I accidently deleted shlwapi.dll when uninstalling some software. Now it says I must reinstall windows.

The computer boots up to the wallpaper but nothing else, icons, task bar ext....

My brother's computer which is XP has the file, but mine isn't showing up in network places.

Is there a place I can download a startup disc for ME? Or should I go buy the XP upgrade and install it?

Try extracting the file from your ME cab files. Download a full WinME Startup Disk from there, or bootdisk.com.

Boot with either (you may have to try both bootdisks), get to an A:\> prompt and type:

ext or extract

and press enter. Follow the question and answer routine, making sure you put for:

Path to Windows CAB files:
c:\windows\options\install

or failing that:

c:\windows\options\cabs

Restore To, put:
c:\windows\system

Specify File Name:
shlwapi.dll

Follow the rest of the yes/no routine and let it extract the file, then, when it's complete, take the bootdisk out and reboot.

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So windows is still actually there? I want to upgrade to XP anyway, would just buying the XP upgrade software work as well?

Sure Windows ME is there, it's just a bit sick at the moment.

Up to you what you want to do, either try repairing ME, or, if your hell bent on upgrading to XP, then do it and format ME with the XP CD and install XP.

Your choice. You have two.

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Well I have itloading to the wallpaper, but it's not loading the icons or taskbar still, but it's not giving the .dlll error.

When I try to upgrade to XP it says it can't detect a previous cersion, but in dos when i type dir c:\ it shows all the files there.

Then you will have to follow the procedure in #1 and repair ME and extract a new copy of shlwapi.dll.

And failing that, get your original ME disk and re-install over the top of what you already have. Makes no odds if your installing XP over the top of it anyway.

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Got the computer from my brohter, and no idea wher the ME disk is, but I have a 98 SE disk I can use, then do the upgrade. Very frustrating.

Before you try anything. Try the original fix -- It's not difficult.

Just read what's in front of you and take your time -- remember what my words look like and you will recognize them as you go through it.

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i have the file on the computer but it says i don't have windows

That makes no sense whatsoever. Have you extracted the file or not ?

Failing extraction, then you would have to try kick starting ME's setup.exe from the cab files. You would need the serial number at hand for that.

You can format the computer and put 98 on it, just make sure you have the drivers you need for it ready. Make sure that's not a 98 upgrade CD or you'll be screwed because you'll have formatted already and it will want a previous M$ OS to recognise.

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My sister said she had a similar problem, and had to put in the path to windows, but she can't remember what the path is. Can you help?

I probably could if I knew eactly what your going on about, but I don't.

You'd better rewind a bit and start explaining what your doing and what's going on.

I've asked questions and you haven't answered them -- I suggest you start doing so, so's we make headway.

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I now have shlwapi.dll back on the computer.

It boots up to the desktop wallpaper.

Nothing else shows.

Bought an upgrade to xp.

Put the upgrade disk in and it says that there is no previous version of windows.

at the command prompt I type in "dir c:\" and it shows the windows files there.

At the prompt you can type in "path" and it'll come up with the path to certain files ont he computer.

My sister siad putting this in manually fixed her problem, but she cannot remember what the path is.

Forgot to add this.

at the command prompt in C: I type "Win" and it shows a screen that says Make sur IFSHLP.SYS is installed.

Okie, two things, IF you used the extraction method to get shlwapi.dll back where it belongs, then try the exact same extraction method only replace explorer.exe. Explorer.exe goes in c:\windows this time and is extracted from the same place.

Try that and reboot.

The only thing I can think of that your sister might mean is setup.exe in the cab files. For this you need the ME serial number. If you haven't got it your struggling.

If you get to an A:\> prompt using the ME startup disk and type:

cd c:\windows\options\install

Or failing that, try putting:

cd c:\windows\options\cabs

and press enter. And then type:

setup or setup.exe

and hit enter again, then that should kick start Windows setup (variations may apply).

I do stress to ya though, you need the ME serial number for this as you are basically re-installing Windows ME over the top of itself. So obviously it will want a serial number again.

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Since I purchased my computer I have had to reload Windows ME about 3 or 4 times. A few times using c:\windows\options\cabs\setup.exe from the RUN window or from the discs supplied with the computer. I have never ever yet had to supply a serial number when doing the re-load either way.
Could it be that the serial number is embedded in the bios and doesn't need it everytime you do a re-load? I don't know, all I know is that I never had to type in the Windows serial number, either by using the discs or using the set-up cabinet file.

By the way, you can get your Windows ME serial number by right clicking on MY COMPUTER and then clicking on PROPERTIES. On the GENERAL TAB, which shows up first, under where it says REGISTERED TO there will be a 20 characters, mostly numbers, with "OEM" after the first set of 5 numbers. It is advised you copy this number down because I don't know where else it would be. My discs do NOT have this number on them anywhere.

"Could it be that the serial number is embedded in the bios and doesn't need it everytime you do a re-load?"

Not necessarily BIOS - but hidden partition.

"all I know is that I never had to type in the Windows serial number, either by using the discs or using the set-up cabinet file."

That's purely down to the OEM.

"By the way, you can get your Windows ME serial number by right clicking ...."

Yes, but not if you can't get into Windows.

"My discs do NOT have this number on them anywhere."

And yet again ...purely down to OEM.

Moral for anyone looking in, is go to your local trustworhty tech shop and have a machine built. Whereby you get what you want, with all the relevant disks included with your machine.

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OMG I have the same exact problem with my ME. missing shlwapi.dll fle and perhaps missing explorer.exe. I followed the instructions of this forum and extracted both the .dll file and explorer.exe on separate occasions. Now when I boot the computer it'll show my wallpaper, runs scandisk for improper shutdown, and then play the windows 'chime'. and thats it. no other files or applications load. when i type in ctrl-alt-del the only file that loaded is 'msgsys.' please help me. i dont have anything backed up =(

i've bashed my computer again :