"windows protecton error..."

[valver]

hi,
in a laptop computer with win 98, when booting the massage "windows protection error. you need to resart your computer." appeared. it's the top line on a black screen.it prevents loading windows in normal mode, but it can be loaded in safe mode. after i reinstalled win98 on the computer, the problem was solved for a while but after a few hours of use it returned. after long trials to repair/bypass the problem, and since nothing incl. reinstalling win98 rectified the problem, i formatted the hard drive an made a clean installation of win98. the system started to work but i could not install the modem (i don't have the original driver so i downloaded a few from the web but none worked, i am still wating (5 days) for a driver referal from the computer manufecturer). during these trials i had some lock ups of the cumputer (it happened before too) and today i got the massage"windows protection..." again. again safe mode is accesible.
i would appreciate your ideas. i'll hate to throw away this tittle devil. it served me very well over the past 5 years and it still (when working properly) does what it should (which is mainly reading tech cd's).
TIA
david

[BigBlue66]

While in safe mode, delete all references to the modem in Device Manager. Physically remove the modem if possible. Maybe doing all that will get you to the point of normal booting, until you can get the driver recommendation for the modem from the manufacturer.

Worth a shot anyway.

[mjc]

I would also be inclined to get the drive manufacturers diagnostics and give them a run, 5 yrs is a good useful life for a drive. While your at it, using the diags disk, to zero fill the may not be a bad idea.

[Sylvander]

Either go to another Windows 98 PC or go into safe mode on your laptop, then:
Go to “Start>Help>Index>Troubleshooting>Startup>Startup and Shutdown Troubleshooter” and follow its instructions.

e.g. Here is one possible route through them.

a. What type of problem are you having?
My computer stops responding when I try to start Windows 98.

b. Can you start your computer in safe mode?
Yes.

c. Enable Diagnostic Startup in System Configuration utility.
To enable Diagnostic Startup:
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type Msconfig, and then click OK.
3. On the General tab, click Create Backup to back up your current system configuration files with System Configuration utility.
4. Click Diagnostic Startup, and then click OK.
5. When you are prompted to restart your computer, click OK.
6. On the Startup menu, select Step-by-step confirmation.
7. When you are prompted to process theAutoexec.bat and Config.sys files, press the ESC key to bypass the files. Press ENTER to load all other items.

Does your computer start or shut down correctly now?
No.

d. Are protected-mode drivers damaged or configured incorrectly?
To determine whether a protected-mode driver is preventing the computer from starting correctly
-----------------------------------------------------------
There now follows a long list of instructions that you must follow involving disabling a long list of devices in Device Manager, restarting the PC [successfully] and enabling one device, then restarting the PC to see if the re-boot will succeed with this device enabled. Eventually, you will identify which device prevents the successful re-boot of the PC.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Restart your computer in safe mode, and then disable the last device you enabled. This driver or device may be configured incorrectly or may be damaged. Consult your device documentation for more information.

[valver]

thnks for the replyes. still no word from the manufacturer of the laptop (and the modem).
after houres of trying your sugestions ans MS troubleshooting guide for this error massage, i gave up and reinstalld win98. the windows works. i tried once to install a modem driver from the bunch i downloaded from the web (this one corresponds to my modem's chipset), but it doesn't work. when i go to 'diagnostic' in the modem box of the control panel, there is an error massage and of course no connection. i'll wait for the manu. answers a few more days, and then probably give up the modem.
thanks again.
david