This information applies to: Windows 95, 98, 98SE
When you attempt to connect to a remote computer by using Dial-Up Networking, you may receive the following error message:
Error 745: An essential file is missing. Re-install Dial-Up Networking.
This issue can occur when a Dial-Up Networking dynamic-link library (.dll) file is missing or damaged.
Remove, and then reinstall Dial-Up Networking:
Start>> Settings>> Control Panel>> Add Remove Programs>> Windows Setup tab>> Communications>> Details button.
Click to clear the Dial-Up Networking check box, click OK, and then click OK. You should be prompted to restart your computer, if not manually restart.
Start>> Programs>> Windows Explorer>> C>> Windows>> System>> Rasapi32.dll
If it exists, Right click on Rasapi32.dll, Left click "Rename", and rename the file to Rasapi32.old.
Start>> Run>> regedit
Check the path value under the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ System\ CurrentControlSet\ Services\ RemoteAccess \ Authentication\ SMM_Files\ PPP
Extract a new copy of the Rasapi32.dll file from your original Windows 95 or 98 CD-ROM or floppy disks into the Windows\System folder.
Windows 95 CD-ROM
Start>> Programs>> MS-DOS Prompt.
Type cd\, and then press ENTER.
Insert the Windows 95 CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive, and then close the Windows 95 screen if it appears.
Type the following line at the command prompt, and then press ENTER:
extract /a drive:\win95\win95_02.cab rasapi32.dll /l c:\windows\system where drive is the drive letter assigned to your CD-ROM drive.
Type exit, and then press ENTER to return to Windows.
Windows 95 Floppy Disks
Start>> Programs>> MS-DOS Prompt.
Type cd\, and then press ENTER.
Insert disk 10 of the Windows 95 disks into the floppy disk drive.
Type the following line at the command prompt, and then press ENTER:
extract /a drive:\Win95_10.cab rasapi32.dll /l c:\windows\system where drive is the drive letter assigned to the floppy disk drive in which the Windows 95 floppy disk is located.
Type exit, and then press ENTER to return to Windows.
Windows 98
Extract a new copy of the Rasapi32.dll file from your original Windows 98 CD-ROM into the Windows\System folder by using the System File Checker tool.
Start>> Run>> sfc.exe>> OK
For more information about using the Extract tool, click Start, point to Programs, click MS-DOS Prompt, type extract, and then press ENTER.
Use Registry Editor (Start>> Run>> regedit) to delete the SMM_Files key under the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\RemoteAccess \Authentication
Start>> Settings>> Control Panel>> Add/Remove Programs>> Windows Setup tab>> Communications (the word, not the check box)>> Details>> Tick the Dial-Up Networking check box>> OK>> OK again.
When you are prompted to restart your computer, click Yes.
If you had previously installed Dial-Up Scripting in Windows 95, rename the Smmscrpt.dll file in the:
C>> Windows>> System (folder)
and then reinstall Dial-Up Scripting.
Edit the path by double-clicking the word Path.
Change the value to Rasapi32.dll, extract a new copy of the Rasapi32.dll file, reinstall Dial-Up Networking.
To determine the DLL file that is used by Dial-Up Networking, view the Path value under the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\RemoteAccess \Authentication\SMM_Files\PPP
The default value is "Rasapi32.dll."
If Dial-Up Scripting is installed in Windows 95, this value may be "Smmscrpt.dll."