Member Avatar for bigjack

Hi,

Windows98;IE6;CD;CDRW
File System Typical Role is set to Cacheman Optimization.

If I go to System Properties\Performance\File System\CD-ROM I get the message;- rundll32 an error has occurred in your program, plus the usual close, ignore etc.

In 'Details' it says 'RUNDLL32 caused a divide error in module SYSDM.CPL'

I reloaded rundll32.exe but still same problem. Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by sierrajohn2

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Targeted troubleshooting to isolate a rundll32 / SYSDM.CPL "divide" error without a full reinstall. is right that a reinstall will usually clear system-file faults, but that is a last‑resort step. ’s point about edition matters — Win98 vs Win98SE — is important because replacement system files must match the installed edition.

Basic isolation (quick and safe)

  • Reproduce the problem from a command line so you know what you’re testing:

    rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl

  • Boot to Safe Mode (press F8 at startup) and try the same command. If the error disappears, a third‑party utility or startup item is the likely culprit.

If Safe Mode clears it (narrowing third‑party causes)

  • Use the System Configuration Utility (Start -> Run -> msconfig) to disable non‑Microsoft startup items and reboot. Use a binary-disable approach (disable half the items, test, then halve the failing half) to find the offender quickly.
  • Uninstall or disable any caching/optimizer utilities (the sort that changes file‑system or CD‑ROM caching) before further tests — these are common causes of control‑panel crashes on 9x systems.

If the error persists in Safe Mode (file/driver corruption)

  • Run ScanDisk and check Device Manager for problematic CD/IDE drivers. Corrupt or mismatched system DLLs that SYSDM.CPL depends on can trigger arithmetic/divide faults.
  • Restore SYSDM.CPL from the matching Windows 98 installation media or from a verified backup; if unsure, perform the Windows 98 repair/update install from the CD to replace broken system files while keeping settings.

Notes and cautions

  • Back up the Registry and any system files before replacing them. Make sure restored files match your Win98 edition (SE vs original). If these steps don’t resolve it, a repair or clean install (the approach mentioned) is the practical next step.

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Member Avatar for kccomputerdr

rundll32 errors are extremely common & could be caused by about any software program. Try reinstalling most of your software it might cure it. no guarantees though. reinstalling your whole o.s. will most likely cure it as well, but no guarantees.

Member Avatar for sierrajohn2

Hi,

Windows98;IE6;CD;CDRW
File System Typical Role is set to Cacheman Optimization.

If I go to System Properties\Performance\File System\CD-ROM I get the message;- rundll32 an error has occurred in your program, plus the usual close, ignore etc.

In 'Details' it says 'RUNDLL32 caused a divide error in module SYSDM.CPL'

I reloaded rundll32.exe but still same problem. Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks

Is your Win98 The 1st or 2nd edition? (clue... look at the dates of the windows system files. 4/23/99=WIN98SE)

How large is your hard drive (in GB)??

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