[Solved] Installation error with OLE2.DLL

Hi Paul,

Thanks for posting. I am running multiple flavors of Windows 11 with no issues. All on 22H2.

I have not heard of this problem from any of the other 5k users.

So, I wonder what is unique about this new computer of yours.

Who makes it?

Are you running Win11 inside a MAC or emulation software such as Parallels?

What kind of processor? Intel, AMD, or what?

Let's start here. We will figure this out.

Hi Paul,

I still need the answers to my questions above. But I have some more things to look into now.

After a bit of digging, it appears that maybe the problem is with your version of OLE2.dll that your computer has. It may be corrupt, and it is what is being used to run the BD installer on your computer.

So, the first thing we want to do is to run the SFC /scannow command on your computer.

1. Run the CMD utility as administrator on your computer.
   1. Type CMD into your Search/start bar on Win11 and choose run as administrator
      
      

      

   2. Now run the command "sfc /scannow"

This will look for corrupt Windows system files on your computer and fix them if found. After it completes, note the message such as "no errors found" or "errors found and fixed". A screen shot of this would be nice.

Now - delete the old downloaded installer and download the installer again, and run it. 

Let me know.

Just an FYI, further checking shows that this is likely file corruption on your computer, not a problem with Birder's Diary.

Please follow the instructions above for sfc /scannow and let me know.

hi Jeff, sorry, had to step away.  It's a new Microsoft Surface Studio Laptop 2. I had already done the sfc /scannow and it came up clean (i.e. it said nothing was broke).

I'll give it another shot, will post back if anything different happens...

thx, Paul

Thanks for the update Paul.

OLE2.dll is not a file shipped with Birder's Diary or the installation EXE. So, it seems pretty clear that this might be a problem with that file on your computer. Or, but I don't find any evidence for this online, it might be a compatibility problem between your copy of OLE2.dll and the BD installer.

Here is what I find online:

The error message typically indicates that a required DLL file is corrupted or missing. It's advisable to replace the corrupted or missing OLE2.dll file with a new, uncorrupted version. Here's a step-by-step procedure to replace the DLL file:

1. Go to a reliable website to download the required DLL file (e.g., dll-files.com).
2. Search for OLE2.dll and download it.
3. Unzip the downloaded file to a location on your computer.
4. Copy the DLL file.
5. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32.
6. Paste the copied DLL file into the directory, replacing the old file if prompted.
7. Try running the installer again to check if the issue is resolved​​.

OLE2.dll is categorized as a Win16 EXE (Dynamic Link Library) file, originally created for use in Windows 10 by Microsoft​.

Errors related to OLE2.dll can occur due to a faulty application, or if OLE2.dll has been deleted, misplaced, corrupted by malicious software, or if there's a damaged Windows registry​.

You might also, FIRST, try simply re-registering the DLL file and see if that helps.

Re-registering OLE2.dll:

1. Open an Elevated Command Prompt:

   • Press Win + R to open the Run dialog, type cmd, and then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.

2. Unregister the DLL:

   • Type the following command and press Enter:
     regsvr32 /u C:\Windows\System32\OLE2.dll


     (or use C:\Windows\SysWOW64\OLE2.dll for 32-bit systems)

3. Re-register the DLL:

   • Type the following command and press Enter:
     regsvr32 C:\Windows\System32\OLE2.dll


     (or use C:\Windows\SysWOW64\OLE2.dll for 32-bit systems)

Keep me updated please.

If none of this works, I would be able to get onto your computer tomorrow sometime and have a go at this myself.

thanks, Jeff -- let me give this a try!  please stand by...

cheers, Paul

hi Jeff, I just tried to unregister and hit an error -- it seems that ole2.dll doesn't exist on my machine (and doesn't on my old laptop, either, I just did a search).  Is there a chance there is a typo in the installer, or something is trying to link to that dll? There is an ole32.dll in my system32 directory, and there is in my old laptop too.

thx, Paul

Oops. Nevermind. I misread your post. You said OLE2.dll does NOT exist on either computer, but that OLE32.dll does. OLE32 is not the problem. Don't mess with that.

The error is with OLE2.dll. As you have nicely shared with the screenshot.

So, I think you need to find it online, download and register it. Per the instructions further above.

Yes - upon further reflection, the missing OLE2.dll is likely the entire problem. My Win11 computer has it in the SysWOW64 directory.

I take that back -- ole2.dll does exist on my new machine, but not in the system32 directory that is expected?

On my old laptop, it only exists in the WinSxS directory, not the syswow.

sorry for the confusion...

Paul

My comments are way behind yours 🙂

Let me see if I can copy it to the system32 directory?