Kernel32.dll is a core 32-bit Windows dynamic library file that is used in Windows 95, 98, and ME to handle memory operations, input/output operations, and Hex instructions. This library file also runs the Windows GUI (Graphical User Interface) or shell in Windows 95, 95, and ME.?
When a Windows computer starts, the kernel32.dll file is loaded into a protective memory space. Most of the invalid page fault errors occur when one or more programs try to access this memory space. Other cause of the invalid page fault error includes the following:
- Damaged or incorrect version of the kernel32.dll file.
- Damaged registry.
- Damaged swap file or damaged file allocation table.
- Incorrect settings in BIOS.
- Bad or outdated drivers.
- Malware infection.
Kernel32.dll Errors
Error 1
On a Windows 98 or Windows 95 computer when you start either Internet Explorer or Outlook Express, you may encounter an error message similar to the ones displayed below:
?Mprexe caused an invalid page fault in module Kernel32.dll.?
-Or-
?Commgr32 caused an invalid page fault in module Kernel32.dll.?
-Or-
?Msgsrv32 caused an invalid page fault in module Kernel32.dll.?
-Or-
?Explorer caused an invalid page fault in module Kernel32.dll.?
-Or-
?Iexplore caused an invalid page fault in module Kernel32.dll.?
What causes these errors?
This issue is generated when the PWL (password list) file on your system is damaged.
How to resolve this issue
To fix the error, perform the steps illustrated below:
- Click the Start menu, select Find, and then select Files or Folders.
- Type *.pwl in the Named box, and then click the Find Now button.
- Right-click each .pwl file and then click Delete (Repeat this until all the .pwl files that appeared in the search results are deleted).
- Reboot your Windows computer
Note: On restart, the password list files are automatically re-created when you login for the first time.
On reboot, open your web browser, visit this Microsoft web page, click the Download Mspwlupd.exe now to download the file, save the file on your desktop, and double-click the file to run it.
Error 2
On a Windows 95 or Windows 98 Standard Edition (SE) computer, when you open the Control Panel, you receive either of the following invalid page fault error:
Explorer caused an invalid page fault in module KERNEL32.dll at <Memory Address>.
Explorer caused an invalid page fault in module unknown.
What causes the Kernel32 invalid page fault error in this case?
The above issue is generated when a .cpl (Control Panel file extension) file is damaged on your computer.
How to resolve it?
To fix the error, you need to complete the following tasks:
- Identify the .cpl file that is damaged.
- Remove this .cpl file.
- Reinstall this .cpl file.
To complete the above operations, perform the following steps:
- Click the Start menu, select Find, and then click Files or Folders.
- Type *.cpl in the Named box.
- Type c:\windows\system in the Look In box and then click Find Now.
- Double-click on the first .cpl file that appears in the search results. If an invalid page fault error is reported when you double-clicked the first .cpl file, it means that this file is damaged. If no error is reported, double-click all the .cpl files one-by-one to identify which file is damaged
(Note: the damaged file will return an invalid page fault error) - Note the name of the damaged .cpl file, open the My Computer window, and browse to the c:\windows\system folder.
- Next, locate and right-click the damaged .cpl file and then click Delete.
- Insert your original Windows Installation disc and extract a new copy of .cpl file that you just deleted in step 6.
For more information on the location of all the .cpl files that are included with Windows 95 and Microsoft Plus! for Windows 95, see the table on this Microsoft web page.