DLL may be missing. File "WININET.dll"

Exo

Boot into safe mode, open a command prompt which should now open as Administrator and run SFC.
The command is

sfc /scannow

and press Enter.

Entering safe mode is normally done by rapidly pressing the F8 key prior to Windows loading. If difficult to enter safe mode, run msconfig utility and on the Boot tab, tick the box for safe boot, Apply and reboot the computer to safe mode. Untick the safe boot box to stop booting into safe mode.

Boracic-lint_2

I had no luck with the various suggestions for fixing my computer, but thank you for them.
As a last desperate resort I tried the Factory Image Restore, as outlined in the Dell Setup Guide booklet that came with the machine.
This consisted of six steps. I got as far as Step 5 and the next step should have displayed the Dell Factory Image Restore for selection.
Instead I got a window headed System Recovery Tool, Operating System Windows 7.
In the window was a list of options with information as to what they did:-

• Startup repair
• System Restore
• System Image Recovery
• Windows Memory Diagnostic
• Command Prompt

I started with System Restore, but not with any conviction as it had not worked when I tried it from the desktop. I chose a previous date that I had used before and clicked the Start button.
Oh me of little faith. It worked!! It all kicked off. My anti-virus program, Windows Defender etc., all started up.
I have no idea why my computer went bits-up in the first place, but I am not going to bruise my brain anymore worrying about that.
Again, thank you for your postings.
B-l

Exo

Thanks for the update. Glad you got the problem sorted.

bsod

if you've got an external drive, why not use it for backup