After updating various dll's (Msvcrt.dll, Msvcirt.dll, Mfc40.dll, Mfc42.dll) I discovered that when running the Direct X Diagnostic program DxDiag.exe I got the same error when pressing MSInfo, Troubleshoot etc on the last page. This gave the following error:- Msvcp60.dll cannot link to Msvcrt.dll After searching on the web I discovered that Visual C++ 6 updated this problem in SP3 onwards, If anyone has this distribution file (without the 129Mb Download) or knows of a possible solution please let me know. I have even tried running a working copy of my program on a clean install of win98 but with now success. I will post again if more info is established or (hopefully !! I cure this problem)