Windows Protection Errors

Disconnect any non-essential hardware to narrow down the source of the problem.

Make sure you have the latest drivers for your hardware.
See if there is an BIOS update for your machine.
Check your manufacturer's website.

Check autoexec.bat and REM any line that refers to Virus scanners, external devices, etc.
Also check any parameters used for EMM386 in CONFIG.SYS if present.

In C:\Windows\System.ini - Find the [vcache] section and add/change...
maxfilecache=6144
Reboot

Next try updating your network adapter drivers from the manufacturer's web site.
For example, if using a 3-Com 3c900/3c905 there is an updated file for the NIC at...
http://support.dell.com/filelib/download/index.asp?fileid=261&libid=8

Also, there are a few general things that may cause a windows protection error on boot:

Find rmm.pdr in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\IOSUBSYS
REN RMM.PDR RMM.OLD
Reboot

OR Download an updated rmm.pdr from...
http://support.dell.com/filelib/download/index.asp?fileid=911&libid=8
ftp://ftp.kingdominc.com/pub/drivers/patches/ios.exe (99 KB)

This will extract to a file rmm2upd.exe which you run in Safe mode and will update rmm.pdr.

OR...

Another common problem is smartdrive...

Do a search for smart*.*

You should find 2 files (at least)...

Smartdrv.exe
Smartvsd.vxd

Rename to *.old, reboot...

Disable any THIRD-PARTY drivers ONLY in [386Enh] section of C:\Windows\System.ini by placing a semicolon ( ; ) before each "device=c:\pwrsave.vxd" for example (backup your system.ini first)

Make sure your BUFFERS= line in CONFIG.SYS is not too high if you have one.

Also, when you use F8 when starting Win 95, you can choose to create a boot log during system startup. This will be created as c:\bootlog.txt and you can search this file for the word FAIL and list all the drivers that failed to load.