Missing msls52.dll file

[iac505]

I have a Dell Inspiron laptop running the Windows XP OS and from yesterday it won't start up.

 

I keep getting the following error messages when it tries to boot up :-

 

1) lsass.exe - Unable To Locate Component

- This application has failed to start because msls52.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.

 

2) userinit.exe - Unable To Locate Component

- This application has failed to start because msls52.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.

 

3) EXPLORER.EXE - Unable To Locate Component

- This application has failed to start because msls52.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.

 

Further info that may help:

On Saturday afternoon (when my laptop last worked) my McAfee AV software informed me on 4 or 5 ocassions that it had found a trojan and then gave words to the effect that it had fixed/removed it. After shutting down my laptop on Saturday, from then on it will no longer boot up.

I have tried to boot in the various safe modes etc but no method works. I was able to get into a commapnd prompt and tried regedit but cannot find the missing file msls52.dll (or parts of it) anywhere. Reason I searched for it myself was that I read elsewhere that someone else who had this same issue was able to locate the "string" elsewhere and renamed parts of the registry.

Jelly Bean, ref the advice you give on Cookaboy's thread on same issue, I am unable to get to my desktop at the moment so can't get into any applications (eg IE) to download and run the programs you list. I do have access to another PC though if there is something else I can do to proceed?

I have searched the web but not found much on this particular file/issue but notice all the posts related to this file are fairly recent as more people become affected.

Hope an expert out there can help !

Thanks in advance,

iac505

[Jelly Bean]

Do you have the install disk for the operating system or the recovery console installed?

[iac505]

Yes I have the OS "Reinstallation DVD" but have refrained from inserting it into the PC for fear that it will mean I will lose all my personal data / files etc. Is there any other option?

 

Thanks

[Jelly Bean]

Oh thats brilliant.

 

Are you able to set first boot device to CD/DVD rom and pop in the disk.

 

I dont want you to do a recovery or full install but a repair install and see if that gets you up and running.

 

1.

When the Press any key to boot from CD message is displayed on your screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.

2.

Press ENTER when you see the message To setup Windows XP now, and then press ENTER displayed on the Welcome to Setup screen.

3.

Do not choose the option to press R to use the Recovery Console.

4.

In the Windows XP Licensing Agreement, press F8 to agree to the license agreement.

5.

Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press R to repair Windows XP.

6.

Follow the instructions on the screen to complete Setup.

[audreygreen]

Thanks, I really appreciate the step by step guide on using the repair install feature of the installation CD. But I have a follow up question. Will this method also work for other dll problems, let's say, Officeav.dll. Is there a general method to deal with problematic dll files?

 

From what I know, there are dll repair and scan tools out there, that help fix problems particularly associated with dlls. It will first scan your pc, then attempt to repair any dll problem it has detected during the scan. Do you know of any easier workaround?

[RandyL]

Hi.

This is an old thread. New questions should have their own thread as all problems as well as dll files are different.

 

I don't think much of those tools by the way.