# windows protection error

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-protection-error/185022>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 28, 2003, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-protection-error/185022 "2003-06-28T21:00:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![timjw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9a28c/32.png) [@timjw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/timjw)\
**Post date:** [June 28, 2003, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-protection-error/185022/1 "2003-06-28T21:00:43Z")

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My mouse froze while playing a game and had to ctlr + Alt

- Del and now I can’t boot to win98. I receive the error:  
Windows Protection Error You must restart your computer.  
I did this and the error comes up again and again. I can  
get into safe mode without mouse support. What can I do  
to fix the problem.

Thanks  
.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\
**Post date:** [June 28, 2003, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-protection-error/185022/2 "2003-06-28T21:09:40Z")

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Simplest thing to do is to pop in your Windows 98 CD and reinstall Windows. One of the kernel files probably became damaged, and needs to be replaced.

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**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\
**Post date:** [June 28, 2003, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-protection-error/185022/3 "2003-06-28T21:35:54Z")

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For W98 you can run the system file checker from safe mode just put SFC in the run box.

Also turning off the computer & unplugging it for a minute & plug back in can do wonders. When you turn it on again, make sure EVERYTHING connected to it is on first, printers, modems, etc.