My son's computer won't boot up it is coming up with a message 'can't findshell32 dll' contact administrator'?

Question

How do I fix it? His computer won't boot and there is only a black screen! Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

You may want to look into how this file went missing (virus, son deleting systems files, etc.), but first you want to get it going again.

The ultimate solution is to boot from the original Windows installation disk (but first check the alternative option below, which *might* work for you). If you bought the PC with the operating system pre-loaded (bought at a retail store), you might not have the installation disk. In this case, you'll have to purchase the CD from the PC manufacturer or find a computer geek neighbor who already has it. In either case you continue to use your existing "CD Key" rather than buy a new OS license.

Once you have the CD inserted, try booting the PC. If it still tries to boot from the hard drive, you'll need to change the CMOS settings in your BIOS. Don't worry about these acronyms - it just means you'll have to press or or whatever key your motherboard requires during boot -up to enter the settings. Once there, look for the "Boot Options" settings. How to find and change them varies by motherboard. Just change the setting to boot from the CD drive before the hard drive.

Booting from the Windows installation CD will first prompt you about what you want to do. Choose the options to repair your existing installation rather than completely wipe and re-install Windows. It's pretty straightforward to follow the prompts.

Alternative: You can try booting in Safe Mode, which might not require that specific DLL file. To do this, press again and again while booting. This will bring up an option screen from which you can choose a Safe Mode. If this works, you can first try a System Recovery. To do this, click Start --> All Programs --> Accessories --> System Tools --> System Restore and then follw the prompts to pick a Restore Point date when the PC was working correctly. At the end of this answer I copied the full System Restore instructions from Microsoft's site in case you can't find the utility from the Start button.

If the System Recovery doesn't work for you, insert the Windows installation CD and repair the OS while in Safe Mode. This is a bit easier and safer than booting directly from the CD.

In summary, try the alternatives in this order:
1. Boot Safe Mode, then try System Recovery.
2. Boot Safe Mode, then insert Windows CD to repair.
3. Boot from Windows CD and repair.

Good luck!

=== Copied from support.Microsoft.com ===
Start the System Restore tool at a command prompt

1. Restart your computer, and then press F8 during the initial startup to start your computer in Safe Mode with a command prompt.

For additional information about the Safe mode with a command prompt, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
315222 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/) A description of the Safe mode boot options in Windows XP


2. Log on to your computer with an administrator account or with an account that has administrator credentials.


3. Type the following command at a command prompt, and then press ENTER:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe


4. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to restore your computer to an earlier state.

Answer 2

Yah, dude has been getting into some internet "stuff." If his computer is newer and came with "Recovery" disks, try that first. You only want to do a Recovery as opposed to a full format, because a full format will erase any useful files he had on the computer. A Recovery will allow you to return the original software back to new without deleting everything on the machine.

If not, just pack it up and take it to a computer tech at Best Buy or other.

Answer 3

You should probably reinstall windows. If there's no data that you have to recover, a fresh format of the C:/ drive first would be advised. It is possible that there was a virus that damaged some of the system files, and a format would be the best way to make sure that it is removed.

If the problem persists after a fresh reinstall, it is very likely that there are bad sectors on the hard drive, which are causing data loss in the system files. In that case, you'd need to replace the hard drive.

Answer 4

It is the only thing that made me feel better about having to miss the Beyounce movie Obsessed because my only key to my car got stuck in the ignition when I got to the theator tonight and had to turn around and come home because I couldn't lock it up. No Sweetie Arkie ain't had any alcohol tonight, but I think that my car may be possessed. Gotta go to the dealership and get a key made that will at least lock and unlock the door. I am still so pissed.

Answer 5

Try here=http://www.dll-files.com/dllindex/dll-files.shtml?shell32

Download to a USB memory stick(buy at any local PC shop)on another PC

Then plug into your sons PC and turn on the pc.

if luck,press start,run,type system32 in the box.
Copy and paste Shell32.dll from memory stick.

Take out the memory stick and it should work.

Then download BitDefender free and scan for viruses
http://www.bitdefender.com/site/Download/downloadFile/340/EN/
Hope this helps

Answer 6

Shell32.dll is one of the main components of windows. you may be able to recover it but usually the problem returns. Ideally try to retrieve any personal files and then re install Windows. Sorry for the bad news.

Answer 7

I would take this computer in to have it re-formatted. You may have a virus on it or something more serious.

Answer 8

boot from windows disk and run repair install

Answer 9

Make sure before you do anything that there is not a disk or anything else (crayon, etc) in the disk drives.

Answer 10

Follow the computer's instructions! This is obviously something that needs to be corrected from the mainframe.