When I turn my system on, it waits 5 seconds, says "PROT" then shuts itself off.

If the unit is controlled by a remote, the symptom you are experiencing could be cause by a function only available on the remote. I discovered this with my Yamaha 5-CD disc changer. However, my unit doesn't have an integrated Stereo. Your unit may mean that the remote handles more features. Search for a button that says MODE or AUX. If you still have the User Manual with the system, check to see what these buttons describe as controlling which features. Check back with me.

Procedure is

Step 1: Turn on the device (VCR, DVD, TV, Satellite receiver etc.) you wish to program.
Step 2: Press and hold the "CODE SEARCH" or "SETUP" button on the remote until the indicator light turns on, then release.
Step 3: Press and release the button for the device you are programming (VCR, DVD, TV etc.). For AUX, press AUX button, then the device button you are assigning to AUX. The indicator light will blink then remain lit.
Step 4: Enter the three-digit or four-digit code (depending on your GE remote model) for your device using the number buttons. After your code is entered the indicator light will turn off.
Step 5: Aim the remote at the device you want to control and press the POWER button. Your device should turn off. If your equipment does not respond to the first code listed in the documentation, repeat steps with the next code. If the device responds correctly to other functions like Volume or Program up/down, no further programming is required.
If you can't find a working code for your device or your brand is not listed try the "Code Search" method described below.

The CODE SEARCH function

Step 1: Turn on the equipment you wish to program.
Step 2: Press and hold "CODE SEARCH" or "SETUP" until the light turns on, then release.
Step 3: Press and release the button for the device you are programming (VCR, DVD, TV etc.). The indicator light will blink once, then remain lit. For AUX, press AUX then the device button you are assigning to AUX.
Step 4: Press and release the "POWER" button until your device turns off. Wait at least two seconds between each time you press "POWER". Note that you may have to press "POWER" up to 250 times!
Step 5: When your device turns off press the "ENTER" or "SAVE" button. The indicator light will turn off. Check other functions to see if your code is correct.

Check the impedance (resistance) on all the speakers and the speaker wires themselves.
Power up the unit with no speakers or inputs attached at minimum volume and see if it still goes into protection mode.
Most speakers should measure between 4 and 8 ohms for most systems when disconnected from the receiver.
If the unit says PROT even with no inputs at minimum volume with the speakers detached, then there's a problem with the amplifier itself, probably in the output section.

MANUALLY ENTERING CODES
1. Manually turn on the device (TV, VCR, DVD, etc.) you wish to
program.
2. Press and hold the CODE SEARCH/SETUP button on the remote
until the INDICATOR LIGHT lights, then release.
3. Press and release the button for the device you are programming
(TV, VCR, DVD, etc.). For AUX, press AUX then the device button
you are assigning to AUX. The INDICATOR LIGHT will blink then
remain lit.
4. Enter the three or four digit code for your device using the number
buttons in the GE Universal Remote. After your code is entered the
INDICATOR LIGHT will turn off.
5. Aim the remote at the device (TV, VCR, DVD, etc.) and press the
POWER button. Your device should turn off.
Note: If your device does not respond to the first code listed,
repeat steps with the next code. If none of the codes listed for your
device work for your device or your brand is not listed, try the Code
Search method described below.
USING CODE SEARCH FUNCTION
If your TV, VCR, DVD, etc. does not respond after you have tried all the codes
for your brand or if your brand is not listed, try searching for your codes by
following the steps below.
1. Turn on the device you wish to program.
2. Press and hold CODE SEARCH/SETUP until the INDICATOR
LIGHT lights, then release.
3. Press and release the device button for the device you are
programming (TV, VCR, DVD, etc.). The INDICATOR LIGHT will
blink once then remain lit. For AUX, press AUX then the device
button you are assigning to AUX.
4. Press and release POWER until your device turns off. Wait at least
2 seconds between each time you press POWER. Important: You
may have to press POWER up to 250 times.
5. When your device turns off press the ENTER/SAVE button. The
INDICATOR LIGHT will go off.

PROT means that the AMP is protecting itself from damage due to bad or incorrect wiring or damaged and or incorrect speakers. Check your wiring and speakers.
If you find no problem then, DISCONNECT YOUR SYSTEM FROM THE POWER, disconnect your speaker wires...all of them, then reconnect the power ONLY, turn on the system and see if it still says PROT. If it does then your amp is damaged.

Hi! Try searching for your codes by following the steps below.

1. Turn on the device you wish to program.

2. Press and hold CODE SEARCH/SETUP until the INDICATOR LIGHT lights, then release.

3. Press and release the device button for the device you are programming (TV, VCR, DVD, etc.). The INDICATOR LIGHT will blink once then remain lit. For AUX, press AUX then the device button you are assigning to AUX.

4. Press and release POWER until your device turns off. Wait at least 2 seconds between each time you press POWER. Important: You may have to press POWER up to 250 times.

5. When your device turns off press the ENTER/SAVE button. The INDICATOR LIGHT will go off.
try searching for your codes by following the steps below.

1. Turn on the device you wish to program.

2. Press and hold CODE SEARCH/SETUP until the INDICATOR LIGHT lights, then release.

3. Press and release the device button for the device you are programming (TV, VCR, DVD, etc.). The INDICATOR LIGHT will blink once then remain lit. For AUX, press AUX then the device button you are assigning to AUX.

4. Press and release POWER until your device turns off. Wait at least 2 seconds between each time you press POWER. Important: You may have to press POWER up to 250 times.

5. When your device turns off press the ENTER/SAVE button. The INDICATOR LIGHT will go off.

I hope this helps.

i had the same problem a prot display then it would shut down. turns out i had the sub disconnected(noise complaint from the shaking at my apartment complex) but the speaker wires for the sub connected to the amp or central unit. when i disconnected the sub i left the wires on the floor behind the sub separating the pos. and neg. somehow the wires got moved around and the pos was touching the neg. as soon as i noticed and fixed this problem the system was working fine. my samsung hometheater model is HT-BD1250

sorry nothing straightforward springs to mind.A dealer repair seems the only solution.

Try this through your Remote, it should automatically search & detect devices automatically without the need to know the codes.


USING CODE SEARCH FUNCTION
If your TV, VCR, DVD, etc. does not respond after you have tried all the codes
for your brand or if your brand is not listed, try searching for your codes by
following the steps below.
1. Turn on the device you wish to program.
2. Press and hold CODE SEARCH/SETUP until the INDICATOR
LIGHT lights, then release.
3. Press and release the device button for the device you are
programming (TV, VCR, DVD, etc.). The INDICATOR LIGHT will
blink once then remain lit. For AUX, press AUX then the device
button you are assigning to AUX.
4. Press and release POWER until your device turns off. Wait at least
2 seconds between each time you press POWER. Important: You
may have to press POWER up to 250 times.
5. When your device turns off press the ENTER/SAVE button. The
INDICATOR LIGHT will go off.

Turn the ignition key to on or accessory position, turn the stereo off, then hold the function key for a couple seconds, the stereo will turn on and you scroll through the menu with the left and right arrow buttons and change settings with the up and down buttons