Error Message: Explorer Caused an Invalid Page Fault in Module Browseui.dll (293174)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98

This article was previously published under Q293174
If this article does not describe the error message that you are receiving, view the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article to view more articles that describe error messages:

315854 Windows 98 and Windows Me Error Message Resource Center

SYMPTOMS

You may receive the following error message after you log on to a Windows 98-based computer:
This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down. If the problem persists, contact the program vendor.
If you click Details, you receive the following error message:
- EXPLORER caused an invalid page fault in module EXPLORER.EXE at 167:00401f31

- EXPLORER caused an invalid page fault in module BROWSEUI.DLL at 167:00401f31
If you click Close, the computer starts, and the desktop is blank. When you attempt to start the computer in Safe mode, the same problem occurs; however, the memory address that is listed in the error message may vary.

CAUSE

This problem may occur if the Browseui.dll file is missing or damaged.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, use Method 1 and if that does not work, use Method 2.

Method 1: Repair Internet Explorer

  1. Restart the computer to a command prompt:
    • Insert the Windows 98 Emergency Startup disk in the floppy, and then start the computer.

      -or-
    • Press the CTRL key while you start the computer, and then select Command Prompt Only from the Windows Startup Menu.
  2. At the command prompt, type edit c:\windows\system.ini, and then press the ENTER to open the System.ini file in MS-DOS Editor.
  3. To navigate through MS-DOS Editor, use the arrow keys. Under the section labeled [Boot], change the following line
    shell=Explorer.exe
    					
    to:
    shell=Progman.exe
    					
  4. Press ALT+F to scroll down to Exit, and then press ENTER. Select Yes to save the Windows\System.ini file, and to return to the command prompt.
  5. Restart the computer. The operating system starts Program Manager.
  6. On the File menu, click Run, type control appwiz.cpl, and then click OK to open the Add/Remove Programs Properties dialog box.
  7. On the Install/Uninstall tab, click Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 and Internet Tools, and then click Add/Remove.
  8. Click the Repair Internet Explorer option, and then click OK. Complete the wizard to repair Internet Explorer, and when you are prompted to restart the computer, click Yes.
  9. Repeat steps 1 through 5, with the following exception: In step 3, change the line "shell=progman.exe" to "shell=explorer.exe".
  10. If the error persists, follow the steps in Method 2.

Method 2: Restore Internet Explorer

  1. Restart the computer to a command prompt:
    • Insert the Windows 98 Emergency Startup disk in the floppy, and then start the computer.

      -or-
    • Press the CTRL key while you start the computer, and then select Command Prompt Only from the Windows Startup Menu.
  2. At the command prompt, type edit c:\windows\system.ini, and then press the ENTER to open the System.ini file in MS-DOS Editor.
  3. To navigate through MS-DOS Editor, use the arrow keys. Under the section labeled [Boot], change the following line
    shell=Explorer.exe
    					
    to:
    shell=Progman.exe
    					
  4. Press ALT+F to scroll down to Exit, and then press ENTER. Select Yes to save the Windows\System.ini file, and to return to the command prompt.
  5. Restart the computer. The operating system starts Program Manager.
  6. On the File menu, click Run, type control appwiz.cpl, and then click OK to open the Add/Remove Programs Properties dialog box.
  7. On the Install/Uninstall tab, click Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 and Internet Tools, and then click Add/Remove.
  8. Click the Restore to previous Windows Configuration option, and then click OK. Complete the wizard to restore the earlier Windows configuration, and when you are prompted to restart the computer, click Yes.
  9. Repeat steps 1 through 5, with the following exception: In step 3, change the line "shell=progman.exe" to "shell=explorer.exe".
NOTE: If both methods fail, you may have to completely reinstall the Windows 98 operating system. It should be noted that the reinstallation of Windows 98 may result in the loss of some Windows configuration information and/or data.

For additional information about installing Windows 98, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

188881 How to Install Windows 98: Helpful Tips and Suggestions

CAUTION: Some computers come with a restoration disk. This disk should be used only as a last resort because it removes everything from the hard disk including all programs and data files.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/20/2004
Keywords:kberrmsg kbInvalidPageFault kbprb kbWinProtectErr KB293174