ICQ woes

[kayden azagthoth]

I tried to fire up my ICQ today by double clicking on the shortcut on my desktop, like I have every other day with no problems, only it doesn't fire up. I kept getting the icon with the flower in the center of my desktop but it would only flicker there for a second and that's it. I decided to uninstall it and re-download it and install the newer version ICQ2000b Alpha and now I get an illegal operation error when i double click the ICQ exe. icon.

I'm running a K6-2 500, 128M Ram and Windows 98 SE in case you need to know.

What can I do?

[Randy_tx]

1. Make sure you can log on to the internet...could be your modem is the problem. Also, sometimes ICQ is down...although I was just on so I think it's ok right now.
2. Run Scandisk....to make sure you dont have any directory or file structure probs
3. If it still wont bring up ICQ.......try going to Accessories/System Tools/System Information/Tools/System File Checker........to make sure you dont have any corrupt Win 98 files. After that.......whew....I dont know what to tell ya.

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"I didn't have a relationship with that OS...Win ME."

[Paleo Pete]

I would uninstall the newer version and reinstall the older one, but I still have the installation files stored on a hard drive and tape as well. If you deleted your old installation files, see if you can find the older version, I don't know if ICQ keeps them posted on their website, so I keep 99a and 99b both backed up so I can use them. They work fine, and I haven't heard great things about ICQ 2000...

You might also try uninstalling and reinstalling the one you have, and make sur you turn off everything running on the computer except Explorer and systray. Programs running in the background will often cause installations to do weird things that don't show up later until you try to use the program.

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[kayden azagthoth]

Thanks for the advice guys. I tried everything you recommended and I still get the same error message saying there was an illegal operation. Maybe I'll see if I can find the older versions on the 'net somewhere. I had an older version of ICQ but stupid me, I deleted it. I guess 'newer is better' isn't so true after all. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

[sea69]

kayden,


1st off back up all of your contacts. Next>>>>

I would suggest a complete virus scan immediately !!

Then, UNinstall icq (all of it) completely, and then go and get 2000b. (u cant get any of the previous versions) from icq.

I have installed this version on aprox. 15 different pc's, and all work flawlessly. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/tongue.gif

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ok...so now what

[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 02-04-2001).]

[Paleo Pete]

The contact list is located in C:\Program Files\ICQ\Db99a or Db99b in my 99a and 99b version. I don't know where it would be in 2000 version, look through Program Files\ICQ and find it, it will be a long list of 12345678.dat files, with your ICQ number. Copy those to a folder then drag and drop them back into the same folder after reinstalling, then run the Database Converter.

When installing shut down all programs running in the background.

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[sea69]

Hi again.....

what I was getting to was for your convienience make a copy (back up) of all of your icq contacts. You can copy them any way that u feel comfortable with. You can just write down the peoples names and icq #'s or do as Pete has suggested. That was confusing to me, and I know what I'm doing..lol)

The main thing is to have them backed up so u can re-add them easily in case they do not re-install from your prior version.

Again, after u do this, completely uninstall ICQ, and go get it again.

When u r signing up, yopur previous account will still be registered w/ ICQ.. so it will most likely redo ur contact list.

I say this because it seems obvious that u got a corrupt download, and it had influenced/damaged all of your icq data. The BEST thing is to re-install this.

Please post back to let us know how it goes. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/tongue.gif

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ok...so now what ??

[kayden azagthoth]

Whew!! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/redface.gif

Ok guys...here's the lowdown.

I totally uninstalled my ICQ and then went into my C: Drive and deleted the entire ICQ folder from my Programs folder. I did this in the beginning because I didn't care if I lost my contact names. I only had about 8 and I really only talk to 2 of those 8 so...

I deleted the ICQ setup program that I first downloaded and re-downloaded the new version of ICQ and installed it again. --I always ensure that I have no programs/windows running in the background when I am downloading or installing anything--

The bugger still doesn't work! I even get the same 'illegal operation' prompt when I finish INSTALLING ICQ. Here's what the error is. I'll copy and paste it on this message from the 'details' part of my illegal operation.

