msgsvr32 error

[denparb]

Ive had some huge probs with my comp as it wouldnt start at all, i fdisk and formatted it. After having an very hard time installing Win Me as it would hang on the hardware detection part about 10-16 minutes left in install. Now i finally seemed to get all things workin including internet but now my comp keeps getting a msgsvr32 not responding error in the start up right after the network password screen. I have browsed the net lookin for tips and only seen one about power management and i think i have turned that all off as that is what was suggested. It doesnt seem to work though and i have no idea what it could be. I have an tbird 850 with 374MB of ram, 20 gig hdd, and apprieciate any help, thx .

[GaryRouth]

Do you get any such errors in Safe Mode?

My gut feeling is that you'll first want to rule out hardware trouble, or possibly the setup of the motherboard's Bios, and then if those are OK, proceed with a completely fresh reinstall once again.

Test the memory - http://www.simmtester.com
Test the hard drive - (use the diagnostics from the hd maker's website - Powermax for Maxtors, SeaTools for Seagates, DataLifeGuard for Western Digitals, etc.)
Check the settings in the bios with your motherboard manual in hand.
Check for bios updates for your motherboard (especially if you have a Via KT133 chipset, there were some timing issues with the SouthBridge that were later fixed by bios updates, new Via 4-in-1 drivers, and newer drivers for the addin cards - especially SoundBlaster sound cards)
Check for recent motherboard/chipset drivers.
Download only WinMe compatible drivers for all your hardware, have them ready in case you reinstall.
Run a virus check that includes a scan of the Bios.

If everything checks out OK: before you reformat and reinstall Windows again, remove all the addin cards that you can: take out the sound cards, modems, I/0 cards (such as USB 2 addin PCI cards), network cards, etc. . . and unplug any USB devices such as scanners, cameras, printers, joysticks, etc. Unplug any parallel port or serial port devices also. Install with just the basics. Then add peripherals in one at a time and test them.

Here's a troubleshooter for the MSGSVR32 errors. As you read through it, you'll see that a great many things cause that sort of error. That's why if you don't have any success trying individual fixes, you are often better off with a thorough reinstall (ends up saving time, oddly enough). http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000450.htm

If this is a store-bought major brand, and all the hardware is original (nothing changed except for perhaps some extra memory), you can use their Recovery Disk set to reformat and reinstall everything. You'll need to backup anything you wish to save first (and scan those backups for viruses), for the reformat will destroy all the data on the drive.

If this is a self-built box, you're pretty much going to need to do some hardware testing, troubleshooting, and perhaps a reinstall. Windows Me shouldn't give you that much trouble at install time. Try some of the steps I mentioned & see if things go better with perhaps a motherboard bios update, etc. . . .

Best of luck
. . . Gary