| Author |
Message |
    
BW
| | Posted on Saturday, August 24, 2002 - 06:54 pm: | 
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When I turn my laptop on, windows fails to load. The computer defaults to C:\ with a message that says:
"vmmk32.vxd is required to run windows"
"If this file is not in your PATH, you may need to reinstall windows."
I have no idea why I got this message. I put the windows 98 CD in the drive but I can not read the CDROM drive for some reason.
Any ideas? |
Chris von Czoernig (Chrisvonc)
| | Posted on Saturday, August 24, 2002 - 08:06 pm: |
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This from Microsofts site. Personally, I would try Method 2 first. Grab a Win 9x boot diskette and you can edit from the prompt there. This disk will also load CD rom drivers is you need to run the install again.
CAUSE: This behavior can occur if the Windows\System folder is missing or renamed, or if the PATH line in the Autoexec.bat file is missing or does not include the Windows\System folder.
RESOLUTION:To resolve this behavior, use the appropriate method:
Method 1
At the command prompt, type:
dir vmm32.vxd /s
If the Vmm32.vxd file is not found, you must install Windows 95 or Windows 98 again. If the Vmm32.vxd file is found, note the folder in which it is located, and then continue with step 2.
At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command
cd windows
ren folder system
where folder is the folder you noted in step 1.
Restart your computer.
Method 2
Using a text editor (such as Notepad), edit the Autoexec.bat file and add or modify the PATH line so that it includes the Windows\System folder. For example, add the following line to your Autoexec.bat file:
path=c:\windows\system |
Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco)
| | Posted on Saturday, August 24, 2002 - 08:10 pm: |
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interesting... I didn't think Win95 and newer versions needed the autoexec.bat anymore. I thought it was just legacy stuff. |
Peter Carey (Pcarey)
| | Posted on Saturday, August 24, 2002 - 10:13 pm: |
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They don't need it, but MS decided to use it anyway, just to make it more insecure.  |
Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco)
| | Posted on Saturday, August 24, 2002 - 10:54 pm: |
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Just say yes to 
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Eric Pena (Evalp)
| | Posted on Saturday, August 24, 2002 - 10:59 pm: |
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What Chris said should work. If you can get to a DOS prompt you should still be OK, don't panic. Make sure that files existes in the windows/system folder then try method 2.
Al, Oliver - Windows 95 and 98 is essentialy still a visual shell to navigate DOS on your computer. All the essential files needed to run DOS is still needed to boot. |
Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco)
| | Posted on Saturday, August 24, 2002 - 11:35 pm: |
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yeah... but the autoexec.bat file was never really needed. It was just a batch file used by command.com or am I forgetting something? |
BW
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 12:17 am: |
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I have tried to use the boot disk before and again tonight. The boot disk is a Micron boot disk that has a wizard program. This program guides me through step by step. Eventually the wizard has an error and terminates.
The boot disk does have a cdrom folder with about 19 files. Is there a way to manually do the job the wizard tried to do?
Can I install windows 98 from DOS? Sorry for the broad and novice questions.
BW |
Peter Carey (Pcarey)
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 12:41 am: |
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BW,
When you get the initial fault you mentioned, has it gone through the whole CMOS boot and you get the fancy Windows screen? Then it dies?
If so, you should be able ot hit F8 (or is it F10) and get to a list of options. One of them will be "command prompt only". You may have to do it in Safe Mode as well. But that should get you to a C:\ prompt, where you will be able to edit the autoexec.bat file and add the line Chris mentions.
Hay look at me!!! I posted something helpful for once!!!
pwc |
BW
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 12:51 am: |
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OK. New problem. I finally figured out that I can access the CDROM drive just because the boot disk is ran.
The problem I have now is . . . The computer's operating system is win95 with a win98 upgrade. The only CD I have is win98. My win98 is a full install not an upgrade. So, when the setup runs, it detects win95 and will terminate the win98 install. Since I don't have win95 can I go back to the C:\ prompt and do a deltree for the windows directory?
I thought that by deleting the windows directory, I would be able to install the full version of win98.
BW |
Peter Carey (Pcarey)
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 12:57 am: |
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You can do that, but if I remember right there are just two files the install looks for to see if you have something running. Crap, I can't remember what they are, but I used to do the exact same thing when I wanted to reinstall and didn't have the upgrade disc.
As long as you know you have nothing of value in your win directory, you can kilt it.
pwc |
Eric Pena (Evalp)
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 01:34 am: |
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Try this. When it has finished POST and beeps, press F8. This should give you a menu choice for boot up. Choose safe mode and try this. If it still can not boot, try choosing step by step confermation. This should ask you yes or no to everything it tries to load. This is where you can see exactly where it is having a problem.
This only applies if it attempts to load Windows and you can see the splash screen. You can also hit the esc key when the splash screen is showing and it will show you what it is running in the background. You can edit any file from DOS. you did say you can get to a DOS prompt right? If you cannot figure out how to edit the autoexec.bat file then go to a friends house in the morning and edit it from there and then copy and replace it on you hard drive.
