Window's Installation Errors

[TotalRecall]

Hi guys. Ok, my other computer was having some problems connecting to the net recently so I decided it was time for a re-format. It had been running the same for over 2 years, and performace was awful. So, I backed up the files I wanted to keep and proceeded to reformat the hard disk.

I had no trouble reformatting, but I ran into some trouble during the Window's 98 SE installation. After the Plug-and-play devices along with system drivers were installed, it asked for a reboot. After the reboot, I recieved a DOS error. The error reads:

Windows protection error. You need to restart your computer.

C:\WINDOWS\system\vmm32.vxd: Missing/unable to load.

I rebooted, and the error appeared again. I finnally decided to remove the Windows cd. After this, the computer booted into Window's and started the hardware installation. A prompt appeared asking for the Windows cd yet again, so I put the cd in. It tried to find the file on the disc but failed, and popped up the "could not find..." error.

This happens for a ton of .dll files and other system files. I've reformatted 3 times, and the last time I repartioned. No luck. IE will not load, and it brings a illegal operation moobe ( I believe ) error.

Any help will be appriecated. Thanks.

PS: Sorry for the long read.


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Hamster Liberation Front (http://www.the-group.org/vip/HLF)

Changes aren't permanent, but change is.

[TotalRecall]

Oh, sorry I forgot something. When Windows asked for the cd key, I used the cd key from the older setup. This was a non SE setup, but the code was accepted.

I'm not sure this would make a difference. Thanks again. http://www.opentechsupport.net/forums/smile.gif

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Hamster Liberation Front (http://www.the-group.org/vip/HLF)

Changes aren't permanent, but change is.

[Canis Lupus]

Give us a list of the hardware on that computer... I got the same type of error several months ago when I reformatted my computer. It turned out to be my SB Live drivers and Liveware...

[TotalRecall]

(Sorry, I didn't know this forum was here.)

Specs:
PII 350
Ensoniq Audio PCI
ATI Rage PRO Turbo 8mb
64 mb RAM
8 gb hdd
2x Hitachi (??) DVD-ROM
DLink ISA Ethernet card

Sorry I can't give you more accurate specs, but the computer is an HP and most of the brand names weren't revealed. And, I know the Ensoniq is actually a Sound Blaster card, but I can't remember which one.

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Hamster Liberation Front (http://www.the-group.org/vip/HLF)

Changes aren't permanent, but change is.

[TotalRecall]

The Window's cd is an OEM version, I believe. I installed it fine on my computer, though.

I am getting errors before the drivers are being installed. How could the drivers affect the system if they aren't installed yet? I will try pointing the path to those Window's directories. Thanks...this is *really* complicated. Hehe

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Hamster Liberation Front (http://www.the-group.org/vip/HLF)

Changes aren't permanent, but change is.

[TotalRecall]

The errors appear when I run Window's for the first time, so I don't have a chance to extract the files without removing the disk. So, i'll have to remove the disk to get to the OS, and then insert it when i'm searching to extract the .vxd file. (I have a feeling that's not going to work..hehe)

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Hamster Liberation Front (http://www.the-group.org/vip/HLF)

Changes aren't permanent, but change is.

[Auruspex]

damn you TR........ im stumpted!!!!

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yes

[Canis Lupus]

Hmmm, weird problem ... anyway, I'd suggest reformatting (yeah, again), and making sure that before you reformat, you have the latest drivers for your hardware stashed away somewhere (download them first and burn them to a disk (if you have a burner). That's what I do before I reformat my computer, just to make sure I have the latest drivers.

After Windows is installed (problems or no problems), you may wanna copy the whole /win98 folder (minus the /ols and /tour folders) from the CD onto your hard drive ... that way, if your system asks for the Win98 CD, you can just point it to your hard drive everytime...

Me thinks this is just a case of outdated drivers having problems with Win98SE... Post back on your progress, or wait for some of our other Windows gurus to offer some thoughts http://www.opentechsupport.net/forums/smile.gif



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Those who expect nothing will never be disappointed...

