I guess I left something out. I have used nmake and it works. I have to use omake for the configuration control system we use here (clearcase).
I think what I want to know is whether there's a way to edit Makefile.PL so that in makefile, the makefile dependency isn't checked at all. When I remove the section in the makefile that checks that dependency, the build works.
The missing DLL is a different problem. I know how to fix that - sorry for leaving it in.
Thanks for so many replies so quick!!