Reference number: CH000450

Issues relating to msgsrv32.

Issue:

Issues relating to msgsrv32.

Additional information:

Note: It is known that users may confuse msgsrv32 with msgrv32. While msgrv32 is a spelling error, it is related to this document.

The file Microsoft msgsrv32.exe or msgsrv32.dll is a file located in the C:\Windows\SYSTEM directory placed on the computer during the Windows installation. The description of this file is "Windows 32-bit VxD Message Server" and is responsible for such Windows tasks as:

• Handle Plug and Play messages between various parts of the operating system.
• Handle responses to and from setup programs.
• Display the initial logon dialog box if a network is present or profiles are enabled.
• Play the system startup and shutdown sounds.
• Load the Windows drivers at startup and then unload them at shutdown.
• Run the shell program.

Cause:

Errors or issues relating to msgsrv32 can be caused by any of the below possibilities.

1. Resource conflict or issue
2. TSRs or other running programs
3. Sound driver or sound card issues
4. Onboard sound or video issue
5. MIDI device or codec issues
6. Power Management or screensaver issue
7. Microsoft Find Fast related issue
8. Memory manager being used
9. Issue with shell
10. Computer virus or back orifice
11. Bad hardware

Solutions:

NOTE: If you are unable to boot into Windows because of the MSGSRV32 error, attempt to follow the below steps in Windows Safe Mode. Information about booting into Safe Mode can be found on document CHSAFE.

Resource conflict or issue

Before attempting any of the below recommendations, ensure that the computer has no conflicts or errors in Windows Device Manager. If conflicts or errors are present, it is highly recommended that they be fixed first, as they could be causing your issue.

• Additional information and help with Device Manager can be found here. 

TSRs or other running programs

If you are encountering the MSGSRV32 error when attempting to open a program or perform a particular task on a computer, verify programs or other TSRs are not causing your issues by End Tasking all TSRs and closing all programs before running or performing the task generating your MSGSRV32 error.

• Additional information and help with TSRs can be found here.

Sound driver or sound card issues

First, ensure that you have the correct audio devices in Multimedia by following the below steps:

1. Click Start / Settings / Control Panel double-click the multimedia icon.
2. Verify that the playback device is set to the audio device in the computer.

Second, verify that your sound card has the latest drivers and/or updates installed from the computer or motherboard manufacturer (if onboard sound). A listing of computer sound drivers can be found on our sound card drivers page.

Onboard sound or video issue

• If you need to disable onboard sound, please see document CH000261.
• If you need to disable onboard video, please see document CH000193.

MIDI device or codec issues

Verify that the computer has the proper MIDI codec and that no more than 11 MIDI devices are installed. To check this, follow the below steps:

1. Click Start / Settings / Control Panel
2. Double-click the Multimedia icon
3. Select the Advanced or Devices tab
4. Click the + next to "MIDI Devices and Instruments"
5. Verify that the correct codec is installed according to the sound card installed in the computer. In addition, verify that no more than 11 MIDI devices are listed below this category.

If more than 11 MIDI devices are installed or the improper codec appears to be installed, remove the improper codec or one of the MIDI devices. Note: if MIDI Express XT driver is installed, you may also wish to remove this codec to help free up available space for additional MIDI devices.

Power Management or screensaver issue

If you are experiencing issues with MSGSRV32 after recovering from power management or when the computer has been idle for over 10 minutes, it is possible that your computer may have issues with Power Management. To attempt to resolve these issues, please try the below recommendations.

1. If any screensavers or CPU sharing programs such as SETI are running on the computer, temporally disable these programs to ensure they are not causing your issue.
2. If your issues persist, attempt to disable Power Management by clicking Start / Settings / Control Panel / Power. In the Power menu, disable or set the power settings to Off or Never. Once set, click ok or Apply and reboot the computer.

