Rundll, Rundll32, and Mmsystem.dll Error Messages in Windows XP

Rundll, Rundll32, and Mmsystem.dll Error Messages in Windows XP

 

This document resolves the following error messages:

"RUNDLL - This program has caused an illegal operation and will be shut down. "

"RUNDLL32 - This program has caused an illegal operation and will be shut down. "

"RUNDLL caused a general protection fault in module MMSYSTEM.DLL at .... "

"RUNDLL32 caused a general protection fault in module MMSYSTEM.DLL "

 

Windows System Restore

These error messages can be caused by corrupted system files in Windows. Windows will automatically replace the damaged files when System Restore is used.

To run Windows System Restore follow the instructions on HP Notebook PCs - Using the Microsoft System Restore Feature .

Correct the system.ini file

If Microsoft Windows System Restore does not resolve the error message, manually edit your System.ini file.

1. Click Start , Run . In the Open field type: System.ini

1. Click OK . The file should open in Notepad. If it does not, a window will appear titled Open With. Select Windows Notepad and click OK to continue.

1. If a line similar to drivers=mmsystem.dll can be found under [boot], type a semicolon(;) at the beginning of that line. For example, line drivers=mmsystem.dll wndrv.dll is found under the [boot] section. A semicolon is placed at the beginning of the line so that it looks like this: ;drivers=mmsystem.dll wndrv.dll .

1. Type the following new line under the [boot] section (see Figure 1): drivers=mmsystem.dll .

1. Click File , then Save from the text editor.

1. Close all open windows and restart the computer.

   Figure 1: Boot section of System.ini

   

Related support

Microsoft Support Article Q138835, Error Messages in Rundll32 or Mmsystem.dll (in English)



NOTE:One or more of the links above will take you outside the Hewlett-Packard Web site. HP does not control and is not responsible for information outside of the HP Web 

Resolving Illegal Operation

Resolving Illegal Operation and Invalid Page Fault Errors in Windows 98, Me, and XP.

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

This document explains how to eliminate illegal operation and invalid page fault error messages. The following examples show types of illegal operation error messages:

(Name of software application): This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down


Illegal operation caused by (name of the software application) in module unknown


An Invalid Page fault occurred in module unknown




What is an illegal operation error?


When the processor is unable to perform a task required by a software application, Windows responds by displaying an illegal operation error message. Windows closes the software application or sends the software application an exception error message.


NOTE:An invalid page fault message normally appears within the text of an illegal operation error message. This document addresses both errors.




Step 1: Reducing the number of software applications that open with Windows


The following steps will prevent unwanted software applications from opening when Windows starts:
1. Click Start and then click Run .
2. In the Open field, type: msconfig .
3. Click OK . The System Configuration Utility window appears (Figure 1).
4. Click the General tab and select Selective Startup .
5. Remove the checkmarks from Load startup group items and Load static VxDs . Load Static VxDs is not available in Windows 98.
6. Click OK and then restart the computer.
7. After the computer has restarted, try using the software application that caused the error to see if the Illegal operation error messages continue.
8. If the Illegal operation error messages continue, go to Step 2 : Finding the software application. If the Illegal operation error messages are not present, another software application was causing the error. Disable or remove the software application that was causing the error. For more information, refer to HP Notebook PCs - Preventing Programs from Starting When Windows Starts.
   

   Figure 1: Selective startup options in the System Configuration Utility

   


Step 2: Finding the software application that is causing conflicts


If the computer displays an Illegal operation or Invalid page fault error message, close the software application that is currently in use. Find the conflicting software application by using the following steps:

1. Create a list of all other software applications that were open when the error message occurred. Use this information in the future to find the software application that is causing the error messages.
2. Turn the computer off.
3. Wait one minute and turn the computer on again.
4. Do not open the first software item on the list. Draw a line through the first software application on the list to note which software application is not open. Software applications that remain open are the software applications that can potentially cause software conflicts.
5. Open all other software applications on the list.
6. Open the software application that caused the error message.
7. If the software application causes an error message again, repeat these steps, opening one less software application each time. Repeat these steps until the software application that is causing the error message is identified.
   

   

   NOTE:If closing antivirus software solves the problem, disable the anti-virus software whenever working with the software application that caused the error message. Do not open new software applications, new document and spreadsheets, or use e-mail with the anti-virus software disabled.


Step 3: Eliminating the errors


1. Change how the software application is used. For example, if the error occurs when a certain setting in the software application is used, try using a different setting. If the error occurs when printing with a certain printer driver, try setting the print driver so that it prints directly to the printer.
2. Uninstall, and then reinstall the software application that is causing the errors.
   1. In Windows 95, 98, and Me, click Start, Settings, Control Panel .
      In Windows XP, click Start , and then click Control Panel .
   2. Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon. The Add/Remove Programs window appears.
   3. Select the software application that is causing the lockups and click Add/Remove or click Change/Remove .
   4. Read and respond to windows that open. Click OK or click Yes to windows that open and ask for the removal of a shared file.
   5. Click OK or Close in the Add/Remove Programs window.
   6. Restart the computer.
   7. Reinstall each software application, following the software manufacturer’s instructions.
   8. Open the software applications. If the error message occurs again, continue to the next item.
3. Check the software manufacturer's Web site for a resolution or a software patch.
4. Uninstall any software applications that conflict with the software application that caused the error message. If uninstalling the software application is not an acceptable option, close all other software applications while using the software application that caused the error message.

 

Error occurs when reading CDs or DVDs (Windows 98 and Me)

Error occurs when reading CDs or DVDs (Windows 98 and Me)

If a CD or DVD was recently removed from a drive, replace the disc, wait ten seconds, and press the Space key. Make sure the compact disc is clean and unscratched. A dirty or scratched CD can cause Fatal Exception errors.

If the errors persist in Windows 98 and Me, turn off the CD-ROM drive cache. This may make the drive more reliable but can reduce the drive's performance. Turn off the CD-ROM drive cache by following these steps:

1. Click Start , Settings , and then Control Panel .
2. In the Control Panel window, double-click the System icon.
3. Click the Performance tab, and click File System .
4. Click the CD-ROM tab (see Figure 1). In the Optimize Access Pattern For list, click No Read-Ahead .
5. Drag the Supplemental Cache Size slider to the Small setting, and click OK .
    Figure 1: CD-ROM optimization screen
    
   
    

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.