Unable to load dynamic library php_curl.dll: Error message in PHP

In Windows, while trying to use "curl" extension with PHP 5.2/Apache 2; you may encounter a blank page. If you open up the error log file in Apache (%APACHE_HOME%\logs\error.log); you may see an error message as follows.

"PHP Warning: PHP Startup: Unable to load dynamic library '%PHP_HOME\\ext\\php_curl.dll' - The application has failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect. Please see the application event log for more detail."

This error message can be caused due to some version conflicts on a set of DLLs that are already available inside %windows%\system32 directory.

First check the %windows%\system32 directory to see whether the following DLL files are already available.

1. libeay32.dll
2. ssleay32.dll

If those are available, then you would be able to resolve the issue as follows. (However if they are not available, you would need to find some alternative solution).

Now you must first rename the above two DLL files. We did as follows by adding an .old extesion.

1. libeay32.dll.old
2. ssleay32.dll.old

Both these libeay32.dll and ssleay32.dll files are available inside your %PHP_HOME% directory. Now copy both of those DLL files into %windows%\system32 folder.

Now try to use the "curl" extension, and it will start to function properly. (Sometimes you may need to restart Windows).

However if this tip could not resolve your issue, make sure to restore the previous DLLs.

Is Partitioning a hard disk into multiple drives bad?

Hard disk partitioning is almost a must, according to what I have heard so far from my colleagues and other professionals (may be same for you). I am used to partition a hard disk at least to three drives; "C" for OS (Operating System), "D" for programs and "E for other files like documents, archives. But I got a chance to read some material on hard drive performance and it completely argued my partitioning practices.

When considering the speed in reading a file from hard drive following are two important points related to partitioning.

1. Files in outer tracks are readable much faster
It is a well known theory in hard disk read/writes that performance is much higher in outer tracks compared to inner tracks.

2. When partitioning a hard disk, the first partition is created in the outer tracks
In creating partitions, the first partition is created in the outer most tracks while each new partition is created in inner tracks than the previous. So the partitions in a hard disk would look as the above diagram.

These two are important point to consider. We are creating partitions in order to organize the files according to mentally created categories; like operating system in one partition while program files in another partition. But I did not organize the files in the frequency they are used (which I should have thought of). There are some files frequently used, but placed in different drives without knowing this speed factor. For example; some java projects are stored in drive "E" which I happened to use daily.

So what are the solutions we can think of, in order to achieve the best performance of the hard disk considering these facts? I can think of following two solutions.

1. Create only one partition
One option would be to refrain from creating more than one partition and storing all the files in there. Then we would have to store the most frequently used files in outer tracks while hardly used ones in inner tracks. However this is not that possible, since user is not deciding the location of a file when saving into hard drive. The only solution will be to use a defragmenting software to organize the files later according to the accessing frequency.

2. Store files on partitions according to the frequency of use
We would create a set of partitions same as we used to do earlier, but with a different intension. Files will not be saved in each drive depending on the type or categories, but according to the frequency. The most frequently used files will be stored in drive C while least used files in Drive E. But then again, memorizing the file locations will not be easy.

What is the method are you using in your computers? Do you have any experience in above mentioned suggestions? We welcome your ideas and experiences or any other suggestions.

Create/Restore Internet Explorer desktop shortcut

Internet Explorer (IE) shortcut on Windows desktop is missing! May be it was deleted accidentally or missing due to some unexpected reason. So what would be the way to recreate it? You can create a shortcut just by right clicking on Windows Desktop. But you must give the application path to Internet Explorer installation. How would you find it?


You would do a search on Windows for iexplore.exe on your C drive (Windows drive); and you'll end up seeing a number of iexplore.exe files on your machine. Are these the ones you have to use? which one out of these?

Not exactly. The expected executable will not be shown by a Windows search. The correct file is a "protected operating system file", also it's hidden. By default Windows Explorer hides those files, but still you can view such files by changing the folder options as shown in the image.
Tools->Folder Options->View


The iexplore.exe executable will be available under;
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe

So create a shortcut on Desktop by setting the location/target to the above executable.