A winsock.dll error can be particularly annoying if it means that your internet connection has been interrupted.  In order to fix a winsock.dll error, you'll need to first make sure that the winsock registry key is indeed the source of the problem.  From there, you will have a few options for resolving the issue completely.

Checking the Winsock Registry Key

To find out definitively if the winsock registry key is the problem, you will need your Windows XP Setup CD handy to install Support Tools.  If you have already installed this on your PC, you can skip to the Netdiag step.

To install Support Tools and run a winsock diagnostic:

1. Insert the Setup CD into the computer and find the folder Support\Tools on the CD.

2.  Double-click on "setup.exe" to begin installing Support Tools.

3. When you come to "select and installation type," make sure to choose "complete."

4. After the computer has completed the installation, click Start at the bottom of your computer screen.  Choose Run and type "Command" (no quotes) into the box; then click OK.

5. Type " netdiag /test:winsock " (no quotes) and hit ENTER on your keyboard. (If you want extra details about the diagnostic, type a /v at the end: " netdiag /test:winsock /v ".

If the winsock file fails this test, you know that your internet problems are probably the result of a corrupted winsock registry key, which must be repaired.

Repairing Winsock.dll
In order to repair winsock.dll and fix your internet connection, you have a couple of options.  You may want to start by thinking back to anything you may have changed recently and reversing those changes.  Is there a setting you can restore or a program you have deleted?  This may have affected your Windows registry.

You can try reinstalling the program that is trying to use the winsock.dll file.  This may reinstall an intact version of the file that works properly.  Also, try checking the manufacturer's website for updates for the program or its drivers, which may provide a patch for any common errors.

A Surefire Registry Fix

Registry cleaners remove the clutter from your registry (old entries, duplicates, etc) and fix corrupted DLL files so that they work correctly.  If you have never performed this kind of computer maintenance, do not be surprised if the cleaner finds a few hundred errors!  Fortunately, just a few minutes will fix the issues.  If the above options don't restore the file or your internet, you may need to research using a registry cleaner to fix winsock.dll.

There are a number of good ways to speed up programs on your computer.  There are also several things you shouldn't do, if your goal is to speed up programs on your laptop or PC.  Here are four mistakes you shouldn't make if you want a fast running computer.

1.  Keep your computer constantly sending and/or downloading files on P2P sites.  You've already noticed the most obvious reason not to do this if you want to speed up the programs you want to run: uploading and downloading files on torrent or other peer-to-peer sites, slows both your computer and your internet connection!

There is another effect of file sharing that people unfortunately don't think about: malicious software.  Cyber-criminals often upload searched-after software to these sites, just so that they can bundle spyware, rootkits, or other software with it.  Once you download and install this software, these same criminals may then have access to your email or online banking accounts!

2.  Put off those annoying Windows updates.  After all, they'll just ask you to restart your computer when they're done--and isn't that a pain?

Actually, Windows updates will help speed up programs by adding various program patches and full system upgrades (known as "service packs") to your computer.

Yes, many of them do require you to restart your computer.  But it's worth your while to let Windows update do this if you want a fast running PC or laptop

3.  Don't run resource-hogging anti-virus and anti-spyware programs.  On one hand, this might seem like a good way to speed up programs on your computer.  After all, anti-virus and anti-spyware software takes up resources you need to run your other programs.

But this will ultimately slow your computer down.  Why?  Because you'll eventually have not one but several instances of malicious software that threaten to entirely destroy your computer!

The only way to stay safe from malicious software is to run anti-virus and anti-spyware programs on your computer.

4.  Make sure you completely ignore your registry.  Finally, one of the best ways to insure that you don't speed up programs on your laptop or PC is to completely ignore the Windows registry.

The Windows registry is a database that acts as a control center for all of the process files on your computer.  Without it, your computer would crawl along at a snail's pace.

Unfortunately, your computer may also crawl at a snail's pace if you fail to update and clean it on a regular basis.  Find out how to speed up programs by utilizing free registry scans to keep your computer running like new.