Desktop

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Windows protection error??

0 helpful
17 replies

by scarlettal

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

The computer froze up, then when rebooted, it came up and said "error reading drive C. Abort?Retry?Ignore?Fail?"

Then it tried to go into safe mode, and it won't load. It is trying to give an error, but it won't give the complete error. It first said "White initializing VK" and would do nothing else. Reboot....and it tried going into safe mode again. It was giving a little more of the error. After rebooting several times, the most of the error it gives is "While initializing VKD: Windows protection error. Y" Now it just gives variations of that and nothing further.

It's running Win98. Any ideas??

17 replies

by poettone

Well, my first thing to make sure of is that the error says VKD not VXD!. I have seen a VXD error many times, never VKD. If it in fact will not let you run in any other mode but safe mode, I'll assume also that you can choose command line promt. Theoption to go in safe mode is set in a windows system fikle to run after a bad shutdown. I would think that by setting up windows again will fix your Virtual Device Driver (VXD) problem. The best way would be to boot to a Win98 startup disk and choose option #1 with Cd-rom Support and then run setup from your cd rom drive with your windows disc in the drive. That should solve your dilemma. What will happen is windows will ssetup again and still retain all your programs and file settings. Works 99% of the time. Keep me posted.

by scarlettal

Thanks, I tried to do this, but it would not even get to the Win98 set up. It would freeze in the middle of loading the cd-rom drivers.

by dmiles

This was most likely a VxD error and this is will happen when you may have a corrupt driver.Use the startup disk and see if you can load the files from floppy then reboot your system,after the reboot and the system starts up run scan disk to check for any disk errors.Update your display adapter driver to see if this helps.hope this helps

by dsmith8369

I agree with the other two replies concerning the extension VXD (VKD) usually this can easily be rectified by entering in safe mode which might be your only option removing the last app you installed reboot and see if that works, if not assuming youare keeping regular breakoints in the registry as you update your hardware, software and patches, you could use the system restore and restore to the next earliest date. All apps that write to the registry will need to be attended to usually by reinstalling the applications. There are many other ways to deal with this problem but I hope the sledgehammer is not needed. Hope this may be of some use to you

Dave dsmith8369@aol.com

by dsmith8369

I agree with the other two replies concerning the extension VXD (VKD) usually this can easily be rectified by entering in safe mode which might be your only option removing the last app you installed reboot and see if that works, if not assuming youare keeping regular breakoints in the registry as you update your hardware, software and patches, you could use the system restore and restore to the next earliest date. All apps that write to the registry will need to be attended to usually by reinstalling the applications. There are many other ways to deal with this problem but I hope the sledgehammer is not needed. Hope this may be of some use to you

Dave dsmith8369@aol.com

by otl

I agree with 1 & 2 but this could also be a Virus Joke (Virtual Kill Device). If you can boot to the DOS prompt try running Scandisk (for disk errors) and your virus program.

Good Luck!

by scarlettal

Thanks, I ran the Scandisk, and then the virus program. It didn't find any infected files, but did find a bad disk cluster.

by dave_nash

VKD may refer to the virtual keyboard driver. I received this error when a user's keyboard has a paper clip stuck between keys on the keyboard. After I removed the paper clip the error disappeared. Determine whether some of your keys are stuck orif there is a defect or other problem with your keyboard.

by jennl

Usually the windows protection errors we get are due to a corrupted NIC driver. If you boot into safe mode, remove the network adapter, reboot and let windows find it again it's usually okay. Sometimes we've had to remove and then manually install. (although the keyboard answer sounds good too...)

by msmac67

I have seen the "VKD' error as well as the "error reading drive C". It is a virtual catch 22. It won't boot all the way, not even in safe mode. Get a hold of a windows 98 boot disk and if you can get a hold of Norton's Disk Doctor 2000 or 2001, great, if not then run a thorough scan disk on your hard drive. You did not mention it, but I have only had this problem with laptops, and upon running scandisk discover there actually are bad clusters on the drive. Most likely where important system files reside. Once the hard drive is cleaned up and repaired, the applications should be fine. If you find that windows is just not performing optimally, you should reinstall it. Be sure to download the windows 98 Shutdown fix from Microsoft. Improperly closing windows could be causing some damage to your hard drive. Good Luck

by scarlettal

Thanks, I ran the Scandisk, and then the virus program. It didn't find any infected files, but did find a bad disk cluster. Oh, and it is a desktop, not a laptop.

This discussion is closed to new replies.