Trying to reference a dll - Error 80040154

[a.p.gumby]

Hi,
I have only fairly recently started using .net and now have a Windows CE application to develop. So, sorry if I am asking dumb questions.
I am using VB on VS2005 to develop the Windows CE application and I want to re-use some VB6 dlls that I have been using for years.
The dll is called DEF100 and in a standard windows application I would include it as a project reference and then use it as follows.

        Dim objDefinitionFile As Object
        
        objDefinitionFile = CreateObject("DEF100.Definitions")
        clsSpecParameter.shoMaximum = objDefinitionFile.iMaximum

The above works just fine. My problem comes when I am now trying to use the same dll in the compact framework.
It appears that the CreateObject method does not exist.
I have tried to use

        Dim objDefinitionFile As New DEF100.Definitions

but get a "COM object cannot be created ..... error 0x80040154"
Any help appreciated.