Windows 98 SE error: Windows Protection Error. You need to restart your computer

[Phuc Truong]

Hi everyone,

I was installing windows 98 se on my pc and specs:

Pentium dual core e5500 (downclock to 1.90ghz)

ram: 1gb ddr2 800

motherboard: Gigabyte G31M-ES2C rev 2.0

hdd: ST3160812AS SATA HDD 160GB

When i'm installing windows 98 se

I'm finished at first part, but when i go to second part of setup,

It has an error: Windows Protection error. You need to restart your computer. And i can't go to second part of setup.

But while i swtiched hdd to newer pc with specs:

Core i5 4570 3.20ghz

ram: 4 gb ddr3 1600

motherboard: asus h81m-k

It's working but i want setup on older system.

I tried some ways:

go to system.ini

edit system.ini

and go down [386enh]

MaxPhysPage=40000

And i can't fix it. It still this error

i've tried to move hdd to new pc

then i was installed this patch to run on newer cpu: https://github.com/JHRobotics/patcher9x

and i moved hdd to older pc

then, the error is changed:

While initializing device ios

Windows protection error. You need to restart your computer.

I tried these ways but they all don't work.

Can anyone help me to fix this problem?

[SweetLow]

>1gb ddr2

> SATA HDD 160GB

It is collection of known (and already solved) problems. Both in pinned topics of this forum.

[Phuc Truong]

I think should i buy more ram or hdd for my old pc? And i can use patchmem to fix this large amount ram problem

Edited March 9 by Phuc Truong

[Phuc Truong]

I was upgraded pc to 2 gb ram and use patchmem

But they didn't work.

Or what i need to disable or enable option in bios?

I'm using mother board g31m-es2c (similar to g31m-es2l).

[schwups]

3 hours ago, Phuc Truong said:

Or what i need to disable or enable option in bios?

I'm using mother board g31m-es2c (similar to g31m-es2l).

On 3/7/2025 at 3:59 AM, Phuc Truong said:

hdd: ST3160812AS SATA HDD

Yes, look for Integrated Peripherals/On-Chip SATA Mode: First I would try "Non-Combined - Sets all SATA devices to operate in PATA mode and disables the integrated IDE controller". Don't set Enhanced Mode. (Award BIOS) Make sure that you don't allow more than 4 ATA devices and they must work in IDE (PATA) Mode. Be aware, that 98SE isn't supported by manufacturer. So there is no guarantee that it works. Apart from that some members had success with RLoew's SATA Patch.

[Phuc Truong]

I have done with set sata to pata mode and even i installed ptchsata

But they all not working. 

I reinstalled my old pc many times but it seems doesn't work anymore, it was still this error.

Did i have mistakes?

[SweetLow]

1. Use Logged Boot and BOOTLOG.TXT to find the point of problem.

2. Use /M option in RLoew's big memory patch.

3. Do you can boot into Safe Mode (WITH RLoew's big memory patch)?

>I reinstalled my old pc many times 

Why do you think that just reinstalling system can solve such problem? You try to use UNSUPPORTED hardware, reinstalling vanilla OS has zero chance to help.

[schwups]

I think a memory problem can largely excluded, if the entries [386Enh] MaxPhysPage=40000 and also a[vcache] MaxFileCache=393216 exist in the system.ini. MaxFileCache must be smaller than 524288. I believe, I had tested an similar board with AWARD BIOS probably fifteen years ago. As far as I remember 98 or ME didn't boot. I can't remember the details anymore.
I use G31 boards Asus P5KPL (EPU and 1600) - but with AMI BIOS - without problems. IDE Config in BIOS must set on Compatible (PATA Mode, max four ATA devices).

Let's see what the bootlog reveals.

We have different installation discussions and instructions on this board and also elsewhere on the web.

https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=52119

https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=41065

[SweetLow]

18 hours ago, schwups said:

As far as I remember 98 or ME didn't boot.

It can be problem with ACPI setted and storage drivers but this is insulated by checking Safe Mode.

[Phuc Truong]

even i can't go to safe mode, it still windows protection error

after i installed windows 98 on newer pc and install hdd again on old pc

the error is while initializing device ios.

And i can't go to safe mode at this error.

I don't know why while initializing device ios error message appear, or my pentium e5500 have 2 cores so it won't boot? Can i limit 1 cores on award bios on g31m-es2c?

Or anyone help me to turn off acpi on g31m-es2c?

And should i change cpu to core 2 quad q6600 (at my home storage)

Edited March 18 by Phuc Truong

[MERCURY127]

try setup /p i

[Phuc Truong]

No, it still this error

[SweetLow]

15 hours ago, MERCURY127 said:

try setup /p i

>this is insulated by checking Safe Mode

The problem was reproduced in Safe Mode, it is definitely not the OS configuration problem.

On 3/18/2025 at 12:29 PM, Phuc Truong said:

And i can't go to safe mode at this error.

Something is unusually bad on your PC. Like Int 13h BIOS handler I suppose now. This can try to check and fix but process is far beyond casual user possibilities.

[MERCURY127]

45 minutes ago, SweetLow said:

The problem was reproduced in Safe Mode, it is definitely not the OS configuration problem.

on my first expirience with 1155 i have long time with 98 install failure, until try ban acpi fully...