Hello Everyone:

I just did a search for this pop up that I keep getting whenever I try to install older software onto my WinXP Pro OS. I used to use these apps on my Win98SE with no problem, but now I can't get them to install on my Win Xp

I see that someone else ran a post about this same problem, but the 2 basic answer that she got don't apply to me. I have plenty or Ram, and my HD is 1/2 empty, and I'm virus free.

Does anyone know what this pop-up is that has to do with trying to install older apps, like:

ImagePake.exe (that came with ClickArt 40,000)
The Print Shop Deluxe III
CreataCard
PrintMaster

All graphics apps, that have clipart, but they won't allow an install. The clipart is .wmf, and can be viewed through the file system when on "thumbnail view". So it's not imperitive but it is a problem, and I don't want to just ignore it. It means that something isnt right. I tried using the "Program Compatability Wizard". but it was a no go.

Thats all I keep seeing, and it's driving me crazy.
attempt to access invalid address
attempt to access invalid address
attempt to access invalid address

What does that mean? How could my DVD/CD-ROM be an "Invalid Address" all my other (Newer) CD's, CD-R's, CD-RW's, DVD's work just fine on it. could it just be because my computer knows it's 2 years warranty just expired 2 weeks ago?

Any ideas (in-so-far-as, what that means, and what I could do about ending it) would be greatly appreciated... Please..... Help?

xersius_x

I did just do a switch over from FAT32 to NTFS, but when I read that some older software titles won't work in it, I got "Semantec's Partition Magic" and switched it back again. So thats not the problem either, (at least I wouldn't think so since I did change it back to FAT32....Right?)

xersius_x

Just in response to your last post:

Converting a partition from FAT32 to NTFS can be done by an inbuilt utility in the Windows XP operating system — but it is important to realise that it is a one-way process. You cannot convert back, except possibly by use of Partition Magic 7.01, and that is not always successful. Windows XP has no tool for converting from NTFS to FAT32.

http://aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.php

Essentially, your options boil down to doing one of two things: reformatting the drive or partition (which results in the data being destroyed) or shelling out for a third-party program. Unfortunately, Windows does not have a built-in tool to convert backwards, like one can to convert from FAT/FAT32 to NTFS. Enter Partition Magic. Partition Magic allows you to convert an NTFS partition back to FAT32, but there is a reason that Partition Magic is not so lovingly referred to as "Partition Tragic". Often conversions simply fail, or worse, destroy data.

http://faq.arstechnica.com/link.php?i=1820

Required for Applications: Only in very rare circumstances do applications require a particular file system. The file system is normally independent of the application. If your application requires FAT or FAT32, you might wish to consider your need to continue using it or try to obtain an upgrade.

http://kadaitcha.cx/ntfs.html


Back to the problem: Is the error the same with each of these programs? Was it the same under both file systems? What are the verbatim error messages?

Also view your Error Log via:
[1] Start Menu
[2] Help and Support
[3] Pick a Task
[4] Tools
[5] Advanced System Information
[6] View the Error Log

Look for synchronous entries with install attempts.

Are you unable to install these programs or unable to run them? If they install try right clicking the .exe then click Properties then Compatibility.

I Usually stick the CD into the drive, and they start by themselves. In one case I think I have to click on the ImagePak.exe. Now the pop-up just pops up saying:
ATTEMPT TO ACCESS INVALID ADDRESS
so of course my next step is to try it manually. I click on "explore" then find the usual .exe file, but then the same pop-up comes....
ATTEMPT TO ACCESS INVALID ADDRESS.
I got my hands on "Partition Magics V.8.0" (It's still Beta, but getting rave reviews so far, and from everything I can see it worked just fine for me switching my NTFS back to FAT32.)
I make alot of DVD's and CD's to save my back-up programs and downloads on, and they all work just as they always did...No problems.
Just the older apps that were made for Win 9x.
Like my old "Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing V.9 by Mindscape" and the other titles I listed up above on the 1st post. I even tried the "Program Compatibility Wizard" and clicked on all 3 buttons, but still nothing but...
"ATTEMPT TO ACCESS INVALID ADDRESS"

Oh, I don't know if this little bit of info will help anyone to figure this out, but when I stick the CD's into the drive, the usual screen pops up 1st, I think it's called "a splash screen" or something like that.... It's the screen (in the Mavis Beacon one) that pops up with her smiling face, and has 2 buttons on it, one says "insall" and one says "quit" I click on "install" THEN I get the ....ATTEMPT TO ACCESS INVALID ADDRESS.

