dllhost.exe crash / com surrogate

[DaCeige]

How to find the offending control panel problem.

Goto the control panel (if it crashes, leave the crash report up and open another explorer control panel window, the second one should open).

Goto Control Panel\System and Security\Action Center\Reliability Monitor

At the bottom of the window, goto View Problem Reports and Responses.
Now you should be at:
Control Panel\System and Security\Action Center\Problem History

find the crash report (on mine, COM Surrogate)
Right Click, View Technical Details

Volia... there's the offending control panel applet. Here's the one from mine... it was Adobe's Version Cue

Description
Faulting Application Path: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\dllhost.exe
Problem signature
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: DllHost.exe
Application Version: 6.1.7000.0
Application Timestamp: 49431fe1
Fault Module Name: VersionCueCS4.cpl
Fault Module Version: 4.0.0.0
Fault Module Timestamp: 4848046d
Exception Code: 40000015
Exception Offset: 00020fc0
OS Version: 6.1.7000.2.0.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033

 

[Nerdo]

Hi

Yeah, It appears that Windows 7 uses a different form of .cpl (Control Panel Items) to Vista(maybe something to do with action center??) and Adobe CUE dies, as so I imagine Nero's Lightscribe Utility(I think, or whatever Nero stick in the control panel)

Probably going to have to wait for adobe to update

Hope that helps a little?

 

[DaCeige]

You can un-install that perticular application... or just remove its CPL files and put them for safe keeping.

 

[josjoslyn]

COM Surrogate not working(Win 7 64bit)

I do not believe that the blame lies at the feet of any specific application. It is more likely that the "problem" is with Windows CP not getting "all it's ducks in a row" correctly when you open the Control Panel.

I am using Windows 7 (6.1(build 7000)) 64bit

Opening CP with the "basic" view I never get a problem, but opening CP viewing "All Control Panel Items" will sometimes(but not always) present the problem as described.

If you view other forums where this item is discussed, you will see that a number of applications have come under the microscope for blame. The description provided by DaCeige where :

"Description
Faulting Application Path: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\dllhost.exe
Problem signature
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: DllHost.exe
Application Version: 6.1.7000.0
Application Timestamp: 49431fe1
Fault Module Name: VersionCueCS4.cpl
Fault Module Version: 4.0.0.0
Fault Module Timestamp: 4848046d
Exception Code: 40000015
Exception Offset: 00020fc0
OS Version: 6.1.7000.2.0.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033"

does not mean - with absolute certainty - that VersionCueCS4.cpl is to blame. The term "Fault" in a windows report does not mean with certainty that that module caused the problem, it could just as easily be that the system caused the problem, and that - in this instance - VersionCueCS4.cpl was being loaded(or referenced) at the time - so, the "victim" not the "culprit". This would explain why the many reports of this "seem" to be listed against a multitude of applications.

 

[sloveniaboy]

You can un-install that perticular application... or just remove its CPL files and put them for safe keeping.

the cpl file option works great!

 

[josjoslyn]

Removing the .cpl files is only reducing the amount of work needed to be done by the Control Panel when you open/view/load it. Whilst it may provide you with "relief" to the problem, it neither fixes, nor addresses the real underlying problem - Control Panel.

This is not to say it is not worth doing, if users are happy to then all is good, but this is a little like sweeping the dust under a rug. It looks better, but the dust is still there.

 

[sloveniaboy]

Removing the .cpl files is only reducing the amount of work needed to be done by the Control Panel when you open/view/load it. Whilst it may provide you with "relief" to the problem, it neither fixes, nor addresses the real underlying problem - Control Panel.

This is not to say it is not worth doing, if users are happy to then all is good, but this is a little like sweeping the dust under a rug. It looks better, but the dust is still there.

there is no other proper resolution right now, so if removing the file prevents .dll errors, I would do it. I agree that it is a 'sweep dust under the rug' resolution and should only be used for short term until a proper fix is out.

