Trying to Install Visual Basic Program Generates Error Message: 'File Oleaut32.dll Is Out of Date' (289646)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
This article was previously published under Q289646

SYMPTOMS

When you try to install a program written in Microsoft Visual Basic, you may receive the following error message:
The file Oleaut32.dll is out of date. Restart so Windows can update this file.
Restarting the computer does not resolve the issue.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the version of Oleaut32.dll in the Setup package is later than the version in Windows 2000 and the Setup program tries to update the in-use system file through a restart function. It can also occur if Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows 2000 Professional or the critical updates for the past year are not installed on the computer.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, upgrade to SP1 for Windows 2000 Professional. For information about upgrading or about downloading the critical updates, please visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/default.asp.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

253934 Windows 2000 Critical Update, February 17, 2000

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

279764 PRB: Multiple 'System Files Are Out of Date' Errors When You Install Visual Basic 6.0 Application on Windows 2000-based Computer

This kind of update can only work when the Setup package was installed on a computer that runs Windows 9.x and Windows NT 3.51 or 4.0, but will not work on computers that run Windows Millenium Edition (Me) or Windows 2000. When the setup package is created on Windows Me without Visual Studio Service Pack 4 or 5 installed, the Setup package will include the Oleaut32.dll file, version 2.40.4275.1, in the System folder. As a result, the Setup program will always try to update the file since it thinks that 2.40.4275.1 is the latest version. Installing Windows 2000 SP1 does not solve this behavior.
To resolve this behavior, install Visual Studio Service Pack 4 or 5 and recreate the package.

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

279764 PRB: Multiple System Files Are Out of Date Errors When You Install Visual Basic 6.0 Application on Windows 2000-based Computer

If the source code is unavailable, you can modify the Setup.lst file and change the file version to a lower version manually:
  1. Open the Setup.lst file in Notepad.
  2. Change the following to: File3=@STDOLE2.TLB,$(WinSysPathSysFile),$(TLBRegister),,2/18/00 3:50:00 PM,16896,2.40.4515.0 File5=@OLEPRO32.DLL,$(WinSysPathSysFile),$(DLLSelfRegister),,2/18/00 3:50:00 PM,164112,5.0.4515.0 File6=@OLEAUT32.DLL,$(WinSysPathSysFile),$(DLLSelfRegister),,2/18/00 3:50:00 PM,614672,2.40.4515.0

    to

    File3=@STDOLE2.TLB,$(WinSysPathSysFile),$(TLBRegister),,2/18/00 3:50:00 PM,16896,2.40.4275.1 File5=@OLEPRO32.DLL,$(WinSysPathSysFile),$(DLLSelfRegister),,3/8/99 12:00:00 AM,164112, 5.0.4275.1 File6=@OLEAUT32.DLL,$(WinSysPathSysFile),$(DLLSelfRegister),,2/18/00 3:50:00 PM,614672,2.40.4275.1
  3. On the File menu, click Save.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/21/2003
Keywords:kbprb KB289646
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