Error Message: While Initializing Device Ptvcd: Windows Protection Error (296240)

Important This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use either of the following methods.

Method 1: Uninstall the PCTell Chip-Set Winmodem

You can uninstall some PCTell chip-set modems by clicking Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel. This is the recommended way to remove the Ptvcd.vxd file. If there is no reference to the PCTell Winmodem under Add/Remove Programs, contact PCTell or your computer's manufacturer (if this modem came preinstalled) for information about uninstalling the modem.

To uninstall the modem by using Add/Remove Programs, follow these steps:

Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
In Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
Search for the PCTell Winmodem in the list of installed programs. When you locate it, select it, click the Install/Uninstall button, and then follow the uninstall directions.

Method 2: Delete the StaticVXD Entry from the Windows Registry

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

The following procedure disables the PCTell Winmodem. To delete the StaticVXD entry from the Windows Registry, follow these steps:

Start your computer in Safe mode.
Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
In Registry Editor, expand the following subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\Modem\0000
NOTE: If your computer has more than one modem, a registry subkey may appear for each installed modem. For example:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\Modem\0001
Follow steps 5 through 7 to delete the StaticVXD entry for each of these subkeys.
In the right pane, click the StaticVXD entry that has a Data value of Ptvcd.vxd in the Name list.
On the Edit menu, click Delete.
On the Confirm Value Delete message that appears, click Yes.
Quit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.

MORE INFORMATION

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The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

For additional information about the modems subkey in Windows 98, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

250646 Description of the Modems Key in the Windows 95/98 Registry