Error: Memory could not be "read" on Startup

[zollo9999]

Hi
I'm getting this error when starting Win XP (SP1).
Note "smc.exe" is the free Sygate Personal Firewall.
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smc.exe - Application Error
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The instruction at "0x054a2b75" referenced memory at "0x0000000c". The memory could not be "read".

Click on OK to terminate the program
Click on CANCEL to debug the program
---------------------------
OK Cancel
---------------------------


I've also got avast antivirus and SpyBot S&D recently installed.

*Do I have a ram problem ?
*Is it likely to be smc.exe behaving badly and referencing memory that is allocated to another app?

Any suggestions?
Should I get a Security Suite instead of picking the best freeware products?

Thanks for your help.

Zollo

Zollo A+ / VBA Developer

 

[rvnguy]

zollo9999,

smc.exe is associated with the SyGate package. Avast might be using this engine??

First: Try removing this program and doing what you have been that gets you this message.

Assumption; When prog is removed you will not receive msg.

Suggestion: Install SP2.

Re-install AV pkg and see if you receive the msg.

BTW do you have the winFirewall enabled? If so try with out it enabled to see if this is a glitch.

If you still think that you might have a ram problem troubleshoot your ram by panel. You could use any app that you have or get this one and run it for a period.

http://www.memtest86.com/

Hope this gets you started & maybe fixed

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[zollo9999]

Thanks for you comments.
There does not seem to be a definitive answer on the web for these kind of errors. In general it seems that this kind of error is due to memory conflict with another app.

I think the latest version of the Sygate firewall is behaving badly regarding ram.

There is no formal link between the antivirus and firewall.
I will try some of the options you suggested over the next few days.

Before uninstalling and reinstalling everything, I'm looking for patches to the latest version of the firewall software. (It has been out a while, I'd hope it would not need pathces by now.)

I'll try testing the ram.
I'm also looking for a Ram upgrade. Currently only 256MB.

Also going to XP SP2 may help these things take so much time to test and I've spent a fair bit already getting it all setup.

My Broadband modem isn't working yet. The ISP has reported an error so downloads are a bit of a drag.

Thanks
Zollo

Zollo A+ / VBA Developer

 

[rvnguy]

zollo9999,

SP2 was available on CD from many computer outlets for free in the recent past. I have not looked for it for some time but this might be a source, or you might have a friend that could download it and burn you a copy.

If this is only for the SyGate Firewall, rip it off and use the Windows firewall till you sort it out.

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all