Resolving Fatal Exception Errors

In this document:
What is a Fatal Exception error?
What to do while the error is on the screen
Preventing or reducing fatal exception errors
Error occurs when reading CDs or DVDs
Related support

This document applies HP and Compaq PCs with Windows 95, 98, and Me.
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 other types of errors, use the Related support section of this document.
What is a Fatal Exception error?
When a 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 appear as:

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

If a CD or DVD was recently removed from a drive, replace the disc, wait ten seconds, and press the SPACE key.
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.
Save work if the error message disappears
Click Start, Shut Down, Restart, and OK. If the PC does not restart after doing this, wait one minute and press the POWER button on the front of the PC 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, perform the following steps, in order, until the error is resolved:

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. Disconnect from the Internet and right-click the small icon for the virus scanning software on the system tray (next to the time). Select disable or exit to stop real-time virus scanning.
Increase the computer's system resources, such as memory, hard drive space, and processing power. For information on increasing system resources, go to HP Desktop PCs - Increasing System Resources and Performance Without Adding Memory . This document will help you increase hard drive space, increase virtual memory, and reduce the load on the computer's processor.
Uninstall and reinstall the program that was being used when the error occurred:
Click Start, Settings, and then Control Panel.
Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon.
Select the desired program from the list and click the Change/Remove or Add/Remove button.
Click OK or Close and restart the PC when finished. Answer any questions if any pop-up screens appear when uninstalling.
Reinstall the software program from its installation disks or discs. If the software program came with the PC, then reinstall it by using Application Recovery. For more information, refer to Restoring Original Drivers and Software .
Verify that Windows is managing the virtual memory:
Click Start, Settings, and then Control Panel.
Double-click the System icon.
Click the Performance tab.
Click Virtual Memory.
Select Let Windows Manage My Virtual Memory if it is not already selected, and click OK.
Close all open windows and restart the PC. Test for errors.
Prevent other programs that you do not need from starting up with Windows. For more information, refer to the HP support document Preventing Programs from Opening When Windows Starts (in English).
Perform a complete virus scan using updated virus definitions.
Check the software manufacturer's Web site for updates or compatibility information.
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 didn’t come with the PC.

NOTE: If the steps in this document failed to resolve your issue, the processor, memory, or other component may be failing. If your computer was purchased after 2001, it probably contains a software program called PC Doctor. Use PC Doctor to help verify component failures before calling support or repairing the computer. Use the HP support document " HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - Using PC Doctor " to learn more about testing for component failures. If you receive an error code after running a test, you need to contact HP for further assistance. Write the error code number down so that you can provide it to a support agent.

Error occurs when reading CDs or DVDs
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 not scratched. A dirty or scratched CD may 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:

Click Start, Settings, and Control Panel.
In the Control Panel window, double-click the System icon.
Click the Performance tab, and click File System.
Click the CD-ROM tab. In the Optimize Access Pattern For list, click No Read-Ahead.
Drag the Supplemental Cache Size slider to the Small setting, click OK, and close the System Properties window.
Restart the PC.

Related support
HP Documents:
Resolving Illegal Operation and Invalid Page Fault Errors
Resolving General Protection Fault Errors
Resolving Missing File or File Corrupt Errors
Resolving RUNDLL, RUNDLL32, and MMSYSTEM.DLL Error Messages in Windows 98 and Me
Microsoft Articles:
Microsoft Article Q150314, What are Fatal Exception Errors? (in English)
Microsoft Article Q138788, Bad RAM Causes Fatal Exception Errors Running Windows 95/98 (in English)
Microsoft Article Q133440, Error Message: this program has caused a Fatal Exception 0D… (in English)
Microsoft Article Q175211, Fatal Exception Error When Opening or Closing Control Panel (in English)
Microsoft Article Q190123, Error Message: A Fatal Exception 06 Has Occurred at (any address) (in English)