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Not a Valid Win32 bit App

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5 replies

by kathyjp 1 view

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Suddenly, nothing on my computer will run at all. I can open folders, but every time I try to start a program I get a message "Not a valid Win32 bit App." and nothing starts. Running Win98SE. Can't open control panel or System inf. Can't run any command line progs in Windows. I tried Scanreg/fix, but doesn't help. Scanreg/restore hangs. System recovery disk starts to reinstall Win98 over old OS, but hangs. Any suggestions other than a complete HD format and clean install?

5 replies

by kathyjp

Poster rated this answer. Yes, I tried the reinstall in same folder with the recovery disk. the microsoft page you link just seems to confirm my thoughts that it is indeed the .dll files gone nonfunctional.

by bchesmer

Do you have a good antivirus scanner on this system? It sounds as if you have a virus on it.

by kathyjp

Poster rated this answer. Come to find out that the antivirus software on this one is indeed Norton 2000 and has not been auto updating or notifying of need for subscription renewal for over a year. No antivirus recovery disks ever made either. GRRR. Gotta be a clean install, darn it.

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