This is my shtick...Let me know if this way off base to your problem. I can help! |
Eric Pena (Evalp)
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 01:40 am: |
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If you are trying to reinstall Windows, it might be a more complicated and time consuming answer to your problem. Try other options first. |
Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco)
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 01:48 am: |
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I'm not sure why your Win98 CD is terminating when installing over Win95. What's the message you get when it terminates? The full Win98 shouldn't care if you have Win95 (or Win98) already installed. |
BW
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 01:57 am: |
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I tried the step-by-step. "Windows has detected a registry/configuration error."
That was the message after I selected yes to the first option.
Where would I put a copied autoexec.bat file? The root directory?
BW |
Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco)
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 02:31 am: |
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Method 2
Using a text editor (such as Notepad), edit the Autoexec.bat file and add or modify the PATH line so that it includes the Windows\System folder. For example, add the following line to your Autoexec.bat file:
path=c:\windows\system
lol... I just noticed this... can you use notepad at the command prompt when the Windows GUI is hosed? I don't think edit or edlin is an option in Win95 or Win98. |
Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco)
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 02:37 am: |
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BW, yes, the autoexec.bat goes in the root directory.
Do you run an antivirus program? I'm wondering if there is more going on here. Have you run a scandisk to check for drive errors? I don't think you should be getting the "Windows has detected a registry/configuration error." on a clean install. |
Peter Carey (Pcarey)
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 02:53 am: |
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yes you can run edit from a command prompt in 98. and 95 for that matter.
[pwc |
BW
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 03:07 am: |
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The message was something along the lines of: You already have an operating system. I should reinstall the update for win98 . . . blah blah blah.
At first I did run my Norton's recovery disks because I thought it was a virus since I had not modified anything on the computer. Norton found nothing. I also did a scan disk from a boot disk. It found nothing too.
The config/regist error was not on a "clean install" it came up when I tried booting up the computer via the F8 key per Eric Pena's comment above.
BW |
Tommy Dougherty (Skydiver)
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 05:52 am: |
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To reinstall WIN98, rename your win.com file in the c:\windows dir to win.org (or something other than win.com) and then WIN98 should reload fine. I've had to do this on a few of my systems when I needed to reload the OS and it told me something to the effect 'this is not an upgrade, and must be installed on a new machine.'
One other note.... if you have a prob with your registry, you can restore a 'good' copy and see if that works. It's been awhile since I used Win98, but I think it saves the last 5 good registry copies. To restore a good copy, boot to dos (f8, then command prompt only)- at dos prompt, type: scanreg /restore then hit enter. (If it says bad command or filename, scanreg is not in your path, and you'll probably have to use: C:\windows\command\scanreg /restore .)
-Tommy |
Steve Andrews (Sillybus)
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 11:05 am: |
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When I get a install conflict myself, I get out the Win98 startup disk and format the drive first. Just remember that you will lose all your files and applications using this method. I usually reformat completely every 4-6 months. |
Eric Pena (Evalp)
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 11:34 am: |
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OK, BW, when you did step by step confermation at what file when it was trying to load did it stop and give you this error. It should have asked you yes and no to every file before it loaded it. The file you said yes to last is the problem. It could be win.com or something but sometimes you can get around the problem by just saying no and it might still load Windows.
Also, you mentioned you ran Norton to see if you had a virus problem. This only works if your virus defanitions are current. They Should be downloaded and updated at least every month. Have you been keeping up with this. If so than you probably don't have a virus. Let me know what file it errors on and we can go from there.
Again, reloading Windows right now might be a longer and more problomatic fix to you current problem. lets explorer other possabilities first. |
Eric Pena (Evalp)
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 11:44 am: |
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Oh and to see what the autoexec.bat file already has in it type at the C (root c:\) prompt the following.
type autoexec.bat
also, sometime some programs you install edit the autexec.bat file and make a backup copy of the old one. Start in the root dir and look for a file that begins with autoexec and ends with something else like .old .bak etc...
This can be copied...Olnly if this is still an autoexec.bat problem. It sounds to me like it might not be now but we will see. |
BW
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 12:32 pm: |
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Eric,
This is what is happening when I hit the F8 key:
First: I select #4 for step-by-step confirmation.
Next: "Windows will prompt you to confirm each startup command. Proces the system registry[Enter=Y, Esc=N]?
After hitting the enter key, I get this message:
"Warning: Windows has detected a registry/configuration error. Choose, Command prompt only, and run SCANREG."
After running SCANREG, I get this message:
"Windows found an error in your system files and restored a recent backup of the files to fix the problem. Press Enter to restart your computer."
After, I hit restart the computer attempts to restart but stops with this message:
"VMM32.VXD is required to run windows. If this is not in your PATH, you may need to reinstall windows."
