WINDOWS WON'T START - System.ini fault 1

[hwmueller]

Hi

Since a couple of days my windows won't load up giving as a reason that the System.ini file refers to a file which no longer exists. It then shows the file name c:WINDOWS\SYSTEM\VMM32\< various different names >.VXB (i think!). I then press enter and the same message appears with just a different name in the < >. In all there are about 45 such files. Then the computer shuts down.

My system.ini file contains the following:

[boot]
oemfonts.fon=vga850.fon
system.drv=system.drv
drivers=mmsystem.dll power.drv
shell=Explorer.exe
user.exe=user.exe
gdi.exe=gdi.exe
sound.drv=mmsound.drv
dibeng.drv=dibeng.dll
comm.drv=comm.drv
mouse.drv=mouse.drv
keyboard.drv=keyboard.drv
*DisplayFallback=0
fixedfon.fon=vgafix.fon
fonts.fon=vgasys.fon
386Grabber=vgafull.3gr
display.drv=pnpdrvr.drv
scrnsave.exe=C:\WINDOWS\HPSSAVER_2.scr

[keyboard]
keyboard.dll=
oemansi.bin=xlat850.bin
subtype=
type=4

[boot.description]
system.drv=Standard PC
keyboard.typ=Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
mouse.drv=Standard mouse
aspect=100,96,96
display.drv=Chips & Technologies 65555 PCI

[386Enh]
ebios=*ebios
woafont=app850.fon
device=*dynapage
device=*vcd
device=*vpd
device=*int13
mouse=*vmouse, msmouse.vxd
keyboard=*vkd
display=*vdd,*vflatd

[NonWindowsApp]
TTInitialSizes=4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 18 20 22

[power.drv]

[drivers]
voice=C:\BITWARE\rockwell.drv
msvideo.vvlcpia=vvlcpia.drv
wavemapper=*.drv
MSACM.imaadpcm=*.acm
MSACM.msadpcm=*.acm
wave=mmsystem.dll
midi=mmsystem.dll

[iccvid.drv]

[mciseq.drv]

[mci]
cdaudio=mcicda.drv
sequencer=mciseq.drv
waveaudio=mciwave.drv
avivideo=mciavi.drv
videodisc=mcipionr.drv
vcr=mcivisca.drv
MPEGVideo=mciqtz.drv
MPEGVideo2=mciqtz.drv

[vcache]

[Password Lists]
HANS MUELLER=C:\WINDOWS\HANSMUEL.PWL
*Rna=C:\WINDOWS\Rna.PWL



[drivers32]
MSACM.msg711=msg711.acm
vidc.CVID=iccvid.dll
VIDC.IV31=ir32_32.dll
VIDC.IV32=ir32_32.dll
vidc.MSVC=msvidc32.dll
VIDC.MRLE=msrle32.dll
msacm.lhacm=lhacm.acm
msacm.l3acm=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\L3CODECA.ACM
VIDC.VDOM=vdowave.drv
VIDC.MPG4=msscmc32.dll
vidc.vivo=ivvideo.dll
msacm.vivog723=vivog723.acm
VIDC.TR20=tr2032.dll
VIDC.UCOD=clrviddd.dll
VIDC.IV50=ir50_32.dll
msacm.iac2=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\IAC25_32.AX
VIDC.IV41=IR41_32.AX
msacm.msaudio1=msaud32.acm
VIDC.YV12=vvlcodec.dll
VIDC.I420=vvlcodec.dll
VIDC.YUY2=vvlcodec.dll
VIDC.UYVY=vvlcodec.dll
msacm.sl_anet=sl_anet.acm
msacm.voxacm160=vct3216.acm
msacm.msg723=msg723.acm
vidc.M263=msh263.drv
vidc.M261=msh261.drv
MSACM.imaadpcm=imaadp32.acm
MSACM.msadpcm=msadp32.acm
MSACM.msgsm610=msgsm32.acm
MSACM.trspch=tssoft32.acm

[ScreenTime]
Password Value=0

[CineMac]
Password Value=0

[TTFontDimenCache]
0 4=2 4
0 5=3 5
0 6=4 6
0 7=4 7
0 8=5 8
0 9=5 9
0 10=6 10
0 11=7 11
0 12=7 12
0 13=8 13
0 14=8 14
0 15=9 15
0 16=10 16
0 18=11 18
0 20=12 20
0 22=13 22

Is there anything I can do that would rectify this situation? Please help if you can as I am a student and desperatly need my computer!!

Thanks

Hans

 

[ghostrider3]

VMM32 relates to the vertual memory manager
can you start the computer in safe mode??
it may have been disabled or corrupted.

