Steps to Resolve S32evnt1.dll Initialization Error

What is S32evnt1.dll?

The s32evnt1.dll module is an event library created by Symantec and its main function is to monitor vital system information that is required by Symantec utilities to function properly.

By default, the s32evnt1.dll file is located in the %system% folder.

Here, %system% refers to the system folder, which is

  • C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP/Vista
  • C:\Winnt\System32 on NT/2000
  • C:\Windows\System on 95/98/ME

S32evnt1.dll Virtual Device Driver Failed DLL Initialization Error in Windows XP

When you start your Windows XP computer, you may encounter the following error message:

"\ S32evnt1.dll. An installable Virtual Device Driver failed DLL initialization?

Solution

To fix the above error, you need to complete the following two tasks:

  1. Edit Virtual Device Drivers value in the registry.
  2. Update the Symevent files.

Edit Windows XP Registry

Note: The steps illustrated below require you to edit the registry. Only proceed if you are comfortable in editing the registry. It is best that you make a registry back up before editing the registry. This will allow you to restore the registry in case any complications occur. You can backup the registry either manually or with the help of an advanced registry cleaning tool, such as RegServe.

To edit the Windows XP registry, perform the following steps:

  1. Click Start and the Run command.
  2. In the Open box, type regedit and then press Enter.
  3. Next, in the left pane of the Registry Editor window, locate the following key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\VirtualDeviceDrivers

  1. Next, in the right pane, locate and delete the VDD value.
  2. In the left pane, right-click the VirtualDeviceDrivers key, select New, and then select Multi-String Value.
  3. Type VDD as the name of the new value.
  4. Finally, restart your computer.

Update the Symevent files

To update Symevent files on a 32-bit version of Windows XP, perform the following steps:

  1. Download Sevinst.exe and save the file on your hard disk.
  2. Next, click Start and then Run.
  3. Next, in the Open box type cmd and press Enter to open Command Prompt.
  4. In the Command Prompt window, use the ?cd? command to change your directory to the folder in which you downloaded the sevinst.exe file. For example, use the command cd C:\Windows\Temp, if you downloaded the sevinst.exe in the Temp folder.
  5. Next, depending on the version of Symantec Antivirus software you use, type either of the following commands and then press Enter.
    • For Symantec Antivirus 9.x or later, type sevinst.exe SAVCE
    • For Symantec Antivirus 8.x or earlier, type sevinst.exe NAVNT
  6. Finally, restart your computer.

To update the Symevent files on a 64-bit version of Windows XP, perform the following steps:

  1. Depending on the type of 64-bit processor you use, download either of the files:
  1. Next, save the file on your hard drive.
  2. Next, open the Command Prompt window by running the CMD command at Start > Run.
  3. In the Command Prompt window, use the ?cd? command to change your directory to the folder where you downloaded the file.
  4. Depending on the version of Symantec Antivirus program, perform either of the following:
    • If you use Symantec Antivirus 9.x or later, type either of the following command, depending on the file you downloaded and press Enter:
      sevinst64.exe SAVCE
      or
      sevinst64x86.exe SAVCE
    • If you use Symantec Antivirus 8.x or earlier, type sevinst64.exe SAVCE.
  1. Restart your PC.

Follow the above steps to successfully resolve ?S32evnt1.dll. An installable Virtual Device Driver failed DLL initialization? error on a 32-bit and 64-bit Windows XP computer.

If your Symantec antivirus tool is giving you constant problems or you are facing recurring errors related to Symantec products, you may wish to opt for equally effective but less error-prone anti-malware software, such as STOPzilla Antivirus and Spyware Cease.