Help! I screwed up my mom's Windows!

[ppga]

I got EU II for Christmas at my folks' house, installed it (and Direct X 8) on their computer (Celeron 466, 128 MB RAM, ATI Rage 128 32MB, SB Live!, Win 98), played it once, and the next time I booted up their computer got the message "Windows protection error, you must reboot your computer" just before Windows should finish loading. I've been running diagnostic tools in safe mode, and the only thing I can come up with relates to problems with Direct X 8 and video cards that don't support 3D acceleration, which I don't believe the ATI Rage 128 does. Am I on the right track or hopelessly screwed?

HELP PLEASE!

 

[viper37]

hopelessly screwed

try the latest drivers for your product. As I don't know the exact name of your card, I can't help you there since RAGE 128 is only the chipset name, not the name of the card.

Look here for the latest drivers:
http://support.ati.com/issuetype/driverdirect.html?parent=0&folder=68&doc=53

If you still have the original CD of your ATI card, you could try to install the direct X version that comes with it (I don't recall exactly if it will let you install a previous version). However, if it doesn't, I am sure that there's a way to manually remove the old Direct X, but I will have to search for it so it could take a day or two.

You could also try to install the latest Direct X version (8.1). Additional info to uninstall your drivers can be found here:
http://support.ati.com/technote/2782.TXT

There is also a know problem with Norton Antivirus and ATI cards, if you have NAV, follow these instructions:
http://support.ati.com/infobase/3233.html

There are also other problems that can cause a fatal error:
http://support.ati.com/infobase/3179.html
(if you have a problem following one of these, you can post here for help)

If you need more help, feel free to post.

 

[unmerged(1095)]

If all the above still doesnt help:-

Did your Moms PC come with a recovery CD? Most do nowadays.
If so you will have the option to either Restore to Factory Conditions (which will format the Hdd and restore the machine to how it was when purchased) or to restore it to the last saved position (This is usually a small partition on the hardrive).
Have a good look thro the Documentation etc for the information and the CD.
If you do have the above facility then make backups of any important files first (such as your Moms CV, Recipies etc ).

I doubt that it was the game or DirectX that caused the problem. The info that you get when running the Directx diagnostic tools usually means that the driver hasnt been submitted to MS for approval yet.

 

[unmerged(1403)]

also in case it is a directx problem you have utilities available on the net to remove the directx version you have installed. i would give this a serious thought before deciding to do anything drastic

cheers

 

[unmerged(1095)]

http://www.directxbuster.de/index_e.html
is one such utility. I have tried it with Directx8a and Windows 98 SE and it causes no problems.
That site also has the Directx downloads.

 

[viper37]

Originally posted by Uglyduck
http://www.directxbuster.de/index_e.html
is one such utility. I have tried it with Directx8a and Windows 98 SE and it causes no problems.
That site also has the Directx downloads.

thanks for the link

Didn't know there was such an easy way

 

[unmerged(1095)]

Originally posted by viper37


thanks for the link

Didn't know there was such an easy way

Only found it a few days ago. Meant to let you know but, with the forum under siege, forgot

 

[viper37]

oh, don't worry. We didn't really needed it here until now