Err Msg: MMSYSTEM266 The Device Could Not Be Loaded... (139806)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q139806

SYMPTOMS

When you try to play an .avi (video clip) file, you may receive either of the following error messages:
MMSYSTEM266 The device could not be loaded. Verify the driver is installed correctly.

MMSYSTEM276 The device could not be loaded. Verify the driver is installed correctly.

RUNDLL32 caused an exception 03 in module MSVFW32.DLL at <address>.
When you try to view the properties of an .avi file by right-clicking the file and then clicking Properties, you may receive the following error message:
EXPLORER caused an exception 03 in module MSVFW32.DLL at <address>.

CAUSE

This error can occur if any of the following files are damaged or missing from the Windows\System folder:
  • Msvideo.dll
  • Mciavi.drv
  • Dciman.dll
Note that reinstalling the Multimedia component using the Add/Remove Programs tool in Control Panel does not replace these files.

RESOLUTION

To replace missing or damaged Windows files, you can run Windows Setup from within Windows. When you are prompted to choose between running a complete Setup or copying all files again, choose to copy all the files again.

Or, you can extract the files you want to replace from the original Windows disks or CD-ROM. If you have Windows 98, to extract a copy of the Msvideo.dll, Mciavi.drv, and Dciman.dll files, use System File Checker (SFC). For information about using the Extract tool or SFC, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

ARTICLE-ID: 129605
TITLE : How to Extract Original Compressed Windows Files


You can use the extract tool to extract new copies of the Msvideo.dll and Dciman.dll files.

To replace only the Mciavi.drv file, follow these steps:
  1. In Control Panel, double-click the Multimedia icon.
  2. On the Devices tab, double-click Media Control Devices.
  3. Click the Motion Video Device media control, click Properties, and then click Remove.
  4. Shut down Windows, turn off your computer, leave it off for at least three seconds, and then turn it back on.
  5. In Control Panel, double-click the Add New Hardware icon.
  6. Click Next, click No, click Next, click Other Devices, and then click Next.
  7. In the Manufacturers box, click Microsoft MCI. In the Models box, click Motion Video Device (Media Control), and then click Next.
  8. Click Finish. When you are prompted to restart your computer, do so.

MORE INFORMATION

The following files are called by Mplayer.exe when you play .avi files: 
   Windows\Win.ini
   Windows\System.ini
   Windows\System\Mciavi.drv
   Windows\System\Msvideo.dll
   Windows\System\Dciman.dll
   Windows\System\Avifile.dll
   Windows\System\Msvfw32.dll
   Windows\System\Wow32.dll
   Windows\System\Msvidc32.dll
   Windows\System.dat
   Windows\User.dat


The error message "DCIMAN32.DLL cannot start" may also be displayed if the Dciman.dll and Msvideo.dll files are missing or damaged in the Windows\System folder. Restore these files using either of the resolutions listed above to resolve the problem.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/16/2004
Keywords:kberrmsg kbmm kbprb KB139806
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.