 

[josjoslyn]

I totally agree ..... at this moment in time, if you are affected to the point where the OS becomes too difficult to live with & renaming the files works for you, then yes rename .cpl files.

I only wanted to make the point that it is unfair to lay blame at an applications "door", or be appearing to blame. As in the thread it was evident that some expected the fix to come from Adobe, whereas this "appears" to have it's root's in Vista. It is to my mind something that Microsoft need to address, and make CP more resilient, or - and my preferred - design it so that it has proper control over the multitude of threads and orphans it spawns. Currently it is like a mad rush to get the last drink in before the bar closes - a stampede where inevitably someone gets hurt in the rush

 

[DaCeige]

Windows 7 is still Beta. These apps were not designed to work with it, so placing blame is not the purpose of this thread or my 'work around'. As most of us all know, the field of IT is nothing more than problem solving and work arounds. In this case. VersionCUE's CPL was not designed for use in Windows 7, and although other CPLs who were not designed for Windows 7 do work, its no indication of fault.

However, the end goal associated with others who find this thread, along with myself, was to resolve the Control Panel crashing problem, my explanation provides a method to research the incompatibility problems, identify it, and leave you with the choice of how to resolve it.

In my case, I removed Version CUE. However, it's worth noting that the CPL file does run without hitch, so simply renaming it, or moving it should work. The problem seems to be related to how the control panel enumerates the different CPL's that are registered or in a directory it scans.

 

[DaCeige]

Currently it is like a mad rush to get the last drink in before the bar closes - a stampede where inevitably someone gets hurt in the rush

Had fun using your analogy... so the options are...

A. to make a larger door (change the OS)
B. toughen up the person who keeps getting hurt (change the Application)
C. own a different bar (downgrade the OS)
D. ask the person who keeps getting hurt to go elsewhere (remove the offending Application)

Personally, I'm happy with solution D... but others may take another path. However, the method I posted earlier at least gives you the ability to figure out who keeps getting hurt in the stampede.

 

[Chappy]

This was a common error when Vista first became public release as well. Com Surrogate errors were common place with Vista until an update repaired it.
The workaround in Vista was to use DEP.
Control Panel - System - Advanced system settings, click "settings" in the performance box, then DEP tab. Put a check in the "Turn on DEP for all programs & services except those I select". Then click "Add" & navigate to the dlhost.exe and add it to the list. This stopped the errors in Vista and it may do the same here in W7 too.
One other thing is that DEP may cause other programs to malfunction and you need to add their exe to the list as well if this happens.

Good luck, I hope this works in W7.


Dave

NOTE - Once this is fixed, I believe it was graphics driver related..I'll have to go back to research the fix, but once this issue is resolved you HAVE to remember to return the DEP settings to default and remove any other program exe's you added to the list.

 

[psmithiv]

Same issue.

I'm having the same issue with Windows 7 Beta1(build 7000) x64. It started happening for me when I go to open a file in Photoshop. I get the dialog saying COM Surrogate has stoped working twice, and then the file opens with no issue. Really more of an annoyance, but would really like to make it go away. Unfortunately, the DEP fix doesn't work in x64.

-Paul.

 

[axeldor]

ans

yes it did not work in win7 x64 based systems, and when i try to enter cpanel it problem occur, i wait for a fix from microsoft that this problem solve...

 

[hepek]

Hi everybody i had the same problem and fixed it on this way. control panel won't start because 2 things in my case neroburnrights and adobeversioncue. i fixed it by simply removing icons from control panel. it's not complicated.
1. if you have nero go to nero burnrghts folder (probably located in somewhere like this C:\Program Files (x86)\Nero\Nero 9\Nero BurnRights), then find NeroBurnRights_cpl.cpl and rename it to NeroBurnRights_cpl.nocpl or something like that
2. if you have adobe collection go to probably same folder like me C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe Version Cue CS4\Server\bin and rename VersionCueCS4.cpl to VersionCueCS4.nocpl

that fixed my problem and i hope that will fix your also. if this doesn't help, maybe you have something else installed that integrates in cp. simply rename it's cpl.
cheers

 

[axeldor]

very very thanks... renaming VersionCueCS3.cpl to nocpl solve my problem.

