Protect Another Folder Link problem

I am running aMember 2.3.6Pro on two different sites,
and on one site I cannot get the Protect Another Folder link to bring up the
protect.php file.
I receive an error message:
------------------------------
MYSQL ERROR:
Lost connection to MySQL server during query in query:
SELECT * FROM amember_products ORDER BY title
------------------------------
Everything else works except that.
I checked:
config.inc.php = okay
new_rewrite = CHMOD 777 (/htdocs/amember/data/new_rewrite)
re-install full script = same results
no .htacess located in the folder that is needed to be protected

I ran out of options and could use a little help, please!