Runtime error 21 at 01C349D2?

Question

My computer will pop up with an error message every 5-10 seconds that looks like runtime error 21 at 01C349D2 (some of them are different numbers, when I click on it my desktop disappears for 2-3 seconds (just a blue background) and then everything goes back to normal until a new error mesage comes up.

There aren't any options, I can either click ok or the "x" close button, both do the same thing. Everything still works, and I just saved all of my work onto a disk, but what's up with this thing? How do I fix it?

Answer 1

This is an error that occurs during the execution of a program. In contrast, compile-time errors occur while a program is being compiled. Runtime errors indicate bugs in the program or problems that the designers had anticipated but could do nothing about. For example, running out of memory will often cause a runtime error.

When I had this problem I fixed it by switching off system restore, then I booted up in safe mode. There were 4 places I found the offending file, which on my computer masqueraded as an Intelli Mouse file (whatever that is). First on a simple search, for *japi*.* files where it shows up as ncsjapi32.exe, it says its in System32/spml folder but that folder doesn't show up in explorer, there were also 2 other files in the folder, so do a search by date for the last week and you will find all 3. Second was using (yes another program to download) HijackThis, which shows all the open programs, sort of like a control Alt Del, but better, and gives you the option to delete the open programs under "fix it" in the bottom left. The third place was under the start menu, and "run" any type in MSCONFIG, where under the start up programs it again shows up. And 4th, again in start "run"under the "regedit"under HKey current users/software/microsoft/windows/current... there are run and runonce and it shows up in both.

So have all 4 open, then unclick the program in the configsys, so that it doesn't automatically start up, the deleted it in the regedit, and the hijackthis (sometimes 2 or 3 entries here so don't be fooled), and on the search (plus the two other files that were in the same folder & the folder). Then reboot again in safe mode.

If it seems to have fixed it, check all the above places to make sure they are all gone. Hope it works, if not sorry, it did for me