Fixing Stack Overflow Error at Line 96 in Internet Explorer

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a "stack overflow" error encountered in Internet Explorer, specifically at line 96. Participants explore the meaning of the error, potential causes, and solutions, including browser upgrades and compatibility issues.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the stack overflow error is benign but seek clarification on what stack is overflowing and how to avoid the message.
  • One participant explains that the processor's stack is used for function calls and that uncontrolled recursion can lead to stack overflow, indicating a program bug.
  • Another participant mentions that upgrading Internet Explorer may resolve the issue, while also noting that web developers are moving away from supporting older versions of IE.
  • There are discussions about the compatibility of different versions of Internet Explorer with various operating systems, particularly regarding the upgrade to IE7.
  • Some participants express a preference for Firefox and discuss the potential of IE8, with mixed opinions on whether to upgrade immediately or wait for further testing.
  • One participant reports that the issue may have been resolved after updating Shockwave and Flash, though they are unsure why this worked.
  • Several participants share experiences with IE8, noting both improvements and bugs compared to IE7, with some experiencing crashes on specific websites.
  • There is a mention of differing experiences with the same websites on IE8, suggesting that the issue may be specific to individual setups.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best course of action regarding browser upgrades, with some advocating for immediate upgrades to IE8 while others suggest waiting for more stability. There are also differing opinions on the severity and cause of the stack overflow error.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include uncertainty about the specific causes of the stack overflow error and the varying experiences with different versions of Internet Explorer. The discussion also highlights dependencies on operating systems for browser upgrades.

mathman
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Recently I have been getting an error message while using Internet Explorer, as follows:

"stack overflow at line: 96"

It appears to be benign, but I would like to know what it means. What stack is overflowing?
What needs to be adjusted to avoid this message?
 
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mathman said:
It appears to be benign, but I would like to know what it means. What stack is overflowing?
What needs to be adjusted to avoid this message?

The processor's stack. It's like a little scratch pad in memory that is used to store function call parameters, local variables and the return addresses for calls.

If it overflows, it's almost always due to a program bug. E.g. if a recursive function (one that calls itself) does so an uncontrolled number of times, it'll end up filling the stack with return addresses. It can't be fixed without fixing the software.

Best thing to do is to upgrade to Firefox, Opera or Chrome, if you can.
 
What verison of IE are you running? I am finding web developers are abandoning backward compatibility of browsers much faster nowadays. I used IE6 until most websites just wouldn't support it any longer and got errors like this.

No need to go to a different browser. Upgrade IE.


Ever done a Rubik's cube? The steps start off easy on the top and middle rows, but by the time you're working on the last row, the steps to change one cubie become ridiculously long - they become great sequences of repetitive steps strung together. That sequence is just like the stack in a progam.

Ever started the 47-step sequence to flip a single cubie, gotten half way through and forgotten where you were because you can only keep 46 steps in your head at once? Stack overflow.
 
It appears the problem was not as serious as I thought. I was told to get new versions of shockwave and flash video. Since then the problem has not recurred.

In passing, I have no idea why it got fixed this way.
 
DaveC426913 said:
What verison of IE are you running? I am finding web developers are abandoning backward compatibility of browsers much faster nowadays. I used IE6 until most websites just wouldn't support it any longer and got errors like this.

No need to go to a different browser. Upgrade IE.

Upgrading to IE7 will depend upon which operating system they are running. Some are still running Windows 2000 (as is one of my PC's due to applications that don't run properly on my XP PC). FYI, I tried installing IE7 on my Windows 2000 PC a couple months ago (to see what would happen) and it won't allow the install of IE7 due to incorrect operating system.

Per Microsoft's website (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926874), upgrading to IE7 is only possible if you're using the following Operating Systems:

System requirements

Internet Explorer 7 runs on any of the following operating systems:
• Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1)
 
I like Firefox myself, but Internet Explorer 8 (now in Beta 2) looks pretty nice. If you want to keep IE, I'd recommend trying it, beta notwithstanding.
 
To answer questions:

I am runnning IE7 with Windoes XP - also I have automatic updating, so I have the latest version of both. In practice I use Avant (which runs on top of IE7) rather than IE7. I also use Firefox. When IE7 first came out there were problems, so I will wait until IE8 is passed all beta testing and has been around a while.

As for my original problem, I was told (in some other forum) that the problem may have originated at the website I was looking at (Washington Post) and not my computer at all.
 
mathman said:
...I will wait until IE8 is passed all beta testing and has been around a while...
No point. By that time most websites won't support it anymore because they'll be supporting IE9.
 
IE 8 is so much better than IE 7 that I recommend upgrading now even if there are bugs (and I haven't found any, other than those also in IE 7). If you can't, or won't, then I recommend ditching IE entirely.
 
  • #10
CRGreathouse said:
IE 8 is so much better than IE 7 that I recommend upgrading now even if there are bugs (and I haven't found any, other than those also in IE 7). If you can't, or won't, then I recommend ditching IE entirely.

While there are some newer features available in IE8, it doesn't run noticeably better or worse than IE7 on my PC. I've never had any issues with IE7 nor am I experiencing any issues with IE8 installed.
 
  • #11
CRGreathouse said:
IE 8 is so much better than IE 7 that I recommend upgrading now even if there are bugs (and I haven't found any, other than those also in IE 7). If you can't, or won't, then I recommend ditching IE entirely.

Recently (after it got into release) I tried IE8 and found it had a serious bug that was not present in IE7. It occurs when trying to access either of the following web sites.

http://www.newscientist.com/section/science-news or http://www.lohud.com/

The basic problem is that a few seconds after the web page comes up I get a message indicating that there is an error and IE has to close.

I got IE7 restored and things work OK.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #12
mathman said:
Recently (after it got into release) I tried IE8 and found it had a serious bug that was not present in IE7. It occurs when trying to access either of the following web sites.

http://www.newscientist.com/section/science-news or http://www.lohud.com/

The basic problem is that a few seconds after the web page comes up I get a message indicating that there is an error and IE has to close.

I got IE7 restored and things work OK.

As I stated, I have IE8 installed. I just now went to both of the websites that you stated IE8 gave you an error message on, but they worked perfectly for me. It appears it's something else on your computer causing the issue. Just thought you'd like to know.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #13
You may be right. I tried IE8 again and got a peculiar result. The lohud site worked fine but the newscientist still gave me the error message. Even more peculiar, the lohud site has a companion www.app.com which didn't work!
 

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