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Err Msg: THEMES Caused an Invalid Page Fault in Module...

Article ID: 190140 - View products that this article applies to.

This article was previously published under Q190140

If this article does not describe the error message that you are receiving, view the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article to view more articles that describe error messages:

315854

(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315854/EN-US/ )

Windows 98 and Windows Me Error Message Resource Center

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986

(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256986/EN-US/ )

Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

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SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to change your desktop theme using the Desktop Themes tool in Control Panel, you may receive the following error message:

THEMES caused an invalid page fault in module <unknown>.

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CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the DefaultIcon registry key is missing or damaged.

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RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it.

To resolve this behavior, use either of the following methods:

Method 1

Obtain the latest version of the Themes.exe file. To do so, follow these steps:

Click Start, and then click Windows Update.
On the Microsoft Windows Update Web site, click to select the check boxes for any available desktop themes you want to install.
Click Download, and then follow the instructions on your screen.

Method 2

Re-create the DefaultIcon registry key. To do so, follow these steps:

Use Registry Editor to delete the following registry key, if it exists:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\ {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\DefaultIcon
Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Desktop Themes.
In the Theme box, click the desktop theme you want, and then click OK.
Restart your computer.