Whenever I start my DELL PC, internet connection could not be made for IE7 or MSN Mail, but if I log off WindowXP and log onto WindowXP again then IE7 and MSN mail opens normally. This stated happening for about 2 weeks. At the same time, I started getting the following error message when I shut down or log off.

"dwwin.exe - DLL initialization failed
The application failed to initialize because Windows is shutting down"

Could someone provide some light on this problem?

How do you connect to the Internet?

I use Verizon DSL and a wireless card to connect to internet. Frank

Ok, so you have A Verizon Broadband modem and wireless router combo unit? I've heard a lot of very negative things about those. I would suggest going back to Verizon and getting just the modem or instructions on how to disable the router part and get your own router.

Scott,
Actually I have a separate Verizon DSL modem, and a wireless card. And there was no problem for the last 2 years. This problem only popped up a couple of weeks ago when I was cleaning out my Temp folder to make my computer work more efficiently. I was told that I could clean out everything in Temp folder. I conservatively deleted all word files and text files - would this be too much? One other thing is I was using Antispyware called Xoftspy, which helped me in the past but lately I heard that this particular software sometimes delete some of the operating system software. I am suspecting that through these actions of mine, some of the needed files got deleted. If someone had the same experience as I have and fixed the problem, he would know the answer.

You have a separate modem and a wireless card, but you don't mention a wireless router?

If you think the problem is a too thorough cleaning try going back to a restore point prior to the cleaning.

If I recall correctly the verizon disk comes with a test and repair connection feature also.

Are you sure? They could have for MSN mail because it is a special blend of
Verizon and MSN, and I already talked to Verizon techncial support to download the MSN mail software. On Internet 7, the product is from MicroSoft and Verizon could not have the repair tools for IE 7. Interesting thing is that it only happens when I start up (reboot), and It works normally when I log off and log back on with Window xp. Mystery, Mystery.

This is a screen shot of the Verizon help center on the disk http://tinyurl.com/y32luv
What you can do is try is testing your connection with it.

You might want to try a different browser [ Firefox or opera ] and see if it still happens
Personally I only use IE7 except for windows updates. Firefox rules [imho]

Apparently, FireFox has no such problem. Someone helped me to load FireFox, and it works as soon as I start up my PC. However, IE7 and MSN do not work right after startup. They freeze with the opening windows and I had to force them to turn off the opening window. Also many of the shortcuts on the desk top do not function. When I try to use Verizon disk, it did not allow me to use it. They require additional log-off and log-on of Window xp before they can be accessed normally. After I log ff and log on Window xp, I will search Verizon disk which I finally found last night.

(Continuing from my previous e-mail)
I logged off and logged on again. IE7 and MSN mail works now, and shortcuts on the desktop became accessible, but I still could not open Verizon CD. It gives the following error message.

------ Severe -------
Self-Registration Error: C:/Windows/System32/MacroMed/Flash/Flash.ocx

I do not know what this means!

I did look into my c-drive in Windows/System32/MacroMed/Flash. Besides Flash.ocx, it has
Flash8.ocx
Flash8b.ocx
Flash9.ocx
SWFlash8.ocx

Could this have anything to do with it?

Please see my answer to the same question here: https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/pcs/cannot-read-cd-dell-laptop-47869.html

And let me know if it helps

This problem disappeared all by itself after I ran anti-spyware programs several times for the last several days. It must have been due to some kind of malicious programs hooked onto my computer due to the spyware attack I had around the start of December. I have Window Defender, PC Clean, SpyBot, AdAware, and AVG AntiSpyware. I still get the message "dwwin.exe: DLL initialization failed," but it does not seem to harm any of my PC operation.

Thanks for everyone's inputs for this issue.

Scott,
... when I was cleaning out my Temp folder to make my computer work more efficiently. I was told that I could clean out everything in Temp folder. I conservatively deleted all word files and text files - would this be too much?

I routinely wipe everything in my temp folder. I mean EVERYTHING. Some files windows is still using won't erase. You'll get a message to that effect, or perhaps a long pause and then a message. In other words, Windows doesn't usually let you erase anything in the folder that you shouldn't erase.

But, you have to be sure you're in the right folder. I do this at a command prompt:

echo %temp%
cd %temp%

The first command will tell you what your temp folder is, i.e. what Windows is using. The second will take you there, if it's on the same drive as you.

Once you are in that folder, erase *.* should wipe out files not currently being used, up to the first one that is being used. Then you have to erase the rest by other means.

I do this at a command prompt:
START .
That says "start dot" if you can't make it out. It starts an emplorer window in that same folder (the current folder).

HTH,
T

tpeters has given some good, if long winded, advice on dealing with the Temp foolder.
There is, as ever, a more quick way.
A simple FREE program called CCleaner does exactly this as well as removing other "junk" files from your system.
It also does a good job of keeping your registry clean.
It's available HERE (http://www.ccleaner.com) as a FREE download.
Just install it and Bob is your mother's brother.