Missing GDI32.dll*GdiGradientFill, tip of an iceburg?

[koonaone]

Greetings

Pre-script: This is a reject from another forum, I'm hoping you can
help me.

yours

douglas


>> I am running win98se with 64 Mb RAM (I will append more info, below).

I use many drafting/survey/graphics applications.

The other day I downloaded and attempted to install (halfway) a prog
for XP that didn't support win98. (many work fine)

I aborted, seemingly with no residue.

Later, on trying to open TablePro.exe I recieved the message:

" Error starting program msimg32.dll file is linked to missing
export GDI32.dll*GdiGradientFill "

This happens also with another program: SumatraPDF.exe . Everything
else seems to work fine. (knock on wood)

Using explorers "find:files" it shows 3 instances:
C:\windows\system 152Kb 98-05-11 8:01pm
C:\windows\spool same same same
C:\windows\system\1 128Kb 98-04-05 12:47pm

That \1 subdir wasn't my doing. wth ???

SO, I'm nervous about messing with stuff thats not broken, 99% of my
system runs as usual. I tried re-installing Tables Pro to no effect. I
considered getting into regedit and searching for GDI32.dll but I
honestly only know a small part of what's needed to mess about in
there.

Do you think you can help me here, or should I "direct connect"
transfer all needful files to another machine and re-install?

yours

douglas
==========================================================
--------[ EVEREST Home Edition (c) 2003-2005 Lavalys,
Inc. ]------------------------------------------------------------

Version EVEREST
v2.20.405
Homepage http://www.lavalys.com/
Report Type Quick Report
Computer EMACHINE
********************
Generator *****
Operating System Microsoft
Windows 98 4.10.1998 (Win98 Retail)
Date 2009-04-03
Time 20:58


--------
[ Summary ]-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Computer:
Operating System Microsoft
Windows 98
OS Service Pack -
DirectX 4.09.00.0904
(DirectX 9.0c)
Computer Name EMACHINE
(***** NetPASS = **)
User Name ****

Motherboard:
CPU Type Intel Celeron-
A, 400 MHz (6 x 67)
Motherboard Name TriGem Florida
Motherboard Chipset Intel 82440LX/
EX
System Memory 64 MB (SDRAM)
BIOS Type AMI (07/15/95)
Communication Port Communications
Port (COM1)
Communication Port Printer Port
(LPT1)

Display:
Video Adapter RAGE IIC AGP
(English)
3D Accelerator ATI 3D-Rage
IIC
Monitor AOC Spectrum
9Glr(A)/9Glrs(A) [19" CRT] (94027072)

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter Cirrus Logic
CS4614/22/24 CrystalClear SoundFusion Audio Accelerator

Storage:
IDE Controller Intel 82371AB/
EB PCI Bus Master IDE Controller
IDE Controller Primary IDE
controller (dual fifo)
IDE Controller Secondary IDE
controller (dual fifo)
Floppy Drive GENERIC NEC
FLOPPY DISK
Disk Drive GENERIC IDE
DISK TYPE47
Disk Drive GENERIC IDE
DISK TYPE80
Optical Drive ATAPI CDROM
SMART Hard Disks Status Unknown

Partitions:
C: (FAT32) 29307 MB
(10620 MB free)

Input:
Keyboard Standard
101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
Mouse PS/2
Compatible Mouse Port

Network:
Network Adapter PPP Adapter.
(207.194.36.102)
Network Adapter Realtek
RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC (169.254.74.237)
Modem Generic
SoftK56 Data,Fax,Voice
Modem Parallel cable
on LPT1
Modem Serial cable
on COM1
Modem Serial cable
on COM3

Peripherals:
USB1 Controller Intel 82371AB/
EB PIIX4 - USB Host Controller
===============================================
There is further de-bug info available
===============================================
But this is outside of my expertise.
Expert: Karl Zick

[franc zabkar]

On Sat, 4 Apr 2009 17:27:08 -0700 (PDT), koonaone <koonaone@gmail.com>
put finger to keyboard and composed:

