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I’m running XP PRO and I cannot boot at all. I just get “application failed because file oleaut32.dll missing.” I have tried Safe Mode and Last Known Good Configuration but nothing works at all. What can I do when I can’t even boot Windows?

Booting Past a Startup Error

If you aren’t having any luck booting into Safe Mode, then booting from your Windows operating system disk is likely your only option. You will, however, need to have a Windows boot disk for almost anything at this point. Before we go on, some users with this problem report being able to boot into Safe Mode with a command prompt after several tries, so if a boot disk isn’t readily available, you could try booting a few times to see if you can get on that way.

Use Recovery Console from Boot Disk

In any case, you need to get some control over your system and, if normal and safe boot procedures aren’t working, there are boot disk options. First, you can use the Recovery Console to run some hard disk repair scans, which will hopefully take care of the problem.

1. Put the Windows CD in the drive and turn your computer off
2. Give it a minute, then boot back up - the computer should boot from the disk
3. At the Welcome to Set Up screen, press R for Recovery Console
4. Use the arrow keys to choose you installation, then Enter
5. If you are asked for an Administrator password, leave the field blank and press Enter
6. Now, at the command prompt, type in chkdsk /r - there is a space between the k and the /r.
7. The chkdsk application will launch and check your hard disk. It takes some time so be patient and let it run - it can take more than an hour and a half and go through periods where it appears stalled. Don’t interfere, let it run .
8. When the scan is complete you will be returned to the command prompt - type exit then press Enter
9. If your computer doesn’t restart automatically, shut it down and restart manually
10. I hope this boots normally to Windows

Repair your Windows Installation

If not, you can try to repair your operating system installation in a similar procedure.

1. Put the CD in the drive and reboot the computer - it will start from disk
2. At Welcome Screen press Enter to Set Up Windows
3. Accept the license
4. Choose the operating system using the arrow keys on your keyboard, then press R to launch the repair. This will keep all your files and folders in place and only reinstall the Windows programs that might be corrupted
5. Let it run, don’t press any key to boot from CD even if you are offered
6. Once its finished, reboot and I hope you are back up and running
7. Now, it is VERY important that you reapply all your Windows and security patches, updates and applications

I hope this does it! If not, write us again and tell us the operating system you are using and as many details as you can about the problem and what you’ve tried. Good luck!