Unable to Load RICHED20.DLL

Last reviewed: 12/31/2008
Article ID: R10885

The information in this article applies to:

SUMMARY

The following error message may be shown when starting Tabs3, PracticeMaster, PracticeMaster Briefcase, or Tabs3 Remote Entry Software. 

Unable to load RICHED20.DLL. 

A file normally present on current Windows operating systems is missing. Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software products require the RICHED20.DLL file to be present. You must install this file before you can use the PracticeMaster or Tabs3 software. 

This file is available on the software installation CD-ROM. Complete details regarding how to install the RICHED20.DLL file can be found in our Knowledge Base article R10885.

MORE INFORMATION

RICHED20.DLL is a Windows file used to allow "rich" text editing (i.e., bold, italics and underlining) in Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP and Vista operating systems. It is also used for spell checking in the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software programs.

Typically this error message is shown only on Windows 95 systems because the RICHED20.DLL file is not installed with Windows 95 by default.  This error message may also appear if the file is missing on other operating systems or is corrupted. 

Since the RICHED20.DLL file is an operating system file, reinstalling the STI software will not recover this missing or damaged file. However, we have provided a program on our Version 15, 14, 12 and 11 installation CD-ROM that can be used to install the required file.  There are also several other methods for reinstalling the RICHED20.DLL file.

For more information about the "RICHED20.DLL" file, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base at http://support.microsoft.com.

RESOLUTION

If you receive this error message, use one of the following procedures to install the required file:

Note:  If you have a copy of RICHED20.DLL on your computer, locate and rename this file to RICHED20.OLD

Reinstall RICHED20.DLL from the Version 15, 14, 12 or 11 software installation CD-ROM

Use the following procedure to reinstall RICHED20.DLL from the software installation CD-ROM:

  1. Insert the Version 15, 14, 12 or 11 software installation CD-ROM.
  2. From the Start menu, Select Run...
  3. Click the Browse button and navigate to the Intuit folder on the CD-ROM. (Note: If you are using a Trial CD-ROM, navigate to the Win 95 folder instead)
  4. Double-click the INSTMSIA.EXE program. This is a Microsoft program that installs a Microsoft Windows Installer, which includes the RICHED20.DLL file required to display rich text file attributes used by the Version 14, 12 and 11 software.  If you are running Windows 2000 or Windows NT, use INSTMSIW.EXE.  If you are running Windows Vista or XP, use one of the  procedures outlined below to reinstall the file.

Note:  The INSTMSIA.EXE and INSTMSIW.EXE programs are also available from Microsoft's web site.  See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 305496, "How to Obtain and Download the Latest Version of Windows Installer". 

Extract RICHED20.DLL from your Windows or Office CD-ROM

You can extract RICHED20.DLL directly from the Microsoft Windows installation CD-ROM.  Microsoft's Knowledge Base has the following articles for information on how to extract original system files from your Microsoft Windows installation CD-ROM for each version of Windows:

Use the following procedure to reinstall RICHED20.DLL from your Microsoft Office CD-ROM:

  1. Insert the Microsoft Office installation CD-ROM.
  2. From the Start menu, select Run...
  3. Click the Browse dialog box, button and navigate to the MSI folder on the CD-ROM.  (Note: If you are using a Microsoft Works CD-ROM, navigate to the WordAdd folder instead)
  4. Double-click the INSTMSIA.EXE program. This is a Microsoft program that installs a Microsoft Windows Installer, which includes the RICHED20.DLL file required to display rich text file attributes used by the Version 14, 12 and 11 software.  If you are running Windows 2000 or Windows NT use INSTMSIW.EXE.  If you are running Windows Vista or XP, use one of the  procedures outlined below to reinstall the file.

Restore RICHED20.DLL from a backup

Restore RICHED20.DLL from a network backup.

Reinstall or Repair a Microsoft Product such as WordPad or Office

Use the following procedure to install WordPad:

  1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add/Remove Programs.
  2. Click the Windows Setup tab, click Accessories, and then click Details.
  3. Select the WordPad check box, and then click OK
  4. Click OK

Various Microsoft products such as Works, Office and Outlook also install RICHED20.DLL.  Reinstalling or repairing these products will reinstall RICHED20.DLL.  (Note:  Repairing your product installation may have other side effects, such as preferences being reset.  See Microsoft's Knowledge Base for product-specific information.)

REFERENCES

 

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY, INC. KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY, INC. DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY, INC. OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY, INC. OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

© 1999-2008 Software Technology, Inc.   All rights reserved. Terms of Use
The maker of Tabs3 and PracticeMaster
e-Mail Suggestions for the Knowledge Base to: kb@Tabs3.com
Technical Support via e-mail is not available.
Knowledge Base:   http://support.Tabs3.com
Web Site:   http://www.Tabs3.com