Member Avatar for duguti999

Everytime I try to use mozilla firefox or google chrome a message pops up reading "The application or DLL C:\WINDOWS\system32\USP10.dll is not a valid Windows image. Please check this against your installation diskette". It only lets me use internet explorer web browser.

I have tried many different things to try to fix it but have had no luck. I tried restoring my computer, running an anti virus program, restarting my computer, etc.

Please help. If you need any more information please let me know.

Thanks.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by sandeep.bhaskar.961

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That error points to a corrupted or mismatched copy of USP10.dll. USP10 is Uniscribe, the text shaping engine many apps use at startup (browsers, Office, etc.), so it is common to see Firefox/Chrome fail first if that DLL is bad. Windows protects core files like this with Windows File Protection (WFP), which will restore the official copy from the hidden dllcache and, if needed, ask for your XP media. That is why ’s rename-and-restart tip works and why noted it is a protected file. (learn.microsoft.com)

Practical order of attack that complements ’s idea: run System File Checker from a normal boot (not Safe Mode), then only fall back to a manual repair. In XP, Safe Mode blocks SFC because required services (RPC/WFP) are not started. From a normal boot, open a command prompt and run:

sfc /scannow

Have your XP disc that matches your installed Service Pack handy in case WFP needs it. If SFC cannot fix it, force WFP to replace the file by renaming USP10.dll and rebooting (as said). Alternatively, if you can open a prompt, copy the cached good file straight over the bad one:

copy %SystemRoot%\System32\dllcache\usp10.dll %SystemRoot%\System32\usp10.dll

Reboot afterward. (learn.microsoft.com)

@ineedhelp :/ If the command prompt will not accept keystrokes, you can: (a) boot to Safe Mode and rename the file from Explorer, or (b) use the On-Screen Keyboard (Start > Run > osk) to type the commands above. One caution: avoid downloading random copies of USP10.dll from the web; mixing versions or loading an untrusted DLL can introduce security and stability issues. Let WFP/SFC pull the correct build or use your XP media. (support.microsoft.com)

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Member Avatar for kkbari

I had the same problem, different file name, and checked Microsoft's support website. I am fully up to date with virus protection and was pretty sure I didn't have any kind of malware. Microsoft recommends renaming the file, adding .old (in your case that would be USP10.dll.old) and restarting your computer. It doesn't require complex downloads, is easily reversible if it doesn't work, and it fixed my problem.

Member Avatar for gerbil

Yes, usp10.dll is a protected file. Renaming it will generate another copy from cache. Or should... And then restart... see *.
Renaming... it's easy to lose track of renamed files, I put a couple of zeroes in front, then they go to the top of the list for easy deletion upon restart [* the sys may still be using it if it was already loaded, even though renamed, and so deletion will not be permitted]. So 00usp10.dll.old

Member Avatar for ineedhelp :/

Hi I have this, but when i go to command prompt and cannot type, what should I do.
Thanks

Member Avatar for salman.qayyum.52

hey i have seen which file .dll window was saying that is bad image as in my case it was browsedefender.dll in alluserwindows/application data/...... so on which address was mentioned in error so i just deleted the file and now everything is fine yeah it was saying that i cant delete the file as it was used by some other process so i used my UNLOCKER program and unlock and delete it and now i am working like it never happened

Member Avatar for Rik_

Check the dates. This thread has been dead for 2 years!

Member Avatar for gerbil

Ah, but he found a solution [somewhere], and is dead pleased.

Member Avatar for sandeep.bhaskar.961

When you start a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer, you receive an error message that resembles the following:
The application or DLL C:\Windows\system32\winspool.drv is not a valid Windows image. Please check this against your installation diskette.

This problem occurs if the Winspool.drv file is corrupted.

To resolve this problem, follow these steps:
Click Start, click Run, type %Windir%\system32, and then click OK.

Note %Windir% represents the path of the Windows system folder. Typically, C:\Windows is the path of the Windows system folder.
Right-click the Winspool.drv file, and then click Rename.
Type winspool.drv.old, and then press ENTER.
Restart the computer.

Article ID: 919753 - Last Review: June 9, 2006 - Revision: 1.1
APPLIES TO
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Keywords:
kbtshoot KB919753

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