How to fix a general protection fault

Note: It is not upcoming to randomly experience a General Protection Fault (GPF), you should not need to troubleshoot GPF errors unless they are occurring frequently.

Remove all TSRs

Disable or unload any TSRs or programs currently running before running the program causing the GPF.

• How to remove TSRs and startup programs.

Delete all program temporary files

Delete all temporary files that may still be residing on the hard drive from currently or previously running programs.

• How to remove temporary program files.

Run ScanDisk and Defrag

Run Scandisk and run Defrag on the hard drive as it could be possible your hard drive may have an issue causing the swap file or data files to become corrupt or invalid.

Verify your computer has more than 200 MB available

If your computer is running low on hard drive space, your Windows Swap File will be unable to increase in size when needed, causing programs to be swapped between memory and the hard drive more frequently. When this occurs it is more likely that a GPF can occur.

• Determining available hard drive space.

Recently installed software or hardware

If you have recently installed new software or hardware uninstall or reinstall that software or hardware to verify it is not causing your issue.

• Uninstalling Windows software.

Disable external cache

If your CPU utilizes external cache disable it temporarily to verify if it is causing your GPF error messages. If this option is available it can be disabled through CMOS Setup.

If this resolves your issue it is recommended that you contact the manufacturer of your computer, motherboard manufacturer, or CPU manufacturer for additional recommendations.

Tip: In some cases a BIOS update designed for this problem can also resolve cache related issues.

Disable Power Management and screen savers

If you are receiving GPFs when away from the computer or during durations when your computer is inactive, disable Power Management and screen savers to ensure that they are not causing your issue.

• Power management help and support.

Operating System issue

Windows related files can cause a General Protection fault. For example, a General Protection Fault with Explorer and KRNL386.EXE. Reinstall Windows to resolve the issue with Windows related files.

Bad memory or other bad hardware

If you have followed all of the above recommendations and continue to experience GPFs there may be bad or failing hardware inside your computer. Often bad memory is the primary cause for random GPFs.

• How can I test my memory to determine if it is bad?

Trojan horse

A trojan horse is a program or utility that appears to be something useful or safe, but in reality is performing background tasks such as giving access to your computer or sending personal information to other computers. Trojan horses are one of the most common methods a criminal uses to infect your computer and collect personal information from your computer. Below are some basic examples of how your computer could become infected with a Trojan horse.

A site offers a free download to a program or game that normally costs money. Downloading the pirated version of a program or game allows you to illegally use or play it, however, during the install it also installed a Trojan horse onto the computer.

A popular screen saver website has become infected or uploaded infected screen savers. Downloading the screen saver to your computer also installs a Trojan horse onto the computer.

You receive an e-mail that appears to be from a friend asking you to view this fantastic new program or look at a file. Opening the file infects your computer with a Trojan horse.

A friends Facebook account is hacked and has sent out personalized messages telling all their friends to see this exciting new video. Opening the video requests a download that has a hidden Trojan horse that infects your computer.

Worm

 

1. First developed by John Shoch and Jon Hupp at Xerox PARC in 1978, a worm is a destructive self replicating software program containing code capable of gaining access to computers or networks. Once within the computer or network, the worm causes harm by deleting, modifying, distributing, or otherwise manipulating data.

Robert T. Morris later developed the Morris Worm in 1988, which became the first Internet worm.

2. Short for Write Once Read Many, WORM is a CD that can be written to and then read from thereafter. See CD-R for additional information.

3. Worms is also a series of games developed by the Team 17 company.