My computer was working fine before I went on leave I got back yesterday and turned on my computer and it wont load up. eventually it got to the screen where it says verifying DMI Pool Data... and after a long while it gets to the windows me splash screen then just stays there. I tried booting up using the emergeny book disk but I tried everything on there and it keeps saying data error reading drive C. I tried running scan disk but it only reads the partition on my hard drive labeled D: and Drive E: which is my DVD-Rom Drive. I tried booting up via safe mode and it said it was bypassing the startup files and that the following files is missing or corrupted. C:\windows\ifshlp.sys C:\windows\system\vmm32\vxd what should I do? Can I wipe out my harddrive through the command prompt? and reload windows 98, and then upgrade to ME like I did before? How do I do that I hope you can help.

using a startup disk try reinstalling windows me over top itself, put a startup disk in a: choose with cd-rom support change to cd-rom ,it'll be one higher then normal have windows me cd in type setup it will try to install to c:\windows.000 backspace out the .000 so it installs to c:\windows if this fails you can use the windows me upgrade cd as a full install bootup with a startup disk in a: type format c: press enter when format is complete ,it will respond enter volume lable or press enter for none, have your windows me cd in the cd-rom change to your cd-rom drive letter, type setup, windows me will now install, have your 98 cd ready for qualifying product, that win-me setup will ask for. (this way you can skip installing 98.)

Microsoft have an article on the Windows CDs on how to do this and also on their website. On the ME CD you'll find the excellent article in \addons\document\guide and it's called mqsg (believe it or not). The information you want starts about page 31. On the website, go to http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q255/8/67.asp and http://support.microsoft.com/support/windows/topics/winme/setup/setupht.asp http://www.windowsreinstall.com/ is also useful Be very careful you have all your drivers and original disks for all your components and peripherals, or download latest versions before you start. Also, have a look here before you load any programs http://www.computing.net/windowsme/wwwboard/forum/14062.html