system has failed because iertutil.dll was not found.

A quick summarization of the suggestions in the thread:

Joselbarra:

The iertutil.dll file is required for explorer.exe to start.  If explorer.exe is not able to run, you will not be able to do much with your system until the file is replaced.

The file could have been deleted accidentally, malicious software could have deleted it or your antimalware software could have quarantined it thinking it was a threat.

Describe your current antivirus and anti malware situation:  McAfee, Symantec, Norton, Spybot, AVG, Avira!, MSE, Panda, Trend Micro, CA, Defender, ZoneAlarm, PC Tools, Comodo, etc.

First here are all the things you can "try" that won't work:

sfc /scannow

The iertutil.dll is not one of the 3498 files that are protected under Windows File Protection so it will not be replaced automatically if it comes up missing.  This means that sfc /scannow will not help you.

It is also not on your XP installation CD for you to copy or expand.

You will have the same problem trying to boot into any kind of Safe Mode.

You will not be able to run a browser on the afflicted system to get on the Internet to download one.  There is also a great computer security risk in downloading files from Internet sites anyway.

You can still use Task Manager to run System Restore and that might restore it, but I have never tried it.

If iertutil.dll is missing, you can copy it from a working system to the afflicted system with the same version of XP and Internet Explorer or sometimes copy one in from another location on your system.

You can get a good copy and put it on a thumb drive, floppy, etc and copy it onto your afflicted system using Task Manager.

When you see the error, you can click past it and eventually get to your desktop background image where you can press CTRL-ALT-DEL to launch Task Manager. From TM you can click File, New Task, Browse and change the drop down "Files of type" to All Files so you can see all the files in all folders.

Browse/Navigate to c:\windows\system32 to see if iertutil.dll is really missing. If the error pops up again while you are browsing, click OK to get past it.  The explorer.exe is trying to run and can't until the missing file is replaced.

Then, still using Task Manager, browse to c:\windows\system32\dllcache and see if there is a copy of the file there.

If it is not in c:\windows\system32\dllcache, it is going to be elsewhere on your system and you can find it another way.

Start by looking in c:\windows\system32\dllcache.

If that is the only thing missing, you can just copy the file from c:\windows\system32\dllcache and paste it into c:\windows\system32 where it belongs.  If you don't find it, get one from a working system of the same type as yours, copy it to a thumb drive or floppy and still using TM, browse, copy and paste it where it needs to be.

From TM, you can still access your thumb or other even floppy media by browsing, copy, paste, etc. all work just fine. 

You use TM to browse to your thumb or floppy drive, copy the good iertutil.dll and then paste it into the c:\windows\system32 folder where it is supposed to be.

When you get going again, your system could still be afflicted so no matter what else you are using for malware protection,

do this:

Download, install, update and do a full scan with these free malware detection programs:

Malwarebytes (MBAM): http://malwarebytes.org/

SUPERAntiSpyware: (SAS):  http://www.superantispyware.com/

These can be uninstalled later if desired.

If anybody ever needs the file, you can always get a copy from my SkyDrive:

You can download it and when you do, put a copy of the file in these two folders (assuming Windows is installed on your C drive):

c:\windows\system32

c:\windows\system32\dllcache    (that is where XP keeps backup copies of important files).

Here is the link to my SkyDrive and you can look for the file you need there:

http://cid-6a7e789cab1d6f39.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?resid=6A7E789CAB1D6F39!311

When you see the files available for download, you may not see the file extension (.exe, .dll, .cpl, .sys, etc.), but when you download them they will have the correct extension.

If you can't get your system on the Internet via Task Manager to download the file, you can copy the downloaded file to a USB device, floppy etc. and apply it to the afflicted system if necessary (via sneakernet).

You need to put the downloaded files in the correct folders on your system.

Paul trying to earn a livin...:

Hi all, I have been getting the 'iertutil.dll was not found' message for several weeks (If not months!) including the blank desktop screen and have been booting up and loading programs directly thru the "Task Manager: File, New Task, Browse" instructions as above.

However (Yipee!!!)  I've just downloaded 'Internet Explorer 8' via the same method (TM, etc) and lo and behold I've now restored my desktop and (It appears) all my other PC functions!

It took several minutes to download, re-start, and update IE8 (Probably about 10 mins altogether) but it was worth the wait.

SimonGan:

I've just solved the problem. Here's a tip that might be helpful. If you by any chance, after trying all the the methods mentioned here and couldn't get the problem sorted, then try this. 

Uninstall Internet Explorer 8. To uninstall Internet Explorer 8, follow these steps:

1. Carefully select and then copy the following command:

%windir%\ie8\spuninst\spuninst.exe 2. Open up the task manager 3. Type Cmd.exe, and then press ENTER. 4. Right-click inside the Cmd.exe window, and then click Paste to paste the command that you copied in step 1. 5. Press ENTER to uninstall Internet Explorer 8. 6. When the uninstall program is finished, restart your computer.

This method worth a try if you really can't solve the problem. You can always re-install Internet Explorer 8 once your computer is back to normal.

CoopsTech:

Hi all if you cant see the dllcache folder when browsing to it beacuse its hidden, just type dllcache into the file name box and select all files in the files of type box. From there you can copy the iertutil.dll and paste it in the system32 folder. Once its copied run explorer.exe from the create new task box and ie8 will finish installing. If it doesnt  reinstall you need to download the ie8 installer and run using firefox

LunarTic:

Boot to safe mode command prompt and running

copy C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache\iertutil.dll C:\WINDOWS\system32

RossStacey:

Thank you, I have managed to resolve the issue by following this advice.

"RESOLVED! Explorer.EXE - Unable To Locate Component:The application has failed to start because iertutil.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix the problem.

Applies To: Windows | Windows XP | Performance and Maintenance

The manifestation of this issue is that you cannot use your computer because the desktop icons and taskbar are missing

This is the perfect fix for this issue:

once you see the message, press on ctrl+alt+del to start task manager

click on new task then click on browse

browse to the following path c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\e9e3bc7b49018c1f53cc0d1bd73cad37\sp3gdr

at the bottom of this dialogue box, change the "programs" to "all files"

right click on the "iertutil.dll" file then copy

browse again to c:\windows\system32 then paste it there

you must notice the "iertutil.dll" filed copied to the system32 folder, if not, you have to repeat the procedure and be sure that it is copied

restart the computer"

It might be worth your time looking over the thread in case I missed out on any other suggestions or tips that might help resolve your issue.  If none of the above help, it is probably best for you to create your own thread.

Be sure to include all necessary information that will help with diagnosing your particular issue, including but not limited to: PC make & model, PC specifications, OS type, a description of what led to the problem you are facing, what steps you have taken in trying to resolve the issue, etc. .  The more specific and detailed you can be, the better it will help with providing you valuable suggestions for troubleshooting your conundrum.

I am going ahead and locking this thread.  Thanks to all of those who helped out with their suggestions!