By Doc Mechail

Last week, Medic Ed presented a list of quick fixes to try when your system chooses to misbehave. This generated a request for more information about Windows. Well, never let it be said that we here at the ETS Clinic don’t listen to our patients!

The first tip is a simple one. It requires a good memory or keeping a notebook near your PC.

1. When did this problem start?
1. Has any new software or hardware been added recently?
1. Has the system had any configuration or driver changes?

Windows programs (i.e. Office, Word Perfect, Internet Explorer, etc.) use files called DLLs (Dynamic Link Libraries) to provide program operation and setup information.

These DLL files are stored in the Windows\System sub-directory (folder in Win95). Each program you install usually adds more DLL files, USUALLY specific to that program. Some programs, however, use the same DLLs. If the programs both use the same version of the DLL, then you should be okay. BUT, if two (or more) programs use different versions of the same DLL, problems may result.

(This may get a bit technical). DLLs of the same name are not necessarily the same file. Often times, programmers will alter a DLL to optimize its performance with their software. When you install that program, (if the programmers wrote the installation software intelligently), the system will warn you that its trying to add a file that already exists and will ask if you want to replace the old with the new and make a backup copy of the old for safety.

A bad install program will eliminate the old DLL files without even telling you what’s happening. If you are given the option to back-up the existing file, BY ALL MEANS, DO IT! This can be crucial if a DLL problem crops up.

One important thing to look for when you have two DLLs with the same name is the file information. File Size (in bytes), and the Date and Time stamp on the file. USUALLY (not always) the newer version of the file is the one to try.

More next Week!