Error message: "Explorer caused an invalid page fault in module Kernel32.dll" (187965)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 1.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.01 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.02 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.x for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 4.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 4.01 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.01 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 6.0 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.01 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 4.01 for Windows 98
  • the operating system: Microsoft Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q187965

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to start Internet Explorer or Outlook Express on a Windows 95 or Windows 98-based computer, your computer may stop responding (hang), and you may receive one of the following error messages:
Explorer caused an invalid page fault in module Kernel32.dll.
Commgr32 caused an invalid page fault in module Kernel32.dll.
Mprexe caused an invalid page fault in module Kernel32.dll.
Msgsrv32 caused an invalid page fault in module Kernel32.dll.
Iexplore caused an invalid page fault in module Kernel32.dll.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if your password list (PWL) file is damaged.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use the following steps:
  1. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files Or Folders.
  2. In the Named box, type *.pwl, and then click Find Now.
  3. In the list of found files, right-click each file, and then click Delete. Repeat step 3 until all of the .pwl files are deleted.
  4. On the File menu, click Close.
  5. Restart the computer. The password list files are re-created automatically when you log on to Windows.
  6. Download the Mspwlupd.exe file from the following Microsoft Web site, and then double-click the file to run it.

    NOTE: You do not need to perform this step if you are running Windows 95 OSR2 or Windows 98.The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:

    Download Download Mspwlupd.exe now

    For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    119591 How to obtain Microsoft support files from online services

    Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help to prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/2/2004
Keywords:kbdownload kbenv kberrmsg kbgraphxlinkcritical kbInvalidPageFault kbprb KB187965
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