Knowledge Base

DLL Initialization Failure May Occur When Loading Crypt32.dll

Article ID: 174327

Article Last Modified on 11/1/2006

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition
Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 3

This article was previously published under Q174327

SYMPTOMS

Computers running Windows NT version 4.0 with Service Pack 3 installed may display the following pop-up dialog box from certain applications after the applications have been running for some time:

DLL Initialization Failed
Initialization of the dynamic link library crypt32.dll failed.
The process is terminating abnormally.

CAUSE

This problem will occur if an application stays resident, such as a service, and repeatedly loads and unloads Crypt32.dll, Security.dll, or Schannel.dll.

RESOLUTION

Apply the updated version of Crypt32.dll to correct the problem. If the problem occurs as soon as an application is started or after the update has been applied, verify that all DLLs required by the application are in the system path.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0, Service Pack 3. A supported fix is now available, but is not fully regression tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Unless you are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Service Pack that contains this fix. Contact Microsoft Technical Support for more information.

Keywords: kbhotfixserver kbqfe kbbug kberrmsg KB174327