Solutions: Device driver causing buggy shutdown

By JOHN TORRO

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 22, 2001

Q. I have Windows 95 with a 150 megahertz Pentium S chip and 32 megabytes of random access memory. When I choose Shut Down from the Start Menu, my computer restarts instead of shutting down. I have been advised that I need to reload Windows 95 but I am afraid I will lose data if I do this. I have been turning the power off to my computer to shut it down. It seems to start up okay and I can access all programs but I don't want to continue this if it will damage something. Do you have any ideas?

A. On Windows 95 systems, this is usually the result of a buggy device driver that won't allow itself to be unloaded. For Windows 98 systems, this can usually be fixed by turning off "Enable Fast Shutdown." However with Windows 95, you will need to make sure you have the latest versions of the device drivers for your system, such as drivers for your mouse, video adapter, sound card, etc. Of course, reloading Windows often "cures" various anomalies (such as a corrupt LOGOW.SYS file, the bitmap that displays at shutdown). Reloading Windows will not erase your data.

Cable modem conflict?

Q: For the past month and a half, I have been getting this message: "Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library, Runtime Error! Program:C:\Warner\Warner.Exe Abnormal Program Termination." When I click OK, the message goes away and does not return until the next time I start up the computer. I have written to Microsoft to no avail. What can I do about it?

A. The message that you are seeing is an internal program error in the Warner.exe program. (I'm assuming that this is a Time-Warner supplied program and that you are a Time-Warner Road Runner subscriber.) The program was written in Microsoft C++ programming language and that is why you are seeing the Microsoft reference, but this is a problem related to the Time-Warner program, not Microsoft. Call Time-Warner's support to report the problem and receive a solution.

Revealing 'spyware'

Q. Every time I restart my computer, I get this error: "Rundll32, This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down." Under details it says: "Rundll32 caused an invalid page fault in module NEWDOTNET3_22.dll at 0177:1000ab5e" and various numbers and letters listed as "Registers" followed by "Bytes at CS:EIP," then "Stack Dump" with more numbers and letters. The computer seems to run okay when I close the box. I have not loaded or changed anything that I am aware of, and my son does not think he did either.

A. But you did. New.Net is a "spyware" program that loads alongside other programs or browser plug-ins such as Earthlink, @Home, Juno, Go!Zilla, BearShare, Mp3.com and Webshots. And it usually happens secretly. Spyware programs collect usage statistics for their clients or display banner ads in associated programs and tailor the advertising to your interests. You want it off your system. Go to Add/Remove Programs (click Start, Settings, Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs) and remove New.Net. If the Add/Remove option fails, e-mail New.Net support (support@new.net) or phone them at (626) 229-7800. To find out more about New.Net, go to: http://www.cexx.org/newnet.htm.

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