Windows Protection Error....

[TheNewGuy]

Running Amd 1.4 ghz w/ an ECS k7s5a mb, and Win98se, and more recently, I've been getting a "Windows Protection Error". Can this be caused by substandard RAM?

Dave

 

[ojai00]

That's a possibility. Can you post what you're doing when you get that error?

 

[TheNewGuy]

Actually, sometimes I'm not doing anything, and it's on screen saver....I will admit that I don't recall getting this error prior to installing the ram. I've been having problems with ram in general, and this is a post I put on OCworkbench news....

Hello folks...
I'm having some problems with using two sticks sdram in my k7s5a MB. It's revision 1 mobo, and when I put a second chip of sdram in the mobo, I get bsods. I'm using ram from a previous computer, and they worked well together (256 mb micron, and 256 mb crucial). In an attempt to avoid the problem I bought a 512 mb chip of spectrum ram, now I get a windows protection error. I'm running Win98se. I will admit I haven't updated the bios (dated July 24, 2001) because I'm a little nervous about that.

As for the power supply, it's a generic 300w power supply that came with my case, but my power numbers are listed below:

current low high average
+3.3 3.23v 3.14v 3.25v 3.22v
+5.0 4.85v 4.69v 4.88v 4.84v

The numbers are within the specs listed in the FAQ, and I'm at my wits end here. Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Dave

 

[ojai00]

My query of the Microsoft Knowledge base as well as a search on Google:
How to Troubleshoot Windows Protection Error Messages (Q149962)
"Windows Protection Error" After Upgrading to Windows 98 (Q187212)
Windows Protection Error (read the entire thread, there are different symptoms listed, one of them being RAM.)
WINDOWS PROTECTION ERRORS

That's kind of a lot to read, but I have never had this error. Those links post some symptoms and some solutions. Good luck, and hope this helps.

 

[bjc112]

most likely ram, fixed my friends computer awhile back, ( a compaq ) and it was the ram being the culprit... good luck and i hope it works out for u ...

 

[JohnDoh2]

TheNewGuy,

I had the exact same problem. I had added another stick of cheap DDR ram and about a month later the problems began. I ran a memory check program, don't remember the name of it but it did show a memory problem. I removed the extra ram and have zero problems from that point. Guess i should have spent the extra $20 on name brand ram!!

Doh!!