Internet Explorer Window May Be Transparent

ID: q161261

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

The Internet Explorer window may be transparent and you may be able to see the desktop through the window rather than your default home page. Or, you may receive the following error message: 

   Error loading IEDKCS32.DLL. A device attached to the system is not
   functioning.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the Wininet.dll file is missing or the wrong version.

RESOLUTION

Verify that the Wininet.dll file exists only in the Windows\System folder, and that it is the correct version. 

                            Version     Size            Date
   -------------------------------------------------------------
   Internet Explorer 3.0    4.70.1157   289,552 bytes   08/24/96
   Internet Explorer 3.01   4.70.1215   291,600 bytes   10/15/96
   Internet Explorer 3.02   4.70.1300   299,280 bytes   3/22/97
To verify that the Wininet.dll file exists only in the Windows\System folder, and that it is the correct version, follow these steps:

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

2. In the Named box, type "Wininet.dll" (without quotation marks), and 

   then click Find Now.
3. Compare the file(s) found to the list above, and then delete any files 
   that are not the correct version or are located in the wrong folder.
   For information on how to delete files, view the help topic deleting.

MORE INFORMATION

Note that the Auto-Update program included in many of Sierra's new games replaces the Wininet.dll file and causes this problem.

Two programs known to replace the Wininet.dll file are Sierra Phantasmagoria 2 and Sierra Nascar 2.

If the above resolution does not work, try the following method:

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

2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs, click Internet Explorer, and then 

   click Add/Remove. When prompted, click OK.
3. Restart the computer and press F8 when the "Starting Windows 95" 
   prompt is displayed.
4. From the Startup menu choose Command Prompt Only.

5. Type the following lines at the command prompt, pressing ENTER after 

   each line:

      cd \windows
      smartdrv
      deltree tempor~1
      deltree history
      cd system
      ren mshtml.dll mshtml.old
      ren shdocvw.dll shdocvw.old
      ren inetcfg.dll inetcfg.old
      ren actxprxy.dll actxprxy.old
      ren wininet.dll wininet.old
      ren cachevu.dll cachevu.old
      ren inetcpl.cpl inetcpl.old
      ren shlwapi.dll shlwapi.old
      ren url.dll url.old
      ren urlmon.dll urlmon.old
      ren wsock32n.dll wsock32n.old
6. Restart your computer, and then reinstall Internet Explorer.

Additional query words: 3.00 3.01 ie30 ie3 clear background show shows hole reveal invisible see through 

Keywords          : kberrmsg kbui msiew95 
Version           : 3.0 3.01 3.02
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: May 9, 1998