"Exception 03h in Module..." Error Message Starting Windows Me

After use the Disk Defragmenter tool (or a third-party defragmenting tool) to defragment your hard disk, your computer continues to run correctly. However, when you restart your computer, you may receive any of the following error messages: You might also receive error messages from a long string of sources, all of which point to either Gdi32.dll or Winmm.dll.

The following files may have been corrupted by Cmapieng.vxd:

Network Associates has provided a patch for Windows Me users. To obtain the update patch, see the following Network Associates Web site:

To resolve this issue, perform the following steps:

1. Insert the Windows Me Startup disk and restart your computer. If a Windows Me Startup disk did not come with your computer, view the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article to learn how to create one:
   
   
   267287  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/267287/EN-US/ ) How to Create a Startup Disk in Windows Me
2. On the Startup menu, click Start computer with CD-ROM support.
3. Type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command, where windows is the name of your Windows folder:
   c:
   cd windows\system
   ren user32.dll user32.dlx
   ren gdi32.dll gdi32.dlx
   ren winmm.dll winmm.dlx
   a:
   smartdrv.exe
   ext.exe
4. When you are prompted "Please enter the path to the Windows CAB files," type cd-rom:\win9x, where cd-rom is the drive letter for your CD-ROM drive, and then press ENTER. This letter may be different when you are using a Startup disk. NOTE: Some OEM installations of Windows Me may have the cabinet files stored on your hard disk. The default location of these cabinet files is C:\Windows\Options\Install and you can type this path when you are prompted "Please enter the path to the Windows CAB files". However, if your cabinet files are not in this location, and you do not have a Windows Me CD-ROM, contact your hardware manufacturer to locate the files.
5. When the prompt appears "Please enter the name(s) of the files you want to extract," type user32.dll gdi32.dll winmm.dll, and then press ENTER.
6. When the "Please enter the path to extract to" prompt is displayed, type drive:\windows\system, where drive:\windows is the drive and folder in which Windows is installed, and then press ENTER.
7. Review the displayed information. If it is correct, press Y, and then press ENTER.
8. Type the following commands, where windows is the name of your Windows folder, pressing ENTER after each command:
   c:
   cd \windows
   ren cmapieng.vxd cmapieng.vxx
   
   NOTE: If the Cmapieng.vxd file does not exist in the C:\Windows folder, check for the existence of this file in the C:\Program Files\Cybermedia folder after you restart Windows, and then rename the file. Or, use the System Configuration Utility tool to prevent the Cmapieng.vxd file from loading. For additional information about how to use the System Configuration Utility tool to disable startup items, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
   267288  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/267288/EN-US/ ) How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows Millennium Edition
9. Restart your computer.
10. Defragment the hard disk again.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Issue

Q: Is there a patch for this issue?
A: Yes, Network Associates has provided a patch for Windows Me users. To obtain the update patch, see the following Network Associates Web site:
Q: I did not receive a Startup Disk with my computer, how do I get one?
A: View the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article to learn how to create a Windows Me Startup Disk:


Q: How do I know if this issue applies to me?
A: Check for the existence of the Cmapieng.vxd file on your computer. If the file is on your computer, this issue applies to you. If the file is not on your computer, this issue does not apply to you. To search for files on your computer, click Start, point to Search, and then click For Files or Folders. Then type the name of the file or folder you want to find. In the Look in list, click the drive, folder, or network you want to search, and then click Search Now.


Q: I do not have the Cmapieng.vxd file on my computer, but I get some of these error messages, what do I do?
A: Visit the Windows 98 and Windows Me Error Message Resource Center for help with other error messages:


Q: What do I do if I am having other problems with the Defragmenter tool?
A: View the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article to view a list of Microsoft Knowledge Base articles that apply to the Disk Defragmenter tool:

The following Network Associates products include the Cmapieng.vxd file that causes the issue: The following current versions of these products (as of October, 2000), do not include the Cmapieng.vxd file:

This is a list of products that require the patch to correct the defragmentation issue with Windows Me: * Versions of Guard Dog prior to version 2.0 need a full product upgrade.

** Versions of First Aid prior to First Aid 98 need a full product upgrade.

*** Cmapieng.vxd is installed on the hard disk with these products but is not registered in the registry. To run into this problem, you would have to edit the registry and add the correct line to load Cmapieng.vxd.

NOTE: The patch does not make these products Windows Me compatible. See the McAfee site listed above for details on obtaining a Windows Me compatible upgrade for your product.

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.