Troubleshooting Windows Protection Errors

• Microsoft Windows 95
• Microsoft Windows 98
• Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition

SYMPTOMS

When you start Windows, you may receive either of the following error messages:

• While initializing device <device name> Windows Protection Error



• Windows Protection Error

CAUSE

A Windows Protection Error means that an error occurred loading a virtual device driver (VxD) before the desktop is loaded. In many cases you can tell from the error message which VxD did not load, but in other cases you may not be able to determine which VxD caused the problem.

Windows Protection Errors are generated when any of the following conditions occur:

• A real-mode driver and a protected-mode driver are in conflict.



• The registry is damaged.



• The Win.com or Command.com file is infected with a virus or is damaged.



• A driver is being loaded from the System.ini file for which a protected-mode driver has already been initialized.



• There is a physical I/O or RAM address conflict.



• There are incorrect CMOS settings for a built-in peripheral device (such as cache settings, CPU timing, hard disks, and so on).



• The Plug and Play feature of the computer's BIOS is not working correctly.



• The computer contains a malfunctioning system cache or memory.



• The computer's motherboard is not working properly.



• You installed Microsoft Office 97 and you are using the Novell Client 32 software.

RESOLUTION

To resolve a Windows Protection Error, try the following steps:

1. Start the computer in Safe mode. If the error does not occur in Safe mode, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
   
   Windows 95:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q136337
   TITLE : Troubleshooting Windows 95 Startup Problems

   
   Windows 98:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q188867
   TITLE: Troubleshooting Windows 98 Startup Problems and Error Messages.




2. If your computer is a Plug and Play computer, reinstall Windows using the following command:

   setup /p I

   For information about installing Windows 95, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q129260
   TITLE : Windows 95 Setup: Description and Troubleshooting Steps




3. If you are using the Novell Client 32 software, remove it and install the Microsoft Client for Novell Networks.



4. Make sure that the computer's CMOS settings are correct. For information about changing CMOS settings on your computer, please refer to the computer's documentation or manufacturer.



5. Install a clean copy of Windows in an empty folder. Choose the Custom installation option and do not let Setup detect the hardware in your computer. Install only a mouse, a VGA video adapter, and a keyboard.

MORE INFORMATION

The VxD that is generating the error message can be any VxD--either a default installed VxD or a third-party .386 driver being loaded from the System.ini file. If you do not know which driver is causing the error message, create a Bootlog.txt file and check to see which driver was the last driver initialized. This is typically the driver causing the problem.

NOTE: You may also receive a Windows Protection error message when you restart Windows 95 after installing a program or making a configuration change to your computer. For more information about this issue, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q157924 Err Msg: "IOS Failed to Initialize" on Boot

Q131431 How to Troubleshoot Registry Errors

Additional query words: wpe corrupt

Keywords          : kberrmsg kbtshoot diskmem win95 winboot win98 win98se 
Version           : WINDOWS:95
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb 

Last Reviewed: July 28, 1999