msgsrv32.exe not responding

[inet_topic]

Tried in vain to resolve this problem for an old friend who uses the system to keep track of his expenses. Reviewed all of the suggestions from old posts and numerous others on the web but still unable to resolve the msgsrv32.exe not responding problem. After just 5 mins of no activity the hourglass appears and then msgsrv32 is in the task list. Ending msgsrv32.exe task doesn't end system hang. Hourglass will move but not other response from system. ctrl+alt+del shows only two tasks - explorer and systray.
No screen savers running. APM has been disabled and re-enabled. Removed fax/modem and disabled onboard sound. And reduced startups to minimum.
system has been scanned for virus and spyware and all clean.
system will not hang in safe mode!!
nothing new (hardware/software) has been added to the system.
the system is an older packard bell 845c multimedia model with cyrix M II-300 and 64 mb ram.
does anyone have any other ideas?

 

[RealBlackStuff]

This is what MS has to say about that file:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q138708/

system will not hang in safe mode!!

Does that mean it works OK in Safe Mode?

Go to Control Panel/System/Device Manager and see if there are any yellow or red signs in there.

 

[inet_topic]

This is what MS has to say about that file:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q138708/

Does that mean it works OK in Safe Mode?

Go to Control Panel/System/Device Manager and see if there are any yellow or red signs in there.

yes it works in safe mode.
device manager displays no problems with hardware.

 

[RealBlackStuff]

What Windows version is that, 95, 95A, 98, 98SE or ME?

for 95 see http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=169987
for 98/98SE/ME see http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=306616

Both versions hint towards the APM, perhaps it is not properly DISabled?

 

[inet_topic]

already been to those ms kb files.
APM reacts to disable and enable, as both options tried.
on reflection clue must be in safe mode use without any problem - so this could be a drive issue, but nothing new been added. is it poccible for a driver issue to occur 'just like that?'

 

[RealBlackStuff]

You could always backup the important files, and then do a re-install in-place over the top of the current one.
You never told which Windows-version!
Could you not transfer that program + files to a more modern (or better working) PC?

 

[inet_topic]

You could always backup the important files, and then do a re-install in-place over the top of the current one.
You never told which Windows-version!
Could you not transfer that program + files to a more modern (or better working) PC?

had considered that but the old gent who owns the computer was hesitant
os is win98
gent is quite happy with existing system and for how its used it is perfectly suited.

 

[inet_topic]

problem resolved.
clue was system not hanging in safe mode - so it must have been drivers.
created a new basic system.ini ( in dos copy system.cb system.ini ) to test in regular mode. and no problem/ no hanging in regular mode but res was 16 colours and 640x480.
then added more some default system.ini headings until regular mode displayed properly without hanging.