invalid page fault error in module unknown - Win 98

Question

I have a Dell XPS T500 running Windows 98. When the computer boots up, I get an illegal operation error in the following programs: Yahoo Online Protection, rundll32, and autodown. Clicking on details gives me the message that the program caused an invalid page fault error in module 'unknown'. I get the same message when I then attempt to access the Internet by clicking on Internet Explorer. This problem started when I networked it with my other Dell system that runs Windows XP. I have booted my computer in safe mode, and I do not receive the error messages. I have scanned the computer for viruses and spyware as well, but nothing showed up. My next step is to do a clean boot, but I was wondering if anyone thinks that it might just be a networking bug? The system was working fine before I got file & printer sharing to work (firewall was blocking them) but once I could see the other computer in 'network neighborhood' this invalid page fault problem started. If I have to, I won't use them networked, the computer in question has a wireless network adapter and the Windows XP computer is connected to a router. I'd like to fix the problem, but if it isn't possible, how do I revert back to the previous set up that I had where I was just sharing a connection but they weren't networked? Do I just turn off file & printer sharing. Thanks in advance for any help!

Sput · Answer

In all seriousness, try uninstalling your Yahoo Online Protection. Then shut down the 98 system and re-start. See if it happens after the uninstall.   If you have a registry file (RB----.cab) prior to setting up the file sharing/printer sharing on the Windows 98 system, restore it.  Also may want to consider regressing XP through system restore. Would recommend you start with the 98 system first so you can be sure you have the cab file needed to restore the registry. Message Edited by Sput on 01-11-2006 06:32 PM

j24 · Answer

I have a whole registry back up (as in opened the registry and clicked 'export') from before I networked/this problem started. Would restoring that do it? I didn't want to mess anything else up by using that one until I was sure (it's about a month old).

I'll try uninstalling YOP first though.

Sput · Answer

I seriously think it may be Yahoo creating the errors and that would be the "unknown" program in the error.

If my supposition is correct, in that it is Yahoo creating the problem, my hope is with uninstalling it, your network problem will "vanish".

I would think you set up the network because you want it the systems networked. So why remove it by restoring the registry you have unless the error continues after uninstalling Yahoo?

Restoring the registry you have would essentially regress the system to a state prior to any changes made since. The question is where else on the system might those changes be? Ini files? configs sys file, other primary system files and if the changes remain in other files, would the regression of the registry pose issue to those files?

I can only share my experience to answer the questions above.

Recently had a situation on a 98 System where a piece of sofware for a DSL modem really made a mess of the system, not only was the DSL not working, but the dial up modem that was left in the box also no longer worked. I restored a registry prior to the software install and the dial up modem worked afterwards. So that experience was a positive one.My hope would be if you restored your registry you too would have a positive experience. :smileyhappy:

j24 · Answer

I hope that the solution is Yahoo, that would be the easiest.

I hate messing with the registry, which is why I'm reluctant in this case. I also had to reinstall Windows a while back, and it was a pain, so I want to avoid a repeat of that experience. :)
Thanks for your help, I'll let you know how it turns out!

j24 · Answer

Uninstalled Yahoo and I'm writing this from the computer running Windows 98! So far, so good!!  Thank you so much for your assistance! Just out of curiosity, do you have any idea why it caused this error? Yahoo isn't necessary on my system, but I would have liked to have had it, so if there's any way of fixing it... I'll ask Yahoo as well, but if you have an idea, I'd love to hear it!

Sput · Answer

Actually exploring Microsoft's sight under windows XP when I put in your error, only hit I got was for malware...and Yahoo while free...in my opinion, is not malware is pretty close to it. So how has the system be doing since the uninstall?

j24 · Answer

So far, so good. Used it tonight without any problems. I think I'll be letting Verizon/Yahoo know about my issues since I should be able to use it without trouble. Until then, though, I got some pretty good free anti-virus and anti-spyware software that I'm happy with.

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