VKD (virtual keyboard driver): Windows protection errors



When I try to start up computer (AMD K6) I get this message on loading: While initializing device VKD (virtual keyboard driver): windows protection error, you need to restart your computer. It will then only start in safe mode. Nothing seems to be wrong with using my keyboard. What can I try? (I have run McAfee anti virus and Norton's and scandisk and defragmentor and disk cleanup.

jb (107) on Jan-29-00 at 08:21:54 PST

somuchstuff: Have you tried removing the keyboard in device manager and then reboot? It will reinstall the drives for the keyboard.

Go to start -settings-control panel-systems-device managed -then down to key board click on the + sign. Then click on your key board and go down and click on remove. Then reboot the computer and it will reinstall the drivers.

What make is the motherboard and model? Look in the software package you got with the Puter and see if there is a CD-ROM with motherboard drivers on it...

somuchstuff (103) on Jan-29-00 at 09:07:28 PST

I found 2 CD's. One said PC CD Pro... 1st Mainboard, First International computer, Inc. It is still sealed. The other says Software and Installation CD, DSI, DIGICOM SYSTEMS, a subsidiary of CREATIVE. jane

somuchstuff (103) on Jan-29-00 at 09:24:46 PST

McAfee didn't detect virus... Have reinstalled windows. I got this message on reinstalling. VIRUS-LIKE Activity. The application C:\WININSTO.400\SUWIN.EXE is attempting to write to the master boot record of Drive C.... I tried reinstalling again. Didn't get the message...
Can only start up in Safe Mode, however it loops around and around before it finally will start in safe mode.... jane

jb (107) on Jan-29-00 at 09:31:17 PST

jane: The application wininsto.400\suwin.exe is the windows program its self it has to write to the master boot record or as you see, you will not run right. You'll have to reload windows and when that message comes up, tell it its ok to do it.

somuchstuff (103) on Jan-29-00 at 09:38:55 PST

jb.... okay, I did that. Only message that I think I am continuing to get is on start up :while initializing VKD, windows protection error.... then I can only start in safe mode where I saw the things about Soundblaster Live and Realmode. jane

jb (107) on Jan-29-00 at 09:44:35 PST

jane: It will take about 40 min. to reload windows and if it still has a problem, then you will have to format and load windows.

Format and reload is where you wipe the hard drive clean and reinstall every thing. What you want to try first is to just reinstall windows over the one you have.

somuchstuff (103) on Jan-29-00 at 09:55:27 PST

jb.... I have reinstalled, several times. The last time I chose continue on that WININST thing. It will only let me run in safe mode. Is there a site where I can print out instructions (very detailed!) on format and reload? I have learned a lot from everyone here in the computer room and the problem is no where near as bad as it was in the beginning. The guy who built it said when I called him and told him what it was doing that it was LOST and the hard drive would have to be replaced. I am beginning to think that is all he knows how to do because he didn't give me one thing to try. The things everyone here has told me to try have brought improvements and I don't believe that the hard drive could be bad when I am able to run and do all kinds of things. jane

seadog (341) on Jan-29-00 at 09:57:36 PST

Jane: Since you can post, I assume you can download a file. Get this one and run it: regclean. It might help to clean up the problem.

seadog (341) on Jan-29-00 at 10:07:49 PST

Jane I think this still works go here and type in your problem and see what it says. Windows 98 answer wizard: http://206.132.93.108/

rviola (52) on Jan-29-00 at 10:11:29 PST

Jane, I have been watching this whole discussion about safe mode. I am not a computer expert, but last fall my machine would not start except in safe mode. It drove me nuts for days when I finally realized that I had changed the color setting in my computer then ran a children's program that required a different color setting. When I changed the color setting back my computer ran just fine again. it was very frightening and not the virus I suspected.

seadog (341) on Jan-29-00 at 10:16:06 PST

Jane:
Here is how to repair your windows protection error.


sdmike1 (184) on 01/29/00 at 16:28:14 PST

jane - That's a general protection fault of a VXD, a virtual device driver. Go out to the website for your video card manufacturer and get the latest video drivers for your card. Something may be corrupt. If that doesn't fix the problem, do the same with your sound card, modem, and other devices. That usually fixes the problem for me.

somuchstuff (103) on 01/29/00 at 16:31:13 PST

mike....okaaaaaaaaayyyyy.... Now, if on reloading it says a problem with SB live, I can go to Soundblaster site and get what I need to fix the problem? Same as the keyboard (VKD message)??? I may get this fixed with the help of you guys yet! jane

sdmike1 (184) on 01/29/00 at 16:33:57 PST

Jane - yes. You can sometimes tell which device is causing the problem by the file/operation that fails. You can also log the startup of your system and compare the bad to the good. If you had a bootlog.txt of a clean bootup, you could compare the bad bootup to it and figure out exactly what was running when it failed.

Most web sites for device manufacturers provide updated driver sets as a matter of course.

1/30/00 - I want to reload Win 98. jane

mastertech01 (64) on 01/30/00 at 09:23:18 PST

Jane, basically it amounts to this:

1: using windows98 bootdisk select install with CD-ROM support.

