Hardware or Software?

Hi Guys,
I posted this under the Win 98 Forum and got no response - thought I might have better luck here)
I just decided to format and reload Win 98se on my old AMD 500 (it's been running Win XP Pro in NTFS & has been more of a 'knock around' trial & error machine)
I booted from a Win 98se floppy, removed all NTFS partitions and replaced them with win 98 FAT32, formatted the drive and began.
All went well loading Win 98 until the first reboot after which I got a "Windows Protection Error - Please reboot your computer ". Upon rebooting, it wanted to start in "Safe Mode ". Doing this brought up the Win Logo and then "Windows Protection Error...... "

I went through the whole process about three times (with a 1gb & a 3gb HDD)with the same result - this PC had been running Win 98 for ages (and then XP Pro) w'out any probs - anyone got any ideas?? I'm stumped.

Thanx
Den

 

Maybe you have too much RAM installed. I recall a bug in Win98 that makes it balk at over 520Meg of RAM.

Else, could be some peripheral that 98 is having trouble with. Unplug all those, if such exist.

 

Hi DeeGee88,

This article describes ways to handle your problem. Have you tried safe mode?

 

???????????????????

BB

 

BB, I think he is telling us that he tried it on two different drives with the same results so it isn't likely a HD problem

 

I believe so too. But, my question was related to the posted sizes of 1GB & 3GB.

I would be willing to bet that 10GB and 30GB were meant.

BillyBob

 

No BillyBob, one gig and three gig - as I said it was just a knock around machine - I have 40 & 80 gb on my main PC.

Surferdude2 - only 256mb RAM & it has EXACTLY the same physical setup (using the 3gb HDD) as it had previously. Only thing that has changed was having XP Pro (NTFS) loaded since last time it had 98se.

Sparrow - When it asks me to start in "safe mode ", and I attempt to do so, it displays the Win logo screen and comes up with the "Win Protection Error" again. I followed the article you linked, but it mostly refers to problems encountered AFTER loading the OS - this is happening during the loading.

......I just reformatted & got an error "Error loading user.exe" immediately after typing "setup" ???? -

 

I'm now wondering about the integrity of your Win98 install CD. An error like that doesn't make sense with no OS installed. Try copying the Win98 folder to the HD and running setup from within it. That would rule out CD-rom drive and CD disk flaws.

 

Thanks for the clarification.

Just my thoughts maybe but;

Could HD size have something to do with the install problem ?

Could it be that the HDs are just not suitable for even 98 ?

BillyBob

 

Apparently not the problem since it worked before on the same drive BB.

 

Best Guess from these quarters is memory read/write related and I think we have to assume that machine components have remained the same since whenever. That might suggest that memory contacts should be cleaned and modules re-seated. Could also be PSU starting to show its age.

Perhaps the best bet would be to go back to basics re: 98 install - pull all cards except video and do your installation. Then update mobo chipset and video drivers and then add your other cards and drivers one at a time, rebooting after each.

To be extra safe, FDisk your MBR beforehand and it wouldn't hurt to clear CMOS and set BIOS to default setup beforehand too.

 

Rockster2U - I think we have to assume that machine components have remained the same since whenever - Been the same for over 12 months, only change (could it be?) is a new CD-RW (it has no other Optical drive)
To be extra safe, FDisk your MBR beforehand and it wouldn't hear to clear CMOS and set BIOS to default setup beforehand too. - Already done.

surferdude2 - I'm now wondering about the integrity of your Win98 install CD. An error like that doesn't make sense with no OS installed. - The same CD was used on my main PC less than 24 hours before with no probs. I also have a Backup copy which I used - same result.

I'm thinking of re-installing (if possible...LOL) XP Pro to rule out physical malfunction.

 

Good luck with the Pro install. Post back so we can all sleep better. You have all the gears in motion inside my tiny brain.

 

Hey surferdude,
I think the problem may be terminal.......

I I powered up the next day to..........NOTHING......no screen, no beeps, no clicks...Hmmmmmm

Unplugged ALL peripherals - CD, FDD, HDD - still nothing. Tried ONE more time - got the BIOS screen telling me I had AMD K6 2 - 750mh - it was (and is) a 500?!? - pressing Del did nothing and I haven't seen that screen again.

My guess is dead CMOS or faulty PSU - I'll let you know if I ever do an autopsy to find out......

Thanks all for your input - you are invited to the wake.....

Doctor Den......

 

Would be curious to know what a dead CMOS is when you get around to it. Please enlighten me.

 

Can't find any mention of replacing battery, but think it should boot even if battery is dead. Wonder if a virus could kill the cmos? Had one computer that wasn't dead, just almost, and a bios flash restored it to life.

 

Nope. Boot virus can cripple a BIOS from running, requiring EEPROM or hot flash but that ain't quite the same.

 

Bad termonology. I was thinking his machine acts almost like one that had a bad bios flash. Wonder if that's not what he meant?

 

Just when your sleep patterns were becoming normal again...LOL (Surferdude)

An update - Had nothing to do yesterday, so I thought I'd give the old 500 a 'kick in the guts' - shock, horror!! IT BOOTED.

I reconnected all drives etc and attempted to load 98se - went through faultlessly

The only thing I noticed in the set up was, when setting up 'control panel', the time/date on the clock was 12th Feb 2000. That would indicate a Bios "clear out" on about 7th Jan - the last post in this thread was 9th Jan....

I still am totally confused, I'll keep it running but will NOT be keeping any important data on it.

 

Glad to hear that kind of news and I'd suggest, if you haven't already done so, replace the battery on the mainboard. It will cost you all of $3 and it sure sounds like your BIOS settings aren't holding during a power off state (yeah, I know it's been along time between kicks) - just reinforces the above.

Congratulations are still in order ........