Windows error messages

Windows error messages are a fact of life that can't be escaped. This time a will give you a description of the most common message types.
Windows error messages fall into six basic types, all of which have their own unique characteristics.

Invalid Page Fault error
As you work in Win98/Me/XP, it's not uncommon to get the error message, "This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down", or the message "[Program name] has caused an error in [file name]. [Program name] will now close"
Invalid page faults occur when erroneous parameters pass between Windows and program, causing program to run instructions that are not valid. Not enough memory, lack of hard disk space, or a program attempting to access data being used by another program are the most common cause of this kind of messages.

Windows Protection error
Windows Protection errors normally occur when you start or shut down Win98/Me. You will see the message "While initializing device [device name] Windows Protection Error" or you will simply see "Windows Protection Error" by itself. These errors are a result of the computer attempting to load or unload a VxD (virtual device driver), which acts as a buffer between an application and a hardware device it interacts with.
There are many reasons Windows Protection errors occur, including: Damaged Windows Registry, problems with Plug and Play configuration, Computer hardware setup, Virus infection of some important files, defective RAM, or device driver conflicts.

General Protection Fault
A General Protection Fault error often means Win98/Me has a problem with a device driver or software application, but it can also occur with a bad RAM chip or video card. The message you will see is in the form "[Program name] caused a General Protection Fault in module [file name]."

Fatal Exception Error
Also called the BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) because of its appearance, this error occurs when you start or shut down Win98/Me, or start a program. It usually locks your computer and displays the message, "A fatal exception [XY] has occurred in [XXX:XXXXXXXX]", where [XY] is an error code and [XXX:XXXXXXXX] represents the memory address where the exception error occurred. The most common error codes are 0E and 0D.
Fatal Exception 0E occurs when Windows encounters illegal instructions or invalid data, or the privilege level on an operation is invalid. Fatal Exception 0D occurs less often, but is commonly the result of a damaged or outdated video display driver.
A Fatal Exception error usually forces you to restart your computer.

Kernel32.dll error
The Kernel32.dll is a dynamic-link library that handles memory management, input/output operations and interrupts. When you boot your computer, Win98/Me/XP loads the library into a protected memory area, but a program or group of programs occasionally attempts to use that memory space. When this happens, you get an invalid page fault error message in the form of "[Program name] has caused an invalid fault in module KERNEL32.DLL".
Lots of conditions cause Kernel32.dll errors, including damaged swap files (portions of your hard drive Windows uses as virtual memory), damaged Registry settings, incorrect BIOS settings, damaged hardware drivers, and viruses.

STOP error
Stop messages are the WinXP/2000 version of the BSOD. When WinXP encounters a problem it can't handle, a solid blue background appears with a text that says "STOP: 0x00000XXX" and other information about recovery driver involvement. The code that follows the word "STOP" indicates the type of error. Stop messages occur due to outdated or damaged drivers, hardware conflicts, incompatible software, or file system corruption.

I can't tell you that there is a way to avoid errors on a Windows computer, but the possibility of having problems with the computer can be reduced considerably if you perform maintenance task in you equipment. The last issue I talked about a good maintenance plan. If you don't have that information on hand, you always can check the past issues of Smart People visiting our support center.