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I tried to install Windows 95 on a Windows Virtual PC virtual machine, but when I am trying to run it post installation, I got an error during boot:

When initializing device IOS:
Windows protection error. You need to restart your computer.

When I was installing Windows 95, during the hardware check, I got an error message about a stack overflow error. I then tried again using Safe Recovery to skip past the errant hardware.

I tried using the guide found here (http://helpdesk.princeton.edu/kb/display.plx?ID=4736) to fix the problem, but I was unable to boot into Safe Mode.

It is also worth mentioning that my copy of Windows is Windows 95 C (OSR 2.5) and I also managed to install Windows 98 on Windows Virtual PC without any problems.

Giacomo1968
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gparyani
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4 Answers4

4

You've probably allocated hardware that's beyond what Windows 95 knows what to do with.

  • Try lowering the allotted RAM to <256MB.
  • Try shrinking the VHD to less than 1GB in size.

Also, Windows 95 has problems with processors faster than 2.1GHz: Windows protection error in NDIS with a CPU that is faster than 2.1 GHz.

Check out this msfn.org forum post for more info and possibly helpful patches: Windows 95 2.1GHz CPU Limit BROKEN!

Windows 95 has two specific errors when dealing with processors with speeds higher than 350 MHz. With a little patience however, both of these errors are fixable.

The real answer is, VPC isn't really compatible with Windows 95, because Windows 95 is too old for the virtual hardware in the VM. :)

Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
  • 113,841
3

Ok, I've found the solution, so I think it's worth sharing to help you and other fellows.

The reason the Win95 kernel crashes is because of a well-know issue: Intel CPUs above 2.1 GHz aren't supported (and AMD ones aren't if >350 MHz) and will cause the network driver (NDIS) to crash during boot. Microsoft has released a patch for it, but you need to run it within Win95. Luckily, a guy named "LoneCrusader" on the MSFN.org forum has re-packaged it into a convenient bootable ISO.

Steps to solve the "Windows Protection Error" when running Windows 95 on VirtualBox

  1. edit the VM settings --> Acceleration --> disable VT/nested paging
  2. download this zip file https://archive.org/details/fix-95-cpu-v3-final
  3. get the FIX95CPU.ISO file from the zip
  4. attach the iso file to the CD drive of your Win95 VM (as usual)
  5. reboot and you'll get a red on black screen. It's fine :)
  6. decline to read the "readme" (better to read it later within Windows) and go ahead
  7. reboot when prompted to do so, detach the ISO, reboot again and enjoy Win 95 working fine :D
98of99
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0

RAM has to be lower than 256 MB. Adjust it.

CPU slower than 2.1 GHz. Download and run Tool for Windows 95 CPU Speed

I say Reinstate Monica
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Anonym
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0

You should use VMware Player for Windows 95, as it has officially support for that. Here's an alternative way to install it:

What you need:

  • DOS on a floppy or on an image (.flp, .img)
  • Windows 95 CD
  • VMware player (it's free) or VirtualPC (I recommend VMware)
  • MagicIso (the free trial version will do)
  • a copy of MSCDEX.EXE and oakcdrom.sys (both can be found online)

Procedure:

  1. Create a new virtual machine (make sure to add a floppy image drive if you are using VMware)
  2. Put your DOS floppy/image in or mount it and install DOS

  3. Download and install the free version of MagicIso. Run it and go to new -> floppy -> 1.44

    1. Find a copy of mscdex.exe and oakcdrom.sys (generic CD-Rom driver that works with DOS. (might have to try another if it doesn't work)
    2. Rename the oakcdrom.sys to cdrom.sys
    3. Drag both these files into MagicIso on the floppy disk we just created
    4. Save the file
    5. Close MagicIso
    6. Find the file we just saved in Explorer and change the extension from .ima to .flp (if you are using VMware) or .img (if you are using VirtualPC). (if you can't see the extensions you're going to need to change your folder options to show extensions)

  4. Go back to your virtual machine and mount the floppy image we just created. run the following commands:

    a:\
copy mscdex.exe c:\
copy cdrom.sys c:\

  5. Find config.sys in your C drive. type:

    edit config.sys

    Add a line that says this:

    device=c:\cdrom.sys /d:mscd001

    Exit and save

  6. Find autoexec.bat in your C drive. Type:

    edit autoexec.bat

    Now add a line that says this

    c:\mscdex.exe /d:mscd001

    Exit and save

  7. Restart the computer or virtual machine

  8. Now move to your C drive and type:

    mscdex.exe: /d:mscd001 /M:5 /V /L:d /S /K

    (this part /M:x refers to the amount of buffers your drive has.. it's either 4 or 5. usually 5)

  9. Create a blank floppy image either in VMware or MagicIso, then mount that new one. Put your Windows 95 CD in the CD drive and type:

    d:\
setup.exe

  10. It should be booting Windows 95 now

You might run into troubles when it tries to install the other drivers as it might ask you for Windows floppies even if you're using the CD version. You can find all of these drivers on the windows 95b CD if you have it, as they are all in .cab files (you would need to extract them 1 by 1 and put them on floppy images to use them).

I actually just got it to load the drivers off the Windows 95 CD by just trying it over and over again until it worked. It might have been because I either did or didn't restart after putting in the Windows 95 CD.

Make sure you check to make sure Windows 95 is seeing your CD drive. If not, go to the Add New Hardware Wizard in the Control Panel and see if that detects it.

(Note: I initially tried doing it without installing DOS using fdisk and format and manually adding the autoexec.bat and config.sys files but I was running into similar issues until I installed DOS first)

Doktoro Reichard
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stateofpsychosis
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