ARCHIVED: Using Trumpet Winsock in Windows 3.1, how do I resolve "winsock.dll" errors?

The winsock.dll file is needed by TCP/IP applications such as Netscape Navigator and Telnet Host Presenter. These programs are written to interface with winsock.dll, which communicates with the underlying TCP/IP stack, which in turn talks to the modem.

The winsock.dll file must satisfy the following conditions:

• It has to be the correct winsock.dll. If you are running Trumpet Winsock, you cannot, for example, use the winsock.dll file that comes with AOL software.
• It has to be in the PATH variable (or in the same directory as the application).
• There must not be another (wrong) winsock.dll file in the PATH ahead of the correct winsock.dll.

When you install Trumpet Winsock, the installer tries to copy winsock.dll into a subdirectory called C:\TWSKPPP\TWSK21F.

Troubleshooting winsock.dll problems

Note: The following text assumes that your Trumpet Winsock problems are a result of one of the reasons in the list above. This does not cover situations in which you cannot successfully establish a PPP connection.

Verifying that you have the correct winsock.dll file

1. Exit to DOS and then enter:

     cd \

2. The prompt should change to C:\>. Now enter:

     dir winsock.dll /s

3. You should see something like this:

     Volume in drive C is HAZEL-RAH C
     Volume Serial Number is 0924-1900
   
     Directory of C:\TWSKPPP\TWSK21F
   
      WINSOCK  DLL       145,152  11-03-94  2:57p WINSOCK.DLL
               1 file(s)        145,152 bytes
   
      Directory of C:\WINDOWS
   
      WINSOCK  DLL        42,080  07-11-95  9:50a WINSOCK.DLL
               1 file(s)         42,080 bytes
   
      Directory of C:\AOL25
   
      WINSOCK  DLL         2,880  08-09-96 12:00a WINSOCK.DLL
               1 file(s)          2,880 bytes
   
      Total files listed:
               3 file(s)        190,112 bytes
               0 dir(s)     139,182,080 bytes free

   If your computer has unneeded winsock.dll files (i.e., any winsock.dll file not in C:\TWSKPPP\TWSK21F), you need to rename them. In the above example, there are two unneeded winsock.dll files, one in the C:\WINDOWS directory and one in the C:\AOL25 directory. To rename the winsock.dll file in the AOL25 directory, you would enter the following commands at the DOS prompt:

     c:
     cd \AOL25
     rename winsock.dll winsock.old

Verifying that Trumpet Winsock is in the PATH

1. At the DOS prompt, enter the command:

     path

2. You should see something like the following:

     PATH=C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND;C:\TWSKPPP\LWP\BIN;C:\TWSKPPP\TWSK21F

   In the above case, "C:\TWSKPPP\TWSK21F" is in the PATH, so the PATH is correct. However, if you do not see "C:\TWSKPPP\TKSK21" in the PATH, you need to add it. To do this, enter the following commands:

     c:
     cd \
     edit autoexec.bat

3. Look for a line in the autoexec.bat file that starts with the words "PATH" or "SET PATH". (This may be a very long line.) Check and see if it has "C:\TWSKPPP\TWSK21F" in it. Normally, you will find it at the end of the line. It might not be in the PATH at all, or it might be at the end of a PATH statement that is too long. (A PATH statement can be at most 128 characters long.)
4. If "C:\TWSKPPP\TWSK21F" is missing from your PATH statement, add it to the beginning. If it is at the end of your PATH statement, try moving it to the beginning. Be sure to put a semicolon between all directory names in your PATH. Also move (or add) "C:\TWSKPPP\LWP\BIN" to the beginning of the PATH.
5. Your PATH statement should now look something like this:

     PATH = C:\TWSKPPP\TWSK21F;C:\TWSKPPP\LWP\BIN;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND

   Now press Alt-f. Use the cursor keys to highlight Save, then press the Enter key. Press Alt-f again and select Exit to quit the editor.
6. Restart your computer. After it reboots, go to DOS and enter:

     path

7. Now verify that "C:\TWSKPPP\TWSK21F" is in your PATH.