>Greetings
>
>The other day I downloaded and attempted to install (halfway) a prog
>for XP that didn't support win98. (many work fine)
>
>I aborted, seemingly with no residue.
>
>Later, on trying to open TablePro.exe I recieved the message:
>
> " Error starting program msimg32.dll file is linked to missing
>export GDI32.dll*GdiGradientFill "
>
>This happens also with another program: SumatraPDF.exe . Everything
>else seems to work fine. (knock on wood)

The above error message is telling you that your current version of
msimg32.dll is looking for a function named GdiGradientFill in the
GDI32.dll library. My Win98SE version of GDI32.dll does not have this
function. Therefore I suspect that your XP program replaced your
Win98SE version of msimg32.dll with an XP version of the same file.

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

[thanatoid]

koonaone <koonaone@gmail.com> wrote in
news:3ef771f9-c894-4475-a1da-551c4ea0c481@d38g2000prn.googlegr
oups.com:

<SNIP>

Franc already gave you excellent analysis and advice.

I just want to add the you should download the 98x version of
that file (or maybe even a "innoculated" XP version will work
(there was an exploit which made it possible for jpg's to
contain a trojan/virus IF opened with MS software ONLY since no
other graphics programs (AFAIK) use that DLL.

So you might want to Google for the name of the file and see the
description to see if it's updated and which version will match
your system.

I also ran across something called Kernel Ex which /supposedly/
allows XP programs to run on 98SE but I have been up to me ears
in other computer nightmares, so haven't; had time to bother.

I might suggest that you install XP on a separate p[partition,
it automatically gives you a "98SE or XP" boot menu and you can
choose which to run. While XP has not nearly the amount of
spyware that Vista has (see sig), I wouldn't use it on the web
myself.


--
(Originally Posted by Ketxxx on forums.techpowerup.com)
I think you got it a bit backwards, spyware comes free with
Vista and is a "product feature".

[thanatoid]

thanatoid <waiting@the.exit.invalid> wrote in
news:Xns9BE2D8B039B5Bthanexit@85.214.105.209:

<SNIP>

Actually, due to me mental state due to my "other" current
computer nightmares I got the file name wrong, that's not the
one. But I HAVE read that the latest version of Opera, which
asks you to update that file with the latest version, made at
least ONE person's all images appear upside down.

Anyway, you can find a 98 version of the msimg file in hundreds
of p[laces, and you can install XP for XP programs on another
partition, like I said.


--
(Originally Posted by Ketxxx on forums.techpowerup.com)
I think you got it a bit backwards, spyware comes free with
Vista and is a "product feature".

[koonaone]

Thank you Frank

Thats a very clear image of what must have happened.

>>> My Win98SE version of gdi32.dll does not have this function <<<

Now HOW the heck do you find that out?

So I just spent a couple hours in a coding editor looking at 3
different MSIMG32.dll files, 2 from win98 and 1 from win 2000. All I
learned is that they are all different. 5, 6, and 9Kb, oddly enough it
was one of the 98's (on a HP) that is the largest and has reference
to gdi32.dll, and gradient fill in it. Not the one on the offending
computer, and not the one on win 2000.

All i really know is TablesPro worked with the DLL thats on my
installation disk. (which I haven't looked at) So how do I get it from
there onto my windows/system directory? I guess it would have to be
in DOS wouldn't it as win wouldn't let me switch system files right
under it's nose. I think.

What do you think?

yours

douglas
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Franc Zabkar wrote:

> The above error message is telling you that your current version of
> MSIMG32.dll is looking for a function named GdiGradientFill in the
> gdi32.dll library. My Win98SE version of gdi32.dll does not have this
> function. Therefore I suspect that your XP program replaced your
> Win98SE version of MSIMG32.dll with an XP version of the same file.
>
> - Franc Zabkar
> --
> Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

[koonaone]

thanks for the advice

thanatoid wrote:
>> I also ran across something called Kernel Ex which /supposedly/
>> allows XP programs to run on 98SE

This sounds very interesting indeed, google didn't help me find it
though. Do you have further information about that?

