'Pencil or Smooth tool: unexpected exception' CS Illustrator error

[hco_design@adobeforums.com]

After I have placed an external Jpeg into an Illustrator document,
then I use the pencil tool I receive the following error message
'Pencil or Smooth tool: unexpected exception, Error: NESS'

The only way to work around this problem is to save the document, close it and the open it again. But if I then wanted to place another jpeg into the document and use the pencil tool again I receive the same error message.

I upgraded from Illustrator 9 and had never had this problem.

I am running XP, 512RAM Illustrator CS.

Is it just me, or does anyone else receive the same problem
Any idea how to fully resolve this issue?

or maybe an update in the near future!

[BobHill@adobeforums.com]

HCO,

I can use pencil and smooth tool on top (even in same layer) of a JPEG without any problem in Illustrator CS. Is there something else that might be running in conflict? Have you tried deleting the AIPrefs file (check FAQ topic on how to do that)? That might correct your problem. Besure to have Illsutrator closed prior to deleting AIPrefs and when it opens it may well be fixed for you.

Bob