PRB: Error Message Cannot Load 32-bit DLL (164742)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows 3.0
  • Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows 3.0b
  • Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows 5.0
  • Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows 6.0

This article was previously published under Q164742

SYMPTOMS

The following error occurs when you attempt to call a function in a 16-bit DLL that has been registered with the DECLARE-DLL command:
Cannot load 32-bit DLL <path to DLL>
It may also seem to happen in calling the RegFn() function in FoxTools, if the incorrect syntax is used, after having registered the function with the DECLARE-DLL command.

STATUS

This behavior is by design. The DECLARE-DLL command should only be used to register 32-bit DLL functions in FoxPro. To register a function of a 16- bit DLL, use the RegFn function of the FoxTools.FLL library.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

The following steps are for illustration purposes only -- the DLL in the example does not exist.

Type the following commands in the command window:
   DECLARE INTEGER TestFn IN Test16.dll INTEGER,INTEGER
   *** The error will occur on executing the next line of code
   ? TestFn(1,1)
   *** Removing the asterisk on the next line would resolve the error
   *** that occurs on the first RegFn() call below.
   * CLEAR DLLS

   SET LIBRARY TO HOME()+"FoxTools.FLL"
   *** The error will occur on executing the next line of code
   *** because it is attempting to call the TestFn() function registered
   *** above with the DECLARE-DLL command
   handle = RegFn(TestFn(),"II","I","Test16.DLL")
   * The correct way to register the function is...
   handle = RegFn("TestFn","II","I","Test16.DLL")
   ReturnValue = CallFn(handle, 1, 1)  && Note this works now
					

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/3/2003
Keywords:kbprb kbprogramming KB164742