The last couple of days, something strange has started happening with Windows. When I first start up the computer, everything is fine but after a while it is almost as if Windows 'forgets' certain file types. Any picture format will not load in the Windows Picture & Fax Viewer (it either says 'Drawing Failed' or just doesn't work at all) and all files used by Windows Media Player revert back to what I guess you would call the generic icon, although they still seem to work okay. Also, when viewing a folder with pictures using Filmstrip or Thumbnails there are no previews. I thought that the fact it only happens after Windows has been running for a while might indicate a virus, but I have an up-to-date virus scanner and it says the computer is clean.

Not only that, but every time I shut Windows down since two days ago, no matter how long the computer has been on, a box pops up saying;

'dwwin.exe DLL initialization failed'
'The application failed to initialize because the windows station shut down'

I tried doing a system restore from five days ago, but the problem is still there and I also tried the 'disable error reporting' method, which got rid of the error but not the problem with the files.

Could anyone give me some advice? Thanks!

This is possibly happening bcoz you have multiple programs associating themselves with similar files for e.g.

Windows media player
Winamp
Jetaudio

Player usually try to associate with relevant file for e.g .mp3

Which all of these play due to this clash the computer reverts to normal unrecognised icons

In case of picture viewer similar problem must be evident I can anlyse the problem if you give me list of all the backgroud apps on your computer.

Sorry to take so long to reply. I already had a feeling it might have been the software that came with my digital camera (despite the fact that I installed it almost a year ago), so your reply made sense. I uninstalled it, and lo and behold, the problem went away. Until today. I haven't installed anything whatsoever (haven't even re-installed the camera software), nothing has changed on my computer yet the problem is suddenly back again. Any other ideas?

DLL Initialization failed

SOrry for late rply I was away frm internet due to exams & other various things!

Does it only happen with images ths time? Or with anything else ?

I think it comes up every time I start up my computer