AliveAndKickin

I was running WinMe and didn't like it so I decided to load Win98. It failed. After it pronounced that Win98 was going to run for the first time....I got the following screen:

"Cannot find a device that may be needed to run Windows or a Windows application.
The Windows Registry or System.INI file refers to this file, but the device no longer exists.
If you deleted this file on purpose, try uninstalling the associated application using it's uninstall or setup program.
If you still wasn to use the application associated with this device file, try reinstalling that application to replace the missing file: C\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\VMM32\VPOWERD.VXD."
Press a key to continue.

I pressed a key and got the above message with this ending: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\VMM#@\VxDMON.VXD.
Again I presses a key and the message ended with: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ms.mouse.vxd.
When I pressed another button: "You may need to run the Windows setup again. If the file is included in another software package, you may need to reinstall the software that uses the file.

I uninstalled Win98 at the add/remove board(in safe mode) and got WinMe back. Tried to reload Win98. Same thing as above. Cannot now uninstall win98...cannot access WinMe. Ihave a Win98 startup disk and boot diskette....I do not have a winme cd. I can access the windows menu but that is all.

Earlier in the install I got "parts of C:\RESTORE\ARCHIVE\FS1106.CAB file are damaged....

Am I ever going to be able to fix this? I will settle for getting my winme back(I have an "OEM" disk but not the codes. I really would rather have the win98. Please advise.

Jlp1928

Hi Alive,

Never done that one before, Me back to 98. I beleive that no earlier version of windows will load over a newer one. I have always cleaned the drive to accomplish that. Backup your good files and reformat. Someone else will have personal experience with this. GUYS?

Good Luck, Jim

AliveAndKickin

How do I ...."reformat". BTW...the reason(s) for "backtracking" to 98 are because my winme was not working well(and...I didn't like it)...and I dont have a winme cd(I DO have a 98 cd).

AliveAndKickin

Could this be a boot disk(diskette/floppy) problem? I have been to "bootdisk" and their downloads on floppy do not work with my cd's(for some reason). I don't know where else to go for a floppy or a me cd.

OregonMike

Alive&...
Have you tried using the 98 boot disk and doing "EXT" from the CD to get the file you're missing? I've done that several times and it's saved my a** on occasion. Just note where the file goes B/4 you start and it should be fairly routine from there on.

AliveAndKickin

The WinMe cd is bad. I went into it and discovered the driver file was corrupted. Now I am stuck with 98....and my graphics s*ck!!! I only have 2 & 16 colors. I don't know what to do about that. I guess I need graphics drivere...but I don't know where to get them...let alone....which one(s) to download. Thanks for the help, though.

AliveAndKickin

I also have no sound from my '97 soundcard...I get "win98 does not support". Any way past that. I sure wish I could borrow a later vers. of windows....XL...something!!!

OldGrayGary

Hi all


Alive & Kicking - just to make sure that hardware problems aren't hiding under your software problems, it'd be good to check with a few diagnostics
1) Check the hard drive --- http://tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287
2) Check the system memory --- http://www.memtest.org
3) Check your Bios settings & battery

To check your Bios settings, acquire a system manual for either the system itself, or the motherboard. Labels on the case and on the motherboard identify things. If, when entering Setup, you notice the time/date are several years behind -- the Bios battery needs replacing. A good general guide for that is here --- http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...&product=94878 ---

I'd recommend starting over, wiping the drive completely (if you haven't already). Also, whenever installing or reinstalling a Windows 9x/Me series computer, make sure to disable any Bios antivirus settings in the Bios Setup screens for that computer. You can re-enable those settings after the system installation is complete.

Most video cards have markings on them to identify them, and "onboard" graphics can be identified if the motherboard is identified. Programs such as Everest Home edition, Aida32 and Aida16, etc. - can try to detect hardware, but they are less than perfect. You can download and create a bootable CD with such tools on it at --- http://www.ultimatebootcd.com ---
Since your hard drive will be completely blank if you wipe the drive (zero-write), you'll need to use FDISK to create the Primary DOS partition --- http://www.msdos.windowsreinstall.com/fdisk.htm --- you can let Windows 98 setup format the drive for you as part of Setup.

If you must go with Windows 98, it would be best to use Windows 98 2nd Edition, if available. It has much better hardware & software compatibility.

I can't imagine having trouble finding a Win98se driver for a 1997 sound card. Google is your friend.

Best of luck
. . . Gary