Windows Protection Error

[mamasmurf]

Hi guys,

After installing a new 40 gb Seagate U6 HDD as the primary master on a friend's computer, I attempted to do a clean install of Windows 98SE. But on the first restart during installation, after finishing the POST and showing the Windows 98SE default boot screen for a second or two, the screen went blank except for the: 'Windows Protection error. You will need to restart your computer'

I tried installing it twice - but it was of no use. The exact same message at the same place.

What do I do? Anybody to give me a hand here? My friend is killing me!! :|

 

[LiLithTecH]

Windows Protection Error on first reboot are usually caused by invalid VXD files.

More than likely it is the Video driver that is the culprit.

Boot in Safe Mode and change the Video driver to Standard VGA and reboot.
If you can not boot into Safe Mode, you have other issues.

Give a list of what the hardware is if the above solution doesn't help.

 

[crazydave]

I had that problem once on an old PC--turned out to be a flaky network driver. Put a new one in and everything worked. If it's not the video card, try removing drivers for other devices till you figure out which one it is. If that still doesn't work, maybe try another version of Windows if you can (2000, XP). Good luck!