I never thought of running XP as a purely offline OS, it sure would
avoid some of the built in problems though.

Could you install it, including its product activation requirements,
without going online?

yours

douglas

["j. p. gilliver]

In message <Xns9BE2D8B039B5Bthanexit@85.214.105.209>, thanatoid
<waiting@the.exit.invalid> writes:
[]
>I might suggest that you install XP on a separate p[partition,
>it automatically gives you a "98SE or XP" boot menu and you can
>choose which to run. While XP has not nearly the amount of
>spyware that Vista has (see sig), I wouldn't use it on the web
>myself.
[]
Turn-up for the books there! Thanatoid mentioning XP without spitting!

How do you force it to make a dual-boot system? The only time I've ever
seen XP installed on a system that had 98 on it, that option did not
seem to be offered, and the recipient ended up with only an XP system.

(Or does it depend on what version of XP you're going from?)
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
** http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/G6JPG-PC/JPGminPC.htm for ludicrously
outdated thoughts on PCs. **

The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists to
adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable
man. -George Bernard Shaw, writer, Nobel laureate (1856-1950)

[franc zabkar]

On Sun, 5 Apr 2009 05:26:08 -0700 (PDT), koonaone <koonaone@gmail.com>
put finger to keyboard and composed:

>>>> My Win98SE version of gdi32.dll does not have this function <<<
>
>Now HOW the heck do you find that out?

I use Dependency Walker:
http://www.dependencywalker.com/

It adds a "View Dependencies" option to the r-click menu of suitable
file types (eg DLL, EXE, SCR) in Explorer.

>So I just spent a couple hours in a coding editor looking at 3
>different MSIMG32.dll files, 2 from win98 and 1 from win 2000. All I
>learned is that they are all different. 5, 6, and 9Kb, oddly enough it
>was one of the 98's (on a HP) that is the largest and has reference
>to gdi32.dll, and gradient fill in it. Not the one on the offending
>computer, and not the one on win 2000.

>All i really know is TablesPro worked with the DLL thats on my
>installation disk. (which I haven't looked at) So how do I get it from
>there onto my windows/system directory?

Uninstall and reinstall TablesPro?

Otherwise, if TablesPro is supplied as a self extracting installer,
then you may be able to extract the required file using Universal
Extractor:

https://legroom.net/software/uniextract

In any case, are you sure that your previous MSIMG32.DLL file was
supplied with TablesPro? It could have been part of the original
Win98SE installation.

At this point I'm wondering whether I've misinterpreted the original
error message. Is it the gdi32.dll file that has been replaced by your
rogue XP program, or did it replace MSIMG32.DLL?

Do you have a link to the XP program?

>I guess it would have to be
>in DOS wouldn't it as win wouldn't let me switch system files right
>under it's nose. I think.

Try to rename MSIMG32.DLL while Windows is running. Windows will
complain if the file is in use.

Here are some useful links:

Microsoft DLL Help Database Search:
http://support.microsoft.com/dllhelp/?d ... &x=13&y=12
http://support.microsoft.com/dllhelp/?d ... =gdi32.dll (5.2.3790.1830 supplied with
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1) that has the
GdiGradientFill function:
http://support.microsoft.com/dllhelp/?f ... l=55&det=1

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

[koonaone]

Thanks Franc

Yes I think the original working msimg32.dll file was with the
original win98 installation and then was switched by a now forgotten
download. Yes, I know, keep notes,,,,,

I do not at this time have a link to the XP program but I have a
friend a couple hundred miles down the road.

Thanks very much for looking up those microsoft links for me. I'm
going to have to put them temporarily on hold because I have a new
problem that takes precedence.

