RTFM and STFW have failed
Two specific applications crash in an otherwise OK Win XP installation on my laptop.
I bought a new printer - Canon Pixma IP4000. It works fine with my desktop, but the laptop crashes out of the driver install routine every time, with a message that a file (unnamed) could not be found. I've talked much with Canon who now tell me the problem is my Windows installation and that I need to wipe the machine and start again.
I get the same error whether I try to connect the printer to a USB port on the laptop or if I try to access it via the LAN to the desktop.
An HP Laser works fine with the laptop, as did a previous Epson colour printer.
I tried to install PocketFMS, which should run on the laptop and talk to the Ipaq from there. It crashes on the laptop. If I run it on the desktop, it's fine. The folks at PocketFMS know nothing that will help.
I suspect the printer and the PocketFMS errors are caused by the same problem, and that a wipe-and-reinstall of XP would fix it. However, I've got a lot of software installed, and the machine is configured as I like it (same as the desktop) and I'd rather not reload all that if I don't have to.
If I try to run PocketFMS, it gets past the startup screen, then when I click on any icon to start working, it crashes and I get the "Tell Microsoft about the error" screen.
Event Viewer reports "Application Failure pocketfms.exe 0.9.60.20 in pocketfms.exe 0.9.60.20 at offset 000f9e7b.." The offset address is different if I try it at a different time (repeats produce the same offset address).
The machine: an IBM Thinkpad R31, standard spec apart from having 384MB of RAM, which Control Panel reports as 376MB.
Celeron 1.13GHz
Windows XP Pro Service Pack 2, which reports as Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519:Service Pack 2)
Unbranded USB optical mouse.
USB external hard drive.
Mozilla 1.7.12
Wireless link to a Netgear Wifi to a router etc when at home; dial-up or Wifi as available when away from home.
ZoneAlarm version 6.0.667.000.
AVG Free Anti-virus (always fully up to date). No viruses reported.
Microsoft ActiveSynch v 3.8.0 (Build 5004) running (for Ipaq updates).
AdAware and Spyware Blaster running all the time.
Turning off any or all of ZoneAlarm and those below it makes no difference to the crashes.
I've defragged; I've run Registry First Aid; no errors reported from either.
One knowledgeable friend suggested a damaged or missing .dll somewhere: is there any software to test for that? He didn't know of any and suggested "wipe and reinstall" is probably the only fix.
So, before that ultimate solution, has anyone any thoughts or has anyone been here and solved it?
Linear Mode