 

[elleonblanco]

Sure enough version cue for CS4. The file rename solves the problem. I am sure there will be a patch for it someday. Thanks for the hot tip.

 

[hepek]

i'm very glad that it helped. if i may i would post also some problems that i experienced in windows 7. it's not the subject but maybe will someone read.
i had problem installing ati drivers for 4800 card (maybe it's same problem for some oder model, i do not know that). the problem was that installing driver stopped on one part and didn't go further. well the sollution was in uninstalling old ati catalyst center and also deleting all ati drivers ( i used driversweeper Guru3D - Driver Sweeper (Setup) download from Guru3D.com after unninstalling with catalyst unninstaller) and ati's driver for windows 7 installed perfectly after that.
2. thing i had problem with daemontools. unfortunatelly there's no daemon tools for windows 7 so i use alternative virtual clone drive SlySoft Download | AnyDVD, CloneDVD, CloneCD, GameJackal, Any DVD, Clone DVD, Clone CD, Game Jackal
3. tweakvi dooes not work with windows7 unless it hasnt been previously installed in vista (if you go with the update). i hate arrow on shortcut icons so if you want to remove it go to registry (start-->run-->regedit) and delete isshortcut (i deleted all)
4. if you want vista dreamscene on windows 7 there is a patch for it but i don't like icon font transparency (it isn't sam like in vista, it's very hard to read icon text). if you want it you can find it here
http://www.ziddu.com/download/3175952/Windows7-DreamScene.exe.html
5. if you want something for saving desktop icon position i recomend this
MIDIOX (there is also a version for 64 bit os)
6. switcher works on windows 7 as well Switcher for Windows Vista
7. i do not know if i can post this, but if you didn't know there is an activation crack for windows 7 (x86 and x64 separatly) by orbit (pluspatcher). you can also remove watermark and send feedback. i would not paste link. you have to google it

i'm sorry for so long post and this is not subject but maybe it will be useful for someone. cheers

 

[merck]

Hi everybody i had the same problem and fixed it on this way. control panel won't start because 2 things in my case neroburnrights and adobeversioncue. i fixed it by simply removing icons from control panel. it's not complicated.
1. if you have nero go to nero burnrghts folder (probably located in somewhere like this C:\Program Files (x86)\Nero\Nero 9\Nero BurnRights), then find NeroBurnRights_cpl.cpl and rename it to NeroBurnRights_cpl.nocpl or something like that
2. if you have adobe collection go to probably same folder like me C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe Version Cue CS4\Server\bin and rename VersionCueCS4.cpl to VersionCueCS4.nocpl

that fixed my problem and i hope that will fix your also. if this doesn't help, maybe you have something else installed that integrates in cp. simply rename it's cpl.
cheers

... man its works . very ty!!.
Windows 7 is great and im loving it... i only wish punkbuster have an easy solution like this one... to work under Win7 ..

 

[hepek]

... man its works . very ty!!.
Windows 7 is great and im loving it... i only wish punkbuster have an easy solution like this one... to work under Win7 ..

i'm glad it helped. punkbuster you say :sarc:. cod also have punkbuster and it works nice. try installing punkbuster in compatibility mode as administrator.
one more thing. disable DEP -open cmd as administrator and paste this

bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOff

cheers

 

[merck]

i'm glad it helped. punkbuster you say :sarc:. cod also have punkbuster and it works nice. try installing punkbuster in compatibility mode as administrator.
one more thing. disable DEP -open cmd as administrator and paste this

bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOff

cheers

Acess denied when i try run the script...
Anyway, i think thats only a problem of 64x OS...

We have a forum here about PB.

Cheers