Our Windows 2003 Server (Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard x64 Edition) started giving us the following error when trying to start most applications:- "This application has failed to start because KERNELBASE.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem." A lot of the services refuse to start as well. This started after a few updates (from Windows Update) were run on the server and/or when an ASP.net application was installed. Any ideas what this might be? Reference to KERNELBASE.dll is a strange error for Windows Server 2003.

It seems to only affect 32-bit applications. 64-bit runs fine.

Hi, Is the problematic 2003 stand-alone, a member server or a domain controller? As you have mentioned that “A lot of the services refuse to start as well”, please help clarify it. As the error occurs after installing updates and the ASP .net application, if it is convenience, please consider removing the updates and the application as a test. You can also refer to the following steps to narrow down the root cause of the issue: Suggestion 1: Clean Boot ===================== 1. Click "Start", go to "Run", and type "msconfig" in the open box to start the System Configuration Utility. 2. Click the "Services" tab, check the "Hide All Microsoft Services" box and click Disable All (if it is not gray). 3. Click the "Startup" tab, click "Disable All" and click "OK". 4. Restart your computer. If the "System Configuration Utility" window appears, please check the box and click "OK". Did the issue occur in this mode? Suggestion 2: SFC ================== 1. Click Start, and then click Run. 2. In Open, type SFC /PURGECACHE, and then click OK 3. Click Start, and then click Run. 4. In Open, type SFC /SCANNOW, and then click OK. If any error is received, please let us know. For further troubleshooting, please help gather the following files for research: MPSReport ------------------- Please generate a MPS Directory Service report on the computer that is reporting the error. The MPS report is utilized to gather detailed information regarding a system's current configuration. The data collected will assist me with problem isolation. To do this: a. Download Microsoft Product Support Reports tool from the following link, according to your system architecture. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=CEBF3C7C-7CA5-408F-88B7-F9C79B7306C0&displaylang=en b. Right click on downloaded mpsreports_x86.exe or mpsreports_x64.exe, and choose Run as Administrator. c. Agree the License Agreement, and choose This Computer. d. Select General, Internet and Networking, Business Networks, Server Components, and click Next. e. After finishing collecting logs, please choose Save the result to save it to a .CAB file, and send the CAB file to the workspace. Note: Sometimes the CAB file may fail to be generated on your machine. This is usually caused by the interference from some third-party application such as certain antivirus program. If it still cannot be generated after another attempt, then please manually zip all the output files in the following folder and send the .zip file to the workspace. "%systemroot%\MPSReports\DirSvc\Logs Upload these file to the following workspace. ------------------------------------------------------------ You can upload the information files to the following link. (Please choose "Send Files to Microsoft") Workspace URL: (https://sftus.one.microsoft.com/choosetransfer.aspx?key=443a2c33-86c9-45c1-9b34-6b2121dbf9a8) Password: x@O7pBC7x Note: Due to differences in text formatting with various email clients, the workspace link above may appear to be broken. Please be sure to include all text between '(' and ')' when typing or copying the workspace link into your browser. Meanwhile, please note that files uploaded for more than 72 hours will be deleted automatically. Please ensure to notify me timely after you have uploaded the files. Thank you for your understanding. Thanks. NinaThis posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.