My machine is Compaq Armada 7400 laptop. First I had a problem wiht System.ini file mising. I fixed that then got the vmm32.vxd error. Now I have both problems combine. I have used a startup floppy win98se and I keep getting the message. I can access floppy drive.

Just reinstall Windows using the over-the-top, aka "dirt install" method. http://www.windowsreinstall.com/ind...

Are you trying to start a windows session after booting from a floppy disk? You can't do that unless you've copied the msdos.sys from the hard drive to the floppy, which I doubt you've done. Or are the errors coming after a normal, hard drive startup? I want a star too! "I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!"

Got your PM (presumably about an old post of mine) but have just found this new post. When you get W98 back up again, save a copy of Vmm32.vxd file, as this might save you a re-install sometime. Update your saved copy after any significant hardware changes and the drivers have all been installed. If you show all files and extensions you will find it in: c:\windows\system some other bloke...

I cannot do anyting without accesing the d: drive and that is because the file VMM32.VXD is not in my path. when I do a windows dir system.ini i see the file. How do Iget it out of there I do not know. That is my first problem. I cannot acces the A or D drive nor the safe mode that would allow me to do a reinstall. What else can I try.

First, vmm32.vxd and system.ini are two different files. A dir c:\windows\system.ini will find system.ini, if it exists. A dir c:\windows\system\vmm32.vxd will find vmm32.vxd, if it's there. Finding one says nothing about the condition of the other. When you say you can't acces the A: or D: drives, what do you mean? Do you mean you can't boot with a bootdisk in A: or a boot CD in D: when they are set as the first boot devices? Booting from one of those drives is how you normally reinstall windows. You shouldn't need to boot to safe or normal mode. I want a star too! "I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!"