OLEAUT32.DLL Will not start

[Trimmer]

Hello to all!
I'm hot today.. :-( I tried to install "Duplicate File Killer v1.8.5"...well, my AVG (corporate) set off a virus alert. I paniced and hit "heal file" then my desktop wallpaper vanished. I tried to uninstall it but it said--"OLEAUT32.DLL cannot start"-- I don't think it installed, in ADD/Remove it said--"Program possibly already uninstalled"--So I sent it's folders & files to 'recycle bin', restored my registry, and now I get an error saying my AVG isn't installed properly. My desktop is white...no wallpaper, I can connect to the net is about it, IE6 shows the browser but goes nowhere.
This is the first time I ever disabled a PC, I've been using 98SE for two years since last Dec. All I can say is I'm glad I have this Dell PC for a backup.
I will appreciate any & all input on this...thanks!
-Dale

[Pennydan50]

As this "just" happened (recent) probably the best thing to do is roll back your registry. This is done in DOS.

When your system is booting, just after your POST screen, (Power On Self Test) it'll say "Starting Windows 98". Right at that time (POST screen) start tapping either the Ctrl or F8 key. You have to be quick. You should get the Microsoft Boot Menu. Choose "Command prompt only". When you get the C:\> prompt, type in;

scanreg/restore

You should be presented with up to five dates. Pick a date ~prior~ to the problem surfacing. The registry will be replaced with the registry from this date. Any software loads or major system changes since this date will have to be re-done as you will (now) be working with a registry that's one or two or three days old. As long as no major Windows system files have been deleted your windows should be the same as on that date. Any files you've saved etc will be unaffected.

Another (simpler) way to get the boot menu;

Start, Run, type in msconfig. Click on "Advanced" near the bottom right of the General tab. Place a check mark in the box for "Enable Startup Menu".

To stop getting the menu on each boot, reverse the above process.

[Trimmer]

Pennydan50, I rolled back my registry & it didn't do any good. I printed this info out so I can try this.
Also, another friend of mine said to get "DCOM" for Windows 98 v1.3 (link is at the bottom).
I'm reading about this, I don't know which method to use...or should I try yours and his too.?
I'm pasting his email/text at the bottom here. I asked him about your method, not that I doubt it, but he never replied. I just needed more than one opinion, this is very confusing to me, then again I might luck out and fix it fairly easy.
Many thanks to you!, I will let you know what happens when I try this in my other (problem) PC. I haven't had time plus I've been gathering all the info I can before I go back in other PC.
I went to 'Msconfig'...the program was not listed there, like I said, I don't think it ever fully installed. I do believe my AVG deleted OLEAUT32.DLL when I hit "heal file".? I'm sorry, I know this is confusing. I wanted to make sure to reply to someone like you that is willing to help.
Have a good evening, again...THANKS!
-Dale
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rick Selby.net method;
Go to start, run type in msconfig,
click okay.
Click on the start up tab and see what in the right side has this file listed.
Take the check out of that one and reboot
But before you reboot I want to know what program is asking for this file for no program should be asking for this file unless it is a program that is trying to install something.
Then once you find out what program is trying to open the file, and get it cleaned up go to the following site and download and install the file listed on this page. Do NOT do this until you have what ever is causing the problem cleaned up or it will destroy this file also.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=08b1ac1b-7a11-43e8-b59d-0867f9bdda66&displaylang=en