How much memory do you have, and how much of that is available? How many processes do you have running when first starting up your computer (viewed through task manager-performance). Win XP + SP2 will take care of this issue when you get the new one. Oh, and what is the size of your hard drive, and how much space is free?

Run windows update and install all patches.

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What version of windows and what service pack are you using? If you go to the Microsoft site and do a search in the KB Query using that error code it should point you in the correct direction.

The blue screen of death David. You might get lucky and chase it down, but Windows degrades over time until the only real solution (assuming it is software related - and it usually is) is to reinstall Windows. A real PIA.

I strongly suggest when you get your new pc, that you buy Norton Ghost (or a similar product) and make a drive image once you get it set up how you like it. Even better, a library of images over time. It saves a lot of time if you ever have to re-install Windows and all your apps.

I worked for a while doing support under the Microsoft name. The two things that we NEVER suggested using were Norton Ghost and Partition Magic. We that the two products seemed to cause more problems than they resolved. The blue screen is actually a good thing. It is protecting your system and giving you a pretty good idea what the problem is. (of course fixing it is a whole different issue)

I wish PC's worked as reliably as a microwave. I am amazed how we, as consumers, accept mediocrity in a computer that we would not accept in any other consumer product......

Ok, off my rant

Thanks SG, MiCk and Larry...since your advice I have dwnlded and installed Win Crictical Updates: Cumulative Sec Update Explorer 6 ser pack KB890923 and Security Update for Win 98 KB891711.

I have used 9.81 GB and have 32.2 GB left on C Drive.

My RAM stuff is minimal to begin with, (back in 2K it was not huge deal I guess) and is 128?, but I frequently delete files and clean cache, as in several times per day to keep that RAM thing more "empty".

Not sure about SG's "Start Up" question; in tool bar at lower left and I guess during startup, I have task Mgr, audio, ZAlarmPro sign, Norton Sign and that's it.

Even being a techno-idiot and 'puter know-little, I realize this ol'box is being pushed, but not dumping it until fall or...

I also have large laundry lists of BookMarked Faves and a lot of stuff in Word and Accel for record keeping and my chase the ball Treasurer's duties.

I back up, on occas., usually on Zips 'cause I have a bunch.

Other than that, I don't have/know! much more to add.

But, thanks for the tips...this Blue Screen fatal exception thing used to show up about once per month; lately it's been once or twice a day.

Oh, I also seldom run many diminished sites at once: usually Only the site I am "on" and Inbox/OutlookExp, dimihished. I have 5 yr old clock speed and find I can't have many sites open/diminished at same time or it really chugs.

I'm going as fast as I can and learning! A long way from my Macintosh 512K back in the mid'80s, lol!
Thanks and Best Regards, David

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MD - what's the speed of your processor? Assuming it's at least 500MHz, if you like I can send you a copy of WinXP to load on that computer to tide you over until you are ready for a new machine.

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if you're RAM isn't failing, which it probably isn't because the machine isn't failing during POST, I have a good feeling it's your page file that is corrupt. You can delete it and the machine will recreate a new one when you restart. PM me if you would like detailed instructions. (It could be a result of your frequent defrags).

If that is not the problem, there could be a bad spot on your disk, which is more difficult to rectify without reformatting/reinstalling and/or putting a new HD in the box.

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here's the q article on fatal exception errors:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=138788

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