problem in adding reference to a DLL file

When trying to add a reference to a DLL file (made with ANSI C++) to a VS2005 C# project, by right click on references, add reference, I receive the following error in both of them:

"A reference to 'dllFileName.dll' could not be added. Please make sure that the file is accessible, and that it is a valid assembly or COM component."

Now When I try to use the TlbImp on a .dll file the following error appears:

"The input file 'dllFileName.dll' is not a valid type library".

How can I resolve this problem.

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problem in adding reference to a DLL file

mostaf
Using Platform invoke to call any function, e.g.,'DeInitializeSearch', within the .dll file produces the following error message:

"Unable to find an entry point named 'DeInitializeSearch' in DLL 'SearchAuto1.dll'.".< xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
malangpc
Well to ask the obvious question, is that function actually exported by the Dll Is there a .DEF file naming the function in the build If it's exported with an export in the code, the name might be decorated (mangled) so it won't find it.
RuiDC
The issue is whether this is really a COM Dll or not. You can add a reference if it really is a COM Dll that contains a type library. Many COM Dlls are built with the type library embedded inside them, and that's what it's looking for. Where did the Dll come from and is it really a COM Dll containing a type library There's a tool in the Windows SDK called OleView that can tell you.
Digital-Pioneer
Thank you too much for your reply.

When I use the OleView tool on the dll file I get the following message:

"LoadTypeLib(myDllFile.dll ) failed. Error loading type library/DLL.

TYPE_E_CANTLOADLIBRARY($80029C4A)".

So, what can I do

Thanks.

Ayooya.
naryn
It is likely that you have not created a COM component, so you will not be able to add a reference to it.

If you have a DLL that exports some functions, then you can use platform invoke to call it - look it up in MSDN.
problem in adding reference to a DLL file

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