Houston, I have a problem!

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O.k. last night when I tried to restart my computer it gave me a message that it missed an file needed to boot windows.

Considering I am not an computer expert I have no idea how to fix this. It keeps referring to this file --> c:windows\system\vmm32\FSMGR.vxd

Now I remember I took a look in that folder yesterday but to my recollection I haven't thrown anything out.

My question: Can I reach the trash can (best chance of finding the file if I accidently threw it away) via MS dos (only thing I can reach)

Or can I fix this another way via dos, or do I have to reinstall windows (will I lose any files?)

I am running windows 98 right now

Please help me!!

 

Do you have a Norton protected trash bin ? If so, there's a chance that file might be parked somewhere. If not, than it's probably lost. Of course there's always system restore. You can go back to your settings of, let's say, 1 month ago, but you'll lose any savegames you made after that date.

 

Well I have a Norton on my system but how do I know the trashcan is protected??

And how does the system restore work, can it be done via DOS? (don't care about the saves)

 

That's one of Norton's standard options, you can also turn it off. I don't use it, because when i throw something away, i don't want to confirm it several times. I know what i throw away.

If i'm not mistaken you can do a system restore in your configuration screen, but you might wanna doublecheck that. I'm no whizkid either, but i know this could solve the problem.

 

Thanks Pacman I'll try that when I get home. Man if this doesn't work I can't even go on the internet tonight

So if someone knows something that might help please let me know, I'm almost desperate considering I don't have a windows cd at home right now.

 

You can also use "regedit", from: STARTMENU/RUN/REGEDIT

But this is very risky,
your file should be here,
but don't do anything if
you don't know wtf you'r doing,
consult with a "computer related,
place", or a qualified person...

 

You seem to miss the point. There is no start menu in DOS.

If you don't have your windows cd, can you borrow from a mate as a temporary measure? If so, you prob need a startup floopy unless you can boot from a cd. If you don't have the startup floppy, you need someone with win98 installed to make one (i think it can be done in add/remove programs).

Whack in the floppy and the win cd and start pc (make sure your bios is setup to boot from the floppy). Choose cd support and find the setup on the win cd and go (appologies if you know all about reformatting/reinstalling, but i might as well say it all, i've got nothing else to do at work).

I've reinstalled windows several times without reformatting, and i've never lost any or my files on my hard disk. It's only if you choose to reformat that you'll lose the lot.

Hope this is of some help.

 

Not sure how far you get when you turn on your computer, but are you able to get into windows safe mode?
Also, try this website http://www.jefflevy.com
He runs a computer talk show on the radio here on weekends. He has a section of "lessons" there is a lot fo windows 98 stuff there. Not sure if it will help at all though.

 

Thanks for the help people, I'll try to find a windows cd and floppy. This is what you get when you let someone else put your machine together and takes back his windows cd

 

Type "cd recycled" to get to the trashcan in MS-DOS.

You should get the WIndows running and then run the sfc.exe.
type in the name of the missing file, it will ask for the CD, and then it copies the file from the cd.

 

Use someone else's computer and paste the error message to google (as in, the search program at " http://www.google.com "). Hasn't failed me yet. Just browse through a couple of pages (usually the answer is found on the first or second link, so it's fast) and you're bound to find a detailed description of the problem and how to fix it.

 

O.k. sorry for bothering the boards with my problem but this will be the last question since I haven't access to a win98 cd until next week.

I found the files in my trashcan (recycled) and tried to copy them to C:windows\system
But it won't work, I can copy them to c:windows but not to the subdir \system. I checked and it's still there but I can't copy them there.

Also c:windows\system\vmm32 the vmm32 in that dir is unfindable and now I don't really know where to put the two files that were thrown in the trashcan: vmsgr.vxd and ios.vxd

 

Presumably you're still doing this in DOS? Is there a restore contents or recycle bin function in DOS.

Did a search on my pc to find if those files exist, but no can do, i'm affraid.

I think i'd just try to hold out until i could get the windows cd and startup floppy. But then i reformat my pc every few months, so that doesn't bother me.

 

Give the command "attrib file.extension" at the recycled folder. (1)Remember those attributes. Then do "attrib file.extension -h -r -a -s". You can find the directory at the command "dir Cwindows\system\ /a /s /p". Then copy those files to the right folder, and put the attributes on place(1)on.

That should fix it.

BTW, the copy command form is "copy Crecycled\file.extension Cwindows\system\vmm32\file.extension"


Hates newbies who mess everything up
Especially my little bro.


EDIT: AND A LITTLE NOTE:

Would anyone not knowing a **** about MS-DOS keep quiet about commands?
If WIN98 would run, it would be easy just to pick the files up from trashcan or use System File Checker sfc.exe.

But, since there's no way to get windows to run in this situation without those files, a way to return the files in windows does not help.

A start menu in dos??? Pure GUI users... A bunch of morons. And the next one giving such great advice or shooting me with arrows finds my axe in his/her belly.

[ March 06, 2003, 15:41: Message edited by: Taza ]

 

Oh s***

I didn't see that...

 

Thanks Taza, I'm going to try that the minute I get home from work.

If everything goes right I'll be on the net this evening, otherwise you'll have to miss me for a few days.