Troubleshooting MicroStation Processor Exception Errors in MicroStation J


	Applies To

	Product(s):	MicroStation
	Version(s):	08.00.00.21
	Environment:	N\A
	Area:	N/A
	Subarea:	N\A
	Original Author:	Elisa Pry, Bentley Technical Support Group

Problem

Exception Errors

Solution

Troubleshooting MicroStation Processor Exception Errors
MicroStation Processor Exception errors are generic in nature. The Exception error itself does not tell you much, other then the fact that MicroStation obviously crashed. If the Exception IP address starts with < 6* > the exception is usually in the MicroStation
source somewhere. All other IP's are outside of MicroStation. Thisdoesn't mean
MicroStation is not causing the crash, MicroStation is probably running into a conflict
with another software application and/or software/hardware driver.

"The Dr. Watson Log" Processor exception errors will sometimes force the Operating system to create a Dr. Watson Log file. This file can sometimes be useful in pin pointing the problem. Windows 95/98 do not really support Dr. Watson. The log files produced are generally not readable.

For Windows NT follow the instructions in How to create a Dr. Watson report.
Creating and making us of an msdebug.txt file an msdebug.txt can help you determine where your config, MDL, UPF, UCF, and resource files reside. See TechNote 8227 to learn more about creating and making use of an msdebug.txt file.

There are two important concepts to keep in mind when troubleshooting
processor exception errors:

On "Which computer" does the exception error occur.
1. Does the error occur on just one computer - if so then it is more then likely a local
problem. However be sure to check all mapped drives for the files indicated
below.
2. Does the error occur on all computers - if so then the problem more
than likely lies in a shared directory that everyone is accessing on the network. Be
sure to check all mapped drives for the files indicated below.

"When" does the exception error occur?
1. Double-clicking on the MicroStation icon
2. After Selecting a design file
3. Random Exception errors, not reproducible
If the Exception error occurs when the user double-clicks on the
MicroStation Icon, (before the MicroStation Manager appears):

1. Remove the MicroStation User Preference file. The preference file is
located in the following directories: (Rename all files with a *.upf extension to
*.bak)
o For MicroStation V8 C:\program files\Bentley\Home\Prefs\*.upf
o For MicroStation J v07.00.x.x) C:\Bentley\Program\Users\*.upf
o For MicroStation J v07.01.xx) C:\Bentley\Home\Prefs\*.upf
o For MicroStation 95 and SE) C:\Win32app\Ustation\Config\Users\*.upf
o Otherwise, it is located wherever the MS_USERPREF= variable is
pointing to.

2. Check the licensing configuration: o If the you are running MicroStation 95/SE license pooling, remove the Semaphore files. Sometimes the semaphore files become locked or
damaged and MicroStation generates an exception error at the MicroStation splash screen.

3. Remove the MicroStation startup MDL's and any 3rd party MDL's:
o For MicroStation V8, go to C:\program files\Bentley\Program\MicroStation\Config\Appl\ and rename all files with a (*.cfg) extension, to (*.bak)
o For MicroStation J, go to C:\Bentley\Program\MicroStation\Config\Appl\
and rename all files with a (*.cfg) extension, to (*.bak)
o For MicroStation 95/SE, go to the C:\Win32app\Ustation\Config\Appl\
directory and rename all files with a (*.cfg) extension, to (*.bak)
o After renaming the files start up MicroStation and see if the exception error returns. If it doesn't, start restoring the files one at a time until the exception error returns.

4. Remove any MicroStation Initapps:
o Edit the workspace file with notepad and have look for the variable MS_INITAPPS=. If there are any applications listed, remove them or comment out the entire line with a pound symbol (#). Then restart MicroStation.
The Workspace config file has a (*.ucf) extension.
For MicroStation V8 it is in the C:\program files\Bentley\Workspace\users\ directory.
For MicroStation J it is in the C:\Bentley\Workspace\users\ directory.
For MicroStation 95/SE it is usually located in the C:\Win32app\Ustation\Config\ directory.
Reinstall TCP/IP (last resort) Note: If unfamiliar with Installing TCP/IP
see a Networking or Hardware support analyst.

