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My computer locked up and now Win98Se won't open. It starts but then get the message that the registry and system.ini refer to missing files. Th files are vshinit.vxd and mpfbocks.vxd. It was looking aslo fro mpfirewl.vxd but I found that on another computer and loaded it so it now skips looking for that file. Win won't open in the safe mode either so I can only work thru the c prompt.I can't reload win98se because computer won't find cd player now. Where can I find the files vshinit.vxd & mpfbocks.vxd to reload. thanks for the help.
kevin
Kevin: boot the computer directly to the C: prompt by holding the ctrl key down when the computer starts to boot. Select "Command Prompt only from the list.
At the C: prompt type "scanreg /restore" without the quotes(note the space between scanreg and /). Select a date from the list that preceeds your lockup, make sure the "Restore" button is highlited and press enter. This should restore a good copy of the system files and registry. After the restore you will get the "restart" otpion, press enter and hopefully your system will start up.
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JohnBC Thanks,but that didn't solve problem, still goes thru partially then says "cannot find a device that may be needed to run windows or a window application. the windows registry or sytem.ini file refers to this device but the file no longer exists" push enter then it looks for vshinit.vxd file - can't find push enter again then it looks for mpfbocks.vxd- can't find push enter again then goes to blue screen an says to run the windows set agin to correct problem. help!
kevin
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If your computer won't boot to a CD either the BIOS boot settings need to be reset to place the CD drive before the HDrive or the disk you are attempting to boot to is not bootable. Watch the POST screens for a message "boot to CD" you need to hit enter at that time or the boot process will simply skip over the CD and attempt booting to the HD.
mpfbocks.vxd. file appears to be related to McAfee virus software. Have you recently removed and software or hardware?
Refore reinstalling Windows try F8 at startup but select boot with step by step confirmation. Going by memory here so that may not be exact. Step by step will show you where the problem is.
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I got to a point where I can boot from cd - I need a definitive answer- can I reinstall windows98se with out losing my existing files??? I have a lot of drawings that I can't afford to lose!
kevin
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I've never known anyone re-installing W98SE without reformat to lose their own files. That's about as definitive as I can get because you might happen to be the first person who does.
They can be backed up through DOS but it takes a lot of time, patience and a load of floppies (if you have a floppy drive). Backing them up regularly before disaster is a better bet and much simpler.
DerekW
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If you reinstall Windows you WILL need to reinstall all the programs again and possibly re-apply all updates and patches. I suggest you make further attempts at reapair first.
Do you have McAfee virus software installed on this computer?
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OtheHill
I agree entirely that attempting to fix the problem should be the first priority. However I have overlayed Windows many times and it usually goes quite well - most programs and updates remaining intact.
DerekW
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OK that would make a difference to the poster. I Googled the mpfbocks.vxd and it is related to McAfee. The file that was already replaced is also related to McAfee. Considering how this problem arose initially I would suspect a possible virus or other malware attack. Why would those particular entries go missing?
The poster should be apprised that the overlay must be installed in the same folder.
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OtheHill
Agreed - a virus attack is quite possible and it is doubtful that a windows overlay would cure that.Being stuck in DOS is a problem. Maybe we can unearth the missing files, otherwise it seems some kind of windows install might be necessary.
100% on that last line of yours. I always try to remember to mention that on overlays.
ADDED EDIT:
Windows overlay is unlikely to replace those particular files so it could lead us nowhere.krickfp
Please excuse us chatting away - just trying to work out the best way forward.DerekW
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krickfp
Now is the time to admonish you about backing up mission critical files. No one can guarantee nothing bad will happen. If these files are super important then the solution would be to remove the drive and slave in another computer. Alternate method, install 2nd harddrive and perform a clean install of Windows there. Either way you aren't writing to the disk in question. You could possible copy the files somehow using dos but that would really be a pain. If you opt for the alternate method I suggest disconnecting the cables from the original drive while performing the install. You would need to change the jumpers at some point but other than that it would be straight forward. The question is, do you have more than three drives, counting optical, in the computer now?
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OtheHill
I have to go shortly and won't be back until Thursday.
Here's a crazy thought (just to get us into either Safe Mode or windows with a few error messages).
On a quick Google it looks as if you can get at least one of the missing files and you can also determine their locations. They may be far too old but at least they should satisfy the registry and get us into the windows environment.
If necessary then make a text file with just "dummy" in it and rename it to the missing file(s) and put it(them) in via DOS.
It might just work and then krickfp can uninstall the associated programs and/or backup his important stuff before scanning the system and sorting it out properly.
Backing up his stuff using DOS could be very tricky so this is a possible way forward.
I'm not necessarily expecting agreement. Treat it as a bit of brainstorming.
DerekW
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Thanks for the help. I reinstalled win98se and all of the programs are still running properly , some minor problems with printers, Ineternet explorer and aol- aol will open but the body of the screen is blank, I can see on the bottom bar that things are opening but nothing shows up when it is finished, at least I can get mail at this point. so the minor problems will have to be worked out, but I can access everthing to work on. again thanks for the help
kevin
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