Err Msg: An Error Occurred While Windows Was Working with...

• Microsoft Windows 95

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, you should first make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat). Both are hidden files in the Windows folder.

SYMPTOMS

When you open the Sounds tool in Control Panel, you may receive an error message similar to the following message:

   An error occurred while windows was working with control panel file 
   C:\windows\system\mmsys.cpl

CAUSE

A registry entry for one of the sound schemes may be damaged.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows 95. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

NOTE: For information about how to edit the registry, view the Changing Keys And Values online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe). Note that you should make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat) before you edit the registry.

The following registry key lists the programs that have sounds associated with events:

   Hkey_Current_User\AppEvents\Schemes\Apps

1. Click and rename one of the program key folders. For example, click

         Hkey_Current_User\AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\Explorer
   

   and rename it to:

         Hkey_Current_User\AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\Explorer1
   

2. Test to see if you can open the Sounds tool in Control Panel without an error message.

3. Rename the program key folder to the original name.

4. If you received an error message in step 3, repeat steps 1-3 for the next program key folder.

MORE INFORMATION

This behavior seems to occur most frequently with non-default schemes, and is often associated with a problem during installation of the particular program. The default schemes listed in the registry are: .Default, Explorer, Mplayer, and SndRec32.