Applications crash

I'm running XP Pro on a home built computer, and have a problem with apps crashing with this message: "Internet Explorer encountered an error and had to close. We're sorry for the inconvenience." This happens intermittently, and it doesn't matter which app is running, they're all vulnerable. I'm not sure if this is a software or hardware issue, but I'll start here. I found the drwtsn32.log file which has an entry for every crash. Reading these entries is beyond me. I'd be happy to cut and paste one or more entries for e-mailing if someone feels this would help.

 

The Dr.'s log files aren't much help to any human being I've ever met. There may be a couple but if so, I think Microsoft keeps them locked away and fed on red meat only.

Try your event logs for clues. Post any that seem related but don't make good sense to you. Open an event, click on the icon below the up/down arrows (sends a text copy to the clipboard) and paste it in a reply.

If you don't find any likely canidates, post back with that information too.

 

And I would find the event logs...where?

 

NOTE* You need Administrative Privileged User account, to use this/these tool.

Event Viewer. This is a snap-in console for MMC or the "Computer Management Console ". Are you familiar with this tool? Ala "Administrative Tools "

See:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/microsoft_management_console.htm

I think it was always accessible from the control panel but I have always had it set up to be shown from my startmenu. Or you can just make shortcuts to the individual components or *.msc. In this case the eventvwr.msc. You can also open these from run line. Example:
*Click Start button
*Scroll to the "run" line
*Type in eventvwr.msc
*Hit enter and read away

====
To add to the startmenu:
*right click the startbutton and choose properties
*On the "startmenu" tab click the "customize button "> "adavanced tab
*scroll to the category "System Adminstartive tools "
*Pick where you want it/them displayed or accessible from.
*My preference "All Programs and startmenu "

*been awhile but I think I added my own shortcuts to the individual *.msc modules I use most often. I prefer the individual snap-ins rather than a whole customized console.

 

I added the admin tools to the start menu button, but when I attempt to run any of them, the program crashes with the message "[app] has encountered a problem and must close. We're sorry for the inconvenience. "

 

Right click My Computer>manage. You may want to clear event logs if really full and check again after first error message. Right click any subcategory and clear.

Is the message Internet Explorer must close or Windows Explorer?

 

It sure would be nice to get a look into those event logs.

How about a safemode bootup? Perhaps your system will be more co-operative.

From your StartButton's "Run" line type msconfig and hit enter.
On the Boot.ini tab, while looking at the lower half of the duologue popup, are options for booting up. Put a checks in the "safeboot" "minimal ". Apply and restart.

This will boot you up in safemode. Now try and open the eventvwr.msc either via the Management Console or the run line.
=========
NOTES*When using msconfig and at the boot.ini; If you have a multiple or dualboot system your xp load line will have to be the operating system of focus just highlight with a mouse click. Otherwise the boot options will be greyed out.

Also I am unsure if you will have the run line on the startmenu. My startmenu will not show the runline while in this mode. I'm not sure if its the icon size or what but... you can use the key combo of cntrl/alt/del to bring up the taskmanager and from the toolbars File you can New Task>Run which is the same thing. It even has the same dropdown list.

And to sum up...you will have to use msconfig once again, to reverse the safemode bootup process and select a "Normal" bootup. This can be done from the General tab.

==========
And as a shot in the total darkness: You wouldn't be using an older Cleansweep App would you?

 

Dave, when I right click My Computer > Manage, I get an error message: "MMC has encountered a problem and must close... "
Ann, I'm not running any version of Cleansweep. I won't have a chance to try the safe boot until later today. Also, I cannot bring up Device Manager (I've been able to do so in the past). I get the same error message: "MMC has encountered a problem and must close..." The error message always notes which app has crashed: IE, Word, Excel, Courier, Palm hotsync, etc. I don't think I have an app installed that hasn't crashed at least once. As I look at the drwtson log, this has been happening from day one.

 

Possible causes that come immediately to mind:

- bad memory stick (if you have several, remove one and try)
- bad spot on a drive surface (from cmd, chkdsk /r)
- virus (try online AV scan)
- damaged system files (try start~run~sfc /scannow)
- hardware and/or driver that XP dislikes - I'd try removing all of them and putting in a different video card if you have one around. Otherwise, remove via device manager and reinstall using a new driver set.

