"Windows Protection Error" on Win 98SE using Hyper-V

I have Hyper-V installed on my Window 11 Pro machine. I'm trying to create a virtual machine to run Windows 98SE but there are some issues...

During the installation, if I use the mouse anywhere on the screen, the whole VM freezes up and I have to power off the VM.

I was able to install 98SE using the keyboard only, but on reboot I get a Windows protection error after the splash screen. I get the same error if I choose Safe Mode. I can get to a command prompt to edit the various INI files that 98SE uses.

If I start in step-by-step confirmation mode, I get the error directly after msmouse.vxd is show, regardless of skipping it or installing it. There is no BOOTLOG.TXT file created.

What do I need to do to get this working? What info should I collect to help troubleshoot this?

I the VM settings, turn off any 'Hardware Virtualisation' setting to fix this error.

Also, use Generation 1 type VM to support 32 bit operating systems

Calab said:

I have Hyper-V installed on my Window 11 Pro machine. I'm trying to create a virtual machine to run Windows 98SE but there are some issues...

During the installation, if I use the mouse anywhere on the screen, the whole VM freezes up and I have to power off the VM.

I was able to install 98SE using the keyboard only, but on reboot I get a Windows protection error after the splash screen. I get the same error if I choose Safe Mode. I can get to a command prompt to edit the various INI files that 98SE uses.

If I start in step-by-step confirmation mode, I get the error directly after msmouse.vxd is show, regardless of skipping it or installing it. There is no BOOTLOG.TXT file created.

What do I need to do to get this working? What info should I collect to help troubleshoot this?

Click to expand...

@Calab

For the Virtual disk -- you need to ensure it's IDE not SATA, the Guest's Vdisk must be MBR formatted and no UEFI. Also disable secure boot if it's on in the "Virtual machine's config". Also the Vdisk should be formatted as fat32 not NTFS.

Without looking at the VM's configuration file I'm only guessing here though.

Here's what to do on VMWare - on Hyper-V the "Virtual hardware" should be similar


In theory you should be able to get things working but HYPER-V isn't so good with old legacy OS'es -- XP is about the most one can go back to without a lot of a hassle.

Remember also very limited USB support and you might need to create a UFD (bootable floppy image) for boot to attach the Win98 iso for install. It's ages since I "did" windows 98SE but it IS do-able. I haven't though done it on HYPER-V.

Cheers
jimbo

pjhutch said:

I the VM settings, turn off any 'Hardware Virtualisation' setting to fix this error.

Also, use Generation 1 type VM to support 32 bit operating systems

Click to expand...

I used Generation 1 when creating the VM. I don't see any Hardware Virtualization settings in my VM settings.

jimbo45 said:

@Calab

For the Virtual disk -- you need to ensure it's IDE not SATA, the Guest's Vdisk must be MBR formatted and no UEFI. Also disable secure boot if it's on in the "Virtual machine's config". Also the Vdisk should be formatted as fat32 not NTFS.

Without looking at the VM's configuration file I'm only guessing here though.

Here's what to do on VMWare - on Hyper-V the "Virtual hardware" should be similar

Installation of Windows 98SE using VMware Player - Windows 11 Installation Guides

Introduction The Windows 98SE Operating System Reached End of Life on the 11th of July 2006. This guide will instruct on installing Windows 98SE in VMWare Player Workstation 15.2. Video Download Links Install VMWare Workstation Player on a Windows 10 64 Bit Host: The website WinWorld has a...

dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com

In theory you should be able to get things working but HYPER-V isn't so good with old legacy OS'es -- XP is about the most one can go back to without a lot of a hassle.

Remember also very limited USB support and you might need to create a UFD (bootable floppy image) for boot to attach the Win98 iso for install. It's ages since I "did" windows 98SE but it IS do-able. I haven't though done it on HYPER-V.

Cheers
jimbo

Click to expand...

The virtual drive is 1GB, partitioned and formatted by the Windows 98 setup routines. Definitely attached to the IDE controller.

I will give the details at that link a try and see what happens.

It's not the end of the world if I don't get it working. I'll probably try VMware's software if Hyper-V give me too much hassle.

Last time I tried to boot Win98 SE in Hyper-V, I got to a frozen screen right after the boot logo.
It is not compatible.

From the looks of it, you can only install Windows NT+ / Win 2000 (tested with SP4) and XP-onwards as a VM in Hyper-V.

If someone at one point in time does manage to get it working, or OS gets miraculously supported, I'd sure be curious on the steps/results.

Calab said:

I have Hyper-V installed on my Window 11 Pro machine. I'm trying to create a virtual machine to run Windows 98SE but there are some issues...

Click to expand...

I'm not surprised, Hyper-V doesn't officially support running any version of Windows earlier than Vista, though it does seem to run XP quite happily.


VirtualBox and VMWare do support older versions of Windows, I use VirtualBox to run my Windows '95 and WfWG 3.11 VMs, all networked. Screenshots here: I Still Prefer Windows 10 - post #122

Try VirtualBox....