Why Kernel32.DLL?

I have been getting a lot of error messages regarding to KERNEL32.DLL. Right after the PC has loaded and starting the Windows User Interface I get a error message stating the SAGE.EXE file is linked to missing export KERNEL32.DLL, so I press OK (twice) to get rid of the message. I also get error messages when opening Microsoft Word 7.0, Winamp and other programs (Fortunately my Internet Explorer still works). For Word, the error message would say WINWORD.EXE file is linked to missing export KERNEL32.DLL(there's some weird symbols after this), and then say: A device attached to the system is not functioning. The only option I have is to click OK, but then nothing happens and I can't open Word. Winamp and some other programs states similar errors. For some reason, the symbols after the KERNEL32.DLL messages changes every time I try opening it. For example:

WINWORD.EXE file is linked to missing export KERNEL32.DLL||`||||ué||

and next time I try open it, it would have different symbols.

I have tried running scandisk and defragmenting the hard drive but it would keep restarting itself. So I went into safemode and it still kept restarting, but it restarted less and was able to finish its process. There were no errors and I tried to see if the hardware devices were working in the Device Manager and all the devices said it was working properly. I was very low on hard drive disk space before but I cleared it up and still I get errors. The two things that I think is causing this problem is either my hard drive is breaking down or I have a virus in my PC. The reason why I think my hard drive is breaking down is because I have been using for 7 years now. This makes sense because I have been using it for quite awhile. I have also downloaded a .exe file from friend a day before this happened, so it might be a virus, but wouldn't all my other friends get this virus as well? All my other friends downloaded the same .exe file from the same friend I downloaded from and they did not have any errors or problems. This wouldn't make sense if this error problem would only occur to me. I have not done a virus scan yet since I don't have one, but I will try get one as soon as possible. Please try you best to help my find the main problem for these KERNEL32.DLL errors. Please email me back, thank you very much.

This question was answered on December 16, 2003. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

---

To be quite honest with you, it sounds like Windows has been corrupted You may need to reinstall Windows However, virus's could trick the system very easily If you don't have an anti-virus program then try downloading stop-sign anti-virus from www.stop-sign.com.

Windows uses three major files They are: Kernel32, GDI32, and User32 The 32 means that they operate in 32-bit mode (also known as protected mode)

Kernel32.dll is the 32-bit Dynamic Link Library (DLL) of the operating system kernel Kernel32.dll handles memory management, input/output operations, and interrupts When Windows boots up, Kernel32.dll is loaded into a protected memory space.

Kernel32.DLL errors can be caused by the following:

Damaged swap file

File allocation damage

Damaged password list

Damaged or incorrect version of the Kernel32.dll file

Damaged registry

Hardware, hot CPU, over clocking, broken power supply, RF noise, ground bounce, or bad hard disk controller

BIOS settings for Wait states, RAM timing, or other BIOS settings

Third-party software that is damaged or incorrectly installed

.dll files that are saved to the desktop

Non-existent or broken Temp folder

A control panel (.cpl) file is damaged

Incorrect or damaged hardware driver

Incorrectly installed printer drivers or HP Jetadmin drivers

Damaged Java Machine

Damaged .log files

Damaged entries in the History folder

Incompatible or damaged dynamic link library files

Viruses

Damaged or incorrect Msinfo32.exe file

Low hard disk space

About the author

Posted by Student of Katharine Gibbs School - New York on December 16, 2003

Need Help with this Issue?

We help people with technology! It's what we do.
Contact or Schedule an Appointment with a location for help!