Application Error - WOWEXE has caused a General Protection
Fault in module MMSYSTEM.DLL @ 000A0032-----Only option
is to close. This comes up when trying to run a program
from a CD. On some programs, not all. Squirming to find
out whats up, I found that a system file is maybe bad.
(in Microsoft knowledge base) It says to use Windows xp
setup and it repairs it. Says to set the CD-rom as first
prioity boot deivce in computer's BIOS. How??? And is this
right?

If this is a relatively recent issue, you might try using System Restore to
take you back to a time when this worked properly. If that doesn't resolve
it, try the information below.

The following assumes you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a restore CD or
restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.

Go to Start, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press enter. Note, there
is a space between sfc and the forward slash. You will be asked for your XP
CD. Be aware, upon inserting the CD the XP setup screen may appear, this is
not a part of sfc /scannow, rather it is being invoked by autorun. Simply
minimize the screen and allow sfc to continue.

If the above fails to resolve the issue, try a repair install as follows:
Be sure you are well backed up in case there is a problem from which you are
unable to recover. NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data
files intact, if something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be
forced to start over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your
data backed up, you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.

Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"Michelle" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:01b201c369ce$64a15520$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Application Error - WOWEXE has caused a General Protection
> Fault in module MMSYSTEM.DLL @ 000A0032-----Only option
> is to close. This comes up when trying to run a program
> from a CD. On some programs, not all. Squirming to find
> out whats up, I found that a system file is maybe bad.
> (in Microsoft knowledge base) It says to use Windows xp
> setup and it repairs it. Says to set the CD-rom as first
> prioity boot deivce in computer's BIOS. How??? And is this
> right?

If this is a relatively recent issue, you might try using System Restore to
take you back to a time when this worked properly. If that doesn't resolve
it, try the information below.

The following assumes you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a restore CD or
restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.

Go to Start, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press enter. Note, there
is a space between sfc and the forward slash. You will be asked for your XP
CD. Be aware, upon inserting the CD the XP setup screen may appear, this is
not a part of sfc /scannow, rather it is being invoked by autorun. Simply
minimize the screen and allow sfc to continue.

If the above fails to resolve the issue, try a repair install as follows:
Be sure you are well backed up in case there is a problem from which you are
unable to recover. NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data
files intact, if something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be
forced to start over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your
data backed up, you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.

Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"Michelle" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:01b201c369ce$64a15520$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Application Error - WOWEXE has caused a General Protection
> Fault in module MMSYSTEM.DLL @ 000A0032-----Only option
> is to close. This comes up when trying to run a program
> from a CD. On some programs, not all. Squirming to find
> out whats up, I found that a system file is maybe bad.
> (in Microsoft knowledge base) It says to use Windows xp
> setup and it repairs it. Says to set the CD-rom as first
> prioity boot deivce in computer's BIOS. How??? And is this
> right?

Thank you for answering! I only have the CD's that came
with it. 2 restore and 1 Device Drivers.
I tried to locate a backup program so I could backup
all my files. Call me stupid, I couldn't find anything.
So I was saving files on floppys. I' give these suggetions
a try. I'm grateful for your time. Michelle
>-----Original Message-----
>If this is a relatively recent issue, you might try
using System Restore to
>take you back to a time when this worked properly. If
that doesn't resolve
>it, try the information below.
>
>The following assumes you have an actual XP CD as
opposed to a restore CD or
>restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.
>
>Go to Start, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press
enter. Note, there
>is a space between sfc and the forward slash. You will
be asked for your XP
>CD. Be aware, upon inserting the CD the XP setup screen
may appear, this is
>not a part of sfc /scannow, rather it is being invoked
by autorun. Simply
>minimize the screen and allow sfc to continue.
>
>If the above fails to resolve the issue, try a repair
install as follows:
>Be sure you are well backed up in case there is a
problem from which you are
>unable to recover. NOTE, while a repair install should
leave your data
>files intact, if something goes wrong during the repair
install, you may be
>forced to start over and do a clean install of XP. If
you don't have your
>data backed up, you would lose your data should that
eventuality occur.
>
>Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to
boot from the CD, it
>should detect the disk and give a brief message, during
the boot up, if you
>wish to boot from the CD press any key.
>
>Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You
will see a reference
>asking if you need to load special drivers and another
notice that if you
>wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console)
depress F2. Just let
>setup run past all of that. It will continue to load
files and drivers.
>
>Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you
will come to a screen
>with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair
Windows Installation
>using the Recovery console.
>
>The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want
and requires you to
>press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end
user agreement. Setup
>will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon
finding your
>version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current
installation or
>install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair
installation. From there
>on, follow the screens.
>
>--
>Michael Solomon MS-MVP
>Windows Shell/User
>Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
>DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
>
>"Michelle" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
message
>news:01b201c369ce$64a15520$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Application Error - WOWEXE has caused a General
Protection
>> Fault in module MMSYSTEM.DLL @ 000A0032-----Only option
>> is to close. This comes up when trying to run a program
>> from a CD. On some programs, not all. Squirming to find
>> out whats up, I found that a system file is maybe bad.
>> (in Microsoft knowledge base) It says to use Windows xp
>> setup and it repairs it. Says to set the CD-rom as
first
>> prioity boot deivce in computer's BIOS. How??? And is
this
>> right?
>
>
>.
>

