Exception unknown

[BarryC]

This error occurrs during reboot only, and seems to have no negative effect on the operation of the computer.
Here's the full text of the error, exactly as it is printed on the screen:
"The exception unknown software exception (0x0eedfade) occurred in the application at location 0x7c59bc81."
When I reboot, I get this error just before it finishes booting up. I click ok and then it finishes.
Any ideas of what causes this, and how to prevent it from happening? The only thing it seems to do is add an extra step for me during reboot. I have no idea what it means.
The computer is the one I'm borrowing. It's an old one with a 348 mhz processor, Windows 2K Professional, and IE 6.
Thanks for your help,
Barry

[DoctorDoom]

That's pretty much a generic error code. The location is just a memory address and is of no value. However, numerous items refering to it speak of plugins such as used with IE. Evidently it occurs after all the Windows components are up and running, so it might be a background or TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident) program that went sour on the hard drive. Or it might be trying to start a program that was improperly deleted.

First suggestion: download Startup Control Panel (http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml) (the standalone version is easier to use - run it from wherever it's saved). This is what it looks like when running (from the website).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/DocDoom777/CompTech/StartupCPL.png

Check the three bottom tabs and the top left one. These will tell you what is starting at bootup. You might be stunned at how much crap is listed, and chances are that a lot of it doesn't need to be running despite what the software companies think. And older machines usually have limited RAM, which exacerbates the problem.

IAC, uncheck the listings one at a time, reboot and see if the error reoccurs. If one of them stops it, that's the problem. If none of them do, then it's Plan B time.

The plus is that you can see what doesn't need to start at bootup and kill them. It will probably boot (and maybe run) faster.


So how often do you have to refill the kerosene tank on that relic? :biggrin:

[BarryC]

Wow. Later tonight or tomorrow I will do the things you suggest above. It all sounds good.
You may remember that in February my hard drive went bad. Originally I had asked here what might be wrong (as I listed the symptoms here). I ultimately gave the computer to my dad. He tried a boot repair disk, if memory serves. Geez I forget now. Ultimately it sort of worked, and then it didn't or something. At any rate he decided to put in a new hard drive, and a bunch of other new stuff, upgrading the computer. He let me use this one in the meantime. But it is now 6 months and I still don't have my computer back. My dad says he's been swamped with other work.

This computer here- it's one of a few hundred computers donated to a Christian school by an insurance company. They bought all new ones and donated the old ones to this particular Christian school that my dad does computer work for. So this computer is one of those. Like I said, it's got a 348 MHZ processor. I think it burns wood, not kerosene. :D

[Rhino]

This can also be caused by adware/spyware.

[Rhino]

Barry, does this come up like a DOS printout (like plain text), or does it come up in a Windows error box? If it comes up as a Windows error box, is there anything printed in the blue 'title' bar at the top leaft of the box, such as "Application error xxxxxxx.exe"?

[BarryC]

The error comes up in a Windows error box.
In the upper left corner it says "Windows - Application Error", just like that, with no other words or phrases.
As for spyware or adware, I have Adaware SE and Spybot Search & Destroy, both fully updated. The Spybot S&D has the prevention thing running all the time, plus I have Spyware Blaster (fully updated) running all the time. The computer seems to be completely clean in that respect.
As old and slow as it is, it's not bad. But the excpetion thing started appearing pretty recently, maybe in June or early July, something like that.
Barry

[Rhino]

Did you run Startup Control Panel, like Doc advised?

[BarryC]

Haven't gotten to that yet. When I don't reboot for a while, I forget that the thing is happening. I will do that.
Thanks