If you are a website developer or administrator, you may have encountered the dreaded IIS 404 error at some point. This error occurs when a requested webpage cannot be found on the server. It can be frustrating and confusing, especially if the page was previously working. One common cause of this error is when you have existing ASPX pages on your website that suddenly stop working and display the error message "DllRegisterServer entry point not found." In this article, we will discuss why this error occurs and how to fix it.
Before we dive into the solution, let's first understand what causes this issue. ASPX pages are web pages that are written in ASP.NET, a server-side web application framework. These pages are compiled into a DLL file and stored on the server. When a user requests a page, the server retrieves the DLL file and renders the page. However, sometimes the server may not be able to locate the DLL file, resulting in the DllRegisterServer entry point not found error.
There are several reasons why the server cannot find the DLL file. One common cause is when the file path of the DLL file has been changed. This can happen if the website's root directory has been moved or renamed. Another reason could be that the DLL file has been deleted or corrupted. This can occur due to a server crash or a failed update.
Whatever the reason may be, the solution to fixing this error is relatively simple. The first step is to check the file path of the DLL file. Make sure that it is pointing to the correct location. If the file has been moved or renamed, update the file path accordingly. If the file is missing or corrupted, you will need to recompile and upload the DLL file to the server.
To recompile the DLL file, you will need to have the source code of the ASPX pages. If you don't have it, you can retrieve it from your backup or contact the website developer who created the pages. Once you have the source code, follow these steps to recompile the DLL file:
1. Open the solution file in Visual Studio or any other code editor.
2. Right-click on the project file and select "Rebuild."
3. This will create a new DLL file in the "bin" folder of your project.
4. Upload this new DLL file to the server, replacing the old one.
Once the new DLL file is uploaded, test the pages again. If the error persists, you may need to register the DLL file on the server. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Open the command prompt on the server.
2. Navigate to the directory where the DLL file is located.
3. Type the command "regsvr32 mydll.dll" (replace "mydll.dll" with the name of your DLL file).
4. Press Enter to register the DLL file.
After the DLL file is registered, test the pages again. They should now be working without any errors. If the error still occurs, you may need to troubleshoot further or seek help from a web developer.
In conclusion, the DllRegisterServer entry point not found error can be caused by various reasons, but the most common is when the server cannot locate the DLL file for existing ASPX pages. By following the steps mentioned above, you should be able to fix this error and get your website back up and running smoothly. Remember to always keep a backup of your files and regularly update your website to prevent such errors from occurring in the future.