and for the unansweresd part of how to set the cd rom as the boot
device--are you sure you can handle it? get help if needed. otherwise you
will end up with more problems.
here is how--when the system boots the first screen will tell you what key
to press to enter setup -for ex ample "press del to enter setup" or "press
f2 to enter setup" etc. it depends upon the manufacturer of your
motherboard.
you then get into your bios setup. look for boot and under boot look for
first boot device, set it to atapi cd rom, save and exit. bios will have
help explaining what to press to do what. just be careful. then go back to
what michael(mike?)solomon was suggesting (repair install--boot from cd
etc.). hope this helps but you better have a knowledgeable person with you.
i am a cautious guy you see. S.L.Narasimham.
"Michael Solomon (MS-MVP Windows Shell/User)" <user@#notme.com> wrote in
message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> If this is a relatively recent issue, you might try using System Restore
to
> take you back to a time when this worked properly. If that doesn't
resolve
> it, try the information below.
>
> The following assumes you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a restore CD
or
> restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.
>
> Go to Start, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press enter. Note,
there
> is a space between sfc and the forward slash. You will be asked for your
XP
> CD. Be aware, upon inserting the CD the XP setup screen may appear, this
is
> not a part of sfc /scannow, rather it is being invoked by autorun. Simply
> minimize the screen and allow sfc to continue.
>
> If the above fails to resolve the issue, try a repair install as follows:
> Be sure you are well backed up in case there is a problem from which you
are
> unable to recover. NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data
> files intact, if something goes wrong during the repair install, you may
be
> forced to start over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your
> data backed up, you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.
>
> Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD,
it
> should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if
you
> wish to boot from the CD press any key.
>
> Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
> asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
> wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
> setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.
>
> Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
> with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
> using the Recovery console.
>
> The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
> press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement.
Setup
> will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
> version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
> install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
> on, follow the screens.
>
> --
> Michael Solomon MS-MVP
> Windows Shell/User
> Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
> DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
>
> "Michelle" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:01b201c369ce$64a15520$(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Application Error - WOWEXE has caused a General Protection
> > Fault in module MMSYSTEM.DLL @ 000A0032-----Only option
> > is to close. This comes up when trying to run a program
> > from a CD. On some programs, not all. Squirming to find
> > out whats up, I found that a system file is maybe bad.
> > (in Microsoft knowledge base) It says to use Windows xp
> > setup and it repairs it. Says to set the CD-rom as first
> > prioity boot deivce in computer's BIOS. How??? And is this
> > right?
>
>

You're welcome, unfortunately, your options are quite limited if you only
have restore CDs but you do have your files backed up and that's good. A
backup, any backup, even what you've done is very empowering as then even
issues such as this or your hard drive dying can't cause you to lose all
your work.

As to a backup application, here's a very robust backup application. They
have a free trial that you can download in order to test it and be sure it
satisfies your needs, it's called Backup MyPC, it's distributed by Stomp and
comes from Veritas, the company that supplies the more limited backup
program included with retail versions of XP:
http://www.stompinc.com/index.phtml?stp

