Skip to main content

Unsolved

This post is more than 5 years old

jbc123456

4 Posts

194716

February 23rd, 2006 00:00

rundll error loading ctmbha.dll

Hi,
 
I'm getting the following rundll error.
 
error loading ctmbha.dll a dynamic link librayr (dll) inititiation routine failed.
 
Any suggestions?
 
thanks.
 
jbc

DELL-Jesse L

Moderator

 • 

17.9K Posts

 • 

69K Points

October 26th, 2006 10:00

PR7,

According to creative the only way to resolve this error is to reinstall windows. I know it sound extreme but, so far this is the only way to get rid of the error.

PR7

3 Posts

October 26th, 2006 23:00

Update to my other post stating Dell was replacing the board on my computer. The new board has been installed, and not surprisingly, the CTMBHA.DLL message came up on the third boot.
 
Penny

PR7

3 Posts

October 26th, 2006 23:00

I tried "Creative" on-line support when I first researched this error message. They did not have this sound card (Sigma Tel) or the error message listed. When I contacted Dell about this they explained the card was not actually a Sound Blaster card at all. It was a generic card permanently attached to the board, using the Sound Blaster software. Now Sound Blaster is telling Dell those of us who have these computers must re-install the operating system to in order to fix the problem. 
 
Who is going to be responsible for doing this?
 
If it's the system owners, who is going to help us do the re-install?
 
What is the difference between the installation at Dell and the one we (owners) would do that would fix the problem?
 
After all it's the same operating system and software. Why would the error go away?
 
Thank you in advance.
 
Penny

Ex nihil

10 Posts

October 27th, 2006 04:00

It is pretty clear from the now very lengthy thread that the situation is completely out of control and there is no solution.  I would be very wary about reinstalling the DOS, read through this thread from end to end before you do it.  This thread now knows much more about this subject than the Dell support techos do. Everything has been tried.  It's a permanent Dell software stuffup.  I think the only solution is to unload the Creative software and have the premium repaid by Dell.  Dell recredited mine and I just live without the software.  I know it's only $16.80 or something but it made me feel a little less bitter.  I get some of the utility from using DFX for Windows Media Player.  My Dimension now works just fine after I thoroughly eliminated all Dell dedicated software on it, there are similar, less obvious problems with the CinePlayer licencing and getting rid of Dell Media Experience fixes some minor Windows problems.  Don't unload the HD sound drivers though, if you accidentally do so they can be reloaded from the CD, they have nothing to do with the CTMBHA error.  Good luck.

max_cgn

10 Posts

October 27th, 2006 13:00

Hi Ex nihil and all others,

It might be painful to re-install the operating system, but it is the only way I know as yet, that will make the DLL error go away and allow you to use the Creative software you have paid for without buying another SoundBlaster card.

I know that re-installing the OS is a durable solution, because I did it myself and wrote about it over three months ago (http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_audio&message.id=66072#M67059).

I nevertheless consider this problem a major flaw and can only encourage you to ask for a refund from Dell. I can also not conceal, that the fact that Dell was not willing or able to correct the defect so far, has seriously damaged my confidence in the company.

Best regards, max_cgn

utk1

2 Posts

October 29th, 2006 16:00

Hey everybody, I sent a message to the thread (page 5), and IT WORKS. TRY IT. Here's the link to the thread explaining the solution:
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_audio&message.id=69183&query.id=159873#M69183

So do it, it'll take a 1 - 1 1/2 hr, BUT IT WORKS. Even the dell guy who said "there is no other way" is wrong, as they've been since the beggining anyway.
So try it,
good luck.

uriel.

ITGodess

5 Posts

November 3rd, 2006 14:00

Save yourselves the time and trouble and do this:
 
Go to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Creative Labs\Licenses" directory.
 
Rename the B3420000.dat file there to B3420000.dat.old.
 
Reinstall the Creative software. This dll will no longer see the previous activation and allow you to install and reactivate.
 
No more errors!

Ex nihil

10 Posts

November 5th, 2006 21:00

That .dat file looks interesting and confirms my suspicions that Dell stuffed up the licencing arrangements for Creative and CinePlayer,  but  B3420000.dat  is a protected file and cannot be deleted or renamed even as administrator, how did you manage to do it?
 

Message Edited by Ex nihil on 11-05-2006 05:27 PM

Message Edited by Ex nihil on 11-05-2006 05:28 PM

ITGodess

5 Posts

November 6th, 2006 10:00

Hmmmm...I had no issues renaming it. Did you have any Creative software open when you tried? You could try this: Start, Run, msconfig and uncheck the ctmbha.dll in the Startup tab. Reboot and try to rename the B3420000.dat.
 
Post if that worked.

tio_andy

3 Posts

November 12th, 2006 21:00

Re-naming B3420000.dat and re-installing worked for me.

krweby

2 Posts

December 4th, 2006 04:00

Re-naming B3420000.dat and reinstalling the soundblaster mb software fixed the issue I was having when shutting down mb_dummywindow.  Thanks.  It looks like the lic file after reinstall is a little larger then the old one.

jonfweber

7 Posts

December 21st, 2006 13:00

Re your pre-sales recommendation, can I solve the problem by swapping out the card that came with the unit (Sigmatel) for another sound card?  What are examples of the "true extension cards" you recommend? 
 
Thanks
 
 

max_cgn

10 Posts

December 21st, 2006 20:00

Hi Jon,

The Sigmatel is a sound chip that is integrated on the motherboard of the unit, it's not a real extension card. Thus, you can't swap it out - you can only deactivate it. However, the Sigmatel is not causing the problems. The reason for our headaches is the upsell option "Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition". The last two words say it: It's nothing more than a software that "emulates" a real Sound Blaster card, using the Sigmatel chip. So all you get for your 25 $ extra is an unnecessary and faulty extra driver, that will cause you nothing but trouble.

More detailed pre-sales suggestion

  1. In any case, do not choose the "Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD" option, as all you get for your money is trouble.
  2. Buy a "true extension card" if you belong to one of these groups:
    • Musicians that are going to record their songs with their computer.
    • HiFi enthusiasts that have spent a fortune on their speakers and amplifiers.
    If you think you need a true extension card, read tests and reviews to find out, which model fits your needs best.
  3. All others should choose the "Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio" option that is always included. It's cheap, it's good and it won't make your system unusable. Don't bother - if you find out that you had better bought a professional sound card later on, just buy it then.

I hope these suggestion are of any help for you. Just let me know if you have any questions.

Best regards,
Max

jonfweber

7 Posts

December 22nd, 2006 00:00

Thanks Max

While haven't spent a "fortune" on my home audio, I did spent $3K or so and was assuming (perhaps wrongly) that a better sound card would somehow enhance the quality of the audio experience. Instead, as you rightly point point out, all I got was a headache from Dell with defective driver. What can I ask Dell to do at this point to make it right?


Does it make sense to have Dell provide me with a true extension card and disable the Sigmatel extension card? I won't bother if you think it will bring no appreciable benefit. Am I better off by saving further headaches and just using Sigmatel card but not having use of the Creative software and putting up with the annoying driver errors?

I appreciate your help

Jon

alray1989

27 Posts

December 22nd, 2006 16:00

Hi Max,
 
I am one of those who (didn't have a clue) purchased this "upgrade".
How does one disable the integrated card?
 
TIA,  Ray

Was this post helpful?

View All

No Events found!

Top