FATAL ERROR WINDOWS XP

Resolving Fatal Exception Errors in Windows 95, 98, Me, and XP

This document applies to Microsoft Windows 95, 98, Me, and XP.

This document explains Fatal Exception errors, how to eliminate them, and how to reduce the likelihood that the errors will occur again.

For information on errors related to Fatal Exceptions, see the "Related Support" section at the end of this document.

What is a Fatal Exception error?

When a computer's processor is unable to perform an operation, Windows sends an exception message to the software program that was using the processor. If the software program does not handle the exception, a Fatal Exception error occurs.

Typical Fatal Exception errors are as follows:

A Fatal Exception 06 has occurred at 0028:00000026
This Program Has Caused a Fatal Exception 0D at 00457:000040B1 and Will Be Terminated
What to do while the error is on the screen
1. If a CD or DVD was recently removed from a drive, replace the disc, wait ten seconds, and press the Space key.
2. Press Enter to try to clear the error message. The program that was running should close automatically, and the system will try to return to the main screen.
3. Save work if the error message disappears.
4. Click Start , Shut Down , Restart , and OK . If the computer does not restart after doing this, wait one minute and press the computer's POWER button for five seconds until it shuts off.
    

   Preventing or reducing Fatal Exception errors

   When a Fatal Exception error appears while working from a software program, follow the steps below, until the error is resolved:

   1. Temporarily turn off virus scanning. If an error consistently occurs when an operation is performed, like saving a file, turn the virus scanning software off while performing the operation. Click Start , (All) Programs , and then click the name of the virus scanning software.
   2. Increase the computer's system resources, such as memory, hard drive space, and processing power. For information on increasing system resources, go to Improving the Performance of Your Notebook PC . This document will help you increase hard drive space, increase virtual memory, and reduce the load on the computer's processor.
   3. Uninstall and reinstall the program that was being used when the error occurred:
      1. In Windows XP, click Start , and then Control Panel . In Windows 95, 98, and Me, click Start , Settings , and then Control Panel .
      2. Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon.
      3. Select the desired program from the list and click the Change/Remove or Add/Remove button.
      4. Click OK (Windows 98, Me) or Close (Windows XP) and restart the computer when finished. Answer any questions if any pop-up screens appear when uninstalling.
   4. Verify that Windows is managing the virtual memory:
      1. In Windows XP, click Start , and then Control Panel . In Windows 95, 98, and Me, click Start , Settings , and then Control Panel .
      2. In Windows XP, click Performance and Maintenance , and then double-click the System icon. In Windows 95, 98, and Me, double-click the System icon.
      3. In Windows XP, click the Advanced tab, click the Settings button under Performance. In Windows 95, 98, and Me, click the Performance tab.
      4. In Windows XP, click the Advanced tab and then click the Change button. In Windows 95, 98, and Me, click Virtual Memory .
      5. In Windows XP, select System Managed Size , if it is not already selected, and click OK . In Windows 95, 98, and Me, select Let Windows Manage My Virtual Memory , if it is not already selected, and then click OK .
      6. Close all open windows and restart the computer. Test for errors.
   5. Prevent other programs that are not useful from starting up with Windows. See Preventing background programs from loading for more information.
   6. Perform a virus scan with updated virus definitions.
   7. Check the software manufacturer's Web site for updates or compatibility information.
   8. Back up important files and perform a full system recovery. This should be done as a last resort because you will need to manually reinstall any software that did not come with the Presario.