Small problem with Win98

[alphadesk]

I have a small problem.
OS...win98
When I boot up I get an error message that says "vcache" you need to reboot.

I reboot...then it gives me an error message that says "ntkern" need to reboot.

I reboot...then it give the the options to reboot...Normal, safe etc. It defaults to safe.

I tell it to boot safe and it goes through the whole scenario again never booting up.

Is it time to reinstall the OS?

[satis]

probably. What's the error message? Saying that you're missing ntkern and vcache, or they're corrupted, or what? vcache is virtual cache, which has to do with (I believe) precaching stuff to RAM before it gets written to the harddrive. Can't live without that. NTKern...well, on 98 I'm not too sure what it is, actually... but anything that says 'kern' or 'kernel' is always very important.

I suppose you could always try extracting those files from the win98 cab files, see if that helps. If you wanna give that a shot, I could probably give you some assistance. Can you boot into windows at all (in safe mode)? If so, it's not all that hard...if not, then you'd have to do it through DOS mode, which can be a bit tricky.

huh....I searched my win98 box for those files *vcache* and *ntkern* and they don't exist. :/ Are you sure you have the filenames right?

[alphadesk]

Message

While initializing device VCACHE:
Windows protection error. You need to restart your computer.

I restart

While initializing device NTKERN:
Windows protection error. You need to restart your computer.

I restart

Then the start options screen comes up...normal, safe etc...

Then it does the same ole run around. I can never get to where I can reinstall win98.

[bdoc]

Windows Protection Error, eh?

Did you make any notable software changes right before this happened - like install IE 6?

One of the most common (I believe) reasons that you would get a protection error if it wasn't a software problem would be if something is wrong with your RAM, and if what satis says is correct regarding the vcache then maybe the actual RAM is your culprit.

[alphadesk]

No new software installs.

I tried one stick of 128mb ram at a time and am now getting audible alarm and multipe beeps at startup then nothing.

It's a p3 450, but has served me well.

Looks like ole alpha may get a new system.... ;)

[(jj)]

"Normally" when you get the vcache errors like that it is caused by either the physical RAM being bad or the inability of the mobo to correctly communicate with the RAM.

I have seen a few times when it was OS related, but not often. If that is the case, you can use your 98 Install CD, boot too command prompt with CD support, then go to your CD drive and type in "Setup /pf" (without the quotes). This will reinstall 98 and replace the system files without wiping out everything else. It goes through the steps just like a fresh install, but does not replace anything but the system files.

[Saiyan_Trunks]

Originally posted by alphadesk
No new software installs.

I tried one stick of 128mb ram at a time and am now getting audible alarm and multipe beeps at startup then nothing.

It's a p3 450, but has served me well.

Looks like ole alpha may get a new system.... ;)

Before you reload the system, check and see if you can enter safemode or not. If you can then we can eliminate possible RAM issues.

If you get the same error message when you reboot, it could be several things

1.) Bad Processor (Uaually not though)
2.) Bad Ram
3.) Overheating. I have got so many calls about this one. I own a local PC company here and I cannot tell you how many times I get calls in reguards to blue screens. Sometimes if your PC runs hot it can damage components, especially with AMD but also with Pentium Processors.

Depending on your PC Specs, I would not bother with Windows 98, upgrade to Windows 2000. It is byy far the best Operating System and most stable of them all (Even more than XP). Some things may not work with it, mostly older games but it will save you lots and lots of time.

[Saiyan_Trunks]

Originally posted by (jj)
"Normally" when you get the vcache errors like that it is caused by either the physical RAM being bad or the inability of the mobo to correctly communicate with the RAM.

I have seen a few times when it was OS related, but not often. If that is the case, you can use your 98 Install CD, boot too command prompt with CD support, then go to your CD drive and type in "Setup /pf" (without the quotes). This will reinstall 98 and replace the system files without wiping out everything else. It goes through the steps just like a fresh install, but does not replace anything but the system files.

You are correct.

If you are wanting to troubleshoot this problem, then install windows once more but to a different location (usually Windows01). If setup completes it should load the new version of windows. If the new one loads fine with no problems, then you can say it was software that caused the problem and do a format and reload windows 98.

