rundll error loading ctmbha.dll

Message Edited by ITperson on 01-23-200701:38 PM

Message Edited by ValFlynn on 03-06-2007 03:19 PM

Message Edited by ITperson on 03-06-2007 03:49 PM

I downloaded the audigy advanced drivers off of Dell's site, and renamed the license file...etc, but it still a) detected the old install and b) came back with the ctmbha.dll error again. Do I *need* to install them off of the CD?

Yeah, you can disable the .dlls and such, effectively relegating yourself to onboard sound.  Thing is, check your invoice....you paid extra for upgraded sound, which now no longer works.

 

And if you are a gamer, the MB_Dummy window isn't the issue...the freezing of the game after a few minutes is.  That goes away after you uninstall or disable the Creative software.  Again, makes paying extra for premium sound a rip off, huh?

 

Never ever again will I buy a Dell.

---

@ITGodess wrote:

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!

---

Help me... I have "B3420000.DAT" renamed to "B3420000.DAT.OLD and rebooted to see what would happen... same rundll error. I have not removed Creatives audio software yet. I downloaded the Creative Audio zip file from DELL's support site because I have misplaced the CD and activation key that came with my DELL E310. I'm not sure, is it or is it not needed to reinstall? I read further along in the thread that some one did this but no one ever mentions the need if the software key being a required component to complete this simplified procedure.

 

Will I need to obtain a licence key before following through with my unistall/install of the audio software? If I do need the key it means I will have to call DELL again! RATS!!!

 

Mark

Hello,

 

Please excuse the rather low-tech suggestion but this is what I did on my Inspiron 9400:

 

Start/Programs/Creative/Sound Blaster Audigy/Creative Restore Defaults

 

The error message has now disappeared. Hope it helps.

 

BTW, Dell has been kind enough to pre-install Voice Centre which, I presume, would allow me to record memos etc. Pity that the 9400 has no microphone. Bless!

 

Regards,

Kevin

Hello everyone. I had the familiar rundll error loading ctmbha.dll when I upgraded my hard disk. I changed the licence key at C:\documents and settings\all users\application data\creative labs\licenses from b3420000.dat to b3420000.dat.old. Then followed these instructions from Creative:

Sound Blaster Audigy Advanced MB Installation and Activation

Sound Blaster Audigy Advanced MB, also known as Creative Labs Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy ADVANCED HD for Dell owners, can be purchased and installed at the point of sale (from Dell), or it can be purchased (activated) afterwards.

You will receive a Proof of Purchase number when you purchase or install the software. This number also acts as your Activation Code in case you need to reinstall Sound Blaster Audigy Advanced MB on your system.

To activate the Sound Blaster Audigy Advanced MB, simply input the Activation Code (Proof of Purchase) number when prompted during the installation process.

Please enter the Activation Code exactly as given: no spaces, all CAPS, and there is not a letter O, only 0 (number).

If you receive any error about "No supported device found", or "The product license cannot be installed on this system" when you try to reinstall the Sound Blaster Audigy Advanced MB, make sure that you have reinstalled the following software and drivers for your PC.

1.       Dell System Software

2.       Intel Chipset Driver

3.       Sigmatel Audio Driver

All of the above can be found in the Dell recovery CD, or can be downloaded from http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/.

If you could not find the Creative Labs Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy ADVANCED HD Audio Software upgrade, or did not purchase it at the point of sale, you can download the Creative Labs Integrated Audigy Invitation from http://support.dell.com/support/downloads. This software contains the creative mixer with an upgrade button and a demo of the Audigy ADVANCED HD Audio features.

If you receive any error about "Activation Key has expired" when you try to reinstall the Sound Blaster Audigy Advanced MB, you can either register online through http://us.creative.com/advmb/ or contact Creative Technical Support with the following information:

• Name
• Phone Number Email Address
• Model Number of your computer
• Reason for the request

 

I also just recently got the rundll error, but this time with an "invalid access" message.

I've had my inspiron e1705 for almost 3 years now without this problem.  Scourging my hd for some extra space, I went through my program list and removed the "creative jukebox drivers" install that came with the laptop, which i think is what triggered the whole mess. ("what's this?  I've never touched this!  Looks like bloatware!"   -___- )

I tried re-installing drivers, and doing a system restore, but they didn't work...

 

What DID work was rebooting in safe mode and running "Creative Restore Defaults."  I still received an alert saying how only "some settings have been restored," but upon reboot the dll message was gone!  However, so was some functionality with the creative software (namely, soundfont bank manager).  Then out of blind desperation, I tried running the "Audigy Integration Invitation" application (although it also looked totally irrelevant).. and when it was done, I couldn't believe my eyes (or ears).  So far looks like things are back to normal..

 

Here's the link to the Audigy Integration Invitation application off the dell support site:

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/downloads/en/downloads_splash?c=us&l=en&s=gen&~mode=popup&file=168986

 

Hope that works !

 

 

I take my words back.

After rebooting a few more times, the message came back.

It's either the ctmbha.dll or a new dstsvc.exe message:

"Windows cannot find 'C:\Program Files\Creative\Shared Files\dstsvc.exe'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again... "

*sigh*

 

I've pretty much wasted enough time thanks to Dell's corner-cutting/money-making business strategies.  This whole soundcard business reminds me of my old Packard Bell back in the day.  Dell seems to be the new Packard Bell, if you know what I mean. 
I can no longer recommend Dell to anyone with confidence.

 

Error loading CTMBHA.DLL
A dynamic link library (DLL) initialization routine failed.

After uninstalling all Creative/SoundBlaster Software and Drivers
it may also go away. Related to the Creative Audigy line of sound cards.

Could also be Spyware, Malware, Virus, Trojan, Keylogger

Specifically

Type : Trojan

Category : Win32

Also known as:  Troj/BHO-HG (Sophos),
Trojan.Trojan:Win32/Vundo.JD.dll (MS OneCare),
Trojan.Trojan:Win32/Vundo.JH (MS OneCare), Trojan.Vundo (McAfee),
Trojan.Vundo (Symantec), TROJ_VUNDO.TUS (Trend),
Trojan-Downloader.Win32.Agent.awym (Kaspersky)

Vundo variants modify the following registry entries to ensure that their
created copies execute at each Windows start:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run: [MBMon] Rundll32 CTMBHA.DLL,MBMon

Locate CTMBHA.dll on your machine.

When/if found. The folder it's in may be a clue.

Right click CTMBHA.dll | Properties | Version tab

There should be a description on both General and Version tabs.

This info is part of the file and not all files have real good info.
Especially if it is spyware or a virus. Or whoever put it together was lazy
or secretive.

The DLL also creates a BHO (Browser Helper Object) class in the registry
that may appear similar to the following (for example):

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{68132581-10F2-416E-B188-4E648075325A}

Search for Hidden or System Files

By default, the Search companion does not search for hidden or system files. Because of this, you may be unable to find files, even though they exist on the drive.

To search for hidden or system files in Windows XP:

1. Click Start, click Search, click All files and folders, and then click More advanced options.
2. Click to select the Search system folders and Search hidden files and folders check boxes.

NOTE: You do not need to configure your computer to show hidden files in the Folder Options dialog box in Windows Explorer to find files with either the hidden or system attributes, but you need to configure your computer not to hide protected operating system files to find files with both the hidden and system attributes. Search Companion shares the Hide protected operating system files option (which hides files with both the system and hidden attributes) with the Folder Options dialog box Windows Explorer.