'Windows Protection Error, System Halted'

Question

Hi, I started getting this problem a few days ago. Everytime I start my computer it just comes up with a blue screen saying 'Windows Proctection Error, you need to restart your computer. System Halted' I have looked on the Microsoft Windows ME website for anything that could help. It suggested using selective start up in 'msconfig' to find the problem, even when I unticked all the options it still came up with the same problem. I'm not sure what else to do, so I hope someone can help... If you need any more info on the problem or whatever just say. Cheers.

Flooby · Answer

Do you have Panda or McAfee anti virus software installed? If so, see this:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q298839

If not, have you tried running a System Restore for a point prior to when the problem showed up? If you're unable to boot to Windows, you can run System Restore from a command prompt, using a WinME boot disk:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279736

NTWrock · Answer

Thanks. Just tried that, it said 'No backups were found to restore' I'm guessing it says that because I reinstalled windows... hmmm

Flooby · Answer

Try restoring the registry to the earliest available point, using the steps in the article here: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;221512&Product=winme

NTWrock · Answer

Thanks for that but I dont have either of those anti virus progs. As for system restore, I can run windows in safe mode, System restore was one of the first things I tried, It all went ok until I had to restart the computer. It just came up with the same Windows Protection Error and I had to start in safe mode again. It then said the restore had failed. I have even tried reinstalling windows, I don't know if that was a good thing to do, but that didnt work either.

Flooby · Answer

If I was having that many problems and was unable to perform a reg restore or System Restore, I'd be getting ready to reinstall WinME on a formatted drive.  Who knows what else has gotten hosed in there?

NTWrock · Answer

I thought so... Just I can't figure out how to format my drive. I tried reinstalling ME but it didnt give me an option to format the drive. Could someone please explain what I must do. Thanks

Flooby · Answer

The easiest way is to just use the WinME boot diskette to get to a DOS prompt, and use the format C: command from there. Example: A:\format C: (Enter). If you're logged into Support under your Service Tag ID, you can use the Solutions tab above, then the Reinstall Guides link to access documents that will walk you through the complete job of reinstalling Windows, drivers, and applications. Support will help you via phone, too, if you'd rather give them a call. Just tell them you want to do a "clean install of Windows ME."

If you have questions, post either your Service Tag or specific system model, and someone can get you pointed in the right direction.

NTWrock · Answer

Thanks a lot for the help Flooby. I found the document on this site telling me how to format the drive, its all done and i'm just reinstalling drivers. Thanks again!

chiyochichi · Answer

hello, i've recently been getting exactly the same problem and i really can't see any reason for it to happen.. since i haven't installed or downloaded anything new for long before it all started. i also keep getting blue screens about VxD.. whats VxD?! i really don't want to format my hard disk or reinstall ME, does anybody have any ideas on what is it whats causing them blue screens of death or how i could get rid of them? thanks, sam ^__^

Windows General

Was this post helpful?