2: Format C: that will be your command

3: after format is complete type in Setup

4: follow the directions on the screen

5: You will at a minimum need your bootdisk, Keycode from the front cover of your win98 instruction booklet, win98 installation disk YOU MUST HAVE THE FULL VERSION OR YOU WILL HAVE TO INSTALL WIN95 FIRST!, your video driver disk, your sound card driver disk, your modem driver disk, the setup information to setup your ISP for internet usage, and all install disks for your peripherals.

6: install your sound, video, modem, setup internet.

7: IF YOU AREN'T SURE YOU CAN DO THIS: GET HELP!!!

If you have a ZIP drive or CDR. copy all your valuable documents there if safemode will allow you too.

spider-boy (582) on 01/30/00 at 09:24:44 PST

One more thought...gather all your driver disks for your hardware together before hand or download them to floppy from the web. You will need them (sound, video, modem, etc.)... spider


SOMUCHSTUFF :
Jane, here is the most detailed installation routine I can get off the top of my head for you.

1. Assemble the following software….Windows 98 Bootdisk…Windows 98 full version Installation disk…Keycode from the front cover of the Windows 98 Instruction Manual (5 sets of numbers/letters separated by dashes called product key), …Video card installation disk, sound card installation disk(I believe you said soundblaster Live!)…Modem driver disk…and driver disks for any other peripherals, monitor, printer, scanner, camera, USB devices, mouse drivers, etc.

2. Save all data that your system will allow you to save on zip disks, cdrw, LS120 superdisks, what ever resources you have that will allow you to save while in the safemode you are stuck in.
IE gifs, scanned images, email, address book, documents, etc. Bear in mind that you may have limited access to certain drives while in safemode…and you may not be able to save all or any of it.. also that if you were infected with a virus that any of these files may contain the virus that you are trying to kill, so you may not want to save all or any of it…you need clean boot disk.. one fresh new unused disk hopefully. If you aren't sure your current bootdisk will work, make one now. Go to add/remove programs, click on startup, insert a clean unused 1.44 floppy into the A drive, click on create disk, insert Windows 98 CD into your primary CD-ROM and it will make a bootdisk for you.

3. Once all is assembled for installation.. Kiss your current version goodbye..we are about to wipe your system clean and reinstall it all! Insert the bootdisk into the A drive and restart your computer. When it reads the boot disk it will ask how to begin the install..select #1 install with CD-ROM support…it will then install the CD-ROM drivers, mouse driver and the support tools needed for your installation into a virtual D drive. When it has finished this it will give you an A prompt. There are a couple versions of the bootdisk so first try typing format C: and then hit the enter key. If it says invalid command, switch to D: and type the same command. Once the command is accepted it will tell you that you are about to lose all data on C: are you sure? Answer Y, and enter, and it will reformat your entire HDD.

4. Once it finishes reformatting it will ask for a name for the partition, just hit enter, and it will assign a number. Then you will get the A prompt again. If you had to switch to D: then switch back to A: then type in Setup and hit the enter key. This will start the CD-ROM with the WIN98 CD-ROM inserted to start the Windows 98 installation. The prompts that follow are easy to understand. Just accept the defaults since this is your first install. Do a typical components installation. Windows will then install the operating system and give you a little show while it installs describing all its features…it will then automatically reboot your system…

5. After reboot Windows 98 will ask for the keycode that is printed on the cover of your windows 98 instruction booklet, on the certificate of authenticity…type in exactly as printed on the cover. Hit enter…it will say that windows has saved the information..then it will ask for a name of the computer and a description of your system, fill in the blanks, and it will ask for your Name during the registration portion of the setup…Windows will then begin to auto detect the plug and play devices on your system….when it has finished this it will automatically reboot the system…when it returns it will install the plug and play devices and detect the non plug and play devices..it will auto reboot again…then it will install the remaining devices and set up the control panel, time and dates, language, etc…just follow the prompts to finish…Windows will do one last reboot and you will then have desktop..and will be ready to install everything that the original install was unable to autodetect and install.

6. You will now have a virgin install of Windows 98 on a clean HDD…the most important feature probably to install next is your Modem and to load the ISP data onto your computer to enable internet access. Since you don't have a backup computer, internet access will enable you to download updates from Microsoft and any other agency you have peripherals with and to be able to contact the computer board for additional instructions. HOPE THIS HELPS!


somuchstuff (104) on Feb-10-00 at 09:33:55 PST

UPDATE! Somuchstuff (Jane) is back up and running! I thought you might like to know what happened since the problem was put in the ARCHIVES. It turns out that there were 2 problems. The first was a bad Video Card. I had a new one put in, picked up the computer and I was still getting a VKD error message. It worked at the shop but not at my house???? I replaced the mouse (which was only giving me a bit of trouble highlighting what I WANTED to highlight and otherwise seemed to be working fine) and like MAGIC, all was well again!
I want to THANK ALL OF YOU who tried to help me. I sure learned a lot!!! THANKS AGAIN, jane

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