Random Fatal Exception Errors While Running Windows 95/98

ID: Q138788


The information in this article applies to:


SYMPTOMS

Windows reports random "Fatal Exception Error 0x:xxxxxxxx" error messages even though your previous version of Windows or Windows for Workgroups did not.


CAUSE

A common cause for these error messages is faulty physical memory (RAM) on the computer. The following are reasons why your previous version of Windows may appear to run smoothly while Windows may report random "Fatal Exception Error 0x:xxxxxxxx" error messages:


RESOLUTION

To resolve these errors, it is often necessary to replace the RAM and/or system board (motherboard). In some circumstances it may be possible to alter CMOS settings, such as Memory Wait States, to run Windows successfully. In other cases, disabling the motherboard L2 cache allows Windows to run. For information about how to edit CMOS settings, please view your computer documentation or contact your hardware manufacturer.

Note that you may want to restart Windows in Safe mode to see if the errors persist. If they do not, the problem may be a software or driver problem, in which case the information above may not apply. For information about how to troubleshoot Windows using Safe mode, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

ARTICLE-ID: Q156126
TITLE : Troubleshooting Windows 95 Using Safe Mode


MORE INFORMATION

Fatal exception errors are similar to EMM386 exception errors. For example, fatal exception error 0C is generally equivalent to EMM386 exception error 12 or a stack fault. For more information on exception errors, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q52195 Exception Errors with EMM386.SYS / EMM386.EXE

Additional query words: parity error hangs


Keywords          : kberrmsg kbhw diskmem win95 winmem win98 
Version           : WINDOWS:95
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb 

Last Reviewed: March 24, 1999