It took me forever to figure this one out even with the other posts here. I share this with you to save you hours in time searching for the answer if you are getting the same error that keeps Palm Desktop 4.1 from running.

I have a Palm IIIxe, Windows ME, and Palm Desktop 3.1.

Everything worked great until I tried to update to Palm Desktop 4.1. Then I started getting this popup window stating, "Cannot initialize the rich text support" and it would not run.

I tried everything deleting, reinstalling. . .ever trick I could think of but could not get 4.1 to run even though the HotSync worked fine.

Palm wanted $25 to call the "technical support" line. . .ridiculous.

Finally, I find this website and even with the other posts had trouble figuring this one out.

Here is the solution that worked for me:
Click <Start> <Run>
Type MSCONFIG <click OK>
Click <Extract file>
Type RICHED32.DLL
Click <start>
restore from c:\windows\options\cabs
save file in c:\windows\system
Click <OK>

Now try starting Palm Desktop 4.1. It worked for me.

Leave me a note if it worked for you, too!!

When you find something like this after searching for so long for the answer, you have to tell others.

It's the same with Jesus.

Peace
Pastor Dave