Windows Protection Error...initializing device VSDATA95

I searched your posts but when I went to MS to try to get docs...every article I clicked on came up with Parameter Incorrect. Typical MS. And when I tried feedback to give them the faulty URL it said the service was not inservice.

Anyway...my Windows ME computer has the Windows protection error described in the above subject. System Restore will not help...in fact it would not complete a restore. I cannot get into Windows to backup photos, mail, music etc. (I know, I know...BACKUP!) I didn't!)

The error message said if restore did not work I would have to reinstall windows...( I broke down and wept.)

The computer will start OK in safe mode, but I don't know what to do to troubleshoot the problem when I am there! And MS is no help as their website is fouled up.

Can anyone help me?? I warn you ahead of time that I am old as dirt and twice as dumb...but if you can help me I will be most grateful~
Thanks...

 

Seeing as you can still get in by safe mode..... go in and uninstall Zonealarm. (May need to do more...but it's a start.)

Daizy

*edit*
Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
In Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
On the Install/Uninstall tab, click ZoneAlarm, and then click Add/Remove.
On the "Confirm Uninstall" message that appears, click Yes.
On the "ZoneLabs TrueVector service" message that appears, click Yes to uninstall.
Follow the steps to uninstall ZoneAlarm.
Restart your computer.

 

Can I reinstall zone alarm afterwards...if it works. that is?

 

Yep.

But first we need to get your computer running properly.

 

Thanks, Daizy. Uninstalling ZoneAlarm did enable me to get back into Windows....then I was presented with a host of new problems which I think may be straightned out now.

I had to uninstall and reinstall Norton Antivirus. Then I couldn't connect because according to Device Manager the dialup adapter would not work because of some VXD thing. It said I would have to reinstall Windows! But I called Earthlink support and he restored the adapter with no trouble...MS and HP tell you to reinstall Windows for every problem it seems. HP does that all the time.

Anyway, uninstalling ZoneAlarm, as you suggested, was the important part and enabled me to boot into Windows and I thank you very much!!!!

 

Well, that's fabulous news yankee1620! So happy to hear you got it all sorted. And thanks for posting back to let us know.

Daizy