I was trying to transfer files with a direct cable connection to a win
2000Pro laptop from a win98se. I had trouble making the two OS work
together and rebooted the win 2000. When it came back it insisted on a
password login. No password. I have used it all winter off and on but
just assumed there was none registered. Shear negligence eh? So now I
have to find out how to get back into win 2000 which I know nothing
about. So now I'm off to a w2000 forum I guess.

I downloaded Dependency walker, I like the download page it's full of
information, looks good for long winter nights. Legroom.net is timing
out right now I will try later.

Speaking of timing out I must do that too. That win 2000 password
problem HAS to be fixed toot sweet.

thanks again for your help, I will get back to this soon.
yours

douglas

[thanatoid]

"J. P. Gilliver (John)" <G6JPG@soft255.demon.co.uk> wrote in
news:wvR1pcNaDJ2JFwaN@soft255.demon.co.uk:

> In message <Xns9BE2D8B039B5Bthanexit@85.214.105.209>,
> thanatoid <waiting@the.exit.invalid> writes:
> []
>>I might suggest that you install XP on a separate
>>p[partition, it automatically gives you a "98SE or XP" boot
>>menu and you can choose which to run. While XP has not
>>nearly the amount of spyware that Vista has (see sig), I
>>wouldn't use it on the web myself.
> []
> Turn-up for the books there! Thanatoid mentioning XP
> without spitting!

Well, you can't fight city hall. But you can bitch about it.

> How do you force it to make a dual-boot system? The only
> time I've ever seen XP installed on a system that had 98 on
> it, that option did not seem to be offered, and the
> recipient ended up with only an XP system.

You don't do anything. It just sets it up like that. Probably
the most useful thing MS ever did. Someone must have been home
sick that day.

> (Or does it depend on what version of XP you're going
> from?)

Not that I know of.

["j. p. gilliver]

In message <Xns9BE5323BC45D3thanexit@85.214.105.209>, thanatoid
<waiting@the.exit.invalid> writes:
[]
>> How do you force it to make a dual-boot system? The only
>> time I've ever seen XP installed on a system that had 98 on
>> it, that option did not seem to be offered, and the
>> recipient ended up with only an XP system.
>
>You don't do anything. It just sets it up like that. Probably
>the most useful thing MS ever did. Someone must have been home
>sick that day.

Howzabout getting it to install the XP on a partition other than C:?
>
>> (Or does it depend on what version of XP you're going
>> from?)
>
>Not that I know of.

--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
** http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/G6JPG-PC/JPGminPC.htm for ludicrously
outdated thoughts on PCs. **

ASCII stupid question, get a stupid ANSI.

[thanatoid]

"J. P. Gilliver (John)" <G6JPG@soft255.demon.co.uk> wrote in
news:80dGvzUuUU3JFwi7@soft255.demon.co.uk:

> In message <Xns9BE5323BC45D3thanexit@85.214.105.209>,
> thanatoid <waiting@the.exit.invalid> writes:
> []
>>> How do you force it to make a dual-boot system? The only
>>> time I've ever seen XP installed on a system that had 98
>>> on it, that option did not seem to be offered, and the
>>> recipient ended up with only an XP system.
>>
>>You don't do anything. It just sets it up like that.
>>Probably the most useful thing MS ever did. Someone must
>>have been home sick that day.
>
> Howzabout getting it to install the XP on a partition other
> than C:?

You can install it on any partition you want, 98 stays on C:.

<SNIP>

["j. p. gilliver]

