DESKBAR.DLL error

Help! My aunt is running windows ME. After powering up, it appears to be loading, she logs in, then gets the message EXPLORER has caused an error in DESKBAR.DLL and must close. Clicking OK gets her a green/gray screen. Ctrl, Alt, Delete brings up the older task manager. She can shut down or end processes only. Also, her recovery cd reads that it has an error on the disk. What do we do?

 

I believe deskbar.dll is related to the MSN toolbar in IE; if she has that installed, try unistalling it. If it won't remove, try downloading it and reinstalling it and see if the .dll error goes away.

 

I would except never get a desktop or a start menu. Only get a gray screen with the error message window. Clicking ok gives just the gray screen and bringing up task manager only allows to shut down. In safe mode, the help troubleshooter also comes up (but wasn't any help). I moved the error window off to the side since clicking ok just gives the same gray screen with, seemingly and to the best of my feeble attempts, just the same task manager. Only other screen ever was the disk error warning on the restore cd. attempt.

 

This is usually caused by the AOL deskbar software.

If you reboot into dos mode, you can probably just rename the file.
Type the following into a dos command prompt (press enter after each line):
cd\
cd program files
cd aol deskbar
ren deskbar.dll deskbar.old

(I've mostly seen this on XP computers, but I THINK the directories would be the same on ME)
I'm PRETTY sure you can get to a DOS mode in ME by tapping "F8" on boot.
You might try tapping "F8" and choosing "safe mode" as well. If you get a working desktop, just go to add/remove programs from the control panel, and uninstall AOL deskbar if it's listed.

Sorry if this is a little late to reply, I would imagine the problem is fixed by now anyway.

 

Sorry to bump an old post, but I just realized I left a (possibly) important step out of the process.

From a command prompt (press enter after each line):
cd\
cd program files
cd aol deskbar
regsvr32 /u deskbar.dll (I am 90 percent sure this will work in ME).
ren deskbar.dll deskbar.old

Not sure if unregistering the file is necessary, but it might increase the chance that the missing deskbar.dll file doesn't just cause a whole new problem.

If you have trouble getting to a command prompt, you can create a boot floppy from another 9X computer or from http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm .

 

Thanks for the continued interest. I will give this a shot...but remember trying to use the boot disk of this link and still not getting a command screen. we shall see. Talking her into XP...Any clues how to format from here, or will it work?.? at all. Obviously close to frustrated, but if it works later...ah the bliss