I am unable to re-boot, got the usual error messages "STOP 0x0000000A etc" so I need to get to safe mode to uninstall some drivers etc, but I keep getting "appn failed to start because SHLWAPI.dll was not found, re install may fix" however, I cannot re-install unless I can boot up - I'm stumped, anybody able to help?

Try putting your win xp cd in, then just do a repair install. Not sure if that'll solve it, but it's worth a try.

From this web page-- http://www.dll-files.com/dllindex/dll-files.shtml?shlwapi says this- shlwapi.dll is installed as a tied component of Internet Explorer, and the version should always match that of the installed version of Internet Explorer Likely have to use this-- How to Reinstall or Repair Internet Explorer and Outlook Express in Windows XP

shlwapi.dll is installed as a tied component of Internet Explorer, and the version should always match that of the installed version of Internet Explorer Translated: M$ made IE an integral part of XP OS. If any one tied component of IE is missing, the whole operating system is crippled. damn the greedy M$ for tieing IE in with XP OS! i_XpUser