There should be a copy of this file in your System 32 folder. Go to Start/Run and Enter this command.

sfc /scannow (note space before the "/"); follow instructions, if any.

Run an updated virus and AdAware scan when complete.

This is a protected file and the sfc command I gave you should have replaced it. Did you run sfc ?

Thanks for reply - did all the things you said - have up to date Nortons Antivirus Protection - ran Spy Bot and Ad-Aware - and still no joy.  File did not come up as being in the System32 Folder only in the ones I specified when I did the search

Yes - just ran it again now.  It scanned through and just closed down when it was finished - without any message coming up.  My programmes still do not open following the scan.  Is there a repair facility on the Windows XP disk I got with the computer and could it be re-installed from that?

Check to verify that the sfc command replaced the imm32.dll file. It should put a copy in your System32 folder. Now uninstall your Works software, reboot, and install it again. I'm shutting down for the night so bon chance. Post back with your progress.

Ran all the scans - nothing!  Copied the file from the folder C:/i386 to folder C:/System32 and it worked.  All my programmes are now opening.  Thanks for all the assistance

That's great. The System File Checker should have picked that up. Either I'm wrong or your SFC isn't pointing to the right path.