Expert: LizaL - 9/4/2004

Question
when starting photoshop cs on win xp,
I get the message that the it cannot find
DECO_32.dll.
photoshop cs starts but RAW feature doesnot work.

Answer
Hi -- I did a little research on .dll files, and found a couple of things you might want to read.

DLL stands for 'dynamic link library.' A .dll file is apparently a "helper" file for an application, and is only called into play when that application is being used. So it makes sense that if you're missing the deco_32.dll file, some features in some programs would be disabled.

Here's a link to where you can download missing .dll files:
http://www.5starsupport.com/info/dll.htm

Go to the D section and scroll till you see deco.dll.

This download appears to be free. But it's also just "deco.dll," and not specifically "deco_32.dll." So if that doesn't work, you can download the actual deco_32.dll here; it's on page D3, BTW:
ihttp://www.windll.com/library-d_200.php

Unfortunately, this site charges you for the download. In fact, I found several other sites that had the exact file you need, but they charge for the download too.

Here's where you can read more about .dll files, in general:
http://searchwin2000.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid1_gci213902,00.html

One other thing I'd do if I were you is run a virus scan, and if you find anything, fix it. Upon further research, I did learn that some viruses can cause .dll files to "disappear," which might be what caused your problems -- unless of course you happened to be missing this file all along, and didn't realize it until you ran Photoshop CS.

I'm primarily a Mac user, and Macs don't require .dll files. But I'll be glad to try and help you find what you need if this doesn't work.

Lisa