Error Message: <Game> Caused An Invalid Page Fault In Module Winmm.dll

SYMPTOMS
When you attempt to start one of the Microsoft games listed at the beginning of this article, you may receive one of the following error messages:

Combatfs caused an invalid page fault in module Winmm.dll.
Fltsim98 caused an invalid page fault in module Winmm.dll.
Fs2000 caused an invalid page fault in module Winmm.dll.
Empires2 caused an invalid page fault in module Winmm.dll.
Game caused an invalid page fault in module Winmm.dll.

where game is the program file of the game that you are attempting to start.

In addition, when you play Age of Empires II, one of the following may occur.

When you launch the game you may get a brief black screen and then the game will close and drop to the desktop,
-or-
When you try to view the properties of an .avi file by right-clicking the file and then clicking Properties, you may receive the following error message:
EXPLORER caused an Invalid Page Fault in module Winmm.dll.

CAUSE
This issue may occur if either of the following conditions are true:
• The Winmm.dll file is missing or damaged.
• You have a tsr installed on your computer that is conflicting with the Microsoft program listed at the beginning of this article that you are trying to run.

RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, use the methods listed below in the order presented. After each method test the game before proceeding to the next method.

Method 1: Extract a New Winmm.dll File
Extract a new copy of the Winmm.dll file from the original Microsoft Windows installation CD-ROM or floppy disk to the following location:
drive:\Windows\System
where drive is the drive letter of the hard disk on which Microsoft Windows is installed.

Restart Your Computer By Using a Clean Boot Procedure
When you start Microsoft Windows, typically there are a number of programs that start automatically and run in the background that may interfere with the game. These programs may include antivirus and system utility programs. When you perform a clean boot, you prevent these programs from starting automatically. You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group to complete this procedure. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may also prevent you from completing this procedure.

To restart your computer by using a clean boot procedure, follow these steps when you are using Windows XP.

Note You may experience a temporary loss of some services functionality when you follow these steps. Restoring the settings restores the functionality, but may result in the return of the original error message or behavior. 1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type msconfig, and then click OK.
3. On the General tab, click Selective Startup.
4. Under Selective Startup, click to clear the following check boxes:
• Process SYSTEM.INI File
• Process WIN.INI File
• Load Startup Items

5. On the Services tab, click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, and then click Disable All.
6. Click OK, and then click Restart.

APPLIES TO
• Microsoft Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings
• Microsoft Age of Empires II: The Conquerors Expansion
• Microsoft Age of Empires II Gold Edition