Reference number: CH000224
How to fix a general
protection fault.
Issue:How to fix a general protection fault.
Cause:
There are several possibilities and reasons a computer receives a
General Protection Fault error, below is a listing of some of
the more common reasons.
- The program being used is calling a section of memory that is
already being used by another program or TSR.
- The program has not been programmed properly or is still in
testing and is calling an invalid portion of memory.
Solution:The following are recommendations into finding the cause of a GPF
and or resolving a GPF. It is important to know that GPFs are always
likely to occur on the computer and if you are experiencing a GPF
rarely such as once every few weeks to not worry about attempting to
locate the root cause of that GPF. However, if you are experiencing GPF
error messages often it is recommended you follow the following
recommendations to help resolve your issues.
Remove all TSRs
Disable or unload any TSRs or programs currently running before
running the program causing the GPF.
Additional information on how to end task a TSR can be found on
document CHTSR.
Delete all program temporary
files
Delete all temporary files that may still be residing on the hard
disk drive from currently or previously running programs.
Additional information on how to remove temporary file can found
on document CH000225.
Run Scandisk /
Defrag
Attempt to run scandisk / defrag on the hard disk drive as it
could be possible your hard disk drive may have an issue causing the
swap file or data files to become corrupt or invalid.
Additional information on scandisk can be found on our
scandisk
page.
Additional information on defrag can be found on our
defrag
page.
Verify your computer has more than 200 MB
available
If your computer is running low on hard disk space, your Windows
swap file will be unable to increase in size when needed, causing
programs to be swapped between memory and the hard disk drive more
frequently. When this occurs it is more likely that a GPF can occur.
Recently installed software /
hardware
If you have recently installed new software or hardware attempt
to uninstall or reinstall that software / hardware to verify it is
not causing your issue.
Disable external
cache
If your CPU utilizes external cache attempt to disable it temporarily
to verify if it is causing your GPF error messages. If available, you
will be able to disable your external cache through CMOS.
Additional information on CMOS can be found on our
CMOS
page.
If this resolves your issue it is recommended that you contact
your manufacturer or motherboard / CPU
manufacturer for additional recommendations and/or BIOS updates that
may resolve your issue.
Disable Power Management / Screen
savers
If you are receiving GPFs when away from the computer or during
durations when your computer is inactive, attempt to disable power
management and screen savers to ensure that they are not causing
your issue.
Additional information on power management can be found on our
power
management page.
Operating System
issue
It is possible for Windows or an
overwritten Windows related file to cause a General Protection
fault. Most commonly the General Protection Fault with
Explorer and KRNL386.EXE. Attempt to reinstall your operating system
to resolve the issue.
Bad memory or
other bad hardware
If you have followed all of the
above recommendations and continue to experience GPFs it's
possible hardware inside your computer may also be bad. Often bad
memory is the primary cause for random GPFs. Additional
information about testing your computer memory can be found on
document
CH000708.
Additional information:
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