Starting up

[JohnMatton]

When opening Windows 98, the system grinds to a halt with the words 'While initialising device VKD - Windows protection error - restart your computer'. The Microsoft knowledge database says this is a problem with the keyboard and should be fixed by ensuring the damn thing is plugged in properly and rebooting. Doesn't work.

I used an emrgency disk which didn't help either - trying to open in safe mode either just makes the system freeze or gives a message that Himem.sys can't be found (although it's there). Trying normal mode gives you a message 'sector not found reading drive C'.

So (again using the emergency disk) I tried scandisk when I get a message about something called Logical Block Addressing (LBA) and telling me not to proceed an inch unless I am a qualified hardware engineer.

Does this mean it's time to throw in the towel?

[slim]

Have you tried a different keyboard, because the fault might actually be the keyboard itself.

[JohnMatton]

Tried it, but no luck. Thanks for trying...

[Paleo Pete]

Could be a bad keyboard controller-uncommon but possible-or if you didn't sompletely power the computer down when swapping keyboards, the PS/2 port could be bad, which means replacing the motherboard. Plugging/unplugging PS/2 mouse or keyboard must ALWAYS be done with the machine completely powered down, preferably unplugged.

A low level current is still running in ATX boards when shut down, so plugging or unplugging PS/2 devices or AGP video cards can fry either the port or the component.

Also, check it for Bad Capacitors (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25482), which can cause all sorts of strange problems.

One other possibility is that the VXD file could have been corrupted. I'll have to do some looking later, have to log off very soon and don't have time to do a lot of searching...or maybe someone else can dig up some info, I have to have the phone line open in about 5 minutes...

[Sylvander]

Hello John.

Read this http://tinyurl.com/namb on Windows Protection Errors.
Then http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q149962 “Troubleshooting Windows Protection Errors”.

[JohnMatton]

Thanks guys - this is great.

The MS help sheet instructs you to open Windows in safe mode as a way to the solution, but when I tried this I get a message that Himem.sys can't be found (even though it is the windows directory).

I can see that a corrupted VXD file would give you the 'cannot initialise VKD' message, but would that also explain the messages about himem.sys, LBA and 'sector not found'?

[PrntRhd]

<I can see that a corrupted VXD file would give you the 'cannot initialise VKD' message, but would that also explain the messages about himem.sys, LBA and 'sector not found>

Sector not found is usually a HDD problem in my experience. Try scan disk with fix errors checked in safe mode if possible. If you have Norton Utilities run Norton Disk Doctor in safe mode.
How long since last 98 reload?:(

[ErnieK]

Originally posted by Paleo Pete
Could be a bad keyboard controller-uncommon but possible-or if you didn't sompletely power the computer down when swapping keyboards, the PS/2 port could be bad, which means replacing the motherboard...

Pete
Would it be possible to use a serial port to PS/2 adapter to plug the KB into in a situation like this?

[mjc]

Let's concentrate on one problem at a time...

Starting with the LBA/sector not found.

This can be a BIOS or a hard drive problem.

Start by entering BIOS and making sure the drive is properly detected. If you CMOS battery is low then the settings may have been changed (and I have seen the LBA setting changed and cause similar problems with system files).

Then after making sure that the drive is properly detectd, scan it with the manufacturer's diagnostics....because missing sectors are usually and indication of a failing drive.

Finally, scan with an AV...


Then try to get into safe mode.....

[Mini-Me]

Originally posted by Paleo Pete
Could be a bad keyboard controller-uncommon but possible-or if you didn't sompletely power the computer down when swapping keyboards, the PS/2 port could be bad, which means replacing the motherboard. Plugging/unplugging PS/2 mouse or keyboard must ALWAYS be done with the machine completely powered down, preferably unplugged.

A low level current is still running in ATX boards when shut down, so plugging or unplugging PS/2 devices or AGP video cards can fry either the port or the component.


REALLY?!!??!???!!!!
:eek:

I've got two kb's and two mice connected to my PC via a two-way KVM switch, and I flick between the two often - all while the PC is on, and i've never had any problems...

Used to do this all the time with AT KB's and 9-pin "D" type serial mice, and had no problems, so applied the same process with PS/2 KB and Mouse port.

As I said - i've had no problems...

Is it that serious?

If it is, I should stop doing this then...

Have you any more info or links?


MM.

[mjc]

It partially depends on your KVM......

[Paul Komski]

I have a KVM switch which states that the cables attached to it are hot-pluggable. There would be little point of one not being able to switch between the two pc's - which is a different matter.