Rundll32.exe error message

[Drego]

I'm trying to find any helpful hints for tracking down an error msg of "rundll32.exe has stopped working. program will be terminated" messagebox. It's happening randomly on Vista Home basic and after program termination, it doesn't effect the use of the Os. Detailed info in the event log shows it's user32.dll that it is making the call to. I've found some info regarding possible memory issue(hardware), changing folder option setting to not view icons as thumbnails, to many icons on the desktop and nero software conflict. I don't have the specific event log info to post here, but wanted to see if anyone has any ideas? The only other problem he is having and it doesn't coincide with the rundll32 error msg is being unable to run the game "Medal of Honor Allied assault", which has previously worked and no longer does. It begins to run, shows the splash screen, goes through loading some of the setup screens (orange text, which i think is the opengl) and then exits without any error msg. Game safe mode also experiences the same scenario as normal mode. Tried reloading the nvidia driver from hp's website to no avail.

specs:

HP Pavillion dv6700

Core 2 Duo

T8300

2.4GHz

Intel 965PM

2048 MB Ram

250 GB hard drive

Nvidia GeForce Go 8400M GS

[Tripredacus]

LATE RESPONSE.

You are going to have to check your Event Viewer to start. Typically, I've found that, rundll32 is used by third-party programs to do *whatever* they need to do. In my experience, as long as no other programs are open (games, apps, installers, etc) killing rundll32 is just fine and it won't affect Windows. As to exactly what rundll32.exe is handling (while it is open) can be determined by using either Process Explorer or Process Monitor, which are available from SysInternals (Microsoft) for free. However, be wary of what other games you have installed before attempting to run them, as simply running these programs can cause some of your games to cease opening, for example Electronic Arts (and EA Sports) games like to use SecurROM, which is a wrapper that won't let the game open if you have run these kinds of apps.

I am not sure about MOHAA, but it originally did not have any sort of DRM short of requiring the CD to be present. Not sure about any newer releases or other sources like Steam or D2D. You can also launch ProcMon, then open your game and then look at the results afterwards. Programs will typically close following many FILE NOT FOUND errors, as was the case with a bug I found in Heroes 5.

The results might be scary to look at, be warned.