 

I finally got to the Event Viewer. Below is a sample:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1000
Date: 2/18/2004
Time: 8:05:23 PM
User: N/A
Computer: CC917307-B
Description:
Faulting application courier.exe, version 3.50.0.9, faulting module mfc42.dll, version 6.0.8665.0, fault address 0x00001cf1.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 41 70 70 6c 69 63 61 74 Applicat
0008: 69 6f 6e 20 46 61 69 6c ion Fail
0010: 75 72 65 20 20 63 6f 75 ure cou
0018: 72 69 65 72 2e 65 78 65 rier.exe
0020: 20 33 2e 35 30 2e 30 2e 3.50.0.
0028: 39 20 69 6e 20 6d 66 63 9 in mfc
0030: 34 32 2e 64 6c 6c 20 36 42.dll 6
0038: 2e 30 2e 38 36 36 35 2e .0.8665.
0040: 30 20 61 74 20 6f 66 66 0 at off
0048: 73 65 74 20 30 30 30 30 set 0000
0050: 31 63 66 31 0d 0a 1cf1..

If anyone wants to see other examples, I have lots of them.

 

How did you finally get event viewer to work?

On the list of Newts previous suggestions, what have you done?

Current error suggests either an application is the problem, "Courier.exe ", or you have a problem with Xp's file mfc42.dll. What is the application that uses the executible "Courier.exe "? [I'm pretty sure this is going to be Courier Email but other applications use this named executable so it's best to make sure.]

You state you "have other examples" of past errors, I assume,
post 'em! We're looking for a pattern. Some file or application that repeatedly belly's up.

======
In the mean time, as if you have nothing else to do , do a file search for mfc42.dll and make sure your most current one is in *:\windows\system32.

===try a run line of===
Make sure MFC42.DLL is registered on your system. To check this:

Click Start, Run, and type "REGSVR32 MFC42.DLL" (without the quotes).

Click OK. You should receive a message stating registration was

successful.

NOTE* Sometimes XP seems to need the full paths and that would be similar to:
C:\Windows\System32\Regsvr32.exe C:\Windows\System\MFC42.dll

Provided your files are in the above directories.

I find it easier just to make a shortcut to regsvr32.exe on my desktop and dragNdrop the file I want to register or re-register, onto the shortcut.

 

I meant to post before now, but life intervened, and I haven't given up my day job. Get comfortable, this will be a long one.
I run event viewer by Start>Run>MMC. I add the Event Viewer snap-in, and I'm in. I can't save the configuration because MMC crashes. You want more events? Voila:
Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1000
Date: 2/11/2004
Time: 2:17:27 PM
User: N/A
Computer: CC917307-B
Description:
Faulting application iexplore.exe, version 6.0.2800.1106, faulting module flash.ocx, version 7.0.19.0, fault address 0x0001904b.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 41 70 70 6c 69 63 61 74 Applicat
0008: 69 6f 6e 20 46 61 69 6c ion Fail
0010: 75 72 65 20 20 69 65 78 ure iex
0018: 70 6c 6f 72 65 2e 65 78 plore.ex
0020: 65 20 36 2e 30 2e 32 38 e 6.0.28
0028: 30 30 2e 31 31 30 36 20 00.1106
0030: 69 6e 20 66 6c 61 73 68 in flash
0038: 2e 6f 63 78 20 37 2e 30 .ocx 7.0
0040: 2e 31 39 2e 30 20 61 74 .19.0 at
0048: 20 6f 66 66 73 65 74 20 offset
0050: 30 30 30 31 39 30 34 62 0001904b
0058: 0d 0a ..

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1000
Date: 2/9/2004
Time: 8:23:07 AM
User: N/A
Computer: CC917307-B
Description:
Faulting application mozill~1.exe, version 1.5.20031.717, faulting module xpcom.dll, version 1.5.20031.717, fault address 0x0001042e.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 41 70 70 6c 69 63 61 74 Applicat
0008: 69 6f 6e 20 46 61 69 6c ion Fail
0010: 75 72 65 20 20 6d 6f 7a ure moz
0018: 69 6c 6c 7e 31 2e 65 78 ill~1.ex
0020: 65 20 31 2e 35 2e 32 30 e 1.5.20
0028: 30 33 31 2e 37 31 37 20 031.717
0030: 69 6e 20 78 70 63 6f 6d in xpcom
0038: 2e 64 6c 6c 20 31 2e 35 .dll 1.5
0040: 2e 32 30 30 33 31 2e 37 .20031.7
0048: 31 37 20 61 74 20 6f 66 17 at of
0050: 66 73 65 74 20 30 30 30 fset 000
0058: 31 30 34 32 65 0d 0a 1042e..

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1000
Date: 2/5/2004
Time: 12:05:53 PM
User: N/A
Computer: CC917307-B
Description:
Faulting application mozill~1.exe, version 1.5.20031.717, faulting module ntdll.dll, version 5.1.2600.1217, fault address 0x00033905.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 41 70 70 6c 69 63 61 74 Applicat
0008: 69 6f 6e 20 46 61 69 6c ion Fail
0010: 75 72 65 20 20 6d 6f 7a ure moz
0018: 69 6c 6c 7e 31 2e 65 78 ill~1.ex
0020: 65 20 31 2e 35 2e 32 30 e 1.5.20
0028: 30 33 31 2e 37 31 37 20 031.717
0030: 69 6e 20 6e 74 64 6c 6c in ntdll
0038: 2e 64 6c 6c 20 35 2e 31 .dll 5.1
0040: 2e 32 36 30 30 2e 31 32 .2600.12
0048: 31 37 20 61 74 20 6f 66 17 at of
0050: 66 73 65 74 20 30 30 30 fset 000
0058: 33 33 39 30 35 0d 0a 33905..