It then gives me the C:\ prompt.
Where is this PATH?
When I did a search for my autoexec.bat, nothing came up. I don't know how- but my autoexec.bat has disappeared. |
Eric Pena (Evalp)
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 03:08 pm: |
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OK do you have another computer?
Also did you do a search to see if you have an older autoexec.bat?
First, go to the windows\system directory and type dir *.vxd and see if you can find that file. If it is there then we can go from there to edit you autoexec.bat.
If you can not find it then get that file from another computer with 98 on it and copy it to the windows\system dir.
If your autoexec.bat is gone then go to another computer and open up a new document in notepad and type just PATH=c:\windows\system and save as autoexec.bat onto a floppy and then copy that file to your hard drive in the root (C:\) dir. If you can find an old autoexec.bat you have to rename it by doing the following.
If the file was named autoexec.bak then type ren autoexec.bak autoexec.bat. Replave .bak with the right extension if it is different.
If you want I will send you my phone # via email. Let me know. |
BW
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 03:41 pm: |
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I don't have another PC. I am going to a friends house today. I'll make a copy of his autoexec.bat and put it in my root. I'll also make a copy of the vmm32.vxd, however I don't know where it goes.
What if his computer's OS is windows 2000? Will he have an autoexec.bat that works with mine?
I am certain that I do not have the autoexec.bat or an autoexec.bak on the computer, nor do I have the .vxd file.
Eric, if I am unsuccessful once I get a new autoexec and vmm32 and still don't get it running, I'll give you a call, but first let me give it one more try.
Thanks for all the assistance guys.
Brian |
Eric Pena (Evalp)
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 03:48 pm: |
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You can not use the windows 2000 files on you computer. His computer will not even have an autoexec.bat.
However, you can make a new autoexec.bat file as I mentioned before using notepad and saving it as autoexec.bat. The other thing you can do is bring your 98 CD and search it for the VXD file. If you can find it you can copy it to your computer via a disk. When you do a search do not do it for the full name just search for vmm32 not vmm32.vxd, you probably wont find it if you include the extention.
If this still does not work send me an email and I will reply with my #.
Oh and if you don't have another PC, how are you posting messages on this BBS? |
Tommy Dougherty (Skydiver)
| | Posted on Monday, August 26, 2002 - 02:43 pm: |
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Here's the solution:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q194679
That file is dynamically generated by windoze upon installation.... so somone elses won't work.
-tommy |
ken
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 09:59 am: |
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I had the same problem and jumped thru all the hoops.
My son finally tried replacing the files 1 by 1 as they came up missing. In the end the more files we replaced the more it said we needed! I ended up goin out and buying xp, it started up just fine after that. I hope you have better luck than I did.
Ken |
Eric Pena (Evalp)
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 10:44 am: |
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Yes Ken, I am waiting for the dreaded response that it has more missing files. This would call for a reinstall or upgrade. You never know...al least for me, it can be worth it to fix it and not reinstall unless I have to. Replacing that VXD file with another might not work and that might be what causes it to ask for others.
We will see! |
BW
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 11:40 pm: |
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Guys,
To make a very long story short, there was a lot more wrong than just the missing vxd file. So, I just formated the HD and reinstalled win98. I'm just glad I had everthing backed up.
Eric, I've been using my trusty iMac to post to the web. I had a lot of reservations getting the iMac and deliberated about it for months. I just got so sick and tired my PC crashing.
Again, thanks a bunch for the help guys.
BW |
Eric Pena (Evalp)
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 09:15 am: |
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Well glad to here you had a backup; this is rare. And I use a Mac as well now. Microsoft sucks!! |
Dee
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 06:58 pm: |
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Eric, Not much money in being a Mac Systems Enginner, supporting Mickey Soft pays very well.
As long as Bill keeps producing i keep eating... |
Javier Velador (Jvelador)
| | Posted on Thursday, August 29, 2002 - 04:42 am: |
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Dee,
Bill, Schmill... There are plenty of Linux variants that are usable by Winfugees. ELX Linux, Lindows, RedHat, SuSE Linux, (my favorite).
Don't be shy to try Linux, BW. Most things you need to do in Windoze, you can do with the Penguin. Unless, of course, you run QuickBooks or some other Win-only application.
Then again, many Win apps will run under Lindows
The devil's (err.. Penguin's) advocate,
Javier - flame on! |
Eric Pena (Evalp)
| | Posted on Thursday, August 29, 2002 - 08:41 am: |
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Dee, glad to here it.
I was a field engineer for IBM for years. Lost my job over a year ago and now in school for graphic design. We use Mac's for most software and gotta say...were was I for all those years, pushing a rope!
I have decided that I can't live without my Mac and would like to without my Windows PC.
Unfortunatly, a good fix for a Windows machine is just to reload. This seems so silly to have a computer we have to reload once or twice a year but Billy has us all mistified. |
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