Windows protection error

[Mastertech]

I have Win 98 SE and am having problems at startup. I have to reboot several times to get up and running. I am thinking of clean sweep and reformatting but have never done this. I also get safe mode screen etc at startup but can reboot and is o.k. I have 98 SE disk and startup disk also. Any help????????????

[Cricket]

Hi Mastertech,

Before doing a format and re-install, try cleaning out the Windows Temp folders first (Windows\Temp and Windows\Temporary Internet Files) and see if things improve.

If you have a lot of programs starting up with Windows (if you have a lot of icons next to the clock, you have a lot of background programs), try disabling some of them to see if it helps with the startup. Go to Start>Run and type in "msconfig" (without the quotes) and hit Okay. Click on the Startup tab and then uncheck everything except System Tray, ScanRegistry and your anti-virus program. If the computer boots into Windows okay, go back to msconfig and re-check/enable one application at a time and reboot (if there are any programs you don't need to start up with Windows, leave it unchecked). When the problem returns, the last program you enabled is the troublemaker.

You might also want to check the bootlog.txt in the root directory and see if it shows you anything. You'll have to do a logged boot first. When you first start up your PC, hit the Ctrl key several times right after the first boot screen switches to the next, this will take you to the Boot Menu. Choose the option for the Logged Boot and let it do it's thing. If the problem occurs again, check the bootlog.txt file in the root directory and see if it lists a problem with a driver not loading right or something similar.

You should also run Scandisk and Defrag on a regular basis.

If you want to do a format and re-install of Windows 98SE, back up your important personal files first and then go into BIOS and set the CD-ROM drive as the first boot device, place the Win98SE cd in the CD-ROM, Save and Exit the BIOS. The system will then boot to the Win98SE CD in the CD-ROM drive, just follow the on-screen instructions.

Cricket

[fatboyjim]

The subject of the thread is Windows Protection Error but you do not mention this in your post, are you getting a WPE or not?

Thanks,

Jim

[Force Flow]

I have a similar problem on my PC. Every few days, it freezes, so I have to restart it. Then, it takes me about a hour of reboots to get it working again. Several times I get a "windows protection error". What exactly is it?