Outlook Express MSOE.dll error

The problem I have is that I have tried to install Outlook Express 6 (after reinstalling Windows 98) and I get an error message that says it cannot continue as it is missing MSOE.dll. I searched the Microsoft site for the error message and printed off a couple of items but they don't appear to relate to OE6. I uninstalled it and then reinstalled it but still had same message.

I have run sfc but nothing. I have reverted to the previous version of IE which is 5.5 but still the same message. I am reluctant to change the registry editor as I am not sure that this is the problem and note sure that I know how to do it, even following the instructions on Microsoft site.

 

Sheila Garcia--If you do not find msoe.dll, try Start|Programs|Accessories|System Tools|System Information|Tools and see if you have the option to Repair Internet Explorer. Is, so click on it and let it run.
I agree that it would be good to have OE6, so if OE5 is again working after the above suggestion, go to Windows Update and see if it offers to download OE6 SP1.

When you say you ran sfc, did you try the Extract option?
http://service1.symantec.com/support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001011114021106
Look under Win98.

If none of the above helps, can you provide the exact error message and when it is that you get it?

 

Reply to Pete:

I searched for msoe.dll. It does come up in programmes/outlookexpress but when I double click on it I need to have a programme to open it with and Outlook Express is not showing in the list. I tried Internet Explorer but that didn't work either

Reply to Welshjim

Tried System Info/Tools - nothing there to repair IE. Also it is now not showing on Add/Remove Programmes

Also tried the extract option using Win98 disk. Nothing comes up there

 

Sheila Garcia--You say you have the msoe.dll file in programs/outlook express. I suspect you mean Program Files\Outlook Express. That is probably where it should be, but I see no harm in moving a copy (not the original) to Windows\System.
When was the last time you ran Windows Update? If some time ago, do it now. You may have an outdated version of msoe.dll.
But before suggesting other things, would you please
1) post the actual error message?
2) And when is it that you get the error message? It sounds like it is appearing when you are installing OE6 over the OE5 which is installed when you reinstalled Win98. Correct?
3) What is the download you are trying to install? The official download is http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie6/downloads/critical/ie6sp1/default.mspx
4)

To what does "it" refer?
I am surprised you did not find Internet Explorer in the Add/Remove Programs screen. Did you look under Microsoft? As you can see, I say IE. That is because IE and OE come in the same package. That is why the above download link is for IE.
P.S. Clicking on msoe.dll will not accomplish anything. It is only one of the many OE files that help OE run.

 

Error message when I try to start Outlook Express: Outlook express could not be started because MSOE.dll could not be loaded.

The whole issue has become confusing because the problem started when I was upgrading to XP which installed corerctly. On setting up broadband before it had finalised one of the cables became dislodged at back of computer. That's where all the problems started. Couldn't get back into XP so had to try to load Windows 98 again rather than format the drive. So I have a fresh system albeit with errors. I suspect I might have to re format and install XP.

I have the IE6SP1 on a disk which is what installed on the new system(Win98)

I was referring to installing and reinstalling OE.
I was also surprised not to see IE under Add/Remove programmes. It was there before I rolled back to a previous version (which at present is 5.50)

I hope I have answered yuo clearly. As I say it has been confusing with all the issues

 

Sheila Garcia--You have done a lot of installing and uninstalling. So a reformat and new install of WinXP might be the best solution. If you have any external storage facility, you may want to back up your personal data, . Since you earlier were installing WinXP, perhaps you have done the backup already.
However, here are a few ideas about the error message you have posted
http://www.google.com/search?source...+started+because+MSOE.dll+could+not+be+loaded
I know the versions of OE and Windows in these references do not always agree with what you now seem to have, but often ideas for older versions will still work with newer ones.
Another reference is
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q272265
However, at the end you are going to wind up with Win98, which I suspect you do not want. Which leads back to reinstalling WinXP.
Concerning installing WinXP
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_pro_install_-_graphic.htm
When that is done, be sure to go to Windows Update to get all the latest updates for WinXP.

 

Thanks Welshjim - I had come to the conclusion that I might have to format the drive. Now that I have got my old backup computer running for internet access (in case of needing help) I might have to do that.

My reason for persisting with Windows 98 first is that I was informed that I coud have both Win98 and XP on my system which would be useful if some software didn't work with XP. In fact when it first boots up it offers me the two options.

Thank you for all your advice. Do you think I could still get to the point of having the 2 OP's on the system by re-formatting and installing Win98 first and then XP on top?

Unfortunately I can't uninstall either IE or OE as neither are showing in the Add/Remove Programmes list

 

Thanks - might decide it is too much bother to have both then. Will have a think about that

 

PeteC--If Sheila Garcia proceeds as you recommend, at what point can she reformat the WinXP partition to NTFS?

 

PeteC--I jumped too far on your original suggestion. Erroneously, I felt Sheila Garcia would be creating two partitions (one for 98 and one for XP) on the hard drive. I guess it would take something like Partition Magic to do that.

 

I have to say on first reading I had assumed 2 partitions - 1 for WIN 98 and 1 for XP. I used Partition Magic on a laptop previously with disastrous results. Think I might have to stick with XP only as it is getting outside of my knowledge now.

Thanks guys

 

Sheila Garcia--Going back to your initial post and title about missing MSOE.dll, I wonder if Socrates communication near the end of this reference would be of help
http://www.theeldergeek.com/repair_reinstall_ie_and_oe_6.htm
I know this is for IE6 and perhaps for WinXP, but I am not sure where you are now.