ICQ caused an invalid page fault in
module MFC42.DLL at 017f:5f41203a.
Registers:
EAX=81734674 CS=017f EIP=5f41203a EFLGS=00010202
EBX=21880000 SS=0187 ESP=00e7fc3c EBP=00e7fc70
ECX=c1683b80 DS=0187 ESI=21c851c8 FS=336f
EDX=81735140 ES=0187 EDI=21a47d28 GS=0000
Bytes at CS:EIP:
8b 8e 48 10 00 00 85 c9 0f 85 30 e8 07 00 6a 00
Stack dump:
00000000 00000001 2196b67a 21a47d28 00000000 00000000 219af6b3 21880000 00000000 00000001 00000000 21880000 8173517c 00e7fe38 bff7ddd6 21880000

Now maybe this helps or means something to you all, but I have no idea what it means. I am assuming maybe it's something to do with:

'ICQ caused an invalid page fault in
module MFC42.DLL at 017f:5f41203a.'

I hope this helps and if it does, please tell me what I can do to fix this cruddy situation.

P.S. -I don't have any corrupt Win 98 files
-Scandisk shows that I have no errors on my disk
-Did a virus scan with Norton and everything is cool and the gang.

[sea69]

seems we need to find this "MFC42DLL". I ran a 'find file' and do not have this in my pc.

r u up to date (current virus definitions) in Norton "Live Update"??

This is making me think u have a possible (totally seperate) problem.

Had u installed on uninstalled anything just prior to experiencing this 'ICQ Problem' ??

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"Remember u r 'unique'... just like everyone else!"




[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 02-04-2001).]

[kayden azagthoth]

I downloaded the Norton updates and scanned my comp for viruses and it's clean. I really can't remember installing or uninstalling anything prior to my ICQ going belly-up on me. Sigh.....

[sea69]

did u do a 'find files'.. start, find, files or folders- and see whats associated w/ this "MFC42.DLL".

Did u visit any 'malicious' web-sites, ( web sites that have unstopable pop-up windows will sometimes have a auto- file- download that will install things without your 'permission'.) If u have ur settings to allow this........

**also, u see those "website address url" windows that people send??

"Forward this to all u know.... ICQ will be deleting accounts........lalala"

ICQ NEVER will send or contact u in that manner. icq is owned by aol) http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif (one of the only aol things I like)

These 'spyders' r usually designed to gather 'hits' to web addy's that need them in order to get paid more, additionally a malicious site owner can insert progarmming that can influence ur pc, or even take control of it.

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"Remember u r 'unique'... just like everyone else!"



[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 02-06-2001).]

[kayden azagthoth]

I ran a 'find' with the MFC42.DLL and I only found one item under C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM. I looked at it under properties and here's what I found.

-It's an application extension
-It's size is 972 KB
-It was created on Feb. 4 2001
-It was modified April 27, 1999
-It was accessed Feb. 6, 2001 (today)
-Under attributes it's checked as an Archive
-File version 6.00.8447.0

Ok, now that I've found it. What is it and what can I do with it? Is this what I need to get ICQ up and running again?

As far as me forwarding anything sent to me in ICQ, that's one thing I never do. I also never forward chain emails. I find them annoying more than anything and I never believe in them anyhow. Plus I know they could be dangerous to send as well as annoying for others to get.

And as for me going to sites with constant pop ups, and auto downloads, yes, I have been on a few warez sites that do that crap but I've never gone back. I am sure that nothing has been installed on my computer without my permission. I haven't been in those sites for a long time (and will never go back) and my ICQ has only been down for about a week now.

Thanks for keeping with me with this annoyance sea69!! Your help is really appreciated. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[sea69]

kayden.. hello ??

did u get it fixed?? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/tongue.gif

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"Remember u r 'unique'... just like everyone else!"