My Sony VAIO laptop that runs Windows 98 froze on me the other night, and since then whenever I try to start my computer in ANY mode(including safe) I get "while initializing device VKD there was a windows protection error. you must restart your computer" and i do restart my computer, but it never works. any way of solving this without having to have it checked out?

I have a VAIO too and as of last evening, I have the same problem. On power up it stalls with a message "while initializing device VKD" thats it...changing keyboards did not help. Booting up in safe mode results in the same message. Any suggestions? Thanks

I have a regular PC that runs windows 98 and I can't fix it, even with diskette boot and reinstallation of Windows 98...the VKD device just doesnt work.

I found this on a Microsoft web site (see link) http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q263318 Those of you with a VAIO Laptop might need to contact the manufacturer.

Hi, My IBM Thinkpad laptop that runs Windows 98 froze on me the other night, and since then whenever I try to start my computer in ANY mode(including safe) I get "while initializing device VKD there was a windows protection error. you must restart your computer" and i do restart my computer, but it never works. any way of solving this without having to have it checked out? Please give me reply.. Thanks,

Try this it worked for me DO THIS TO FIX IT: Restart your computer. When the computer restarts you will see "Starting Windows 95/98..." As soon (or even a little before) as you see that appear on you computer screen. Press and hold the F8 function key on your keyboard. This will bring up a special diagnostic start up menu with the following items 1. Normal 2. Logged (\BOOTLOG.TXT) 3. Safe Mode 4. Safe mode with network support (optional) 5. Step-by-step conformation * 6. Command prompt only * 7. Safe mode command prompt only Choose either of the last two options; "Command prompt only" or "Safe mode command prompt only". 3. Next, from the DOS (command line prompt), run Scandisk with the "surface" switch. Example: C:> SCANDISK /SURFACE (Note: Don't try to use "surface" option when the PC is running OK because this option is only available from a command line prompt when troubleshooting in safe mode). 4. When prompted to fix any bad surface areas it finds, click OK. 5. When its is finished, and you restart your computer, the "registry" checker program will probably report that it has found an error and is going to restore a good copy for you. The problem should now be solved.

I used the instructions in response #5 and everything went as stated in the instructions. However, I had to reload windows 98 after the scan was complete and I restarted