KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q164666: Err Msg: While Initializing Device IOS…

Article: Q164666
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): 2,2.1
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kb3rdparty kbhw osr2 win95 kbHardware
Last Modified: 25-JUL-2001

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows 95 OEM Service Release, versions 2, 2.1 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

When you start Windows 95 you may receive the following error message:

  While initializing device IOS
  A Windows Protection Error occurred.
  You need to restart your computer.

CAUSE
=====

You may have a Quantum Bigfoot hard disk that requires a BIOS upgrade to work
properly with Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2 or 2.1.

RESOLUTION
==========

Quantum Bigfoot hard disks that meet both the following criteria are confirmed
by Quantum to exhibit the behavior described in this article:

- Part number: P/N BFxx011-Rev03-D

- A serial number ending in "S"

If you have one of these hard disks, you need to update the hard disk BIOS. You
can obtain the update from your local dealer or from Quantum. To determine if
your hard disk meets the criteria listed above, contact your dealer or Quantum.


MORE INFORMATION
================

Note that the error message does not occur if you boot to MS-DOS prior to
starting Windows 95. You may also be able to boot to Safe mode after receiving
the error message, shut down, and then restart Windows 95 normally without an
error message. The error message occurs only in a cold boot situation.

For information about how to contact Quantum, see the following article in the
Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q60782 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, Q-Z


Additional query words: hang

======================================================================
Keywords          : kb3rdparty kbhw osr2 win95 kbHardware 
Technology        : kbWin95search kbOPKSearch kbWin95OPKOSR2 kbWin95OPKOSR210
Version           : :2,2.1

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.