error message at startup.Sys.ini file needed to run windows not found.No luck finding backup(sys.bac,bak,etc)files in dirsystem.*Dont have 3.1 disks for reinstallation.I need to restore this Sys.ini file somehow?help greatly appreciated!

sys.ini required for windows missing & no luck finding backup in dirsystem.*.dont have win3.1 installation disks!DOS working fine.need to restore sys.ini file to run windows?

I don't have a sys.ini either. Maybe you can edit system.ini or win.ini to remove reference to it so you can at least run windows to find what program is requiring it.

If you mean "system.ini", then you'll need to somehow recreate it before you ever get windows to start again (without reformatting). Look in the C:\WINDOWS directory for other "previous versions" of system.ini---such as a backup which is created when some programs install. (i.e.---Norton Utilities 8 DOS/WIN creates a backup of the current system.ini file and renames it "system.nu8"). Realize that a backup version may not have all the drivers, devices etc. called out in it, so expect some degree of errors.

yes,the system initiation file needed to run windows was not found.I have checked the system directory(dir system.*) and found 1)system <DIR>and 2)System CH but no System.bak or System000 etc?the windows directory (dir win.*) shows 1)win CH 2)win com and 3)win ini.I have not found the files needed to restore the system.ini.ie renaming system.ini.some have previously found sites to download the complete windows 3.1 program.tried fingazfury.net and valiant-it.co.uk but could not locate them?

System.ini is created by Windows Setup along with Win.ini No copies will be found on install disks.

This is a very basic System.ini contents

Copy the following and paste into a text file and save as SYSTEM.INI...While this may help you gain access to windows, It will be lacking program details for anything added since a 'new install'

[boot]
shell=progman.exe
display.drv=vga.drv
keyboard.drv=keyboard.drv
network.drv=
system.drv=system.drv
386grabber=vga.3gr
oemfonts.fon=vgaoem.fon
fixedfon.fon=vgafix.fon
fonts.fon=vgasys.fon

[386enh]
display=*vddvga
keyboard=*vkd
mouse=*vmd
local=con
filesyschange=off
paging=0
pageovercommit=2
woafont=vgaoem.fon
network=*dosnet,*vnetbios
ebios=*ebios
device=*vpicd
device=*vtd
device=*reboot
device=*vdmad
device=*vsd
device=*v86mmgr
device=*pageswap
device=*dosmgr
device=*vmpoll
device=*wshell
device=*blockdev
device=*pagefile
device=*vfd
device=*parity
device=*biosxlat
device=*vcd
device=*vmcpd
device=*combuff
device=*cdpscsi

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Sorry I posted the wrong system.ini file.

This one is designed to work with Wengiers Mini-Win31 Bootdisk:

http://newdos.yginfo.net/dosware/mwin3.zip

Add this to his MS-DOS 7.10 bootdisk:

http://newdos.yginfo.net/dosware/msdos71b.zip

Or a 6.22 Bootdisk made from your own system files.

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thanks man,I know about his mini windows.I downloaded another windows 3.1 for nec computers and am up and running but i still would like to restore the old version before i delete it?also need help with installing Cd-rom in this compaq prolinea 4/25s.Bios recognizes the device but windows does not,ie no icon appears.been fiddling with autoexec.bat and config.sys but to no avail.Using windows 3.1 and trying to install a panasonic cd-rom CR-585-B model.when i try to install the drivers downloaded from panasonic,the install program rems lines in the autoexec.bat and config.sys.help?also there seems to be >1 line loading which may be a problem.driver and name given to driver have been giving me grief!should i delete old windows?.Updating did not allow me to proceed kus of missing sys.ini file.so i installed windows3.1 FOR NEC. in A NEW DIRECTORY!HELP APPRECIATED GREATLY!

still have not resolved the installation of the cd -ROM drive in this compaq prolinea 425s.Have jumper on cdROM set to slave,its attached to board along with the hard drive tried cable select and computer freezes at startup.the problem must lie in the autoexec.bat and config.sys settings but been unable to resolve it and get windows to recognize the new drive.Possibly the old damaged win 3.1 is a problem?need expert assistance.When i install the panasonic drivers the install program REMs lines in autoexec.bat and config.sys for some reason?help greatly appreciated