 

[hwmueller]

No, safe mode returns the same result at normal mode. Any ideas what i can do?? pls say yes!

 

[greentech]

Files that should be in there are:
IFSMGR.VXD
IOS.VXD
QEMMFIX.VXD

IF NOT Try the following.

Get hold of your windows 98 CD (I'm making the assumption that your OS is Win98)

Back up all the files in c:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\VMM32type: cd c:\windows\system\vmm32 (goes to that directory)
type: md c:\back (make directory C:\back)
type: xcopy /s *.* c:\back (copies files)

This will back up all files and directories in this folder.

Next:-

You'll need to extract the *.VXD files to the C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\VMM32\ folder.

I don't know the exact commands off by heart but I think it's something like:
EXTRACT /A /E BASE4.CAB *.VXD /L C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\VMM32

But to make sure type EXTRACT/?

I've had this problem before, and this worked after a little time a perseverance. Make sure you can read the cdrom drive. If not boot off of a win98 floppy.

If worst comes to worst, them if you have to option to boot off of the cdrom, then do an install. You DON'T need to delete anything, as the install program will overwrite all and put back all the files it needs. Your machine will be exactly as you left it, and all your software should be intact and OK! But keep this as a last option.

Nicholas.

 

[hwmueller]

Hi Nicholas

Thanks for this, I will try it when I get home. I take it when you say &quot;Files that should be in there are:&quot; you are referring to the VMM32 folder?

Hans

 

[hwmueller]

Nicholas, one more question!

The missing miles are definitly in the Base4.cab folder or is that just a suggestion where they may be?? Is there any way I can see a list of the files on the cd?

Hans

 

[greentech]

Me again.
Almost. There are about 70 cab files give or take a few. The first cab file is base4.cab. With the set of commands I gave, it should look through all the cab files, starting with base4.cab.

here's a rough break down of the extract command:=
EXTRACT /A /E BASE4.CAB *.VXD /L C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\VMM32

EXTRACT /A /E = searches through all cab files starting
with base4.cab, and then extract the specified files

BASE4.CAB *.VXD = Starts with base4.cab and extract all VXD files

/L C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\VMM32 = copies the files to this directory.

I hope it's some help!

 

[hwmueller]

Hi Nicholas

Success!! Thanks ever so much, your help certainly saved me many a sleepless night. While we are on the subject maybe you can help me with one more small thing.

My hard disk driver 'primary IDE dual fifo' has a yellow exclamation mark over it. I have tried updateing the driver from both the windows cd and the Windows website but with no luck. Any idea??

Thanks again

Hans

 

[greentech]

Hi Hans.
With this problem, goto

http://www.Regedit.com

and search on IDE and goto &quot;MS-DOS Compatibility Mode Problems with PCI IDE Controllers&quot;. Be careful when working with your computers registry!

 

[hwmueller]

Thanks Nicholas, you have been a great help.

Hans

 

[hwmueller]

Nicholas, I tried what that website suggested, but there was no noide value or even the word noide. Any other suggestions?

Hans

 

[jakrabit]

boot to a dos prompt... cd to c:\windows and dir for system.*

look for the system.bak or other similar backups... rename system.ini system.&quot;MDD&quot; (MDD = Month+Day+Day) and try renaming System.bak to system.ini... reboot... see if that works... try the most recent backup of System.ini first, and work back...

Shane
and now for the impressive abbreviations:
DOA, SOL, AWOL, PEBKAC, id10t, FUBAR

 

[greentech]

Hi Hans,
Another option you could try, as I've had this problem, but probably under different circumstances is turning off DMA on your primary hard drive.

A few years ago, when I added a second hard drive I kept recieving errrors on my PCI STEARING and dual PCI controller. After removing DMA on Drive C:\ all errors had gone. To try it go to control Panel, System and device manager. Goto &quot;Disk Drives&quot;. Click on Drive C:\ and then uncheck or do visa-versa and add DMA if it's not already checked. shutdown and reboot. If that fails and window's doesn't load, boot up into safe mode and just reverse what you did.

Nick

 

[hwmueller]

Hi Nick

I had a look and there is no c:\ at that location!! Only my floppy drive. Is that perhaps the problem? If so how would I restore the c:\?

Once again cheers for all your patient help, i really appreciate it.

Hans

 

[dovesm]

greentech:
I am also experiencing this problem (OS Win95). I have tried the extract command only to get the following error:
&quot;cannot open file Base4.cab&quot; - any suggestions?
Thanks much - dovesm