IKernel.exe - Application error: The memory could not be read.
This article applies to:
Platform(s): Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000 (SP4+), Windows XP (SP1 SP2), Windows 2003
JRE version(s): 1.4.2_xx
SYMPTOMS
While attempting to install Java, a message box apears with the following error:
IKernel.exe - Application error
The Instruction at "0x771c741a" referenced memory at
"0x0..." (any number).
The memory could not be read.
Click on OK to terminate the program
The error appears as the following image:
CAUSE
The IKernel.exe application error may be due to one of the following reasons:
The InstallShield engine (iKernel.exe) or one of its component files in \Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Engine folder may be damaged, corrupted, or read-only.
The InstallShield engine (iKernel.exe) or one of its component files in \Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Engine folder was left on the system by an older version of the InstallShield installer (and is now incompatible with the version that Java Installer uses).
You are trying to install Java on a Windows XP machine with service pack 1 and Windows XP Hotfix Q328310 applied.
SOLUTION
Following are the possible resolutions for this error. Choose the appropriate method for your computer.
Java setup program copies InstallShield engine files to the hard disk during Java installation. These files are copied to the folder "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield". Assuming your system drive is C:.
This InstallShield folder is used as a temporary folder by Java setup program. After you install the program, the contents of this folder are no longer needed or used.
The iKernel.exe application error may occur if the InstallShield engine (iKernel.exe) or one of its component files in "\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Engine" folder is damaged, corrupt, or has read-only permission.
This error may also occur if the InstallShield engine (iKernel.exe) or one of its component files in folder "\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Engine" was left on the system by an older version of the InstallShield program. This is incompatible with the current version of InstallShield used by Java installer.
The user should either rename or delete this folder and rerun the setup. The InstallShield installer will then replace or install the correct engine files if they are not found on the computer.
To rename the InstallShield engine folder perform the following steps:
Launch Windows Explorer by right-clicking the Start
menu on the system status bar and select Explorer. You can
also invoke Windows Explorer by pressing Windows Key + E
on your keyboard.
Browse to C:\Program Files\Common
Files\InstallShield\Engine
Right-click the hightlighted engine folder and select
Rename.
Rename the Engine folder to EngineOld.
To delete the InstallShield engine folder perform the following steps:
Launch Windows Explorer by right-clicking the Start
menu on the system status bar and select Explorer. You can
also invoke Windows Explorer by pressing Windows Key + E
on your keyboard.
Browse to C:\Program Files\Common
Files\InstallShield\Engine
Right-click the highlighted engine folder and select
Delete.
Click Yes in the Confirm Folder Delete message box.
Once the folder "\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Engine" is deleted or renamed, try to reinstall Java.
Sometimes in an attempt to fix the iKernel application errors, you may
have to update the InstallShield engine that runs Java setup program.
The following instructions explain how to download and install the latest
iKernel engine.
Launch Windows Explorer by right-clicking the Start
menu on the system status bar and select Explorer. You can
also invoke Windows Explorer by pressing Windows Key + E
on your keyboard.
Browse to C:\Program Files\Common
Files\InstallShield\Engine
Right-click the highlighted engine folder and select
Delete.
Click Yes in the Confirm Folder Delete message box.
Download the latest version of the iKernel engine by clicking the link
below and save it to your Desktop.
iKernel Update
Double click the downloaded ikernelupdate.exe file to install it.
Solutions for Windows XP with service pack 1 and Windows XP Hotfix Q328310 applied
The Window XP Hotfix Q328310 conflicts with the InstallShield engine, because there is a Win32 API that does not execute as expected.
A supported fix is now available for download from Microsoft Download Center. Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Windows XP service pack that contains this fix.
However, to resolve this issue, download and install the fix by clicking the following download link:
If Solution #3 does not work for you, then we suggest that you temporarily uninstall the Windows XP Hotfix Q328310. Install Java and then reinstall the Windows XP Hotfix Q328310.
The instructions to uninstall the Windows XP
Hotfix Q328310 are as follows.
NOTE: It is not recommended to uninstall any Windows Hotfix, however, uninstalling may be necessary to successfully install Java on your computer.
Reinstall the Windows XP Hotfix after the installation of Java has completed successfully.
How to uninstall Windows Hotfix Q328310
Open the Control Panel by clicking the
Start->Settings->Control Panel from the system
Start menu.
Double click the Add or Remove Programs icon.
Select the link titled Windows XP Hotfix (SP2)
Q328310. The resulting Add or Remove Programs screen appears as shown below.
Click the Remove button. The following Windows
XP Q328310 uninstall wizard screen will be displayed to you.
Click Next to begin the Windows XP Hotfix uninstall.
If a warning message is displayed prompting you to continue the uninstall, click Yes.
After successfully removing the Windows XP Hotfix Q328310, the following
screen will be displayed.
Click the Finish button to complete the uninstall.
The computer will automatically reboot.
Try installing Java again. Now you should be able to install Java successfully and the error should not occur.
It is very important to reinstall the Windows XP Hotfix Q328310 once Java installation has completed successfully. The following instructions explain how to reinstall the Windows XP Hotfix Q328310.
How to install Windows Hotfix Q328310
Go to Microsoft Windows Update website by clicking the
Start->Programs->Windows Update or
Start->Windows Update icon from the system
Start menu.
You can also visit the Microsoft Update Web site.
On the left side of the Windows Update navigation bar expand the "Pick updates to install" node.
Select the Critical Updates and Service Packs link.
Find the entry titled 328310: Security Update.
Make sure this item is selected. At the bottom of this item, you will see the message - This item has been selected - and the Add button is disabled. (If the Add button is enabled then click the Add button to select the item.)
The resulting screen after selecting the Q328310 hotfix will appear as shown below.
Select the Review and install updates link. The selected hotfix Q328310 will appear in the screen as shown below.
Click the Install Now button.
Click the Accept button on Microsoft Windows Update
- Web Page Dialog as shown below, to start the installation.
After successful installation, the user will be prompted to restart the computer.
Restart your computer to complete the installation by clicking the
OK button.
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