In message <Xns9BE8813591317thanexit@85.214.105.209>, thanatoid
<waiting@the.exit.invalid> writes:
>"J. P. Gilliver (John)" <G6JPG@soft255.demon.co.uk> wrote in
>news:80dGvzUuUU3JFwi7@soft255.demon.co.uk:
>
>> In message <Xns9BE5323BC45D3thanexit@85.214.105.209>,
>> thanatoid <waiting@the.exit.invalid> writes:
>> []
>>>> How do you force it to make a dual-boot system? The only
>>>> time I've ever seen XP installed on a system that had 98
>>>> on it, that option did not seem to be offered, and the
>>>> recipient ended up with only an XP system.
>>>
>>>You don't do anything. It just sets it up like that.
>>>Probably the most useful thing MS ever did. Someone must
>>>have been home sick that day.
>>
>> Howzabout getting it to install the XP on a partition other
>> than C:?
>
>You can install it on any partition you want, 98 stays on C:.
[]
I'm just nervous of missing the point during the install at which it
asks you, with it defaulting to C (and thus screwing up the '98
installation) if you miss it. (Especially if it's something that times
out if you don't answer.)
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
** http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/G6JPG-PC/JPGminPC.htm for ludicrously
outdated thoughts on PCs. **

a speaking style that suggests a dyslexic cockney Yoda - Craig McLean on Nigel
Kennedy (violinist), in RT 12-18 July 2008

[bill blanton]

"J. P. Gilliver (John)" <G6JPG@soft255.demon.co.uk> wrote in message news:+r92orRsAq3JFwCu@soft255.demon.co.uk...
> In message <Xns9BE8813591317thanexit@85.214.105.209>, thanatoid <waiting@the.exit.invalid> writes:
>>"J. P. Gilliver (John)" <G6JPG@soft255.demon.co.uk> wrote in
>>news:80dGvzUuUU3JFwi7@soft255.demon.co.uk:
>>> In message <Xns9BE5323BC45D3thanexit@85.214.105.209>,
>>> thanatoid <waiting@the.exit.invalid> writes:

>>>>> How do you force it to make a dual-boot system? The only
>>>>> time I've ever seen XP installed on a system that had 98
>>>>> on it, that option did not seem to be offered, and the
>>>>> recipient ended up with only an XP system.
>>>>
>>>>You don't do anything. It just sets it up like that.
>>>>Probably the most useful thing MS ever did. Someone must
>>>>have been home sick that day.
>>>
>>> Howzabout getting it to install the XP on a partition other
>>> than C:?
>>
>>You can install it on any partition you want, 98 stays on C:.

> I'm just nervous of missing the point during the install at which it asks you, with it defaulting to C (and thus screwing up the
> '98 installation) if you miss it. (Especially if it's something that times out if you don't answer.)

Drive letters are OS contructs to help you keep track of the various volumes/partitions
on a disk or an array of disks. The initiail boot process is unaware of drive
letter assignments.

9x finishes the boot/load process by assigning itself the system volume as C:.
NT does not have to assign "itself" C: to load.

In a dual boot situation you can easily have C: for 98 when that is loaded, and
C: for XP when that is loaded. That all depends on how you set it up. If NT/XP
"sees" primary partitions in front of its %system% partition during install it will use
a later letter. To get a C:, you sometimes have to "hide" other partitions.

OTOH, it doesn't really matter if NT/XP is not on C:. Other than the fact that it easier
to equate C: with the %system%.

That all said, I use a boot manager, and like all my %system% volumes to be
represented by C: .. but it's just a letter..

[thanatoid]

"Bill Blanton" <bblanton@REMOVEmagicnet.net> wrote in
news:OOa#yjYuJHA.1504@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl:

<SNIP>

>>>> Howzabout getting it to install the XP on a partition
>>>> other than C:?
>>>
>>>You can install it on any partition you want, 98 stays on
>>>C:.
>
>> I'm just nervous of missing the point during the install
>> at which it asks you

Trust me , I *never* thought I'd go NEAR XP, and it installed
like a charm. I don't remember it asking, but if it does, just
tell it where to go (so to speak).

>> with it defaulting to C (and thus
>> screwing up the '98 installation) if you miss it.

Well, FOA, BACK IT UP! Make an image of C: with Acronis or
Norton Ghost. Lifesavers. Regardless of WHAT you do or don't do,
like this thread.

It won't, just don't tell it to install t=o the C"windows (ie
98) directory - but it might refuse in ANY case. It is VERY
annoying, but it IS "user-friendly" (largely the same thing to
those with a clue).

<SNIP>