I continue to receive "RICHED32.DLL is not a valid Windows image" error message. I am using service pack 3 for XP Professional. The installation disk that I have is for sp 1, so I know I shouldn't reinstall the file from there. Where should I pull that file from.I do not have a backup of my system.Any ideas on what I can do to resolve this issue?Thanks! 1 person needs an answerI do too

Hi debbiekk,1. When do you get the error message?2. Did you make any changes prior to the issue?Try the following steps and check the result.Step 1: Rename the Riched32.dll filea. Click Start, click Run, type cmd and click ok.b. At the command prompt, type the following commands, and then press ENTER after each command:cd\windows\system32ren Riched32.dll Riched32.oldexitNote: If you get any error message while renaming the file, then try to rename the file inSafe Mode.Step 2: Expand the Riched32 file to the original locationa. Click Start, click Run, type cmd and click ok.b. On the command prompt, type the following and hit enter.expand <drive_letter>:\i386\Riched32.dl_ <drive_letter>:\Windows\System32\Riched32.dllNote: <drive_letter> is the letter of the drive where Windows XP is loaded.c. If prompted to replace the files, then confirm to replace them.d. Restart the computer and check the difference.Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

Thank you Syed for responding.I receive the error message daily. I'm always working through ie, so I'm not sure if it's related to that.I don't recall making changes to my pc. I followed your instructions. I was able to rename the Riched32.dll to Riched32.old.I was not able to expand the Riched32 file as you instructed. I received the message, "Can't open input file: c:\i386\riched32.dl_."I verified that in the i386 directory, the dl_ file does not exit for Riched32. There is a RICHED32.DLL in the i386 directory. Is that the same file? It has the same file size.Thanks again,Debbie

Thank you Syed for responding.I receive the error message daily. I'm always working through ie, so I'm not sure if it's related to that.I don't recall making changes to my pc. I followed your instructions. I was able to rename the Riched32.dll to Riched32.old.I was not able to expand the Riched32 file as you instructed. I received the message, "Can't open input file: c:\i386\riched32.dl_."I verified that in the i386 directory, the dl_ file does not exit for Riched32. There is a RICHED32.DLL in the i386 directory. Is that the same file? It has the same file size.Thanks again,Debbie Debbie,I looks like the files in your C:\i386 directory have already been expanded. Just copy the file from C:\i386 to C:\Windows\system32It seems that Microsoft has not changed this file for a very long time. My XP Pro sp3 system still has version 5.1.2600.0 with a "create date" of 12/31/1979 -- which is prior to the release date of Windows XP.