Article ID: 218632 - Last Review: January 24, 2007 - Revision: 1.2

Invalid Page Fault Starting WordPad or Paint

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This article was previously published under Q218632

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 start WordPad or Paint, you may receive the following error message:

filename caused an invalid page fault in module Mfc42.dll at memory address

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CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the registry entries for WordPad or Paint are damaged.

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RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To resolve this issue, uninstall WordPad and Paint, delete the registry keys for the programs, and then reinstall WordPad and Paint:

Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add/Remove Programs.
Click the Windows Setup tab, click Accessories, and then click Details.
Click the WordPad and Paint check boxes to clear them, click OK, and then click OK.
Using Registry Editor, delete the following registry keys and then restart your computer:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Applets\Wordpad

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Applets\Paint
Start the Add/Remove Programs tool as described in step 1.
Click the Windows Setup tab, click Accessories, and then click Details.
Click the WordPad and Paint check boxes to select them, click OK, and then click OK.