DOCUMENT:Q146965
TITLE	:DLL Initialization Failure May Occur When Loading Crypt32.dll
PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT
PROD/VER:4.0
OPER/SYS:WINDOWS
KEYWORDS:kbbug4.00.sp3 ntsecurity NTSrvWkst kberrmsg

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The information in this article applies to:

 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0, Service Pack 3
 - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0, Service Pack 3
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SYMPTOMS
========

Computers running Windows NT version 4.0 with Service Pack 3 installed may
display the following pop-up dialog box from certain applications after the
applications have been running for some time:

   DLL Initialization Failed
   Initialization of the dynamic link library crypt32.dll failed.
   The process is terminating abnormally.

CAUSE
======

This problem will occur if an application stays resident, such as a
service, and repeatedly loads and unloads Crypt32.dll, Security.dll, or
Schannell.dll.

RESOLUTION
==========

Apply the updated version of Crypt32.dll to correct the problem. If the
problem occurs as soon as an application is started or after the update has
been applied, verify that all DLLs required by the application are in the
system path.

A version of this fix for the Simplified Chinese version of Windows NT has been 
posted in the following location:

    ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/bussys/winnt/winnt-public/fixes/chs/nt40/
     hotfixes-postSP3/crypt-fix/

NOTE: The above link is one path; it has been wrapped for readability.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0,
Service Pack 3. A supported fix is now available, but is not fully
regression tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this
specific problem. Unless you are severely impacted by this specific
problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Service Pack that
contains this fix. Contact Microsoft Technical Support for more
information.

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