When I tried that "view error log" thingie, I got:


Thursday, March 09, 2006 Applicatio n Error Fault bucket 03862983.

Sunday, March 12, 2006 Applicatio n Hang Hanging application IEXPLORE.EXE, version 6.0.2800.1106, hang module hungapp, version 0.0.0.0, hang address 0x00000000.

Sunday, March 12, 2006 Applicatio n Hang Fault bucket 21955421.

Oh yea, and on a different error, that happens EVERY TIME I start up my computer, now for months, (I've since gotten used to seeing the screens on start up and then just clicking close on them... but if anyone knows what this means, and what I can do about it... It says:

Thursday, March 09, 2006 Applicatio n Error Faulting application userinit.exe, version 5.1.2600.0, faulting module unknown, version 0.0.0.0, fault address 0x00000000.


Any ideas?
Thank You all:
xersius_x

Try loading the CD and hold Shift for like 10 seconds which will stop it from loading.

Then go to the CD drive via My Computer and right click to Properties then Explore.

Then right click the .exe then Properties then Compatibility.

General searches show that error as a result of viruses although I know you've checked.

Have you tried these CD's on other XP machines?

If they fail on multiple XP machines then one could conclude that they are just not compatible.

Also close all other applications. Go off line. Turn off your anti virus and firewall. Perhaps try Safe Mode.

"The userinit.exe process is executed by windows when you log on to your computer. It will run various network and user-setup related tasks to initialise your session on the computer/network."


.

That reminds me of yet another little problem I've been having, and meaning to ask about.

I have and run "Spyware Doctor" on my computer every so often.

It usually finds about 20-30 different worms, trojans, spywares, suspicious cookies, etc.. and deletes them, no problem.

but...

Then a pop up, pops-up, saying ... (I'm paraphrasing here)

"Spyware Doctor, found and deleted 27 potential problems, but there are 2 that it can't delet. You must do a restart, and go into safe mode, run Spyware Dr. again, to delete those final 2".
but... (Yep one mo butt)
since I have a wireless keyboard, and mouse that work through the USB port/hub it doesnt "come on line" until it's to late to get into safe mode with using the "f8" method. Is there another way to get into safe mode without using the "f8" key during start up screens?

I did another search on yahoo, and found some other people with the same problem if you want to see what they had to say about "attempt to access invalid address" to see if it gives you some ideas, about what it might be... heres the url...

http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/....phtml?t=35179

thank you
xersius_x

Ok so I thought by reading other people that have this same problems stories, that I'd get some help, and I did but now I just found out that I must have some kind of virus or something in my registry according to what I read on:

http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/....phtml?t=35179
about
Attempt to Access Invalid Address"

It seems it's a fairly new problem with running older DOS software title in WinXP.
one guy thinks that Symantec has an answer to this problem, which brings me to my NEW problem....

I can't go to Symantec or PCTools websites anymore!!!
I think whatever virus I have is also blocking me from trying to find it's cure. (If thats possible)

So now I think I'm asking for help to at least an older, more popular problem that maybe you guys can help me find an answer to.

If you get one of those virues that keep you from going to Norton, Symantec, PCtools, and other antivirus websites, what can I do to get rid of it? I understand that this is a much more common, and older problem than the one I started with. So now I have to get this one fixed so I can get the answer to the "accesss Invalid Address" problem.

Everytime I try to go to a Antivirus website, I wind up getting a microsoft web page that says "I should check if I typed the URL correctly because it has no page at that address".
I KNOW THAT SYMANTEC AND PCTOOLS didn't fold up, and blow away!!! So I'm thinkin' that something is stoping me from getting to popular antivirus websites.

HELP PLEASE

Thank You
xersius_x

As to a Safe Boot go to start/Run msconfig

Hit the BOOT.INI tab and click the Safe Mode box.

You will now boot to Safe Mode. You will need to unclick this later for a normal boot.

As to the rest:

Please follow the instructions HERE & then post your log in a new thread in the Spyware, Adware, Viruses and HijackThis Logs section.
(Not in this section please).

After the Pros there clear you up return to this thread for any outstanding issues.

