From time to time probably all PC users have been affected by a problem related to (drum roll please) "DLL Hell". The affending file may have been deleted or overwritten when you installed that latest must have app or game.
To be fair, Microsoft have done quite a lot of work over recent years with the aim of eliminating DLL Hell. They've tried to protect system sensitive DLL's with Windows File Protection in XP and Me, as well as the nifty component sharing technology in Windows XP.
Well, further help's on hand at Microsoft Technet with the DLL Help Database. It'll help you search for Microsoft DLL files and let you know which app put them in your box. From the site: "DLL Help exists to assist developers, system administrators, and other IT professionals who face file version conflicts with Microsoft software. Use DLL Help to identify which software installed a specific version of a DLL.". However, the tool does NOT provide direct links to download the files listed in the database. DLL files are generally not available for download from Microsoft. To find downloadable files, try the Download area.
I considered this to be worthy of Front Page News as I've had quite a number of problems over the years, both on my own PC and when helping others, with DLL-related issues.
News source: DLL Help Database