If you get the same error in the new Windows installation use the process of elimination, Remove all components from your PC (Be sure it is powered down) that are not required for the operation of your computer (Like Sound Cards, USB Devices, ect..) and leave just the basic components (Video, Keyboard, Mouse). What this will do is if a piece of hardware is causing it and is removed it will skip loading the device and should boot normally. If its your RAM, then I would get some known good RAM and replace your current RAM. If it fixes it, then you know its your RAM.

Always however start with what you think it could be. Blue Screens and Memory dumps are caused by RAM and Processors usually. If you need some RAM, I have tons of SIMMS here, just drop me an email at: Trunks@dragonballzrealm.net and I would be more than glad to send you some. (All our RAM is used but in good condition as we pull them from known good mechines when we upgrade our systems here at work, and working with a school district we go through hundreds of PC's a year and strip the PC's down when we upgrade, as we always can use Spare Parts)

[Croc Hunter]

It's RAM.,

(Are you runnining 98se ?)
Either way. Just changing the sticks won't always fix as booting with faulty ram has forced 98 to boot in safe mode werein the faulty ram could have corrupted VxD or .ini files. Double check the slots and board then try this.

Use the System Configuration tool:

Restart Windows in Safe mode. To do so, restart your computer, press and hold the CTRL key until the Windows 98 Startup menu appears, and then choose Safe Mode.
Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Information.
On the Tools menu, click System Configuration Utility.
On the General tab, click Advanced.
Click the Limit Memory To <n> MB check box (where <n> is a number) to select it, and then set the memory limit value to 16 MB.
Click OK, click OK, and then restart your computer.

If that fails it's time to warn the missus no dial a pizza for a while cause your buying a new rig. The beeps dont tell me anything. We need text. Any text.

[Saiyan_Trunks]

Originally posted by Croc Hunter
[B]It's RAM.,

(Are you runnining 98se ?)
Either way. Just changing the sticks won't always fix as booting with faulty ram has forced 98 to boot in safe mode werein the faulty ram could have corrupted VxD or .ini files. Double check the slots and board then try this.


Your right, but occasionally it fixes it.

I own and also work at a seperate computer repair company and we see problems like this all the time. I would also try what Crock says, as it may fix it. We do that occasionally. Also in some rare cases you may have to remove the power plug, as well as the CMOS batt to reset it, as sometimes it can cause problems if your RAM is all messed up.

As for the beeps, If you know what they mean, then your set (which I had to learn, so I know most of them). Usually they will tell you by the number and how long each one beeps what the problem is. This is a good way to troubleshoot specific problems, but as I said you must know what they mean and most people don't bother learning. (I usually never use it, unless its a specific problem)

Anyhow, when you installed the additional RAM, and you got the beeps, you need to ensure (I am sure you did), that you install them in the slots the corospond. I know my PC is really picky. I have 3 Slots and when I took my old RAM out I installed my new ram to slot 3 and all my PC did was Beep away, but when I moved it to Slot 1 it worked fine. Also make sure the new RAM is not in pairs. Back in the day, they made pairs like 64X2 which means if you did not install them in pairs the RAM would not register and you would get several beeps and usually no video.

[Rick_E]

Here's an article about troubleshooting Windows Protection Errors. Maybe something in it will help.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;149962

[onlinehelper]

Most of my problems get solved only after I format C: and then re-install Win98. Not a very good way to troubleshoot, yet the most effective!!!

[alphadesk]

(jj) called it....you da man.

Could'nt believe it, but the proof is in the RAM. Both 128 sticks of my ram was bad....

Replaced them and things are better than ever.

[Saiyan_Trunks]

lol, Glad to hear you got it fixed.

That did happen to me once, both of my 64 MB Sticks died (which usually don't happen) so I just bought 2 128 Sticks and Problem Resolved. Never had a problem again (Well yet at least).

[Trip59]

I spent two weeks troubleshooting an old Compaq (refuse to work on them now) after everything else, it turned out one of the RAM was bad, I had tried others, but never replaced that specific one since it was in the computer the last time it had run. seems on the boat from Japan to California (or the truck from Cali to Florida) something happened.

Most of the beep codes are standardized btw, but there are alot of MBoards out there with proprietary codes as well, you want fun? try diagnosing problems via IM with a friend who is stone deaf took us a couple days, then he finally installed one of them sound activated CCRT deals (blue I think) then he watched the lights blink.