This problem looks like a bad memory incident. There's an easy way to test memory without
exchanging chips. Since you can still boot to DOS, follow this procedure:

1. Search and locate your HIMEM.SYS file, it is usually under c:\windows\command.

2. Modify the file c:\config.sys with a text editor and make sure the first line reads as
    follows:

    device=c:\windows\command\himem.sys /testmem:on

    If himem.sys is in a different path, just put the right one in config.sys

3. Boot using safe mode if it is available, or boot to DOS directly if you can't boot to Windows.

A message should come up telling that a memory address is not working. If no message
is displayed, then it is not probably a problem with RAM.

Good luck,

Jose Anaya
[log in to unmask]

  "Gill, Manpreet" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
  > Can u help????
  >
  > Im installing Windows98 on my machine, my previous hard disk got corrupted,
  > so I lost everythinhg.  Anyway, I manage to install win98 (although it never
  > asks me for any codes in setup), and when I restart it gets to the Win98
  > screen and freezes.  I then re-install win98 and when restarting I get a msg
  > "Device VDMAD windows protection error failed, restart computer". I restart
  > and the same msg appears.  I then re-install windows again and this time get
  > the msg "user.exe failed. restart computer" it then goes to the shutdown
  > screen.  Before I begin installation, I used fdisk and made 1 primary
  > partition with FAT32 system.  I then format the drive and install windows.
  > What could be wrong with my machine???? Ive used win95 cd and get the same
  > problems, although I did manage to get into windows where I got the msg
  > "Windows registry problem, click to restart computer & fix registry". I
  > clicked restart, but the same msg appears.

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