Fatal Exception Error in Windows 98

[Kawika]

Hi folks...

My dad just called from Hawai'i & told me that he got a Fatal Exception error when trying to start up his computer. The exact error was as follows:

Fatal Exception at OD at 03E7:00006F5E

Does anyone have any idea on how to fix this problem or where I can find information on how to fix this problem? I am currently looking through the Microsoft site trying to find an answer.

Thanks...

Kawika

[muckshifter]

A Fatal Exception 0D is an error message that is most commonly found, but not limited to, out dated or damaged video display adapter drivers and out dated multimedia software;

however, this error message has also been know to occur when the Hsflop.pdr file is missing or damaged.

http://support.microsoft.com/support/windows/topics/errormsg/kbfe0d.asp

If no luck in re-installing the video drivers, then try here ...

http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;q150314

Fatal Exception Errors can be a bugger to "fix" somtimes. :(

[Kawika]

Thanks for the help...I spent a good 3 hours on the phone last night with him trying to help him fix the problem...the best we could do was narrow down the problem to the System.ini file in the BOOT section. We plan to go line by line later in the weekend to determine which entry is causing the problem...if and when we can figure that out...we can try to fix it...

The whole thing is really strange because they sent me their computer to fix...so I did a clean install of Windows & all applications that they needed...made sure everything ran perfectly...and then sent it back to them...and somehow in the process of shipping the computer to them...the problem occurred. I can't figure out what would have caused the problem to occur via transit of the computer...

I'll take a look at those articles you posted...and hopefully we'll have this problem licked by the end of the weekend.

Thanks...

Kawika

[muckshifter]

A slim possibility may be the "shipping" can your Dad open up the case and just make sure every thing is tight and firmly seated.

What OS are you using?

[Kawika]

We are running Windows 98 Plus!. He checked the cards & connections already...we are able to get into Windows Safe Mode...and into regular Windows with the System.ini file disabled in the MSCONFIG utility...and everything seems to run perfectly fine...including the video card.

The only thing that I can think that might have contributed to the problem was that when he received the computer (it's an HP Vectra)...he plugged the monitor cable into the onboard video connection...not knowing that I had installed a new video card into the system...and he tried to start up the computer. Naturally, when the monitor remained blank...he thought the computer was broken...so he probably powered off a couple of times (this is all pure speculation)...which probably caused Windows to restart several times. He said he opened the case to make sure nothing was loose...and then gave me a call...I told him about the new video card...and he plugged it in...and then fired up the computer...that's when we got the first occurrence of the Fatal Exception error.

If you need any specific information about the computer...just let me know...at this point I am only going through a trial & error process to try to figure out what might be causing the problem.

Thanks...

Kawika

[muckshifter]

You can rebuild the "system.ini" file, try this...

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q140/4/41.asp


or you could try...
Start-up in Safe mode
Rename System.ini to System.sav
pop in you windows CD into the drive
go to your CD drive and type "set-up"

this is called a "Dirty Install" ... let me know?

Mucks

[Kawika]

Thanks for the tips...I'll compare the default system.ini file with what my dad currently has on his system & see if I can identify the problem entry...we can't try the Dirty Install because he doesn't have a copy of Windows 98...apparently when he purchased the system...they did not give him a recovery CD or any software of any kind...which is why I needed to take it with me to install everything again...I'll let you know if we get anywhere.

Thanks...

Kawika