Troubleshooting Power Macintosh Type 11 Errors

    Article ID: Q140445
    Creation Date: 30-NOV-1995
    Revision Date: 26-NOV-1996

    The information in this article applies to:

    • Apple Macintosh System Software versions 7.5.x
    • Microsoft Bookshelf for the Power Macintosh, 1996-97 edition
    • Microsoft Cinemania for the Power Macintosh, 1997 edition
    • Microsoft Close Combat for the Power Macintosh, version 1.0, 1.0a
    • Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia for the Power Macintosh, 1997 edition
    • Microsoft Excel for the Power Macintosh, version 5.0
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer for the Power Macintosh, version 2.0, 2.1
    • Microsoft Music Central for the Power Macintosh, 1997 edition
    • Microsoft Word for the Power Macintosh, version 6.0
    • Microsoft Works for the Power Macintosh, version 4.0b, 4.0c

    SUMMARY

    If you are using a Power Macintosh computer with System 7.5.0, 7.5.1, 7.5.2, 7.5.3, or 7.5.5 you may experience a "Type 11" (hardware exception) error. As with other general system errors, a Type 11 error does not identify a particular hardware or software cause. A Type 11 error has many possible causes. The "More Information" section of this article contains steps you can follow to help identify the cause of a Type 11 error.

    NOTE: Type 11 errors are not common on earlier models of Macintosh computer.

    MORE INFORMATION

    When you search for the cause of a Type 11 error, start by looking for software problems and then look for hardware problems.

    To check for possible causes of Type 11 errors, use the following steps:

    1. If you are using System 7.5, install the latest system, currently System 7.5.5. System 7.5.5 includes a modified memory manager that speeds up memory-intensive operation and adds stability to the System.
    2. If the problem only occurs in one program, and you can reproduce it consistently, try turning off the Modern Memory Manger, and contact the program's vendor for information about its compatibility with Modern Memory Manager.
    3. Turn on Virtual Memory. Power Macintosh applications run more effectively with Virtual Memory enabled.
    4. Use Extension Manager to turn off all extensions and control panels. Check the program again. If the problem goes away, then enable the extensions and control panels a few at a time to isolate the one that is causing the problem.
    5. If you have a large number of fonts in the Fonts folder, move them from the Fonts folder to another folder.
    6. Remove the General Controls file from the Control Panel folder of the System Folder. This control panel device will work outside of the System Folder; removing this device prevents damage that occurs to the Parameter RAM area of memory with System 7.5.x. Once you remove this file, use the following steps to clear and repair damage that may have occurred in the parameter RAM area of memory. This procedure is called "zapping the PRAM."

      To zap the PRAM:

      a In the Finder, restart the computer by clicking Restart on the Special 

            menu.

      b. While the computer is restarting, press COMMAND+OPTION+P+R. Continue 

            to hold these keys down while the Macintosh attempts to restart.

      c. Hold the keys down through five repetitions of the Macintosh startup 

            noise (the computer will make a "ding" noise each time it attempts
      to restart).

      d. After five start noises, release the COMMAND+OPTION+P+R keys. 

          NOTE: When you use this procedure, you will need to reset some Control
    Panel settings such as the highlight color, the type of network you
    access, and the screen resolution.


          Note also that this procedure has been used successfully with
    customers using MacOS 7.5.1 and 7.5.2 with Type 10 errors, random
    freezes, failures while printing, and errors that are not
    specifically Type 11 on non-Power Macintoshes.
    7. Update the Hard Disk driver to the most recent version for your version of the system software.
    8. Perform a clean installation of the System Software, follow Step 5, and then test the system performance for a few days (Press COMMAND+SHIFT+K in the Installer).

    If the Type 11 errors continue, you may have a hardware problem. If you think that you have a hardware problem, contact your hardware repair service. Three areas for which you might suggest further testing include: SCSI connections, Cache SIMM, or third-party RAM. These hardware tests require appropriate tools and specialized knowledge and should be performed only by those with the proper tools and experience to do them.

    INFORMATION FROM APPLE COMPUTER SUPPORT ABOUT TYPE 11 ERRORS

    You may see more Type 11 errors on a Power Macintosh computer because of problems with the software-based 68k emulator. The emulator allows the RISC processor to run earlier versions of Macintosh software. If the emulator gets corrupted while loading into in RAM, some of the failures caused by this are reported as Type 11 or Hardware Exception errors. The emulator can get corrupted by incompatible software or faulty hardware. That implies that the chance of Type 11 errors occurring increase with memory intensive programs (such as PhotoShop, and so on) or with larger SIMMs. Some modifications have been made to the design of the logic board of the 8100/100 and 8100/110 models to decrease the sensitivity for third-party SIMMs.

    Your Apple Service & Support Team 13 April 1995 Copyright 1995 Apple Computer

    Known Causes of Type 11 Errors

    System 7.5 and QuickDraw GX: "Finder:error type 11"

    If System 7.5 with QuickDraw GX is installed, the message "Finder:error type 11" might occur whenever the system boots after a system crash. Solution: Throw away the Desktop Printer icon. This icon contains settings that could have gotten corrupted when your system crashed.

    SoftWindows Previous to Version 1.0.2

    SoftWindows 1.0.2 fixes bugs where CBT, NOBEER, and others consistently (and repeatedly) created errors of type 11.

    PhotoShop 3.0.1

    Workaround: Remove the "Enable Async I/O" plug-in extension. (It's located in PhotoShop Plug-Ins folder.)

    Microsoft Office 4.2

    There have been reports of users receiving Type 11 errors when printing with Microsoft Office 4.2 (which includes Microsoft Excel 5.0 and Word 6.0 native) from systems using System 7.5 with QuickDraw GX 1.1.1. The same programs do not produce this error when printing under QuickDraw GX 1.0.1. Currently, the workaround for this problem is to turn off Modern Memory Manager.

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.
©1997 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Legal Notices.

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