Error message: Msvcirt.dll file is linked to missing export msvcrt.dll (296551)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe 2003
  • Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Standard 2003
  • Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2003 1.0
  • Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2003 - DVD Edition
  • Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2002 1.0
  • Microsoft Streets & Trips 2004
  • Microsoft Streets and Trips 2003
  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q296551

SYMPTOMS

When you start your computer, you may receive an error message similar to the following:
Msvcirt.dll file is linked to missing export msvcrt.dll : ??_u@yapaxi@z
Or, when you attempt to start a program, you may receive an error message similar to the following:
The Msvcirt.dll file is linked to missing export msvcrt.dll
These error messages may be preceded by an error message similar to the following:
drive:\Path\filename - a device attached to the system is not functioning.
When this occurs, you are unable to start the program.

CAUSE

This behavior may occur after you install a program that overwrites either of the following two Windows system files with an incorrect or previous version:

Msvcirt.dll
Msvcrt.dll

This behavior may also occur if one of these two files is damaged or missing.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, replace these files with new copies from your Windows installation CD-ROM. To do this, use the method for your operating system.

Windows Millennium Edition

  1. Click Start, and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type Msconfig, and then click OK.
  3. In System Configuration Utility, on the General tab, click Extract File.
  4. In the Specify the system file you would like to restore box, type Msvcrt.dll, and then click Start.
  5. In the Restore from box, browse to the location of your Windows Millennium Edition (Me) CD.

    NOTE: If you have an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) installation of Windows Me, the Windows installation files may be stored in the following location:

    C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\CABS

  6. In the Save file in box, type C:\, and then click OK. You receive the following message:

    Extract File

    The destination folder
    c:\
    does not exist. Do you want to create it?

    Click Yes, and then click OK.
  7. Repeat steps 3 through 6, but substitute Msvcirt.dll for Msvcrt.dll.
  8. Insert your Windows Me Startup disk, restart the computer, and then select Minimal Boot on the Microsoft Windows Millennium Startup Menu that appears.
  9. At the command prompt, type Rename C:\Windows\System\Msvcrt.dll Msvcrt.old, and then press ENTER.
  10. Type Rename C:\Windows\System\Msvcirt.dll Msvcirt.old, and then press ENTER.
  11. Type Copy C:\Msvcrt.dll C:\Windows\System, and then press ENTER.
  12. Type Copy C:\Msvcirt.dll C:\Windows\System, and then press ENTER.
  13. Remove the Windows Me Startup disk, and then restart the computer.

Windows 98

  1. Click Start, and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type SFC, and then click OK.
  3. In the System File Checker dialog box that appears, click Extract one file from installation disk.
  4. In the Specify the system file you would like to restore box, type Msvcrt.dll, and then click Start.
  5. In the Restore from box, browse to your Windows 98 installation CD.

    NOTE: If you have an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) installation of Windows 98, the Windows installation files may be stored in the following location:

    C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\CABS

  6. In the Save file in box, type C:\, and then click OK. You receive the following message:

    Extract File

    The file has been successfully extracted.

    Click OK.
  7. Repeat steps 3 through 6 but substitute Msvcirt.dll for Msvcrt.dll.
  8. Quit System File Checker, and then restart the computer in MS-DOS mode.
  9. At the command prompt, type Rename C:\Windows\System\Msvcrt.dll Msvcrt.old, and then press ENTER.
  10. Type Rename C:\Windows\System\Msvcirt.dll Msvcirt.old, and then press ENTER.
  11. Type Copy C:\Msvcrt.dll C:\Windows\System, and then press ENTER.
  12. Type Copy C:\Msvcirt.dll C:\Windows\System, and then press ENTER.
  13. Restart the computer.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/20/2004
Keywords:kberrmsg kbfix kbprb KB296551
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