Error: Windows cannot load extensible counter DLL MSSQLSERVER, the first DWORD in data section is the Windows error code.

 Resolution:

• Give everyone read/execute access to binn\sqlctr80.dll or msmdctr90.dll

# Set file
$sqlctr = 'd:\pathto\sql\installation\binn\sqlctr80.dll'

# Set properties
$identity = "BUILTIN\Everyone"
$fileSystemRights = "ReadAndExecute"
$type = "Allow"

# Create new rule
$NewAcl = Get-Acl -Path $sqlctr
$fileSystemAccessRuleArgumentList = $identity, $fileSystemRights, $type
$fileSystemAccessRule = New-Object -TypeName System.Security.AccessControl.FileSystemAccessRule -ArgumentList $fileSystemAccessRuleArgumentList

# Apply new rule
$NewAcl.SetAccessRule($fileSystemAccessRule)
Set-Acl -Path $sqlctr -AclObject $NewAcl

• Check result:

(Get-ACL -Path $sqlctr).Access | Format-Table IdentityReference,FileSystemRights,AccessControlType,IsInherited,InheritanceFlags -AutoSize