Help!!! Severe error in Windows 98!!!

[WyattBurp]

I am a novice with windows software and this entire software configuration process so I am hoping that what appears to me to be impossiblely complicated may be quite simple to fix from someone out there!

Right now I am writing this from my old MAC because my PC is not functioning. It can post and I can boot it up in safe mode only. The message I get when I boot it up in normal is:
"While initializing device CONFIGMG:
Windows protection error. You need to restart your computer"

I also get a windows explorer error whenever I try to open the control panel (I am NOT RUNNING EXPLORER, just am pointing and clicking).

By reading the technical help manual I have determined that I can boot, if I disable, under the device manager, under system devices, a device called "Advance Power Management Support". However, nothing looks right and many programs just do not function.

I build this machine myself, so there is technical support I can run to. I will get more help from my friend at work, but if someone can help me here that will be great!

Wyatt

Processor: Intel Celeron 533A (coppermine)
Chipset: Intel 810
HD: Maxtor 20.5 Gig
CDROM: Plextor CDRW
DVD: Sony
Monitor: NEC AcuSync 95F

 

[Rakkis]

Although I've never seen that specific error at boot up, I've seen similar thing happen before. From my experience, most of the time it's cause by someone "uninstalling" a program by simply deleting the folder it's it (a big no-no for most apps) or by a virus. So.. what I usually do when nothing else works is install windows over the current installation. You can then make the system operable enough to be able to back up your data. But after something like that.. you might as well do a clean Windows install.

And "Windows Explorer" is the GUI that lets you use windows (your desktop). "INTERNET Explorer" is your browser.

 

[MSNY]

This is not caused by a virus or just whacking a program w/o uninstlling it.
The cause is usually a bad device driver of some kind. You don't give your video card in your spec. If you have a GeForce card for example there is a known problem after upgrading to the latest 6.18 drivers for some people. You will need to isolate which device is the problem.

Start looking here to resolve the problem:
Troubleshooting Windows Protection Errors

What fix this for me was to reinstall Windows 98 SE on top of my current install and all was fine. I used Item #2 in the article... setup /p I