Windows 98 back up

[devadiva]

I have a Tiny computer bought in July 1998 which runsWindows 98. It obviiously has errors on it and as it has only been used for email, internet browsing and storing photos, I thought I would try to back up the photos but got the following error message

"Error starting program" A required DLL file, SH31W32.DLL was not found

What does it mean and could a non technical person i.e. me, put it right.Or would it be best to scrap the computer and lose the photos?

[VHG]

It depends what you are using to back up the photos.

You say you are starting a program, what program?

From the message it sounds like the program is either not installed or not installed properly. It is saying a file called "SH31W32.DLL" is missing.

Does this help?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/218625

[cazzz1975]

do you have a usb port?

if yes, then buy a small usb drive suitable for win 98 and copy them over, then reinstall windows on your tiny computer if you wish to, or reinstall your back up program to fix your dll problem.

alternatively why not try burning the photos on to a writable cd/dvd

[VHG]

You dont have to "back up" the photos using a backup program, you could just COPY the photos from your computer hard disk to another medium.

Now I know Windows 98 did not support all the latest technology, but some of your options are:

Buy a USB Memory stick and copy the photos to that (if your PC has a USB slot)

If your PC has a CD writer copy the photos to CD.

If you know someone who is fairly technical they could take the hard disk out the PC case, put it in an empty hard disk caddy, plug the hard disk caddy into a new PC and copy the pictures on to the new PC. (I have a PC caddy that could do this and it would probably take me no more than 30 minutes)

So you DONT need to lose the photos as it should be fairly easy to ge the photos off if you have the right technology.

[Wak]

If you manage to download the .DLL file as suggested by Trimeresurus just copy it into C:\Windows\system with all the other .DLL files.

[devadiva]

I was clicking on start,programs,accessories,system tools and backup. That was when I got the error message.Thank you all for your suggestions they were very helpful. I shall try to copy them onto a disk as I don't have a spare "dongle" at the moment but if the disk fails I shall have to buy one and put it in the usb port. Many thanks again