Microsoft Find Fast related issue

Ensure that Microsoft Find Fast is not being loaded in the startup group by clicking Start / Programs / Startup. If "Find Fast" or "Microsoft Find Fast" is listed, remove this program from automatically loading each time your computer boots; follow the below steps:

1. Click Start / Settings / Taskbar & Start Menu
2. Click Start Menu Programs tab
3. Click the Advanced button
4. Click the + next to Programs and then the + next to startup
5. Highlight the Find Fast icon and press the delete key on the keyboard.
6. Once removed, close out of all windows and reboot the computer to see if issue has been resolved.

Memory manager being used

If the computer has a memory manager installed such as QEMM, temporarily uninstall this program from the computer to ensure it is not causing your issue.

Issue with shell

If your are using a shell other than explorer.exe (standard Windows shell), it is possible that the msgsrv32 error is being encountered because of the third-party shell. Temporarily disable or remove the third-party shell and attempt to use the standard Windows explorer.

Computer virus or back orifice

Errors relating to msgsrv32 can be caused by computer viruses, and in some cases back orifice, which is a hack utility used to gain access to an individual's computer.

Verify that you have the latest updates for your computer virus scanner and that no viruses have been detected on your computer.

• Additional information and help with computer viruses can be found on our virus information page.

Other Software corruption

If you have attempted each of the above recommendations and your issue is not listed in the below specific MSGSRV32.DLL errors, it is possible your computer may have another type of software or data corruption causing the issue.

If you have not already attempted the recommendations on our basic troubleshooting page, please try those recommendations now.

If you continue to experience issues it is recommended you format and reinstall the computer operating system. Additional help and information about doing this can be found on document CH000186.

Bad hardware

If after reinstalling the operating system you immediately continue to experience the MSGSRV32 errors, it is possible that the computer may have bad hardware. If your sound card is not an onboard sound card and you are familiar with ESD, you may want to consider temporarily physically removing the sound card or DVD decoder cards and see if the issue persists.

Specific MSGSRV32.DLL errors:

MSGSRV32.DLL caused a general protection fault in CM8330SB.DRV
MSGSRV32.EXE caused a general protection fault in CM8330SB.DRV
EXPLORER caused a general protection fault in CM8330SB.DRV
Iexplorer caused a general protection fault in CM8330SB.DRV

This issue is related to the C-Media 8330 sound card chipsets included in various computer sound cards and some modems. Verify with the sound card manufacturer, modem manufacturer, or, if you have an onboard sound card, the motherboard manufacturer, to see if any updated drivers or patches are available for your sound card / modem. 

MSGSRV32 caused an invalid page fault in module Kernel32.dll during Microsoft Network (MSN) login or when attempting to open Internet Explorer or Microsoft Outlook

This issue may be encountered when the MSN password file is corrupt. To resolve this issue, follow the below instructions.

1. Click Start / Find / Files or Folders
2. In the Named field type:
   
   *.pwl
   
3. Verify that the Look in field is looking in the C: drive
4. Click Find Now
5. If files are found click Edit and click Select All.
6. Once all the files are highlighted, press the delete key.
7. Once the files have been deleted, reboot the computer, when the computer reboots, the pwl files should be recreated and you should then be able to log into MSN.
8. If this resolves your issue and you are running Windows 95, download the file mspwlupd.exe from our Windows 95 download page.

MSGSRV32 caused a general protection fault in KRNL386.EXE during windows install

This issue may be caused by a problem with the dblbuff.sys file. Microsoft has released a support fix for this issue, but to obtain the file you must contact Microsoft. See Microsoft Q209321 for additional information.

When browsing or installing device drivers, one of the following error messages occurs:
Msgsrv32 caused a General Protection Fault in module Kernel32
Msgsrv32 caused an invalid page fault in Msgrv32.dll
MSGSRV32 caused an invalid page fault in module Kernel32.dll
Msgsrv32 caused a General Protection Fault in Msgsrv32.exe

This issue may be caused by a problem with the msgrv32.exe file. Microsoft has released a support fix for this issue, but to obtain the file you must contact Microsoft. See Microsoft Q245583 for additional information.