Err Msg: Internal Error, Unable to Load or Call External DLL

ID: Q192849

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows CE Services versions 2.0, 2.1

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

When you try to uninstall Windows CE Services 2.0 or 2.1, you may receive the following error message:

   Internal error, unable to load or call external dll

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the Ceuninst.dll cannot be found. This may occur for any of the following reasons:

The Ceuninst.dll file is not located on the computer.
There is an invalid uninstall registry key.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Use Registry Editor to view the following registry key:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Micosoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ 
         Uninstall\Windows CE Services 2.0

2. Note the path for the Ceuninst.dll file in the UninstallString value.

   Typically, this path is to the C:\Program Files\Windows CE Services
   folder, but the value may vary if you installed Windows CE Services
   in another location.

   NOTE: If the UninstallString value is missing, skip to the
   "UninstallString Value Missing" section of this article.

3. Quit Registry Editor.

4. Reinstall Windows CE Services in the location you noted in step 2.

5. Uninstall Windows CE Services. To do so, follow these steps:

   a. Click Start, click Settings, and then click Control Panel.

   b. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.

   c. In the list of installed programs, click Windows CE Services 2.0
      (or 2.1), and then click Add/Remove.

UninstallString Value Missing

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

If the UninstallString value is missing, delete the entire Windows CE Services 2.0 registry key. Restart your computer, and then reinstall Windows CE Services. Then, remove Windows CE Services using step 5 above. This removes any remaining Windows CE Services files and registry settings.

Additional query words:

Keywords          : kbenv kberrmsg kbsetup wince 
Version           : WINDOWS:2.0,2.1
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: September 20, 1998