Parity Errors with DirectX Video Drivers

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Windows 95
• Microsoft Plus! for Windows 95
• Microsoft Windows 95 OEM Service Release versions 2, 2.1

SYMPTOMS

After you install DirectX video drivers, you may receive the following error message when you start your computer:

  System Error
  Memory parity error detected.
  System halted.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the following conditions are true:

• Your computer has a chip set that checks parity on video memory.
• Your video card does not provide parity.
• You are using a memory-mapped video driver (such as with DirectX).

RESOLUTION

Do not use memory mapped video drivers.

MORE INFORMATION

For information about your display adapter and its video memory capabilities, refer to your computer's documentation, or consult your hardware vendor.

REFERENCES

For additional information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q93521
   TITLE     : Parity Errors in Windows 3.x

   ARTICLE-ID: Q134503
   TITLE     : Parity Error Messages May Indicate Bad Memory