Error on GDIPLUS.DLL

Question

I recently rebuilt (a clean install) my Dell Inspiron 660m with Windows XP SP2. It has an ATI Radeon 9000 Mobility video card. For some reason, when I try to view a folder that contains more than six or so icons, explorer.exe crashes on module gdiplus.dll. Furthermore, if I try to browse the folder via Internet Explorer, it also crashes iexplorer.exe on module gdiplus.dll (the full error log for both from event viewer is below).

I have all the latest Windows patches, DirectX 9.0c, and the latest drivers from ATI.

I've researched this problem on Google and Google Groups, and the answer seems to be to reinstall Windows. However, I want to be able to resolve this issue without reinstalling. Is this possible?

Thank you!

*** ERROR LOG ***
Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1000
Date: 1/13/2005
Time: 7:31:03 PM
User: N/A
Computer: RHPT
Description:
Faulting application explorer.exe, version 6.0.2900.2180, faulting module gdiplus.dll, version 5.1.3102.2180, fault address 0x0014e28f.

*** ERROR LOG ***
Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1000
Date: 1/13/2005
Time: 6:09:11 PM
User: N/A
Computer: RHPT
Description:
Faulting application iexplore.exe, version 6.0.2900.2180, faulting module gdiplus.dll, version 5.1.3102.2180, fault address 0x0014e28f.

RoHe · Answer

Scanned for viruses/spyware lately? GPIPLUS.DLL is susceptable to infection. Run up-to-date antiviral, adware (free), spybot (free) & CWshredder (free) on your system. If they report infection, grab free copy of hijackthis off the net and post the hijackthis log in the virus forum for expert help.

If system is clean, you may just have corrrupt system file. Run System File Checker. Click start>run and enter: SFC /scannow
(space between SFC and /)
It may be able to restore the dll from archive on HD or it may ask for your XP Reinstall CD.

Last resort may be to download zipped file with gdiplus.dll at www.dll-files.com/dllindex/dll-files.shtml?gdiplus

Ron

Message Edited by RoHe on 01-13-2005 09:00 PM

chuket · Answer

See if this from MS helps. SP2 is not supposed to be affected but check the list to see if it pertains to you. http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS04-028.mspx

maxd · Answer

This could be one of those files (gdiplus.dll) you should make a backup of since I don't think sfc will help you if it's corrupt/missing. As chuket points out it's a hotfix that was included in SP2 so uninstalling/reinstalling SP2 may do it. Not what you want, I know.

The only thing I could come up with (I'd be very surprised if this will work) you could uninstall the 'buried' hotfix KB833987. If you slipstreamed SP2 I don't think you'd have this option at all. I have the un-installer in:

C:\WINDOWS\$NtUninstallKB833987$\spuninst

It's a long shot at best but if it does work you should re-install the update(hotfix) asap.

maxd · Answer

Did you try the Office updater ? http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdate/default.aspx

rhpt · Answer

I was able to reproduce the error on four other machines running XP and SP2 (with Office 2003 SP1). However, I could not reproduce the error on an XP machine with SP and Office 2003 SP1.

I think it is related to KB885876 and the GDIplus.dll included in Office 2003 SP1.

I wonder if Microsoft knows about this issue ...

Message Edited by rhpt on 01-14-2005 06:22 PM

rhpt · Answer

@maxd wrote: Did you try the Office updater ? http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdate/default.aspx Yup. Nothing there.

RoHe · Answer

Maybe the problem you're having and results from failed install of the hotfix? See:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/885876

Did you try to download and reinstall GDIPlUS.DLL from the link in my earlier message?

Ron

rhpt · Answer

I'm starting to think that there's a good chance that hotfix is causing the problems. Unfortunately, I slippedstreamed Sp2 when I rebuilt the machine.

I have not tried reinstalling the DLL. I will do that now. However, since I can replicate the problem on different machines, I am not sure that the DLL is corrupted at all.

RoHe · Answer

Try following the steps at that Microsoft link to determine if the hotfix was installed correctly, and then follow the instructions to repair any damage.

BTW:when did you install the hotfix? Directly after you reinstalled XP? Any chance you could just do a System Restore to date prior to the hotfix and eliminate the hassles?

Ron

rhpt · Answer

I cannot uninstall the hotfix as I slipstreamed SP2 into my XP install and used that to load Windows into my laptop. It is my understanding that the hotfix is part of SP2.

maxd · Answer

Assuming you updated the BIOS before the install, installed any required chipset driver, installed latest video driver, ran the command dxdiag for possible causes, etc. I would set a restore point and install this Office 2003 gdiplus-related update. (It may resolve the version conflict if that is what the problem is being caused by.) I know you said your office scan didn't pick up the need for it but it's worth a try.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=106BCF99-1BA9-4035-94C5-2A7FA90E5971&displaylang=en

rhpt · Answer

Downloaded and installed the security update, but still the same results :(

maxd · Answer

Did you get this fixed ? Am interested in the answer if you did. If you're still puting up with it I would try running the qfecheck and belarc to see if any bad installs exist. Try uninstalling the manual gdi patch I linked you to and see what problems that gives you. Let me know.

Forgot the links.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=155c7c58-102e-47b0-a12a-bfab8cfccc03&DisplayLang=en

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Message Edited by maxd on 01-22-2005 02:47 PM