I keep losing Windows files and my system wont boot

[JAS101]

I've got a hodgepodge system. A Cyrix PR 200+GP and a Microstar motherboard. When I start the computer it works fine until just when I'm entering the desktop. Then it gives me a message saying that a certain file could not be initialized and that there is a Windows protection error. There is no way could have a virus (I've checked and checked again), but I think it might be my RAM. I bought it new and I got a hunch there might be something wrong with it. Any suggestions someone. Thanks for any input.

[Bleeding Edge]

What is the exact message?

[JAS101]

Can someone give me any tips as to what would make this happen and/or what I could do to fix it?

[kwai]

if this has happened several times, sounds like your hard drive is going bad. if this is just one time, sounds like you lost a critical file (from a bad install/uninstall program for example) and you need to reinstall windows.

unlikely to be memory unless you are overclocking.

[nimrod]

try reseating your ram first and also make sure you did not disturb any other cables when you installed it,reseat these,if this isnt the answer, when booting keep pressing F8 until a menu appears, select safe mode and run scandisc or which ever disc utility you have loaded, this should find disc problems if any. if you then still have the problem try reinstalling windows as KWAI suggests.if this dosent work get your ram checked. I had some bad ram once and couldnt get past the boot. it was ok when the store replaced it.

[Bud]

It sounds to me like the CIH virus go to semantec or any site that has virus software and download the fix for this virus. I hope I am wrong on the virus. My antivirus software did not pick it up and files started disappearing one at a time everytime I booted one more would be gone.
Bud

[This message has been edited by Bud (edited 03-22-99).]

[JAS101]

Thanks for the input. I'm positive it isn't a virus, but I definetly will test those suggestions for the RAM. Once I have results I'll post again. Thanks guys.