Ian;
This sounds like a driver problem
The computer you're working on isn't perchance running an Amd k6-2 350 mhz
or higher processor?
There is a patch to solve a "software timing issue"
find info on the patch here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;192841

the urls may be cut off so cut and paste the whole URL
If I remember right the patch needs to be run with win95 in safe mode.
If this isn't the problem, this microsoft knowledge base article on "Device
IOS failed to initialize"
May shed some light:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q157924
according to this article the error message can be caused if you have
smartdrive.exe loading in config.sys or autoexec.bat
  <>< Larry Fisk
           Fisk Computers
             Fruitvale, Idaho
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ian" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 26, 2002 3:36 AM
Subject: [PCBUILD] Win95 install problem


> I'm trying to install W95b on an old drive (don't laugh - it's for
research
> purposes:--))) and I keep running into an odd problem.
> It kicked into DOS, hiccuped a few times, but then said:
>         'While initializing device IOS:
>         Windows protection error.
> You need to restart your computer'

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