Iexplore error in MSHTML.DLL and other weirdness

[pkrobin]

Here's a tough one. I have never seen it ever, on any newsgroup or tech column. not Bugtoaster either. None of the suggestions in the Microsoft knowledge base cover this same problem. Nor do the suggestions work.

I have a general problem, likely hardware that creates some interesting symptoms, namely:

- When visiting a website with jpg's on it. I get the iexplore has caused an error in mshtml.dll at address 017f:xxxxxx. If I turn off "show images" the problem goes away. If I use Netscape I get a different error but on similar websites, with Opera, I have no problem showing images. In all cases if I ignore the error (move it off screen), the jpg's will display and I can keep surfing.

- The above error carries over into Outlook, Outlook express, basically any Microsoft product and sometimes the error occurs in jscript.dll instead of mshtml.dll and at a different adddress.

- Weird Buzzing/Static noise (loud) - coming from speakers (not a speaker issue, not a soundcard issue)

- In DOS programs (within windows) I eventually get an error with various cryptic letters appearing on the screen and ending my program.

What I have tried so far (here is where it gets tough)

- reformatted and reinstalled operating system (Win 95, 98, 2000 Pro, XP Pro) - same problem.
- Tried every Major version of Internet Explore (4.01, 5.0, 5.1, 5.5, 6.0, 6.1)
- Stepped mobo bios from 1.3 to 1.7 and all points in between.
- replaced mobo (same model)
- tried 5 different RAM sticks, tried 2 different hard drives, tried 2 different (older) video cards and several drivers for each.
- Tried with integrated sound enabled and disabled, tried PCI soundcard.
- Different DMA addresses for the Soundcard make some difference but do not fix it.
- Lower video resolution/colors seem to cause it to take slightly longer for IE to crash.

All that hasn't been replaced now is the Power Supply and CPU. I am tired of spending money on the wronbg part so I would like some insight before I buy a new CPU, the power supply is small so I wouldnt mind replacing it if anyone honestly believes these errors are caused by that.


What I have now:
Micro-ATX (el cheapo looking) powersupply. 145W
(new) MSI 6191, Slot A, Micro-ATX Mobo (BIOS 1.6)
Athlon "classic" 600Mhz
(new) 256 MB, PC133 SDRAM (generic, but also have tried Micron and others)
STB Velocity, 4MB video card (have also tried S3 Virge, 4MB - both work in my other PC)
(new) Maxtor 20GB hard drive
Integrated Creative ES1373 sound (also tried newer SBLive Value card, same static sound problem)
I have an older CD ROm and Floppy but currently both are not connected.

Please Help, thanks!

[YODA74]

Hmm, that is definatly unexplaned error. Gone this far get new power and cpu
you'll have new puter if that don't fix it then it is software which what it looks like any way. you don't have anything to do with Gator on that thing do ya?

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Treading,Troden,Trails
HERE (http://www.davematthewsband.com)

[Whyzman]

Hello pkrobin,

I just did a GOOGLE (http://www.google.com) search with your aberrant .dll and turned up a lot of hits for a pot or three of coffee!

Here's one that sounded interesting: CLICK (http://www.generation.net/~hleboeuf/ermshtml.htm)
due to Gator.

Sounds like you might have a couple of programs playing Clash of the Titans in your computer. If so, they have got to be awed by your diligence in their pursuit! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/tongue.gif

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[Whyzman]

Speaking of pursuing Yoda not much gets by you! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[pkrobin]

There is nothing on Google I haven't tried.

No Gator on this machine. Its been formatted. Nothing but minimal Windows setup. No difference from the jam packed full drive it had when my buddy gave it to me.

Same software setup runs awesome in either of my other two computers. Mind you they are Intel setups.

[Whyzman]

Have you then tried disabling Active Scripting?

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[YODA74]

I'ts hard for me to believe that it is hardware,Have you only got one OS or are you duel.Try dropping Netscape and opera just use IE see if it still happens and do the same with the others drop them and try each one without them being on the machine together.Seems your trying to put to much different software to gether and there just not functioning together,Which windows do you have?

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Treading,Troden,Trails
HERE (http://www.davematthewsband.com)

[pkrobin]

OK,

I was trying to give some background on all the different things I have tried.

So to clarify, I now have only a minimal Windows 98 edition 2 setup on there with IE 5.0

I have tried all other Windows versions later than 3.1 and all versions of IE later than 4.01 but I have formatted since then and only have IE 5.0 and Win 98 now.

I thought I had all this traced to the mobo at one point - and for good reason as I noticed the heatsink on the chipset was not mounted properly. But this brand new mobo - same model, later revision has the exact same performance issues - therefo0re its not the board itself thats the problem.

If it is software it has to be a default setting in Win 98 that really hates my Athlon CPU. Thats why I am here, this is the only Athlon I've ever played with and so far I am not impressed. I did go to AMD's site and grab all the latest chipset drivers and read some of their other tech advice.

