Error: Unhandled Access Violation Reading 0x0000 - AutoCAD

Question
When you try to open the Options dialog box or to switch between layouts, AutoCAD crashed with an error.

Unhandled Access Violation Reading 0x0000 Exception at 78a2b9h

In addition, there may be an error ""Failed to load PLCFMGR.dll""

Answer
This problem can occur when the Windows dll prntvpt.dll is missing or corrupt.

The following hotfix from Microsoft includes a copy of the affected DLL, therefore after installing this hotfix you should not experience the problem anymore:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971276