"Avsmcpa.dll: The Specific Module Could Not Be Found" Error Message When You Open Control Panel

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This article was previously published under Q318012

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SYMPTOMS

When you open Control Panel, you may receive the following error message:

The specific resource languageID cannot be found in the image file: C:\WINDOWS/System32\Res0901\Avsmcpa.dll: The specific module could not be found.
C:\WINDOWS/System32\Res0900\Avsmcpa.dll: The specific module could not be found.
C:\WINDOWS/System32\Res09\Avsmcpa.dll: The specific module could not be found.
C:\WINDOWS/System32\Res0000\Avsmcpa.dll: The specific module could not be found.
C:\WINDOWS/System32\Res0000\Avsmcpa.dll: The specific module could not be found.
C:\WINDOWS/System32\Res0000\Avsmcpa.dll: The specific module could not be found.
C:\WINDOWS/System32\Res0000\Avsmcpa.dll: The specific module could not be found.

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CAUSE

This behavior may occur if you have recently removed McAfee VirusScan software from your computer, and a Control Panel file specific to the VirusScan software (Avsmcpa.cpl) was not removed during the process.

NOTE: This behavior may also occur after you upgrade your computer from Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition to Windows XP.

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RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, rename the Avsmcpa.cpl file. To do this, follow these steps:

Restart Windows in Safe mode. To do this, restart your computer, and then press F8 after the power-on self test (POST). On a computer that is configured to start to multiple operating systems, you can press F8 when you see the Startup menu.

When the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, select an option, and then press ENTER.

When the Startup menu appears again (with the words "Safe Mode" displayed in blue at the bottom), select the installation that you want to start, and then press ENTER.
Click Start, point to Search, and then click For Files or Folders.
In the Search Companion pane, click All files and folders.
In the All or part of the file name box, type avsmcpa.cpl.
Click More Advanced Options, and then click to select the following check boxes:
- Search system folders
- Search hidden files and folders
- Search Subfolders
Click Search.
When you have located the Avsmcpa.cpl file, right-click the file, and then click Rename.
Type avsmcpa.old to rename the file, and then press ENTER.
Close the Search Results dialog box.
Restart Windows in normal mode.

NOTE: If you reinstall or upgrade VirusScan, this also resolves this issue.

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MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about how to use Safe Mode with Windows XP, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

315222 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/EN-US/ ) A Description of the Safe Boot Mode Options in Windows XP

For information about how to contact McAfee (Network Associates, Inc.), click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

65416 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/65416/EN-US/ ) Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, A-K

60781 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/60781/EN-US/ ) Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, L-P

60782 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/60782/EN-US/ ) Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, Q-Z

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

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