Mar

14

Problem solved!

Filed Under Fixes, Software, Technical 

Well, it wasn't Dial-a-fix, it wasn't the "unregistration" option, and it wasn't even OLE — it was the new version of mshtml.dll (which comes from MSKB912945). There is a bug in its DllRegisterServer or DllInstallServer which causes it to write many invalid entries into the registry.

Among other errors, it changes the path of mshtml.dll in about 30+ CLSID entries to "%_SYS_MOD_PATH%". If you search your registry for %_SYS_MOD_PATH% and find several entries in HTML-related objects, you are affected. You will also not be able to use System Restore (blank window), Internet Explorer (tries to download the root of a website instead of opening it), Help and Support (hit F1 after clicking on your desktop once - it tries to Open/Save "context.htm"), possibly Event Viewer, and probably many more things that use embedded HTML objects. It also seems to affect reinstalling of Service Pack 2.

The fix is posted below.

The previous version of MSHTML.DLL (which is NOT affected) is 6.0.2900.2802.

6.0.2900.2838 is the version of mshtml.dll that IS affected.

  1. If you do not have a copy of the 6.0.2900.2802 version of MSHTML.DLL, you can download it here from this site (do not download this unless you have SP2 and all post-SP2 updates). It is approximately 3 megabytes.
  2. Copy it to your Windows\System32 directory and overwrite the previous version. If you are not able to do this, close all programs that use embedded HTML objects, including Internet Explorer, Help and Support, System Restore, etc. If you are still unable to overwrite the file, do it in Safe Mode.
  3. Run Dial-a-fix again, and checkmark everything in box #5 and hit GO.

The problem should be solved at this point.

At least I know now that it wasn't me!

"Thank you" to all those who have been patient with me and my software, and have allowed me to obtain system information and files from them. If you have any trouble fixing this problem, don't hesitate to email me at DjLizard@DjLizard.net with the subject "Dial-a-fix and MSHTML".

Again, KB912945 is the update that causes this problem. You can install this update as long as you do not run the Explorer/Shell checkmark in box #5, which causes Dial-a-fix to register the broken file. If you do register the broken version, simply copy the old version over the newer one and register it using Dial-a-fix (or for the techies, regsvr32 mshtml.dll /i)

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Comments

14 Responses to “Problem solved!”

  1. # Simon Zerafa on March 14th, 2006 3:46 PM

    Hi Dj,

    Any chance you would update DAF so that it could detect the faulty MSHTML.DLL and not re-register it or even offer to uninstall the offending hotfix untill MS release a corrected one?

    Kind Regards

    Simon

  2. # DjLizard on March 15th, 2006 9:05 AM

    Dial-a-fix v0.57.7 has been released, which detects this version of mshtml.dll and warns the user about it.

  3. # Robert on March 18th, 2006 3:47 AM

    Thanks for you help in this matter, truly!!

  4. # Steve on April 7th, 2006 10:18 PM

    Oh I am on bended knee with HUGE thanks that google led me to you and this fix.
    I couldn't open any email in outlook, IE kept trying to save a file on startup and then crash.
    I have no idea where or when my machine went "bad", especially since I was out most of the day.
    And finding your solution and your Dail-a-fix app as the last thing before going to bed is just the absolute best way to turn out the lights!!!!
    1,001 thank-you's to you and the Internet for having brought me to your solution!
    -steve

  5. # emma on April 25th, 2006 1:09 PM

    Thanks for your help I jope it works

  6. # Dave on May 29th, 2006 6:18 AM

    New to all this Tech stuf, but I have a question. I am using DAF Version 0.57.7.0. When I open program I recieved Message about a Restriction problem (sorry don't remember exact) that had to do with home page. So I fixed this, and think was correct.
    My concern is the MSHTML.DLL? My version is 6.00.2900.2873 (xpsp.060322-1626)...Should this be fixed as well???

    ty in advance...Dave

  7. # DjLizard on May 29th, 2006 8:18 AM

    You don't have to replace your DLL unless it's been registered and IE acts funny, as described in the article.

  8. # Rob on June 1st, 2006 9:01 PM

    Hi & thanks for a really great little bandaid tool.It really is great and you deserve a pat on the back,it is one of the best fix-it's I have used.

    I know you are not a help service but I have tried everywhere to try and resolve these 2 problems and there is very little help on the subject. I find it strange that there is no specific fix for these problems because a lot of people are asking the same 2 Questions which are:-
    1:Can you help me resolve a problem with XP file associations? How do you get them back to standard?
    2:Also when I R-click on a File or Folder and choose open or OpenWith all I ever get is NotePad and no other choices.This openwith prob is becoming a nightmare.
    I have tried a so-called File associaton fix from a tweak site (it was supposed to reset them ) but it didn't do much at all. I dont think it worked because when I try to open most things all I still seem to get is NotePad.
    Thanks DjLizard

  9. # Donald McRonald on June 8th, 2006 5:58 AM

    Rob Hi
    I suggest that you do a re install of Windows Xp and stop messing with your settings.Just leave them be and XP will do it's job just fine & dandy.
    Also it could just be those pesky Aliens messing with you PC while you are asleep.

  10. # Peanut on May 23rd, 2007 10:41 AM

    thank you thank you thank you
    For some reason my computer did this only last week and after much googling and guessing, I came across your site and the fix worked first time. I'm so relieved I could hug you :)

    Thank you :)

  11. # Dll Files Dude on July 27th, 2007 8:03 PM

    Just found this page... been searching for 2 d#@m hours...

    Thanks Man got you on Fav Now

  12. # Peg on November 23rd, 2007 1:58 PM

    What do you mean by dial a fix?
    The run box?

  13. # Peg on November 23rd, 2007 6:06 PM

    I RAN THE DIAL A FIX TWICE BUT I STILL HAVE BLANK WHITE WINDOWS.

  14. # DjLizard on November 27th, 2007 4:15 PM

    Peg: You'll have to actually tell me what's going on before I can understand your question. It's like walking into a conversation halfway through. What do I mean by Dial-a-fix? My program that fixes stuff. The run box? That's just a sentence fragment. Try posting at a tech support forum like Lunarsoft.net.

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