Article ID: 263318 - Last Review: January 27, 2007 - Revision: 2.1

Error Message: While Initializing Device VKD -- Windows Protection Error -- You Need to Restart Your Computer

View products that this article applies to.

This article was previously published under Q263318

If this article does not describe the error message that you are receiving, view the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article to view more articles that describe error messages:

315854 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315854/EN-US/ ) Windows 98 and Windows Me Error Message Resource Center

If this article does not describe your hardware-related issue, please see the following Microsoft Web site to view more articles about hardware:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/w98?sid=460 (http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=http%3a%2f%2fsupport.microsoft.com%2fdefault.aspx%2fw98%3fsid%3d460)

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SYMPTOMS

When you start your computer, you may receive the following error message:

While initializing device vkd -- Windows Protection Error -- You need to restart your computer.

After you receive this error message, you may receive the following options after your computer completes the Power On Self Test (POST):

Press F1 (or equivalent key) for Setup

Press F2 (or equivalent key) to load defaults and continue

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CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the keyboard that you have attached to your computer is not working correctly. When your keyboard does not work correctly, the keyboard cannot be initialized.

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With the computer turned off, disconnect and then reconnect the keyboard.

If that does not work try using another keyboard to determine if your keyboard is malfunctioning. If it is, replace the keyboard.

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MORE INFORMATION

VKD is the acronym for Virtual Keyboard Device Driver.

A multi-function keyboard is a keyboard that includes additional features such as a sound volume control, a mute option, and special shortcut keys so that you can sign on to your Internet service provider (ISP) and perform functions such as "search."

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