How to Install Windows 95 in VirtualBox **with 2.1GHz CPU Limit FIX**

Background

Last night I was installing Windows 95 in VirtualBox, but ran into an impassible error message in DOS. After searching forums and troubleshooting, I brushed the dust off a fix developed on January 24, 2010 (my 12th birthday! 🥳).

I want to make a post to hopefully save somebody else a few hours and frustration at broken links to .zip files from over a decade ago. Every step can be completed using VirtualBox.

Problem

I want to give all of the credit for developing the .zip file solution to LoneCrusader on the MSFN forums.

Windows 95 has two distinct errors when dealing with processors with speeds higher than 350 MHz. The main purpose of this solution is to enable the use of high-speed processors.

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Error 1:

While initializing device IOS:

Windows Protection Error. You need to restart your computer.

This occurs with processors greater than 350 MHz. Microsoft's patch (AMDK6UPD.EXE) for this error must be run within Windows. However, when this error occurs, you cannot boot into Windows. The error will be displayed after the first reboot during the installation process and every reboot thereafter.

The solution LoneCrusader found is to install the files contained in Microsoft's patch manually. His .zip file contains the automated process to do so.

Error 2:

While initializing device NDIS:

Windows Protection Error. You need to restart your computer.

This occurs with processors greater than 2.1 GHz. Quoting LoneCrusader,

"This problem also affected Windows 98 (First Edition), and Microsoft issued a HotFix for Windows 98, but not for Windows 95. According to Microsoft, there is no fix for this problem in Windows 95... WRONG!"

After Error 1 is fixed, this error will be displayed after the first reboot during the installation process. This error is corrected by an updated file contained in the DUN14-95.EXE Dial-Up Networking 1.4 update for Windows 95. Again, LoneCrusader's .zip file automates the solution.

This patch fixes the following issues:

• Difficulties Using AMD K6-2 or Athlon Central Processing Unit

• Revision to AMD K6-2/350 Central Processing Unit Update

• Windows Protection Error in NDIS with CPU Faster Than 2.1 GHz

• Cannot Undock Notebook Computer with LS-120 Removable Drive

• Large IDE Hard Disk May Run In Compatibility Mode

• Error Opening/Copying File/Folder Eight Levels Deep on CD-ROM

• Error Messages While Backing Up to Some Floppy Disk Drives

Conclusions

It's amazing to me that Microsoft resigned from tackling this issue, but persistent users found a solution. I initially thought that I was somehow not following the installation instructions correctly based on YouTube comments and forum posts. Most people seem to be able to install Windows 95 in VirtualBox just fine, but for those of us who are throwing one of these persistent errors, I hope this solution helps you like it helped me! The Windows 95 boot chime has never sounded so sweet. ➡➡➡➡