Usually when I start my computer, I get the following
warning: "The IPHLPAPI.DLL file can't start. Check the
file to determine the problem." Since I don't know a
great deal about comupters I am wondering what I need to
do to correct this problem?

For many users this problem is caused by installing AOL9 since AOL 9 uses a
different version of iphlpapi.dll than is included with Win Me and fails to
install it correctly. It appears that after over three years AOL's
programmers have yet to understand and appreciate the benefits of system file
protection whether it be in Win Me or perhaps even XP. You can check this for
yourself where you will find that AOL have put a version of iphlpapi.dll in
the Program Files/Common Files/AOL/ACS/winme folder which differs from that in
the windows\system folder.

Since the copy of iphlpapi.dll in the windows\system folder is protected from
alteration or deletion by Win Me's System File Protection (SFP) it cannot
simply be replaced by the copy in the AOL folder. Whilst there are ways of
defeating SFP so that AOL's file can be added to the system folder I
personally feel this is a problem that needs to be remedied by AOL. All they
need to do is to supply the necessary certificate and the version in the
system folder can be replaced.

Some users have found that downloading and installing v4.90.3001 of
iphlpapi.dll from the link in KB 279866 - "Iphlpapi.dll Error Message with a
16-Bit Windows Sockets-Based Program"
(http://support.microsoft.com?kbid=279866) has solved their problem.

If your problem is a result of installing AOL 9 you may want to consider using
System Restore to solve this problem by rolling back your system to before the
problem started and dumping AOL 9 until AOL can get things working correctly
(just don't hold your breath) provided that that was not more than a few days
ago.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP
mcmaltby@hotmail.com


STEPHEN MAASSEN <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote: