Error Message: The Following File Is Missing or Corrupted: C:\Windows\Ifshlp.sys (Q258471)
The information in this article applies to:
* Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
SYMPTOMS
When you restart your computer, you may receive one of the following error messages:
The following file is missing or corrupted: C:\Windows\Ifshlp.sys
The following file is missing or corrupted: C:\Windows\System\Vmm32.vxd
Type the name of the Windows loader (e.g., C:\Windows\System\Vmm32.vxd
While initializing device IFSMGR
The Microsoft Installable File System Manager cannot find the helper driver.
Please ensure that IFSHLP.SYS has been installed. System halted.
The following file is missing or corrupted: C:\Windows\System\Imagehlp.dll
When you receive any of these error messages, you must reboot your computer.
CAUSE
These error messages can occur for the following reasons:
* An incorrect WinBootDir entry in the Msdos.sys file.
* A missing or corrupted Ifshlp.sys file.
* A missing or corrupted Vmm32.vxd file.
* A missing or corrupted Imagehlp.dll file.
RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, restart the computer with a Windows Millennium Edition Startup disk, and then perform each step until the problem is resolved:
1. Modify the WinBootDir entry in the Msdos.sys file to point to the correct location of the Windows folder.
* Extract a new copy of the Ifshlp.sys file to the Windows folder and extract a new copy of the Imagehlp.dll file to the Windows\System folder.
For additional information about extracting files, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
2. Q129605 How to Extract Original Compressed Windows Files If you determine that the Vmm32.vxd file is missing or corrupt, you must rename the file to Vmm32.old in the C:\Windows\System folder, and then reinstall Windows Millennium Edition to re-create this file.
How to Extract and Replace a Protected File in Windows Me (Q265371)
The information in this article applies to:
* Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
SUMMARY
This article describes how to use the System Configuration Utility tool in Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me) to extract a file that is protected by the System File Protection feature.
MORE INFORMATION
To extract and replace a file that is protected by the System File Protection feature in Windows Me:
1. Start your computer in Safe mode. To do this, restart your computer, press and hold down the CTRL key after your computer completes the Power On Self Test (POST), and then choose Safe Mode from the Startup menu.
* Click Start , point to Programs , point to Accessories , point to System Tools , and then click System Information .
* On the Tools menu, click System Configuration Utility to start the System Configuration Utility tool.
* In the System Configuration Utility tool, click Extract File .
* In the Extract one file from installation disk dialog box, type the name of the file that you want to extract, and then click Start .
* In the Restore from box, type c:\windows\options\install or type the custom location of the installation files.
NOTE : Use c:\windows\options\install if you installed a Windows Me retail product, or c:\windows\options\cabs if your computer manufacturer installed Windows Me.
* In the Save file in box, type c:\ .
* Click OK to extract the file, and then click Yes to create a folder for the extracted file.
* Drag the extracted file from the folder on drive C to the location of the file that you replaced, and then click Yes to overwrite the file.
* Restart your computer.
If you extract a file directly to the destination folder to replace a file that is protected by the System File Protection feature, you may receive the following error message:
Extract File
The specified file is protected and may not be copied or deleted.
Some files are used in Safe mode and you cannot replace them while they are in use (such as the Wsock32.dll file). To replace these files, use the Extract command that is included on the Windows Me Startup disk.
You can extract files directly to the destination folder when you start your computer with the Startup disk.
The default source folder for Microsoft Windows installation files is the C:\Windows\Options\Install folder.
If you need to make a Startup disk to run Extract, use the following steps:
1. Click Start , point to Settings , and then click Control Panel .
* In Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs .
* On the Startup Disk tab, click Create Disk .
For additional information about how to use the Extract tool, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q129605 How to Extract Original Compressed Windows Files
FYI a lot of times you can find the answer just by searching Google for say:
"ifshlp.sys missing"
