when I start up windows the following message appears: the procedure entry point SMAPLS could not be located in the dynamic link library KERNEL32.dll.
If the dll file should be replaced what should I do with it when I have it? Or is this not the problem? thanks for any help

Howdy redren and welcome to the site..

If you have your xp cd you can stick it in a drive and go to start click run..then type in command..Then chkdsk /r the space is supposed to be there between k and / . It should install any missing .dll's it finds not there.

hi asa, tried your suggestion and scheduled a check on start up, rebooted but no change unfortunately

You can also try the System File Checker in my signature below.

Incidentally, did you upgrade to XP from Windows ME or 98?