How to Avoid Stack Overflow error

Reader Question:
“Hi Wally, how can I solve Stack Overflow errors on my computer?” - Cody R., United Kingdom

Before addressing any computer issue, I always recommend scanning and repairing any underlying problems affecting your PC health and performance:

Step 1 : Download PC Repair & Optimizer Tool (WinThruster for Win 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP and 2000 – Microsoft Gold Certified).
Step 2 : Click “Start Scan” to find Windows registry issues that could be causing PC problems.
Step 3 : Click “Repair All” to fix all issues.

Setting up weekly (or daily) automatic scans will help prevent system problems and keep your PC running fast and trouble-free.

Wally’s Answer: Stack overflow occurs when too much memory is used. A stack has limited memory determined at the start of the program. Factors such as the programming language, machine structure, and amount of available memory determine the amount of memory of the stack.

Stack overflow (essentially a ‘buffer overflow’) occurs when a program tries to use more space than the size of the stack. This typically results in a program crash. Here we see how to troubleshoot the stack overflow error in Windows.

How to Troubleshoot Windows Internal Stack Overflow Error Messages

Stack memory is reserved for programs to process hardware events. This error occurs when all the space in the stack is used up and there is no more memory left to run hardware interrupt routines.

How to Fix a Stack Overflow Error in Windows XP

Instructions:
1. Since this error is usually caused by a mismanaged registry, you should install a free registry cleaner such as RegCleaner, CCleaner, or Registry Mechanic.

2. Download, install and run the registry cleaner. Then, select the “Clean Registry” button to begin. The process of cleaning your registry may take a variable amount of time. This can take a few seconds or a few minutes.

3. Click “Fix Problems” to delete repeating or old registry. This should speed up your computer and fix stack overflow errors.

Here are ways on how to do it on older computers

To resolve this problem, we will modify the “STACKS=” line in the Config.sys file. Then, eliminate terminate-and-stay-resident program (TSRs) and eliminate hardware conflicts.

One reason for this error is that the Config.sys startup file may not be properly configured for the Windows installation.

Use the following values:
STACKS=64,512 ;(this is the maximum allowed)
FILES=60
BUFFERS=40

In the case of dual-booting Windows, the Config.sys and Autoexec.bat files may not contain the correct configuration to run Windows.

If that does not work, try to examine the Config.sys file to see if the files Himem.sys or Emm386.exe are loaded from a location other than the Windows folder. If so, boot Windows by using the “Safe Mode Command Prompt Only” option. Rename the Config.sys file to Config.dos and the Autoexec.bat file to Autoexec.dos, and then restart your computer.

If some TSRs are interfering with Windows, disable any non-boot device drivers in the Config.sys and Autoexec.bat files.

There may also be an incompatible hardware configuration. Check the port and IRQ settings of the network adapter, sound card, and modem. Make sure that there are no COM2/COM4 or COM1/COM3 conflicts and that no devices are sharing IRQs. Disable or remove conflicting devices.

In rare cases, the computer may need a BIOS upgrade. Check the version of BIOS. If it does need an upgrade, contact the manufacturer of your computer or visit the product website.

I Hope You Liked This Blog Article! If You Need Additional Support on This Issue Then Please Don’t Hesitate To Contact Me On Facebook.

Is Your PC Healthy?

I always recommend to my readers to regularly use a trusted registry cleaner and optimizer such as WinThruster or CCleaner. Many problems that you encounter can be attributed to a corrupt and bloated registry.

Happy Computing!

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Tags: error, registary, windows registry

About the Author

Wally PhillipsWindows Wally is a helpful guy. It’s just in his nature. It’s why he started a blog in the first place. He heard over and over how hard it was to find simple, plain-English solutions to Windows troubleshooting problems on the Internet. Enter: Windows Wally. Ask away, and he will answer.