This Error Message Means Nothing; Ignore It
Q: I installed Windows 98 on my Gateway computer and recently upgraded to Windows ME. I was checking through the system information. Clicking on problem devices, I see there is an IRQ Holder for PCI steering that shows an error code of 22. My question is: What is an IRQ Holder, and what does the error code mean? How do I get rid of it?
A: OK, the friendly geeks at Q&A; labs are assuming that your error message is something like “ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering ACPI*PNP0C0F00000003 22.” IRQ steering represents the IRQ--which can be thought of as a path or lane--parceled out among your various Peripheral Component Interface plug-and-play devices.
In plain English, error code 22 means the thing isn’t in use. You’ll most often see this message when you’ve changed the hardware in the computer and the IRQ holder isn’t needed anymore. Although IRQ holders for PCI steering that aren’t in use are not displayed in the Device Manager, they do show up in the System Information tool, which is where you’re seeing them.
Microsoft proclaims that “This behavior is by design.” Which, uh, makes perfect sense to us. Let us sum up: The message means nothing. Ignore it.
Q: I have been using Netscape 4.7 for a long time with no problems until recently. Now, when I create a new mail folder, it appears as a sub-folder under “mail.” I then file new mail into it. Later, the folder will be gone, along with all of its contents. This is not a consistent problem. Some new folders stick and others just go away. Any suggestions?
A: Never heard of this particular problem before. The first thing we’d try is reinstalling the browser. Make sure you make backups of your bookmarks and e-mail first.
If that doesn’t work, our best guess--and this is just a guess--is you’re out of memory. We’ve seen similar problems on POP3 e-mail clients--such as Netscape--in which users religiously delete unwanted e-mail but fail to compact the folders afterward, which makes the computer think more space is needed than is necessary. Try reducing the number of messages you have and set up a routine to archive stuff you don’t want to delete but don’t need access to on a regular basis.
Q: I have an HP Pavilion 7145 running Windows 95. Recently, I have been unable to open MSWorks 4.0, but other applications and Internet access seem to be OK. When I try to open Works, the following message appears: “An error has occurred in your program. To keep working anyway, click Ignore and save your work to a new file. To quit this program, click Close. You will lose information you entered since your last save.” When I click Close, the following message appears: “MSWorks caused a general protection fault in module HPFWIN09.DLL at 0018:0000b319.”
The First Aid Recovery CD has all the software that was originally installed. I do not have a stand-alone Works CD. Because I deleted most of the games and other unwanted software from the computer long ago to free up disk space, I am reluctant to use the Recovery CD because I think it will reinstall the unwanted items. Is there a way to get around this problem? Would installing the current version of Works (6.0) clear the problem?
A: Maybe. It’s also possible that the operating system itself is corrupted. We’re betting you have to reinstall the OS.
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Dave Wilson is The Times’ personal technology columnist. Submit questions to Tech Q&A; at techtimes@latimes.com.
