I was getting a blue error screen whenever i start up a game in steam.

VDD(03) + 00001816
ERROR:00:0038:C0231D9E

along with the "hit any button to continue ctrl+alt+del to restart." etc. so i hit a button to continue and everything was good for a second or two then i got an even better blue screen.

"windows protection error. you need to restart your computer. system haulted"

and that returns everytime i am about to start windows. safe mode does work though.

i did have the exact same situation last week but i reformatted. and the next time this started happening i used system restore once in safe mode, this fixed everything for a mere couple days. I'm prett sure its not software. but i've had the rig for a couple years now and really cant figure out why this is happening all of a sudden.
sounds like a tricky one but i'd appreciate any help. thanks.

AMD 2500+
512 MB
geforce 2 mx400
latest drivers, windows updates, etc.
Windows ME

pc-cillin did not detect any virus.

/me points at windows ME

get a new Real OS then we will talk.

honestly, I know next to nothing about ME, aside from the large number of serious flaws in it.

All I can say is try try try again with reinstalls.