[Wtr-general] A Different WIN32OLERuntimeError (Ruby)

[Nathan Christie]

Ok everyone, if you can find a solution to this annoyance I will be extremely happy. Here is the scenario, when I initially installed Ruby/Watir on my machine it worked great. At some point some configuration was changed/software was installed/etc and now I am encountering this error:

Configuration: WinXP Pro, Ruby v1.8.5, Watir 1.4.1

[u]Scenario 1[/u]:
Assumption(s): no `iexplore.exe` processes are running
If I try to instantiate an InternetExplorer object via Ruby, I get the following error:
[b]irb(main):002:0> myIE = WIN32OLE.new( "InternetExplorer.Application" )
WIN32OLERuntimeError: failed to create WIN32OLE object from `InternetExplorer.Application'
    HRESULT error code:0x80070003
      The system cannot find the path specified.
        from (irb):2:in `initialize'
        from (irb):2:in `new'
        from (irb):2[/b]

[u]Scenario 2[/u]:
Assumption(s): at least one `iexplore.exe` process is running
Now I am able to execute the exact same command and it works perfectly.

I realize this may be slightly out of the realm of Watir expertise, as it seems to be a general Ruby / WIN32OLE error; however, I encounter this error when running Watir's IE object initialization methods.

A few resolutions I have tried already:
1) completely uninstall Ruby & Watir > reinstall
2) tried several different `win32ole.c` files
3) smash keyboard with closed fists and banging mouse against desk

None of them seemed to make any difference. Even after a clean install the same error exists. I can get around this by making sure an `iexplore.exe` instance is running before kicking off any of my scripts from my local machine; however, that is undesireable and I am curious regarding the nature of the error.

Another note that may be of use is the fact that this error does not happen on any of my coworker's machines. I have configured Ruby/Watir on several other QA staff machines to kick of automation, and it works fine there – regardless of whether an instance of `iexplore.exe` is running or not. 

I would love a solution that didn't involve reinstalling Windows in any shape.

If anyone can shed some light on this mysterious occurance I would really appreciate it.

Thanks,
Nathan Christie
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