BleepingComputer.com: How to Start the computer to MS-DOS

Reference;


QUESTION POSED ON: 14 March 2002
I have deleted by error the system.ini from my PC, and now I can't open Windows 98 anymore; the PC shuts down automatically after +/-60 seconds...how can I restore system.ini?

>
You are in luck. Windows 98 makes a backup copy of system.ini when it backs up your registry using ScanReg. These backups are stored in CAB files in C:WindowsSysbckup, which is a hidden folder. Since you can?t start Windows 98, you?ll have to start the computer to MS-DOS, and then use extract.exe to extract system.ini from the most recent CAB file.

If you don't want to do this surgically, you can restore the most recent CAB file, which contains your registry and system.ini. To do that, type scanreg /restore at the MS-DOS command prompt.

I did that and a pop up message box said;

Cannot restore from Windows. Shutdown to DOS and run scanreg.exe/restore.

How to shutdown to DOS

Try downloading Win 98SE Start up Disk. Do it all under DOS from there?

You will need your BIOS set to Boot from Floppy Drive, Mate.

Post back if it doesn't work?

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

For Win98, hold down Ctrl key during boot. You should be offered a menu of options including Command Line Only.

Is a deleted system.ini the problem?

Thank you both for your replies but, . .

Sorry, you guys are going to fast for me, . .

I am under the impression there are 2 different sytems that either start the 98 OS or there are

two individual systems ? , . . one would be DOS ? and the other Windows 98 ?

or what ?

Let me get back to the deleted systems question in my next post.

Yes. WIN98 operates on Both Dos and Windows, Mate

Edit. The Start up Disk puts you into DOS, easier from there.

DOS and Windows 95 or higher are two different operating systems using two different starting procedures. A Windows PC automatically starts in Windows. But the boot sequence can be temporarily modified to start the DOS supplied with Win9x (MS-DOS 7) by either holding down the Ctrl key (Win98) or continuously tapping (not holding down) F8 for all Windows versions. As long as the DOS installation on the hard drive is valid, there's no need to alter the BIOS boot sequence using this way.

If you use a boot floppy disk, you choose the floppy drive as the first boot device in the BIOS setup (if not already set that way), as Abacus says.

The following occur on Black Background pages prior to opening the W-98 OS
for the Toshiba 7160

cmos checksum invalid
memory size decreased
cmos Time and Date Not set

Press<F1> for set up, . .<Esc> to Boot, . .<F2> for optio ROM Screen

Can not find Device File that may be needed to run Windows or a Windows Application.
The windows registry or SYSTEM.INI filerefers to this device file, but the device file no longer exist.
If you deleted this file on purpose, tryuninstalling the associated application using its or set up
application.

If you still want to use the application associated with this device file, try re-installing it that
application to replace the missing file,
vnetsup.vxd
vredir.vxd
dfs.vxd


Information on the above files.
======================
Filename: vnetsup.vxd
Directory: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\
Company Name: Microsoft Corporation
File Version: 4.00.950

File Description: Windows Virtual Network Support Product Name: Microsoft® Windows™ Operating System
( see> How to troubleshoot a Microsoft L2TP/IPSec virtual private network client connection)
>http://support.microsoft.com/kb/325034<
Size (in bytes): 19,129 File Date: 08/24/96 11:11:10 AM
File Function: Virtual Defice Identifier = 00000480 File Type: Virtual device driver
Original Filename: Internal Name: VNETSUP
Legal Copyright: Copyright © Microsoft Corp. 1992-1995 Legal Trademarks:
Product Version: 4.00.950 File Comments:
Scanned From OS Version: Windows 95 Scanned from Service Pack: 4.03.1212
======================
vredir.vxd
Filename: vredir.vxd
Directory: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\
Company Name: Microsoft Corporation
File Version: 4.00.954

File Description: Windows Virtual Network Redirector Product Name: Microsoft® Windows™ Operating System
Size (in bytes): 140,367 File Date: 06/08/98 5:21:36 AM
File Function: Virtual Defice Identifier = 00000481 File Type: Virtual device driver
Original Filename: Internal Name: VREDIR
Legal Copyright: Copyright © Microsoft Corp. 1991-1995 Legal Trademarks:
Product Version: 4.00.950 File Comments:
Scanned From OS Version: Windows 95 Scanned from Service Pack: 4.03.1212
======================
Filename: cdfs.vxd
Directory: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\IOSUBSYS\
Company Name: Microsoft Corporation
File Version: 4.00.1111

File Description: CDFS Virtual Device (Version 4.0) Product Name: Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Size (in bytes): 59,129 File Date: 08/24/96 11:11:10 AM
File Function: Virtual Defice Identifier = 00000000 File Type: Virtual device driver
Original Filename: Internal Name: CDFS
Legal Copyright: Copyright © Microsoft Corp. 1988-1995 Legal Trademarks:
Product Version: 4.00.1111 File Comments:
Scanned From OS Version: Windows 95 Scanned from Service Pack: 4.03.1212
======================

msnp32.dll
The system cannot load the dynamic lbrary link library key msnp32.dll
The system cannot find the specified, some or all of the following features is not available.
Microfsoft Network

Explorer caused a divide error in module USER.EXE at 0004:00005f67.

