"SUWIN caused a general protection fault in module verx.dll" error message when you try to reinstall Windows Me (888555)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition

SYMPTOMS

When you try to reinstall Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me) on a computer that has a previous installation of Windows Me, the installation fails when the file copy process is 60 percent to 70 percent completed. When this issue occurs, you may receive one or both of the following error messages:
An error has occurred in your application. If you choose ignore you should save your work in a new file. If you choose close, your application will terminate.
SUWIN caused a general protection fault in module verx.dll at 0002:24AE

CAUSE

This issue may occur when you try to reinstall Windows Me on a computer that has Windows Media Player 9 installed on it.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, you can use an MS-DOS emergency disk to start your computer. Then rename Windows Media Player files to revert your version of Windows Media Player to version 7. After you reinstall Windows Me, you can upgrade Windows Media Player to the latest version. To do these things, follow these steps:
  1. Use an MS-DOS startup floppy disk to start your computer.

    Note If your computer starts from the hard disk instead of from the floppy drive, you may have to change the start sequence in your computer's CMOS settings.
    1. Insert the Windows Me Startup disk.
    2. Click Start, and then click Shutdown.
    3. Click Restart, and then click OK.
    4. When the computer restarts, choose Start Computer with CD-ROM support, Start Computer without CD-ROM support, or Minimal Boot.
  2. At the command prompt, type the following commands, and press ENTER after each:
    • c:
    • cd windows\system
    • ren wmp*.dll *.lld
    • ren wmp.ocx *.xco
    • cd \progra~1
    • ren window~1 wmp9
  3. Remove the Windows Me Startup floppy disk, and then start your computer normally.
  4. Reinstall Windows Me.
  5. Upgrade Windows Media Player to the latest available version. To do this, visit the Windows Update Web site. In Internet Explorer, on the Tools menu, click Windows Update.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/20/2004
Keywords:kbprb kbtshoot KB888555 kbAudEndUser
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