By default, integer division by zero is reported as an exception on Alpha platforms, although not on x86. This behavior is an aid to locating and debugging integer-division-by-zero errors.
On the 21064 and 21164 processors, you get an imprecise exception and might need to use the /QAieee option to help locate the divide that caused the fault. The /QApe compiler option might also be helpful in debugging HPARITH faults.