RUNDLL32 caused an error in SETUPX.DLL?

When trying to use "Add/Remove Programs"

I receive the following message.

RUNDLL32 caused an error in SETUPX.DLL

Restarting the computer is not effective.

Setting my system to an earlyer date not effective.

HELP

This question was answered on November 21, 2003. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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Error Message: Rundll32 Caused a Fault in Setupx

View products that this article applies to.

This article was previously published under Q177847

SYMPTOMS

When you double-click Add New Hardware in Control Panel, you may receive the following error message:

Rundll32 caused a General Protection Fault in module Setupx.dll

CAUSE

You may receive this error message if there is a damaged .inf file in the Windows\Inf folder

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, find and delete the damaged .inf file in the Windows\Inf folder To do so, follow these steps:

Verify that you can view hidden and system files.For additional information about how to do this, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

141276 How to View System and Hidden Files in Windows

Determine the date of your original Windows system files To do so, follow these steps:

Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files Or Folders.

In the Named box, type win.com, and then click Find Now.

Right-click the Win.com file in your Windows folder, and then click Properties.

Note the date on the Modified line This is the date of your original Windows system files.

Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files Or Folders.

In the Named box, type inf, and then click Find Now.

Double-click the Inf folder.

Move all of the .inf files that do not have the same date as your original Windows system files into a new folder For information about how to create a new folder, click Start, click Help, click the Index tab, type creating folders, and then click Display For information about how to move files, click Start, click Help, click the Index tab, type moving files, and then click Display.

Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

Double-click Add New Hardware, and follow the instructions on the screen If you do not receive the error message, skip to step 10.

If you receive the error message when you run the Add New Hardware wizard, move the .inf files back into the Inf folder, and then reinstall Windows 95.For additional information about how to reinstall Windows 95, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

149712 How to Install Windows 95: Helpful Tips and Suggestions

If you do not receive the error message when you run the Add New Hardware wizard, the damaged .inf file is one of the files you moved in step 6 To identify the damaged .inf file, move the .inf files back into the Inf folder one at a time (noting the name of the .inf file you are moving), and then repeat steps 7-8 Repeat this process until you receive the error message again When you receive the error message again, the last .inf file you moved is the damaged .inf file To determine where this file originated, double-click the file and note any manufacturer, version, or date information that may indicate the origin of the file After you determine the origin of the file, delete the file, and then reinstall it from the original installation disks or CD-ROM.

About the author

Posted by Student of Katharine Gibbs School - New York on November 21, 2003

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