"Fatal Exception 03H..." Error Message During Windows 98/Me Setup (182142)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q182142

SYMPTOMS

When you install Microsoft Windows 98 or Windows Millennium Edition (Me), you may receive one of the following error messages when your computer first restarts during Setup:
MPREXE.EXE caused an exception 03H in module USER32.DLL at <memory address>
USR32.EXE caused an exception 03H in module USER32.DLL at <memory address>

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if a program, for example an anti-virus software program, is running that prevents Windows from upgrading files on your computer.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:
  1. Restart your computer using the Windows 98 or Windows Me Startup disk.
  2. On the Startup menu, choose the correct CD-ROM support for your computer.
  3. Type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command:

    c:
    cd <windows>\system
    ren user32.dll user32.dlx
    ren gdi32.dll gdi32.dlx
    ren winmm.dll winmm.dlx
    <ramdrive>\ext.exe

    where <windows> is the name of your Windows folder and <ramdrive> is the virtual drive created by the boot disk (probably e:\ or f:\).
  4. Type the following line, and then press ENTER:

    For Windows 98:
    <CD-ROM drive>:\win98

    For Windows Me:
    <CD-ROM drive>:\win9x

    where <CD-ROM drive> is the drive letter assigned to your CD-ROM drive. Note that this letter may be different when you boot your computer with the Windows Startup disk.
  5. Type the following line, and then press ENTER:

    user32.dll gdi32.dll winmm.dll
  6. Type the following line, and then press ENTER:

    <drive>:\<windows>\system

    where <drive> is the drive on which Windows is installed, and <windows> is the folder containing Windows.
  7. Review the information displayed. If it is correct, press Y.
  8. Type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command:

    cd
    ren Cmapieng.vxd Cmapieng.vxx

  9. Restart your computer.
  10. Once Windows has restarted, run the Defragmentation application.
When Ext.exe has finished extracting the files, follow these steps:
  1. Remove the Windows 98/Me Startup disk, and then restart your computer.
  2. Press and hold down the CTRL key as your computer restarts. On the Windows 98 Startup menu, select Safe Mode.
  3. After Windows starts, on the toolbar click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add/Remove Programs.
  4. On the Install/Uninstall tab, click any utility that you have installed, and then click Add/Remove to remove the utility. Repeat this step to remove any utilities you have installed.
  5. On the toolbar click Start, point to Settings, and then click Taskbar And Start menu.
  6. Click the Start Menu Programs tab, and then click Remove.
  7. Double-click Startup, click the appropriate entry, and then click Remove.
  8. Click Close, click OK, and then restart your computer.
  9. Restart your computer.
  10. In Microsoft System Information, on the Tools menu, click System File.
  11. Click Settings, on the Advanced tab, click Restore Defaults, and then click OK.
  12. Restart your computer.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/16/2004
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb kbsetup KB182142
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.