What happeded to atl.dll?

When I start my computer I get an error message and it will no longer let me get online. The message says: AOL.EXE - Bad Image The application dll c:\WINNT\System32\ATL.DLL is not a valid Windows image. Please check this against your installation diskette. Not being able to get online, I can't download HJT or send you a scan. What do I do?

Hi BagelAnne,

You and I don't know what initially corrupted your ATL.dll, but we can deal with that later.

In the meantime, you have a couple of options to repair it.

1.
Since ATL.dll is a Windows System file, you can have your Windows Operating System (Win98…?) find and repair ATL.dll

to do so, GoTo:
Start - Run - (type)sfc /scannow - Enter
(this will launch System File Checker which will examine all the files in your Operating System to determine if any are missing or corrupted.) (Have your Win98 installation CD handy, since SFC will call for it to copy/replace any missing or corrupted files)

2.
If you need to, you can dowload ATL.dll, here:
http://www.dll-files.com/dllindex/dll-files.shtml?atl
Since the atl.dll download is only 66kb, it will easily fit on a Floppy Disk to be transferred to your Win98 machine. In Win98 this ATL.dll needs to be copied into C:\Window\System <— Folder.
If you get an arguement box saying you already have ATL.dll, select to allow "over-write" the current file.

3.
In the event that none of the above repairs the problem, you can do a repair installation of Win98, by simply inserting your Win98 installation CD and Running the installation protocol. This will "over-write" your current Win98 operating system.
(Note:*** While this "repair installation" is typically "non-destructive", you should consider backing up any important documents, files, media, etc. before initiating the installation.)
In most cases, this "over-the-top" re-installation of Win98 leaves all your saved documents and installed applications and configurations in place exactly like you've always had them. But it is always better to be safe and back-up before installing.

4.
You can also download and save HJT.exe to a Floppy Disk and then load and run it on your Win98 machine.
You can then "save" the HJT Log to Floppy Disk and post your HJT Log into the Malware Removal Forum.

In this (4th) fourth step, you may get assistance in discovering how your ATL.dll became corrupted in the first place.

Complete your work with your Trusted Advisor in the Malware Forum, then feel welcome to post back here in "other computer problems" if you have additional difficulties or questions.

Best Regards

Edit:
AOL.exe has been a "hoax" virus alert in some instances.
But has been an actual Malware problem in other instances.
Please do Run and Post your HJT Log over in the Malware Removal Forum to rule-out or repair any problem.
http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintas…esslibrary/aol/

aol.exe is a non-existent process and a virus hoax. Any e-mail messages relating to this process should be ignored.

Note: aol.exe is also a process belonging to the AOL Password Stealer. It is a registered security risk and should be removed immediatel

Ooops! Sorry. the Run - command line: sfc /scannow may not be recognized in your Win98 operating system. Instead do the following: Start - Run (type)sfc - Enter (This will open the System File Checker dialogue box) (Select - Start) This will cause SFC to scan your operating system as I noted above. When System File Checker is complete it will present you with the Options: "OK" or "Details" Click on "Details". Write down on a piece of paper the "Results" and post those "Results" back here in your next Reply. then Click "OK" "OK" "OK" "Close" to exit SFC. Sorry about the mis-cue that I posted above. Best Regards

Sorry I didn't mention it but this is win xp. I tried to use sfc /scan now. The scan widow opened and nothing happened. I shut it and tried to run it again and it doesn't even open at all now. I can't open systen restore because the error message will not let me past it. Can I do a repair installation using the xp disk?

Give it another try:
Start - Run - (type)sfc /scannow - Enter <— Notice the space between "c" and "/"

And yes you can do a Repair Installation with the XP CD, from Repair Console.

This time sfc did run but when it ended it showed nothing. Does that mean that all is well?

Does that mean that all is well?

Depends.
— are you able to get the machine online now?

If you are not able to get online, or you continue to have difficulties related to your originally stated problem, then please Download HJT.exe and save to a Floppy Drive, here:
http://www.radiosplace.com

On the problem computer —
Create a New Folder —> C:\New Folder\
Rename the New Folder —> C:\HighJackThis\

Place the Floppy into the problem computer to Copy HJT.exe to your newly Created Folder C:\HighJackThis\

Run HighJackThis
Press "Run a system scan and save a log"

When the Notepad copy of the HJT Log is complete, Save a copy of it onto the Floppy Disk.

Transfer the Floppy Disk back to your known-good computer to Post the HJT Log into the Malware Removal Forum here at TomCoyote.

If you have a Malware infection, your Trusted Advisor will offer instructions for removing it.

If there is no malware present, or if the problem persists after removing Malware, then a Repair Installation of XP would be a good next step.

While waiting for a reply in the Malware Removal Forum, use you time to save any important documents, files and media to CD for secure backup.

Keep us posted with your progress.

Best Regards