If the Exception error occurs when the user opens a Design file from the
MicroStation Manager:

1. First make sure the exception error is not file specific:
If the exception error only occurs when you try to open specific design
files, the design files are probably damaged and need to have EDG ran on them.
o Run a copy of the original design file through EdG. See FAQ 6119 to
learn more about MicroStation EdG.
2. Remove the MicroStation User Preference file. The preference file is
located in the following directories: (Rename all files with a *.upf extension to
*.bak)
o For MicroStation V8 C:\program files\Bentley\Home\Prefs\*.upf
o For MicroStation J v07.01.xx) C:\Bentley\Home\Prefs\*.upf
o For MicroStation J v07.00.x.x) C:\Bentley\Program\Users\*.upf
o For MicroStation 95 and SE) C:\Win32app\Ustation\Config\Users\*.upf
o Otherwise, it is located wherever the MS_USERPREF= variable is pointing to.
3. Remove the MicroStation Resource files:
o For MicroStation V8, go to the C:\program files\Bentley\WorkSpace\System\Symb\ directory o For MicroStation J, go to the C:\Bentley\WorkSpace\System\Symb\
directory.
o For MicroStation 95/SE, go to the
C:\Win32app\Ustation\Wsmod\Default\Symb\ directory.
Rename each of the resource files (*.rsc) to have a (*.bak) extension, then restart
MicroStation. If the exception error disappears start restoring the
files one at a time until you find the damaged file. If available, you can then try
restoring the file(s) from another system.
4. Remove any Workspace Interface files, (modification files):
o For MicroStation v8, go to C:\program files
Bentley\WorkSpace\Interfaces\MicroStation\Default\.
o For MicroStation J, go to C:\Bentley\WorkSpace\Interfaces\MicroStation\Default\.
o For MicroStation 95/SE, Go to C:\Win32app\Ustation\Wsui\Default\.
If there's a file with a < *.m0* > extension, rename it to <*.bak >. Then restart
MicroStation and see if the exception error disappears.
5. Last resort, reinstall MicroStation:
Something in the MicroStation tree got damaged. You could spend several hours
trying to figure out what file got damaged. The easy solution is to reinstall. When
you reinstall MicroStation, install it to a clean directory, do not install over top of
the existing files. Make sure to save any custom files. To be safe install to a new
directory and leave the damaged version there until the new install is up and
running correctly.
If you are getting Random Exception errors when working in MicroStation,
(not reproducible):
Standard Steps for Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT and Windows 2000.
Keep a record of when the exception error occurs, a list of the IP numbers and what
function/tool was being used, and what dgn your where in when the system
crashed. Note that the IP number is case sensitive - copy it down exactly as it
appears.
1. Remove the MicroStation User Preference file. The preference file is
located in the following directories: (Rename all files with a *.upf extension to
*.bak)
o For MicroStation V8 C:\program files\Bentley\Home\Prefs\*.upf
o For MicroStation J v07.00.x.x) C:\Bentley\Program\Users\*.upf
o For MicroStation J v07.01.xx) C:\Bentley\Home\Prefs\*.upf
o For MicroStation 95 and SE) C:\Win32app\Ustation\Config\Users\*.upf
o Otherwise, it is located wherever the MS_USERPREF= variable is
pointing to.
2. Increase the Virtual Memory (page/swap file) for the Operating System
and make sure the page file is Permanent.
o (Windows 2000) Go to Control Panel > System > Advanced >
Performance options. Under the Virtual Memory section select the Change
button. Set the Paging File to a sizable amount. To start with, good values
are 150MB Minimum and 150MB Maximum. For a permanent swap file
the minimum and maximum values must be equal. Windows will create a
swap file of 150Mb's on the drive specified.
o (Windows NT)Go to Control Panel > System > Performance. Under the
Virtual Memory section select the Change button. Set the Paging File to a
sizable amount. To start with, good values are 150MB Minimum and
150MB Maximum. For a permanent swap file the minimum and
maximum values must be equal. Windows will create a swap file of
150Mb's on the drive specified.
o (Windows 95) Go Control Panel > System > Performance > Select the
option "Let Me Specify My Own Virtual Memory Settings". Set the
Paging File to a sizable amount. To start with, good values are 150MB
Minimum and 150MB Maximum. For a permanent swap file the minimum
and maximum values must be equal.
3. Increase the memory preferences used by MicroStation.
Start MicroStation and go to WorkSpace > Preferences > Memory Usage >
set the following preferences:
o Max Element Cache to 16000
o Resource Cache to 96
o Undo Buffer to 2048
4. Decrease the Graphics Hardware Acceleration, (Windows 95/98/2000
Only) Go to Control Panel > System > Performance > Graphics, Move the Hardware
Acceleration slider a notch to the left. If the Exception error
persists, set the slider to None.
5. Reinstall MicroStation .... At this point, if you are still getting exception errors,
and a reinstall of the software did not solve the problem, then the problem is more
then likely an Operating System issue. The next steps would be to:
o Remove all unnecessary applications from Window's startup menu. Turn
off Screen Savers and Virus Protection. If no error is generated after
restarting the system and launching MicroStation, then it is possible there
is a conflict between MicroStation and one of the startup applications.
Add each startup application one by one and restart the system, to determine
which is causing the conflict.
o Update all hardware drivers from the manufacturer's website.
o Run a Scandisk and a Defrag on the systems hard drives
o Last resort would be to reinstall the Operating System from scratch.

Troubleshooting MicroStation Processor Exception Errors in MicroStation J

Problem

Solution

See Also