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1000
Date: 2/3/2004
Time: 5:46:21 PM
User: N/A
Computer: CC917307-B
Description:
Faulting application winword.exe, version 9.0.0.8216, faulting module winword.exe, version 9.0.0.8216, fault address 0x000b39eb.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 41 70 70 6c 69 63 61 74 Applicat
0008: 69 6f 6e 20 46 61 69 6c ion Fail
0010: 75 72 65 20 20 77 69 6e ure win
0018: 77 6f 72 64 2e 65 78 65 word.exe
0020: 20 39 2e 30 2e 30 2e 38 9.0.0.8
0028: 32 31 36 20 69 6e 20 77 216 in w
0030: 69 6e 77 6f 72 64 2e 65 inword.e
0038: 78 65 20 39 2e 30 2e 30 xe 9.0.0
0040: 2e 38 32 31 36 20 61 74 .8216 at
0048: 20 6f 66 66 73 65 74 20 offset
0050: 30 30 30 62 33 39 65 62 000b39eb
0058: 0d 0a ..

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1000
Date: 1/26/2004
Time: 9:17:14 PM
User: N/A
Computer: CC917307-B
Description:
Faulting application courier.exe, version 3.50.0.9, faulting module unknown, version 0.0.0.0, fault address 0xec78001c.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 41 70 70 6c 69 63 61 74 Applicat
0008: 69 6f 6e 20 46 61 69 6c ion Fail
0010: 75 72 65 20 20 63 6f 75 ure cou
0018: 72 69 65 72 2e 65 78 65 rier.exe
0020: 20 33 2e 35 30 2e 30 2e 3.50.0.
0028: 39 20 69 6e 20 75 6e 6b 9 in unk
0030: 6e 6f 77 6e 20 30 2e 30 nown 0.0
0038: 2e 30 2e 30 20 61 74 20 .0.0 at
0040: 6f 66 66 73 65 74 20 65 offset e
0048: 63 37 38 30 30 31 63 0d c78001c.
0050: 0a
.
Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1000
Date: 1/14/2004
Time: 1:21:26 PM
User: N/A
Computer: CC917307-B
Description:
Faulting application iexplore.exe, version 6.0.2800.1106, faulting module ntdll.dll, version 5.1.2600.1217, fault address 0x00033aed.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 41 70 70 6c 69 63 61 74 Applicat
0008: 69 6f 6e 20 46 61 69 6c ion Fail
0010: 75 72 65 20 20 69 65 78 ure iex
0018: 70 6c 6f 72 65 2e 65 78 plore.ex
0020: 65 20 36 2e 30 2e 32 38 e 6.0.28
0028: 30 30 2e 31 31 30 36 20 00.1106
0030: 69 6e 20 6e 74 64 6c 6c in ntdll
0038: 2e 64 6c 6c 20 35 2e 31 .dll 5.1
0040: 2e 32 36 30 30 2e 31 32 .2600.12
0048: 31 37 20 61 74 20 6f 66 17 at of
0050: 66 73 65 74 20 30 30 30 fset 000
0058: 33 33 61 65 64 0d 0a 33aed..

Mfc42.dll is the faulting module in perhaps 50% of the errors.

I found mfc42.dll in 5 locations, all having the same size and version no. MFC42 is registered on my system.
Re: Newt's suggestions - I run a full virus scan weekly and keep my Norton files up to date. I'm running Norton Systemworks 2002 Pro. I can't find any documentation that says it is or is not XP compatable. CHKDSK ran this morning. When I returned to the computer, it said the volume was clear.
Oops. Showstopper. I just now ran sfc /scannow, and it tells me that I need some additional .dll files for Windows to run properly. I need to get the XP disk and run sfc again. This may take a day or two. I'll post back with the results.
Thanks to all for your help.

 

Good luck. The sfc /scannow may cure most (maybe all) of your issues.

 

An aside, I'd appreciate an explanation re: registering files. What files need to be registered, why, and why might they need to be reregistered? I'm new to XP, but not to computers.

 

re: registering files

Registering files in this context simply means having/creating the proper registry entries for dll files.

RegSvr32 explained.

 

I just ran sfc /scannow. I think that did the trick. I can now open Event Viewer from the start menu, which used to crash. Time will tell if the computer remains stable. If not, I'll start a new post. Once again, thanks to all for your help.

 

Good news and thanks for posting back.