"Call to Undefined Dynalink" Error in Publisher

Q125442

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Publisher versions 2.0, 2.0a
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SYMPTOMS
========

One of the following error messages may appear when you start Publisher,
open an existing publication, use a wizard, or select an OLE object.

  Call to Undefined Dynalink

  Server application or source file not found

  Application Error: Publisher caused a General Protection Fault in
  COMPOBJ.DLL

  Application Error: Publisher caused a General Protection Fault in
  STORAGE.DLL

  Application Error: Publisher caused a General Protection Fault in
  OLE2.DLL

  Application Error: Publisher caused a General Protection Fault in
  MSPUB.EXE

CAUSE
=====

This error is generally caused by an outdated, corrupt, or incompatible
dynamic link library (a file that has a .dll extension).

DLLs are shared executable files used by more than one program. Your
DLL files can usually be found in the program's directory or in the
<Windows>\SYSTEM subdirectory. Deleting and reinstalling your program
will not always replace the DLL files in the program's directory or
those in the <Windows>\System subdirectory. ("<Windows>" refers to your
Windows directory--usually, C:\Windows.)

STATUS
======

These errors do not occur in Publisher for Windows 95 version 3.0 because
the DLL files are installed by Windows 95. Similarily, if you install
Publisher 2.0 under Windows 95, Publisher attempts to install the shipped
DLL files, but they are overwritten by the standard DLL files installed
by Windows 95.

RESOLUTION
==========

Case 1: The error occurs when you select an OLE object or run a wizard.
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Check the dates on the following DLL files. These files should all have
the same date, except Commdlg.dll, Ddeml.dll, and Toolhelp.dll, which are
not on the Publisher program disks and may have earlier dates.

   Commdlg.dll
   Compobj.dll
   Ctl3d.dll or Ctl3dv2.dll
   Ddeml.dll
   Ole2.dll
   Ole2prox.dll
   Pubole.dll
   Puboleui.dll
   Storage.dll
   Typelib.dll
   Toolhelp.dll

Other causes can include the following DLL files:

   Shell.dll
   Olecli.dll
   Olesvr.dll

The correct date for these files under Windows 3.1 is 3/10/92. The
Toolhelp.dll is often the problem, and the latest file size should be
14,128 bytes.

Note: If using the LaserTools Printer Control Panel utility also causes the
above error message, contact LaserTools Corp. at (510) 420-8777 for an
updated verion of Printer Control Panel or for instructions on removing
their printer control panel from Windows.

To replace any outdated files, rename them and then reinstall Publisher, or
do the following at the MS-DOS prompt:

   Note: Commdlg.dll, Ddeml.dll, and Toolhelp.dll will not be reinstalled
   when you reinstall Publisher. You must expand these files from the
   Windows disks.

1. Insert Publisher Setup Disk 1 in your floppy disk drive (this procedure
   assumes drive A) and copy Decomp.exe from drive A to your Windows folder
   (this procedure assumes C:\Windows) by typing the following command:

      copy a:\decomp.exe c:\windows

2. Rename each outdated DLL file with the following command

      rename <path>\<filename>.dll <path>\<filename>.old

   where <path> and <filename> refer to the specific path and filename.

3. Decompress the new DLL file to the proper folder. (Note the
   different filename extension):

      decomp a:<filename>.dl_ c:\windows\system\<filename>.dll

Case 2: The error occurs when you open an existing publication.
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The cause of this error may be an outdated printer driver. Change to a
different printer or install a later version of the printer driver using
Windows Control Panel. For more information about this procedure, see the
following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   Article number: Q85887
   Title         : "Call to Undefined Dynalink" Errors with Old
                   Printer Drivers

Case 3: The error occurs when you start Publisher.
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Look for duplicate DLL files in the Windows folder and <Windows>\System
subfolder. Rename the duplicate DLL files in the Windows folder.
Only one copy of each DLL file located in the <Windows>\System folder
is needed to run Windows.

For more information about duplicate DLL files in Windows, see the
following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   Article number: Q84042
   Title         : Windows Err Msg: Cannot Run This Program...

An incomplete network setup (setup/n) may also be the cause of this error.
For more information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge
Base:

   Article number: Q112462
   Title         : Error Installing Publisher on a Network Windows
                   Installation

Additional query words: 2.00 2.00a pub20 error undefined dynalink