Conflicting apps? Take two DLLs and then give me a call. (Window Manager) (News Briefs)(Column)

Reader responses have been pouring in since my marathon four-week series (Sept. 2 to Sept. 23) showing how two DLLs with the same name but small differences can add up to big crashes for Windows users.

The problem with DLLs being installed by different applications --Microsoft Corp. applications especially -- seems to be epidemic, if you believe my mail.

Rick Bolestra wrote: "Product A and Product B both use the same graphing software and DLLs from Vendor C. The problem arises when Product B is not at the same DLL release as Product A and they both install DLLs to the System folder. The last one in wins.

"The solution? If developers use third-party DLLs that …