Invalid DLL

[tinetti]

I managed to install the PrimoPDF program and can direct MS Office documents to print to PrimoPDF. The PrimoPDF window opens, I name the file, select for screen/for printer and press okay. I then get the error message 'Invalid DLL'.
I am running Windows XP Pro.
I Appreciate any Help.
Tinetti

[cbashor]

I received the same error, I am running XP Pro SP2.

[Douglas Saltsman]

It is a problem with the path to the ghostscript DLL. If you're not using an english version of windows you will have to create a Program Files directory and the subdirectory activePDF and install primo to this folder.

[bsspgh]

What is under the following registry location (8.13 or 8.14):

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\AFPL Ghostscript]

[peddlerdlx]

It is a problem with the path to the ghostscript DLL. If you're not using an english version of windows you will have to create a Program Files directory and the subdirectory activePDF and install primo to this folder.

I think we are ALL using the English version.
What's the fix if we ARE using English.

[bsspgh]

Here is the fix that worked for me.

1. Find the file gsdll32.dll (mine was in the "C:\Program Files\ActivePDF\PrimoPDF\gs\gs8.13\bin\" folder)

2. Once you have the path open the registry (start-run-regedit)

3. Navigate to the following key:

HLM\SOFTWARE\AFPL Ghostscript\8.14\

Right above it should be the 8.13 key (if not no worries)

4. Change or add the following keys:

GS_DLL = C:\Program Files\ActivePDF\PrimoPDF\gs\gs8.13\bin\gsdll32.dll (this path should match the path you looked up in step #1)

GS_LIB = C:\Program Files\ActivePDF\PrimoPDF\gs\gs8.13\lib;C:\Program Files\ActivePDF\PrimoPDF\gs\fonts;C:\Program Files\activePDF\PrimoPDF\gs\gs8.13\Resource

Once this is done, close the registry and try PrimoPDF. All should be good. Let me know if it worked for you.

**** This fix is for use at your own risk ****

[JGenser]

I'm having the same issue in my environment, which is Windows 2000, and I checked the specified registry keys and they are for 8.13 and already contain the values noted in the prior post!

Some detail on this situation is that PrimoPDF was installed with an administrator user account and when logged in with that same account PrimoPDF works fine. When logging in with an end-user account, I get the DLL Invalid error message.

Any ideas anyone?
Help?
Thanks!
Jason Genser

[BrianatCoronado]

I am having the same trouble. The registry path mentioned above is correct. It seems that a user with local administrator privileges CAN use PrimoPDF just fine. When the user only has normal user privileges, we are getting the invalid DLL problem.

Help, please.

[bk1234]

Change the security settings for the folder C:\Program Files\ActivePDF for Users to Full Control. Also make sure you check "Replace permission entries on all child objects ..." under Advanced. Ok all. Now all you user will be able to use PrimoPDF.

Since NT based operating systems have been in wide use for about 5 years now you should not expect to see this problem.

[G Watson]

I had the same problem. PrimoPDF installed OK under XP SP2. But I got the invalid DLL message when trying to use it. The suggested registry keys all checked out OK.

In my case was the problem was fixed by installing gs8.13.

I was already using gs 8.11. But neither the installation instructions, nor the runtime system, seemed to point out that it was a hard requirement to install exactly version 8.13 of GS.

[charford]

It was a permission problem.

My guess, is that there is a temp file or something being written inside the PrimoPDF that requires write/modify access.


So, I scripted out the following command:

xcacls.exe "C:\Program Files\ActivePDF" /T /E /G Users:C /Y

(xcacls.exe for those who remember is part of the NT4 Resource Kit)


HTH.

CH

[wmcbrine]

Change the security settings for the folder C:\Program Files\ActivePDF for Users to Full Control. Also make sure you check "Replace permission entries on all child objects ..." under Advanced.
That's a bit extreme. Surely there's a better solution?

G Watson: It already comes with gs 8.13. Presumably, by installing gs 8.13 yourself, you overrode the bundled copy. I don't think Primo was ever using your gs 8.11.

