do?)

7-8. in save file in box, type c:\ , click ok to extract, and click yes to create folder for extracted file (easy)

9. drag this extracted file to c:\windows\system and yes to overwrite (but why couldn't i have just dragged it directly from sfp\archive? in safe mode of course, since that doesn't work in normal mode)

10 restart (easy)

 

Hi miss crocodile,

Safe Mode only loads basic OS files and not any applications.

To get into Safe Mode:

Tap the F8 key on bootup.

You have a Help and Support feature your system, a lot of these basic terms can be found there and googleing for it is always an option.

Regards - Charles

 

i'm supposed to have a help and support system on my computer. it actually doesn't work anymore, it just freezes up. i don't remember it ever being much help (ie telling me something i didn't already know) when it did used to work anyway.

it doesn't help that the instructions on "how to extract..." told me to hit CTRL instead of F8. i found that out when i DID google for safe mode. but i'm still not entirely clear on exactly when i'm supposed to hit F8 though, and "on bootup" is even less clear than "after computer completes POST ".

is this the right sort of forum for me to be posting in to get help on fixing my computer? i was under the impression that it was, which is why i joined. if i could keep up with all the terminology, then obviously i wouldn't need a forum to interact in, because i would understand the answers i find by googling.

 

ok, that might help, but may i suggest that you provide registering users with a description of what constitutes each level of experience? because actually, i'm an EXPERIENCED computer user, ie i know a couple of programming languages, i used to be employed as an IT professional, i majored in computing at university, etc. however, i recognised that i'm INTERMEDIATE in the context of dealing with operating systems. i don't classify myself as BEGINNER, because to me that would be the typical computer user in the wider community who has absolutely no clue where to even start, and no way would have gotten as far as i had in the first post. so if you expect me to downgrade my ranking to BEGINNER, then are you saying that those whom I would describe as beginners are not welcome here at all?

also, the issue of getting into safe mode is of minor importance to me here. i think i can figure it out now after the initial confusion with the microsoft support file telling me to hit CTRL instead of F8.

what i'm more concerned about, is to get feedback on my interpretation of the instructions i'm supposed to follow in the http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=265371 link:

1. start in safe mode (which i don't know how to do, other than by accident)

2-4. start/program/accessories/system tools/system information/tools/system configurration utility/extract file (easy)

5. in extract one file box, type OLEAUT32.DLL, click start (is this right?)

6. in restore from box, type c:\windows\system\sfp\archive (this is where the correct version of oleaut is located on my machine - is this what i'm supposed to do?)

7-8. in save file in box, type c:\ , click ok to extract, and click yes to create folder for extracted file (easy)

9. drag this extracted file to c:\windows\system and yes to overwrite (but why couldn't i have just dragged it directly from sfp\archive? in safe mode of course, since that doesn't work in normal mode)

10 restart (easy)

 

1. As your computer starts up (boots) start tapping the F8 key repeatedly until you see the boot menu which will include Safe Mode. Use you arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode and press the Enter key. You should now notice a diiference in your usual desktop screen with the words Safe Mode at the four corners.

2-4. Click on the Start button and proceed to Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Information > Tools > System Configuration Utility > Click the Extract file button.

(Easier)

Click the Start button and then Run. In the Run box type msconfig and press the Enter key. Under the General tab you will see the Extract file button next to the System Restore button. Click it.

5. In the box type OLEAUT32.DLL then click Start.

6-8. in restore from box, type; c:\windows\system\sfp\archive

In save file in box, type; c:\

Click OK to extract and click Yes to create folder for extracted file.

Seems to make sense to me.

9. Drag this extracted file to c:\windows\system and click Yes to overwrite.

Seems very straightforward to me.

As for not being able to drag it from the original location, this may be due to it being a protected file.

I don't know any programming languages, never been to college, took any computer courses nor worked in an IT department. I am self-taught. Imagine that.

Edit

Getting into Windows Safe Mode.

I haven't used WinME in over four years.

 

the original problem (needing to replace oleaut32) was resolved by running mcrepair IN SAFE MODE, not needing to go through that complicated 10 step manual procedure.

you know, i never even touched microsoft windows when i did computers at uni, and never had any training at work. whadya know, i picked up what i know myself too. but i am scared of getting this system stuff wrong, hence why i wanted HELP here, not smarmy patronising.

i'm out of here, there's too much hostility. bye bye or good riddance as applicable.