Hello Everyone:

I made a post about a week ago about my 1st problem. It was that I couldnt/can't run my older DOS software on WinXP anymore. I think I used to be able to though. Now all I get is
"ATTEMPT TO ACCESS INVALID ADDRESS"
(MSDN Library: System Error Code # 487)

I still have that problem but I figured I'd do what you guy's suggested. I ran my good old "Spyware Doctor" to get rid of all the bugs it could. Then I figured it was about time that I break open the wallet, and purchase a good Anti-Virus Software. I went to good old "Symantec" and bought "Norton Anti-Virus 2006" downloaded, and when I went to install it, during installation it froze. During my 2nd attempt, my computer crashed big time. I got scared, that I was going to have to take the tower down to my local computer shop, and have them take a look at it because after staying up all night, and constantly getting nothing but a totally black screen, I thought that maybe my MoBo, CPU, or VideoCard got fried. Only thing was this one clue, that it would start up in SafeMode, so I didn't think those problems could be it, since I was getting it start up in safeMode. It's just that I'm not a "techie" guy, and once in safeMode I don't really know what to do next. I stumbled around clickin' on things that made sense to me, and if I didn't understnd what it was saying, I just stayed away from it.

Kinda the samething I do when my car breaks down on the side of the road. I open the hood, and just look at it like a puppy playing with a squeekie toy for the 1st time, kinda scared, don't know what this thing is, but maybe if I bite it, something will happen. I'm one of those guys that never had the urge to "tinker" around under the hood of a car, (still don't). I'm like my wife, I put in gas, and oil, and it goes. When it doesn't I bring it to a pro. I'm a carpenter, I KNOW about cabinets, trim work, crown moldings, casings, finishes, and carpenters tools. THATS IT!!
Yea I don't care about team sports either.... Imagine that, a man that doesn't give **** one about baseball, football, basketball, or hockey. (I've always liked sports where if I win I get all the glory, and if I loose I take all the blame... Karate, Surfing, Handball, playing the guitar...) but I digress.

It was almost 24 hours later, and I was just about to unplug it and put the tower in the trunk to take it to the shop, when I saw something that said, "Run Tech-In-A-Box, and if that doesn't clear up the problem then do a System Restore". I hated to do a System Restore because i thoght that it only would make my compute like it was when I 1st bought it. But no.... It saves "instances" of itself all on it's own in WinXP Pro. I went back to 3/14/06, before I downloaded and installed Norton Anti-Virus. and Vua-La. Seeing my desktop again nearly brought tears to my eyes. (I guess I'm like alotta people out there, and I don't save to CD/DVD as often as I should) and I had alotta files that I've recently downloaded, that I wanted to keep. so I just spent the past 24 hours, saving all my QuickTime tutorial Movies to DVD's, for Photoshop, Illustrator, 3DSMax, Maya, After Effects, Premier, and so on.

Then I came here, and started to read my old thread to see if anyone had written anything new about my 1st delema. I now have 3...
1)- The 1st one where I can't run DOS based Software on WinXP all I get is that same old "ATTEMPT TO ACCESSS INVALID ADDRESS".
2)- Now I can't log onto popular websites for well known Anti-Virus Software titles, such as "www.symantec.com" or (Spyware Dr.'s) www.pctools.com .... Because now all I get is that Microsoft webpage saying that it can't find any such URL that I should check my spelling etc...
3)- The horribly bad crash (just blackness, no blue screen, green screen, pop-ups, warnings, just a black void) after trying to Install Norton AntiVirus 2006.

Well I just followed your websites advice for running Adware I did it just as you suggested. Then I ran Spyware Dr. , but I still have my orginal problem of "ATTEMPT TO ACCESSS INVALID ADDRESS". If you want to read up about it, this is all I've been able to find out about it. Just go to:
http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/....phtml?t=35179
and you'll be able to know what I do about this problem.
and you'll see why I chose to buy Symantec's Norton Antivirus, because they're supposed to have a cure for this exact problem, just that when I tried to install the Anti-Virus software, well you can read up above for that story.

Adware got rid of 26 things. Nothing all the "critical" according to it's log.

I'm still in need of help, so I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks for all your time, patience and understanding in this matter.

xersius_x

I would still suggest that you return to your spyware thread and post a log.

http://www.d-a-l.com/help/showthread.php?t=36464

After they clear you up we can go from there.