thought i'd throw my two cents in since i have been having the same problems. ive tried searching google and microsoft download center as i have seen in this thread but nothing, i found it on microsoft.com search instead of the download center.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_other-gaming/msvcr71dll-missing/2b2ff4ca-4866-45cf-b9d0-4f84c470c9af?auth=1