[Ion Silverbolt]

You might try the old one PCI card at a time installation. Usually when drivers don't want to load properly, a cold boot does the trick. Sometimes it's best to leave some of the hardware out and install it seperately though. SB Lives seem especially *****y. I had to cold boot when I installed the other day because the SB Live didn't like my RAID controller. It's been fine though ever since the cold boot.

Do you have a CD-ROM drive you could try installing Windows in his system with? I'm not very confident in DVD-ROMS when it comes to installing software/windows.

Did the vmm32.vxd file get copied at all? It's located in the contents of the Win98_54.cab file on the CD. Use the extract command to try and recover the vmm32.vxd file.

I'm not sure if Windows 98 has the extract command though. Windows 2000 does. I haven't used 98 in a long time.

A lot of times, files get copied to the Windows, Windows/system, or Windows/system32 directory. Pointing it there may find the files. Drivers usually reside in the Windows/inf hidden directory as well.

btw..Is it a full version CD? Or maybe one of those modified Windows CD's that OEM's use? I hear some of them have missing components with them.

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©2001 Ionic Computer Services.

[Ion Silverbolt]

lol Laggy, I didn't think that was too bad of a word..hehe (rymes with rich)

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©2001 Ionic Computer Services.

[TotalRecall]

Today, I booted off the Window's cd. I moved to the C:/WINDOWS/ prompt and typed "win" to run Windows. I got this error (in BSOD form):

VFAT Device Initialization Failed

A device or resource required by VFAT is not present or in unavailable. VFAT cannot continue loading.

Sytem halted.


I'm not sure what VFAT is, but that sounds pretty scary. I have reformatted or reinstalled Window's yet. Any ideas?

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Hamster Liberation Front (http://www.the-group.org/vip/HLF)

Changes aren't permanent, but change is.

[Ion Silverbolt]

You're having way too much trouble getting files to copy. Have you tried installing with a different CD-ROM?

Also, if you have your BIOS's virus protection enabled, it can interfere with a Windows installation. Make sure it's disabled.

IF you used a third party partitioning utility in the past on the hard drive, it could be interfering with the installation. If you decide to format and re-install, boot from the CD. Try fdisk /mbr and it will clear the master boot record of any info or virus that may be there.

I think you're getting this error from missing files though. TRy a different CD-ROM. http://www.opentechsupport.net/forums/smile.gif OR copy the files from a healthy Windows 98 machine.


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©2001 Ionic Computer Services.

[Kerash]

When you start Windows, You revieve this error Correct?:

VMM32.VXD: Missing/Unable to Load. Press any key to continue.
( Pressing any key causes the " Shutdown " )

If so, I can think of two reassons:

1. if the Umaxis11.386 file is being loaded from the System.ini file. ( This file is used by UMAX Scanner Software )

2. it can also be a file that is used by the Genius scanner software. The Genius scanner file is named Smis11.386.

One Effective Solution you can Try is:
1. Restart your computer with a Windows Startup disk.

2. Type the following lines, pressing ENTER after each line:

c:
cd windows
edit system.ini
Press ALT+S, and then press F.

3. Type umaxis11.386, and then press ENTER.

4. Disable the line containing "Umaxis11.386" by placing a semicolon (;) at the beginning of the line.

5. Press ALT+F, press X, and then press Y.

6. Remove the Windows Startup disk, and then restart your computer.

And yes, Sorry for the rather large post :)


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Need Extra Help? http://www.kerash.org

[Kerash]

Also: If the above information is of no help, 1. i'm sorry, and 2. You can try This:
When you recieve the message resart the System and select a ' Step-by-step Conformational Startup '
And disable it from processing the system.ini, Autoexec.exe, and see what happens. Also: Good luck, and have fun :)

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Need Extra Help? http://www.kerash.org