Error Message: Iexplore Caused Invalid Page Fault in Module Swflash.ocx (302461)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q302461

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to start Microsoft Internet Explorer or you are browsing the Internet, you may receive an error message similar to the following:
This program has performed an illegal operation
and will be shut down.

If the problem persists, contact the program
vendor.
When you click the Details button, the following information is displayed:
IEXPLORE caused an invalid page fault in
module SWFLASH.OCX at address
-or-
IEXPLORE executed an invalid instruction in
module SWFLASH.OCX at address
Internet Explorer may then stop responding (hang).

CAUSE

This issue can occur in the following situation:
  • The page that you are trying to view is a Flash-enabled Web page.

    -and-
  • The Swflash.ocx file is damaged.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, follow the steps in Method 1. If Method 1 does not resolve the problem, proceed to Method 2.

Method 1

Remove and reinstall Macromedia Shockwave and Macromedia Flash. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Quit all running programs.
  2. On the taskbar, click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  3. In Control Panel, double-click Internet Options.
  4. On the General tab, click Use Blank under Home page.
  5. Under Temporary Internet files, click Settings.
  6. In the Settings dialog box, click View Objects.
  7. If a Shockwave-related item appears in the Program File list in the Downloaded Program Files dialog box, right-click the Shockwave-related item, and then click Remove on the shortcut menu that appears.

    You receive the following message:

    Shockwave control will be removed permanently.
    Are you sure?

  8. Click Yes.
  9. Repeat steps 7 through 8 for each Shockwave-related entry in the list.
  10. On the File menu, click Close.
  11. In the Settings dialog box, click OK.
  12. In the Internet Properties dialog box, click OK, and then quit Control Panel.
  13. Start Windows Explorer.
  14. Navigate to the following folder

    drive:\Windows\System\Macromed

    where drive is the drive on which Windows is installed, where Windows is the folder in which Windows is installed, and where System is the System folder in Microsoft Windows 9x and Microsoft Windows 2000 and the System32 folder in Microsoft Windows NT.
  15. Right-click the Macromed folder, and then click Delete on the shortcut menu that appears.
  16. When you are prompted to confirm folder deletion, click Yes.
  17. Quit Windows Explorer, and then restart the computer.
  18. Reinstall Macromedia Shockwave and Macromedia Flash. The Macromedia Shockwave Player and the Macromedia Flash Player can be obtained from Macromedia at the following URL:

    http://www.macromedia.com

  19. Follow steps 2 through 4 to reset home page back to original page.

Method 2

If the Method 1 does not resolve the issue, try re-extracting Swflash.ocx from the Windows installation CD. To do this, follow the steps appropriate for your operating system.

In Microsoft Windows 98

  1. Quit all running programs.
  2. On the taskbar, click Start, and then click Run.
  3. In the Open box, type SFC, and then click OK.
  4. In the System File Checker dialog box, click Extract one file from installation disk.
  5. In the Specify the system file you would like to restore box, type SWflash.ocx, and then click Start.
  6. In the Extract File dialog box, type drive:\Win98 in the Restore from box, where drive is the drive letter of the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive that contains your Microsoft Windows 98 CD-ROM.

    NOTE: If your computer has an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) installation of Windows 98, the Windows installation files may also be found in the following folder:

    C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\CABS

  7. In the Save file in box, type C:\Windows\System\Macromed\Flash. (where C is the letter of the drive on which Windows is installed and where Windows is the folder in which Windows is installed), and then click OK.
  8. In the Backup File dialog box, click OK. If you receive the following message

    The backup folder does not exist. Do you want to create it?

    click Yes.
  9. You receive the following message:

    The file has been successfully extracted

    Click Yes, and then click Close.
  10. Restart the computer.

Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me)

  1. Quit all running programs.
  2. On the taskbar, click Start, and then click Run.
  3. In the Open box, type Msconfig, and then click OK.
  4. In the System Configuration Utility dialog box, click Extract File.
  5. In the Extract one file from installation disk dialog box, type SWflash.ocx and then click Start.
  6. In the Extract File dialog box, type drive:\Win9x in the Restore from box, where drive is the drive letter of the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive that contains your Microsoft Windows Me CD-ROM.

    NOTE: If your computer has an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) installation of Windows Me, the Windows installation files may also be found in the following folder:

    C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\INSTALL

  7. In the Save file in box, type C:\Windows\System\Macromed\Flash. (where C is the letter of the drive on which Windows is installed and where Windows is the folder in which Windows is installed), and then click OK.
  8. In the Backup File dialog box, click OK. If you receive the following message

    The backup folder does not exist. Do you want to create it?

    click Yes.
  9. You receive the following message:

    The file has been successfully extracted

    Click OK twice.
  10. Restart the computer.

MORE INFORMATION

The Flash Player requires the Swflash.ocx file for proper operation.

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.


Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/5/2003
Keywords:kb3rdparty kberrmsg kbprb KB302461
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.