Cheryl,

From a Google search using the words "PTCHINST caused a GENERAL PROTECTION"
only returns a few hits and nobody seems to know what the problem is.
However, using the word "PTCHINST" on Google returns many hits and they all
have to do with Norton. There is one message about QuickPayroll and Intuit
gives an answer, but it has to do with Win95/98. If you have anything
installed by Norton I would suggest uninstalling everything and see if your
QuickPayroll works. Before making any changes create a Restore Point and
give it a name, say QuickPayroll then you can restore everything if that
doesn't solve your problem.

All the best,
George


"cheryl" <cheryl@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:42B00FCD-494B-4C0D-94CB-EC6869600CF9@microsoft.com...
>I need someones help please,I have a hp pavilion ze5400 with windows xp
>w/sp2
> I use this for our business and I use Quickpayroll I downloaded a software
> update and can not load it I get message-PTCHINST caused a GENERAL
> PROTECTION
> FAULT in module PATCH.DLL at 0027:0059 I've tried everthing I know I even
> uninstalled & reinstalled that did not work-HELP
>
> --
> any help would be appreiciated and thank u