GP Fault in Winword.exe Using /N Switch

ID: Q139941

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Internet Assistant for Word, version 1.0, 1.0z
Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0a, 6.0c

SYMPTOMS

Case 1: You get the following general protection (GP) fault error message

        when you start Word with the /n switch.

           Winword cause a General Protection Fault in
           module WINWORD.EXE at 0011:6C3D.

Case 2: This error message may also occur if you use Word as an OLE server.

        For example, you insert a Word document into Write or Microsoft
        Excel, or you insert an object using the Insert Object command. It
        may occur when you insert a Word table into a PowerPoint
        presentation. In these instances, the GP fault is followed by
        another error message similar to:

           Failed to communicate with the source application.

        Note that this scenario does NOT use the /n switch to start Word
        for Windows. The resolution listed below as Method 1 solves this
        issue.

CAUSE

This error occurs because of a conflict with the Wordhtml.wll file located in the <Winword>\Startup folder. There are two different versions of the Wordhtml.wll that can cause this problem:

   Wordhtml.wll  -  version 1.0.95032801  File Size - 196272  3/29/95
   Wordhtml.wll  -  version 1.0.95041201  File Size - 201520  4/16/95

To determine which version of the Wordhtml.wll file you have, view the properties of the file. To do this, start File Manager, select your file, and then choose Properties from the File menu.

STATUS

We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

RESOLUTION

Method 1: Remove the Wordhtml.wll file from the <Winword>\Startup

          folder and place it in the <Winword>\Internet folder.
          When you need to use Internet Assistant, do the following:

          a. Start Word for Windows.
          b. On the File menu, click Templates.
          c. Click the Add button.
          d. Select the Wordhtml.wll from the <Winword>\Internet folder.
          e. Click OK.
          f. Click OK.

Method 2: Start a session of Word before you insert or double-click a Word

          document object.

Method 3: Do not start Word with the /n switch.

MORE INFORMATION

By default, when you start Word for Windows, it opens a new document (Document1) based on the Normal.dot template. If you use the /n switch, Word starts without opening a document. When there is no open document, Word offers only the File and Help menus as choices on the menu bar.

KBCategory: kbole kbusage kbinterop KBSubcategory: Additional query words: 6.0a 6.0c 1.0 1.0z winword word6 browse internet assistant switch /n gpf gp fault general protection fault application error message html PowerPoint 4.0 table object OLE ia iaword

Keywords          : kbwdinternet 
Version           : 1.0 1.0z
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: February 6, 1998