1)Check your BIOS settings and the jumpers on your mobo (i agree with "Crustyoldbloke"
2)Try this (copy "CAB" files from CD to "C:" and run setup from HardDisk):
a. a:>format C:
b. c:\>md win98
c. <cd-rom>:>cd win98
d. <cd-rom>:\win98>copy *.* c:\win98
e. c:\win98>setup /p I <enter>
3)From MS:
"Windows Protection error message occur when your computer attempts to load or unload a virtual device driver (VxD). This error message is a way to let you know that there is a problem with the device driver. In many cases, the VxD that did not load or unload is mentioned in the error message. In other cases, you may not be able to determine the VxD that caused the behavior; however, you should be able to find the cause of the error message if you use clean boot troubleshooting.
Windows Protection error messages can occur in any of the following situations:
-If a real-mode driver and a protected-mode driver are in conflict
-If the registry is damaged
-If either the Win.com file or the Command.com file are infected with a virus, or if either of the files are damaged
-If a protected-mode driver is loaded from the System.ini file and the driver is already initialized
-If there is a physical input/output (I/O) address conflict or a random access memory (RAM) address conflict
-If there are incorrect complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) settings for a built-in peripheral device (such as cache settings, CPU timing, hard disks, and so on)
-If the Plug and Play feature of the basic input/output system (BIOS) on the computer is not working correctly
-If the computer contains a malfunctioning cache or malfunctioning memory
-If the motherboard on the computer is not working properly
-If you installed Microsoft Office 97 and you are using the Novell Client 32 software"
"ANTE GEIA"...