[wmcbrine]

OK, the problem is the temporary file "C:\Program Files\ActivePDF\PrimoPDF\Temp.ps". It's sufficient to give Write permission to Users for the PrimoPDF directory, and not for subdirectories. However, the Temp.ps file is not removed after the PDF is created, so it might interfere with other Limited users (I haven't tested), unless the directory is set to Full Control.

[jrs5555]

Setting the folder to full permissions allows the PDF to be created but gives another error message stating that Adobe Acrobat Reader failed. You can click on the output file and it will open without a problem though.

[Tyler]

The "Adobe Acrobat Reader failed" error can be solved by having the Installing Account print one Test pdf, and then limited users will not get that error.

I assume there is a HKLM change in the registry, but I did not take the time to ferret what change was made, simple enough to just print a test pdf with the account that PrimoPDF was created with...

Cheers for the great PrimoPDF application!

[timmyTheChipmunk]

This thread answered the question/problem I was having with PrimoPDF... Though, in future versions, wouldn't it make MUCH more sense to have the temporary file generated in the current user's temp directory rather than in the PrimoPDF directory itself (thus no worries about permissions problems at all!)?

[Douglas Saltsman]

This thread answered the question/problem I was having with PrimoPDF... Though, in future versions, wouldn't it make MUCH more sense to have the temporary file generated in the current user's temp directory rather than in the PrimoPDF directory itself (thus no worries about permissions problems at all!)?


I think this will be the fix for 2.1 I'm changing it to the windows system directory but it will also be changeable.

[paco_chair]

I found that this is one of the causes of DLL Invalid after I

installed primopdf version 2 > uninstalled > install primopdf version 1

[paco_chair]

I installed version 2 and uninstalled it because of the chinese character display problem.

afterward, I install version 1 and have dll invalid problem

by solving this I copy gs8.50 folder from version 2 to version 1

C:\Program Files\activePDF\PrimoPDF\gs\gs8.50

problem solved

I suspect the version 2 modified the registry that affect the way version 1 behave. Am I right?

[archlane]

I'm using WinXP and have read this thread but I need, heh heh, instructions that an idiot can follow. I have followed the create instructions but get a "DLL Invalid" box. Thanks. Dave

[starchild]

I found this thread because I have WIN 98SE and couldn't get Primopdf version 2 to work AND my printer to work. Which is how I found this forum in the first place.

After reading it was a WIN 98 (and version 2) problem someone gave me Version one which should work with Win 98SE

It does, it works fine, until the last save (as print or screen) and I get the INVALID DLL error message. I first thought it was something wrong with my computer (Windows missing a file)

The error message doesn't say which dll is invalid.

I read this thread thouugh but it seems to apply to newer windows.

I have WIN 98 SE and now have PrimoPDF version 1 and getting the invalid dll error message. Can someone PLEASE give me clear (simple) instructions what to do about this? If it involves putting something in the registry, please be specific about how to do it (I'm not afraid of the registry, just need step by step and not like "replace key with" or something (LOL)

Thanks!

Carrie

[GregD]

I installed version 2 and uninstalled it because of the chinese character display problem.

afterward, I install version 1 and have dll invalid problem

by solving this I copy gs8.50 folder from version 2 to version 1

C:\Program Files\activePDF\PrimoPDF\gs\gs8.50

problem solved

I suspect the version 2 modified the registry that affect the way version 1 behave. Am I right?

You hit the nail right on the head! This is the only way I was able to fix the problem and it works now!

Problem solved. Thanks!

[raraujog]

I was receiving the "Invalid dll" error and after viewing all your posts I decided to try some of them.

I have win98se and tried to install primo pdf for windows ver.2 by error (didn´t noticed it was for windows xp); didn´t work so I decided to unistall and instal primo pdf version 1. After installed I began to receive "invalid dll" error.

Te solution to my problem was:
unistall any version of primo pdf.
delete the "activpdf" file from program files folder.
delete the 8.50 registy on "AFPL Ghostscript" (I think this was created with the windows XP version of primopdf.)
install primopdf version 1.
print any file to primopdf (I received an error trying to register to primo pdf for the first time and didn´t received any other error after that)

I´m no expert on windows, but this worked for me and hope this helps somebody.

Rubén Araujo
raraujog@gmail.com
México