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"Michelle" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:027401c369da$936c9660$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thank you for answering! I only have the CD's that came
> with it. 2 restore and 1 Device Drivers.
> I tried to locate a backup program so I could backup
> all my files. Call me stupid, I couldn't find anything.
> So I was saving files on floppys. I' give these suggetions
> a try. I'm grateful for your time. Michelle
> >-----Original Message-----
> >If this is a relatively recent issue, you might try
> using System Restore to
> >take you back to a time when this worked properly. If
> that doesn't resolve
> >it, try the information below.
> >
> >The following assumes you have an actual XP CD as
> opposed to a restore CD or
> >restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.
> >
> >Go to Start, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press
> enter. Note, there
> >is a space between sfc and the forward slash. You will
> be asked for your XP
> >CD. Be aware, upon inserting the CD the XP setup screen
> may appear, this is
> >not a part of sfc /scannow, rather it is being invoked
> by autorun. Simply
> >minimize the screen and allow sfc to continue.
> >
> >If the above fails to resolve the issue, try a repair
> install as follows:
> >Be sure you are well backed up in case there is a
> problem from which you are
> >unable to recover. NOTE, while a repair install should
> leave your data
> >files intact, if something goes wrong during the repair
> install, you may be
> >forced to start over and do a clean install of XP. If
> you don't have your
> >data backed up, you would lose your data should that
> eventuality occur.
> >
> >Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to
> boot from the CD, it
> >should detect the disk and give a brief message, during
> the boot up, if you
> >wish to boot from the CD press any key.
> >
> >Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You
> will see a reference
> >asking if you need to load special drivers and another
> notice that if you
> >wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console)
> depress F2. Just let
> >setup run past all of that. It will continue to load
> files and drivers.
> >
> >Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you
> will come to a screen
> >with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair
> Windows Installation
> >using the Recovery console.
> >
> >The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want
> and requires you to
> >press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end
> user agreement. Setup
> >will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon
> finding your
> >version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current
> installation or
> >install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair
> installation. From there
> >on, follow the screens.
> >
> >--
> >Michael Solomon MS-MVP
> >Windows Shell/User
> >Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
> >DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
> >
> >"Michelle" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> message
> >news:01b201c369ce$64a15520$(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> Application Error - WOWEXE has caused a General
> Protection
> >> Fault in module MMSYSTEM.DLL @ 000A0032-----Only option
> >> is to close. This comes up when trying to run a program
> >> from a CD. On some programs, not all. Squirming to find
> >> out whats up, I found that a system file is maybe bad.
> >> (in Microsoft knowledge base) It says to use Windows xp
> >> setup and it repairs it. Says to set the CD-rom as
> first
> >> prioity boot deivce in computer's BIOS. How??? And is
> this
> >> right?
> >
> >
> >.
> >

Since she has recovery CDs it was likely set as such at the factory and is a
part of the recovery routine since she doesn't have an actual XP CD. Of
course, I didn't know that until her response to me. I thank you for the
catch as I missed the "How?" in her OP.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"S.L.NARASIMHAM." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> and for the unansweresd part of how to set the cd rom as the boot
> device--are you sure you can handle it? get help if needed. otherwise you
> will end up with more problems.
> here is how--when the system boots the first screen will tell you what key
> to press to enter setup -for ex ample "press del to enter setup" or "press
> f2 to enter setup" etc. it depends upon the manufacturer of your
> motherboard.
> you then get into your bios setup. look for boot and under boot look for
> first boot device, set it to atapi cd rom, save and exit. bios will have
> help explaining what to press to do what. just be careful. then go back to
> what michael(mike?)solomon was suggesting (repair install--boot from cd
> etc.). hope this helps but you better have a knowledgeable person with
you.
> i am a cautious guy you see. S.L.Narasimham.
> "Michael Solomon (MS-MVP Windows Shell/User)" <user@#notme.com> wrote in
> message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > If this is a relatively recent issue, you might try using System Restore
> to
> > take you back to a time when this worked properly. If that doesn't
> resolve
> > it, try the information below.
> >
> > The following assumes you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a restore
CD
> or
> > restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.
> >
> > Go to Start, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press enter. Note,
> there
> > is a space between sfc and the forward slash. You will be asked for
your
> XP
> > CD. Be aware, upon inserting the CD the XP setup screen may appear,
this
> is
> > not a part of sfc /scannow, rather it is being invoked by autorun.
Simply
> > minimize the screen and allow sfc to continue.
> >
> > If the above fails to resolve the issue, try a repair install as
follows:
> > Be sure you are well backed up in case there is a problem from which you
> are
> > unable to recover. NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data
> > files intact, if something goes wrong during the repair install, you may
> be
> > forced to start over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have
your
> > data backed up, you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.
> >
> > Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD,
> it
> > should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if
> you
> > wish to boot from the CD press any key.
> >
> > Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a
reference
> > asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if
you
> > wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
> > setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.
> >
> > Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a
screen
> > with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
> > using the Recovery console.
> >
> > The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you
to
> > press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement.
> Setup
> > will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
> > version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
> > install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From
there
> > on, follow the screens.
> >
> > --
> > Michael Solomon MS-MVP
> > Windows Shell/User
> > Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
> > DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
> >
> > "Michelle" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:01b201c369ce$64a15520$(E-Mail Removed)...
> > > Application Error - WOWEXE has caused a General Protection
> > > Fault in module MMSYSTEM.DLL @ 000A0032-----Only option
> > > is to close. This comes up when trying to run a program
> > > from a CD. On some programs, not all. Squirming to find
> > > out whats up, I found that a system file is maybe bad.
> > > (in Microsoft knowledge base) It says to use Windows xp
> > > setup and it repairs it. Says to set the CD-rom as first
> > > prioity boot deivce in computer's BIOS. How??? And is this
> > > right?
> >
> >
>
>