I put this same hard drive (and of course all software) into my Celeron 566, overclocked to 850Mhz and played Quake 3 for 3 hours the other day without a single hiccup - yet in my Athlon box I can't play Mame Pacman in Dos without a crash in a few minutes. Not to mention the sound problems. Every part in my main system was in the past tried in this Athlon box including my Geforce 2 MX card which ought to be plenty for Dos Mame, but with no change in behaviour. The web surfing problem is just one of the 3 main problems I have and I think they are all related somehow. The mobo manufacturer lists no known issues in their web stuff either. They still support this board with new BIOS and stuff so I assume its a decent enough board.


And yes I tried disabling Java script that avoids the Jscript.dll problem but that is like 5% of my problem. That is the least common problem I have. Ultimately this machine is not even going to be a web or email box so if DOS games and sound worked (within Win98) I would be happy. But that is not the case.

I just managed to borrow a brand new 300W 2.03 powersupply. So I hope that works. I'll try it tomorrow. If not I guess I'll buy a CPU but I'm starting to wish I had thrown all this crap out and bought a Celeron rig to begin with...

[YODA74]

well i'd stick around for some more opinions on this before throwing it to the gutter,I run Amd Athlon never had a problem in fact IMHO, It'll out perform a Celeron any day.Days not over yet give the forums a chance Two opinions don't make it ya or nay. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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Treading,Troden,Trails
HERE (http://www.davematthewsband.com)

[pkrobin]

Best advice I've heard all day, thanks Yoda http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

[mjc]

I would look at EMI and the power supply...if it is like you say an el cheapo it could be causing enough EMI to really mess things up. I'd say that the sound issues are related to every thing else and they are indicative of an interference problem. I would say that it is probably a bad filter capacitor in the PSU...so scrap that 145W and something with some guts like a 250-300W from a reputable source (Enlight, PC Power & Cooling, Sparkle...etc). Also make sure that all the cables are properly connected and things like IDE cables, power cables, etc are routed as far away from the CPU & memory as possible

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[ranchdog]

An AMD Athlon Tbird won't even play with a 145W power supply.

Surprising it'll boot -up.

Think you'll find that a solid 300W or solid 350W will put you in business.

Luck.

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......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
...... Kickin' A Rock....

[pkrobin]

OK, with a nice 300W "Sparkle" power supply (brand spanking new) my SOUND problem seems to have improved nd may have actually disappeared - I have more testing to do. Of course this was accomplished only by having the Powersupply as far away as possible from the actual computer.

My web surfing and other problems are unchanged. THe only hardware piece left is CPU but I'm starting to think this is going to be a circular thing. Ie. new CPU, still problems, well the Video card is old, lets buy a new one, etc. etc. It would be nice to find someone that isn't just guessing and can help me out with some tips. Thanks for all the great replies so far, but unfortunately its just not enough... All your
suggestions have now been tried. Even if spomeone could definitively say my mobo/cpu combination is crap and will never give good results that would be helpful in an odd way.

Thanks, PR

[pkrobin]

UPDATE, if anyone is interested:

I just threw another drive in my PC, this one has been sitting on the shelf for at least 2 years, never ran for more than a couple hours in its life. It was a clone of my software setup at my Office (WIndows 98 SE2, IE 5.0, MSOffice and my POS system). I was keeping it around as a backup. There was no other data on it. I just wanted to see if it would work in this machine. Sure enough I recived the identical MSHTML.DLL error several times while it was trying to load chipset and IDE drivers and things.

So tomorrow I guess I am going to go buy a Slot A CPU, assuming I can find one. I don't actually believe the CPU is the problem here but I don't know what is so if anyone wants to save me a few bucks by telling me what the real problem is, It would be great to hear from you. (maybe its cooling?) Barring that I may well end up with a bunch of nice barely used parts to sell off as long as you don't try to put them all on the same machine... sigh.

Or on that note if anyone has a used Slot A Athlon K7 800Mhz or so, let me know.

[mjc]

That is about the only thing left......unfortunately. I'd be half tempted to send it back to AMD to let them play around with it........

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[McWiggly]

Here's my two cents worth ( better late than never )

(An IDE controller on the VIA®82C596B PCI Chipset provides IDE HDD/CD-ROM with PIO, Bus Master and Ultra DMA/33 operation modes.
Can connect up to four IDE devices.) http://www.msi.com.tw/products/mainboard/mainboard.php?model=MS-6191

It appears that you have a VIA PCI chipset, If you installed your OS with all the expansion cards in, it may be likely thats the problem.

Try this, Pull all cards out Except for video, disable the onboard sound, load your operating system and before you do anything else install your mainboard drivers most importantly the VIA chipset patches. Once you have done this go back and install your expansion cards and drivers one at a time, let the machine reboot after each install. You should have a bug free install.

[pkrobin]

Problem Solved! It was the CPU. I bought a new one, fired it in and didn't do anything else. Success. In fact it works so well that now since I have a spare mobo and misc other parts that i replaced needlessly I might just buy another CPU and build one for a web machine. This one will run my MAME box just fine.