Solved: Missing: vnetsup.vxd, vredir.vxd, dfs.vxd and msnp32.dll
http://forums.techguy.org/earlier-versions...vxd-vredir.html

======================
msnp32.dll
Filename: msnp32.dll
Directory: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\
Company Name: Microsoft Corporation
File Version: 4.00.950

File Description: Network provider for Microsoft networks Product Name: Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Size (in bytes): 67,584 File Date: 08/24/96 11:11:10 AM
File Function: DLL File Type: Application Extension
Original Filename: Internal Name: MSNP32
Legal Copyright: Copyright © Microsoft Corp. 1992-1995 Legal Trademarks:
Product Version: 4.00.950 File Comments:
Scanned From OS Version: Windows 95 Scanned from Service Pack: 4.03.1212
======================



After those pages are clicked away by any key, and prior to the Windows opening to the 98 program a message box appears that states;
Unable to load the dynamic link library. msnp32dll.
The system cannot find the file specified.
Some or all of the following is not available:
Microsoft Network

Here's what I get from F8 key tap
Microsoft Windows 98 Startup Menu

1.Normal
2.Logged (\Boot.TXT)
3Safe Mode
4.Step-by-Step
5.Command Prompt only
6.Safe mode command prompt.

Enter Choice

This is from my first post,


QUESTION POSED ON: 14 March 2002
I have deleted by error the system.ini from my PC, and now I can't open Windows 98 anymore; the PC shuts down automatically after +/-60 seconds...how can I restore system.ini?

>
You are in luck. Windows 98 makes a backup copy of system.ini when it backs up your registry using ScanReg. These backups are stored in CAB files in C:WindowsSysbckup, which is a hidden folder. Since you can?t start Windows 98, you?ll have to start the computer to MS-DOS, and then use extract.exe to extract system.ini from the most recent CAB file.

If you don't want to do this surgically, you can restore the most recent CAB file, which contains your registry and system.ini. To do that, type scanreg /restore at the MS-DOS command prompt.


Can you give me an idea from this point where I can get to the MS-DOS command ? prompt

The CMOS backup battery has probably gone flat. It's normally a CR2032 lithium button cell on the motherboard.

Platypus is also right with what he says to enable DOS at Start up. But I honestly thought that the Start Up Disk was less confussing to, maybe. a newer Member to WIN98? The Start Up Disk enables many Tools that are very Useful to inexperienced people?

If you go back to your Original Post?

Download WIN98SE Start Disk, put it on a Floppy., adjust the Bios to Boot from Floppy Drive, reboot and at the Command Prompt,(Which is A:\) just type in what was said and press (Enter) It should fix it

Quote

OK, thank you all much, I'll give it a whirl and post back.

Looks like that model number can be either a laptop or a desktop - what type of system is it?

After that, just to be fair all round, we can maybe Teach you how to do the Command Prompt, so that you know both ways? At the moment we want to get you up and running ASAP.

I did the MS-DOS prompt and regscan, however there was no change at start up.

I am still getting;
Cannot find a device file that may be needed to run Windows or a Windows application.

The windows registry or System.INI file refers to this device, but the device no longer exists.

If you deleted this file on purpose, try uninstalling the associated application using the uninstall or setup program.

If you still want to use the application associated with this device file,
try reinstalling that application to replacxe the missing file.
vnet.vxd

apparently there was a device that someone uninstalled and there are remaining parts that I could find if I knew what that device was.

The other thing is as previously posted;

After those pages are clicked away by any key, and prior to the Windows opening to the 98 program a message box appears that states;
Unable to load the dynamic link library. msnp32dll.
The system cannot find the file specified.
Some or all of the following is not available:
Microsoft Network

In device manager
I have a yellow excl. mark at
Ports (COM & LPT)

Communications Port (COM2)

Properties
Device Status
This device is disabled because the BIOS for the device did not give it any resources
(Code 29)

You must enable the device in the BIOS. See your Hardware documentation for details or contact your computer manufacturer to get an updated BIOS
Device Usage
Disable in this hardware profile (unchecked)

Driver details
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SERIAL\VXD
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\VMM32VXD (vcomm.vxd)
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEMSERIALUI.DLL

Has it actually booted into Windows?

If so that has fixed the Win.ini File

It just needs some Drivers sorted out now

They appear to be Video Card Files?

Driver Files on Win95 and Win98 used to require installing Drivers from a seperate Disk, unlike Versions since. That may mean a bit of Searching on your part?

I just remembered some thing from years ago, it is a Long Shot?

If you now have access to Win 98 look in the Recycled Bin? If Win.ini is there, Restore it. Crazy enough it once fixed a Mate's Machine, doing that. He had invertantly deleted that File.

BTW, using the Start Up Disk, you can Boot Windows of that Vintage from DOS. It is a little known Tool.