Putting an end to Rundll issues once and for all

By: Wayne Davis
Submitted: 2009-07-01 12:33:06
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No matter how advanced the current crop of operating systems is, errors will always be present. Microsoft can spend all the money they want refining things, but as long as human programmers are responsible for coming up with the code, hackers, virus makers and other internet bad guys will find ways to mess things up. If you have been the subject of rundll errors in the past, you know how frustrating they can be. Thankfully, Vista has come up with automatic save mechanisms in programs like Microsoft Word that can save your work before your machine automatically restarts, but if you are using a non-Microsoft program that doesn’t have a feature like that, a rundll error can cost you a full day’s worth of work. Before we look at why these errors happen and what you can do to avoid getting them in the first place, let us take a look at what this file is and why you need it on your computer in the first place.

Why do I even need this crazy RunDll program?

So you can understand a bit better why this error happens, we need to take a closer look at how PCs are programmed. One of the most important file types on your machine is known as a .DLL file. The DLL stands for Dynamic Link Library, and although that sounds complicated, it really isn’t. DLL files allow different programs on your computer to operate seamlessly. You will have a DLL file for your monitor that other programs can access and read to learn how to display themselves properly on your monitor and then another one for your speakers so programs understand how to make themselves heard on your speaker system. Above all else, DLL files save us a ton of room. Imagine if every program we bought at the store had to have instructions on how to work with every mouse in the world, every keyboard in the world and every set of speakers in the world? Programs that could fit on one DVD now would have to be put on 50 DVDs. The modern PC couldn’t run without DLL files, and the rundll errors you are getting are based on the RunDLL file that turns those static sets of instructions into actionable programs. Someone, or something, is trying to gum up the works of your PC by attacking the one thing your PC needs more than anything else: working DLL files!

How could things have gone so wrong?

One of the biggest problems surrounding rundll errors is the fact that there are many different causes, although the most common is a virus or some kind of malware. Viruses love to attack your RunDLL file simply because the RunDLL file is key to running many of your computer’s programs, including things like your virus protection, anti spyware and malware programs and more. What usually happens is that these viruses will give you a fake error message that offers to shut down your RunDLL file because of some absurd reason. As soon as that program is shut off, your machine is essentially defenseless. You can help to avoid such a catastrophe by making sure you have functioning anti virus software installed on your PC at all times and that you do regular scans on a frequent basis.

Preventing a problem from ever happening

You can help prevent the occurrence of rundll errors by following a few common sense tips. First off, make sure you use an email client that automatically scans all attachments and downloads before you make them. Many of the top email clients out there, such as Hotmail, do this. The spread of viruses still happens through email more than any other format and sometimes, even attachments from friends that you know and trust can be infected, especially if your friend’s computer is infected and they don’t know it yet. You should also be careful which sites you use to download files from. While programs like BitTorrent can be very attractive, albeit illegal, a huge majority of files there are infected with issues that can’t be fixed. Using programs like this to obtain music, movies or programs can only lead to a significant increase in infections.

One final tip you can easily implement is to take care of issues as soon as they sprout up. Often times, viruses will exhibit signs that they are present on your PC long before you begin getting rundll errors. If you can take the proper action right away, you may avoid getting rundll errors altogether. It is only with proper vigilance and with a keen eye to how your PC is behaving, can you wipe out rundll errors for good. Hopefully, Microsoft will take real steps towards eliminating this error message once and for all with their next operating system.

Article source: Expert Articles