[Dev-C++] errors when linking to a .lib

[Stewart, J. <JSt...@ra...>]

I am trying to link a C program with a .lib library file that was =
provided to me by a third party.
All I have is a .lib, header files and an example program with MSVC =
project files. I want to try and use DevC++ to link the sample provided =
but I am having some trouble.

When trying to use DevC++ to link I get the following errors.

lib/Sigmalib.lib(./Debug/Sigmalib.obj)(.text+0xb1): In function =
`c_initfiles':
c:\sig16dev\misc\c:20: undefined reference to `_chkesp'
fu000005.o(.idata$3+0xc): undefined reference to `libmsvcrt_a_iname'
nmth000000.o(.idata$4+0x0): undefined reference to `_nm___iob'

I think this is because the lib was built in MS Visual C++ and there are =
functions in the library (eg initfiles) that are making references to =
weird MS things. The people that provide the lib also provided me with a =
MSVC workspace/project, which I am able to use my friends copy of MSVC =
to compile and link without hassel.

I tried to import the MSVC dsp file using the DevC++ import feature, but =
that also failed to build, with the same errors.

i read somewhere in the archives that i might need to use reimp to =
convert the .lib to an .a file?
would this help? how would I do this? Could I then put in my own dummy =
copy of _chkesp and ar myself a new library?

If anyone has seen this thing before when trying to port other MSVC =
libraries or trying to use third party libs maybe you can help. Or =
perhaps I am missing a simple linker switch (I am new to DevC++). Any =
assistance is greatly appreciated.

Attached is a copy of the link output.

Josh Stewart.