windows xp error

Hello, I have a problem with my in-laws' pc. They use xp. It starts up fine, when get to the user log on screen, any user I select does the same thing. Once a name is clicked on an error pops ups on screen. "Taskmgr.exe - unable to locate component. This application has failed to start because IERTUTIL.DLL was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem". Once this message is acknowledged the wallpaper for the user appears but no icons appear on screen or even pressing the Windows key in the keyboard does not bring up any apps,programs to select? Can anyone out there provide a solution to this problem? Many thanks.

Hi sorry to hear of your problem with this machine.
the file iertutil.dll is a run time utility for Internet Explorer and it's needed to help manage the Windows graphics shell including the Start Menu, Taskbar, Desktop, and File Manager.
Unless its running, the graphical interface for Windows will disappear. ( as you have found out… )
You may have enough control over your machine to install Internet Explorer again, but if not then a repair installation of Windows is a relatively quick fix, although having completed it, (the reinstall) you will need to do a fair bit of updating!
If you have not done this procedure before then take a look here, for some useful information;
http://www.techsupportforum.com/microsoft-…ll-problem.html
Regards
paws

hi thanks for the prompt response. ive had a look at the link you sent and i have to be honest it kinda loses me. is there a simplified step by step guide that i could be sent to follow. one point i'd like to make is i cannot find the xp recovery disk, which i saw mentioned. does the pose a problem?

Hi guys, this may be a little easier to follow hopefully.

You can go to HERE to read the tutorial on how to do a Fresh Install or Repair Installation of you OS.

brill, i'll give it a look. is there any way to do this without a recovery disc?

Hi, the easiest way is to use the Microsoft Windows installation disc…. if you haven't got one then for the purposes of the repair its Ok to borrow one from a chum…..just make sure that its the correct disc for the machine concerned…IE Win XP Home or Pro (you have to use the correct one) and it will save a bit of time if you get one with SP 3 included. Regards paws