Article ID: 218838
Article Last Modified on 1/24/2007
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0
- Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0
- Microsoft Outlook Express 4.01 Service Pack 1
- Microsoft Outlook Express 4.01 Service Pack 2
- Microsoft Outlook Express 4.0
- Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
- Microsoft Windows 98 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q218838
If this article does not describe the error message that you are receiving, view the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article to view more articles that describe error messages:
315854 Windows 98 and Windows Me Error Message Resource Center
SYMPTOMS
When you attempt to compose a message in Outlook Express, you may receive one of the following error messages:
When you attempt to compose a new message in Microsoft Exchange or Microsoft Windows Messaging, you may receive one of the following error messages:
When you attempt to start WordPad, you may receive the following error message:
CAUSE
These error messages can occur if the Riched32.dll file in the Windows\System folder is missing or damaged. The first error message listed for each program occurs if the Riched32.dll is missing. Subsequent error messages indicate that the Riched32.dll file is damaged.
RESOLUTION
The Riched32.dll File Is Missing
If the Riched32.dll file is missing, WordPad may not be installed. To determine if WordPad is installed, double-click the Add/Remove Programs tool in Control Panel, click the Windows Setup tab, click Accessories, and then click Details. If the WordPad check box is not selected, click to select it, click OK, and then click OK again.
If WordPad is installed, extract the Riched32.dll file from the original Windows 95 or Windows 98 disks or CD-ROM to the Windows\System folder. For information about how to extract a file, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
129605 How to Extract Original Compressed Windows Files
Extracting the Riched32.dll file instead of removing and reinstalling WordPad is preferred because removing and reinstalling WordPad removes components used by Microsoft Exchange and Windows Messaging.
The Riched32.dll File Is Damaged
If the Riched32.dll file exists, it may be damaged. To resolve this issue, follow these steps:
- Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders.
- In the Named box, type riched32.dll, and then click Find Now.
- In the list of found files, right-click the Riched32.dll file, click Rename, type a new name for the Riched32.dll file (such as Riched32.xxx), and then press ENTER.
NOTE: If you receive an "Access is denied" error message when you attempt to rename the Riched32.dll file, follow these steps:
- Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart in MS-DOS mode, and then click OK.
- At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command:
cd\windows\system
ren riched32.dll riched32.xxx
exit
- Extract the Riched32.dll file from the original Windows 95 or Windows 98 disks or CD-ROM to the Windows\System folder. For information about how to extract a file, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
129605 How to Extract Original Compressed Windows Files
Additional query words: riched32 dll reinstall ipf oe exchange32
Keywords: kberrmsg kbinvalidpagefault kbprb kbfaq KB218838