Boot Up Error Message

Apparently, I've deleted something that screwed up my Windows '98 system to the point where it can't locate most things. On boot up, I get the message "cannot find device to run windows or windows application", and that SYSTEM.INI no longer exists. I tried to do a restore but that did not work properly. Any help will be appreciated.

 

Are you posting this on the machine that you are having problems with? If so or if not, I'd boot into dos mode and check to see if there are any system.bak or system.old, also re-check that system.ini does not exist. If it doesn't exist, then I'd ren the LATEST system.old or system.bak to system.ini

At the command prompt:

copy system.bak system.ini (or copy system.bak *.ini)

If you don't have a .bak then .old can be substituted.

 

I'm posting on the machine that I'm having problems. DOS indicates "bad command to both .bak and .old.

 

Sorry, should have clarified.

At the command prompt:

Ie. when you are at the c:\

cd windows
dir system.*

What is listed?

You may have a system.ini, system.old, system.bak, or something similar.

 

Not sure I'm understanding you. What I did was type in cd windows, entered, windows appeared after prompt. Then I entered dir system. At that point, every file, or what ever, flew by so fast there was no was of reading it.
BTW, I really appreciate your time!

 

I went back and added the . * after dir system and got the following:

system ini 2586
system cb 116
system <dir>

 

At the DOS command prompt enter the following commands:

cd \windows

dir system.*

that command should list every file in the Windows directory with the filename of system no matter what the extension.

You are looking for files with the name of:

system.bak
system.old

then issue this command at the DOS command prompt:

WARNIG: ISSUE ONLY 1 OF THE BELOW COMMANDS.
NOTE: The command you issue depends on which of the above files is the newest.

copy system.bak system.ini

copy system.old system.ini

 

What I get, Dude, is the following:

Volume is drive C has no label
Volumve serial no. is _____
Directory of C:\windows

System ini 2586 8/14/05
System cb 116 8/14/05
System <dir>



2 files 2702 bytes
1 dir 4,049.41 mb free

 

Is that a typo, there should be a period in there. There is a period in there, correct.

 

edited by me

Didn't realize there were more posts.....

 

Went back to check-no period. Reads: System ini 2586

 

At the DOS command Prompt:

copy "c:\windows\system ini" c:\windows\system.ini

try that

 

Says bad command or file name. BTW, my prompt reads C:\>
Also, I have Windows'98
Thanks for your time!

 

your prompt should read:

c:\windows\>

Did you use a cd\windows before using Shadow_Puter_Dude's suggestion?

 

One quick note:

What device can't windows find?

It might not be a system.ini issue at all, it could be a registry issue, where it is calling for something, and it can't find. It typically says that system.ini could not be found as a genereic answer.

 

Yes, I used cd\windows. As for the prompt, it reads exactly C:\> before anything is entered.

 

After the boot up is indicating 'can't find drive to run windows or windows application" it mentions system.ini
At the bottom of the message is javasup.vxd

 

Okay, we've maybe been going in the wrong direction.

Once windows boots. Click, start, run, then type in:

notepad "c:\windows\system.ini"

Do a search for javasup.vxd, is it there? If not, then you may need to do a search in the registry for javasup.vxd.

OR

Download the latest java program from here:

http://sdlc-esd.sun.com/ESD14/JSCDL...86-p.exe&File=jre-1_5_0_04-windows-i586-p.exe

 

Don't mean to butt in when more knowledgeable people are helping, but I believe that after typing CD\windows at the prompt, that you should type CD\system. Then try typing DIR /P after getting into the system directory. This will show all the files one page at a time and they shouldn't fly by.

 

It just shows up in the registry as:

Name
Staticvxd


Data
"Javasup.vxd"

 

No problems butting in! I do it all the time!

Typically on windows 95, 98, and ME machines the system.ini and win.ini files reside in the WINDOWS directory.

Yes, dir /p does show a page at a time.

 

I'm getting an invalid after CD\system

 

Not sure if you saw my no. 19 thread. Anyway, registry shows Java. I tried to download from your message and not able to access it. Tried java.com and they say no longer available per agreement with MS. There are some other options listed there but didn't read them all.

 

Did this all start after removing the McAfee Firewall ?

Steve

 

No, I have some coolsearch crap in my registry and have tried everything in "read this first" to delete it but had no luck. Then, I was trying to prepare a HJT log for you guys to review and that is when I must have done something. Now my system can't seem to find most files. BTW, the system was working fine with this stuff in it. You know the old saying, if it aint broke...

 

Is there more to the error message than you provided? Maybe this,

Cannot find a device file that may be needed to run Windows or a Windows application.

The Windows registry or SYSTEM.INI file refers to this device file, but the device file no longer exists.

If you deleted this file on purpose, try uninstalling the associated
application using its uninstall program or setup program.

If you still want to use the application associated with this device file, try
reinstalling that application to replace the missing file.

C:\Windows\System\MrtRate.Vxd

Steve

 

Yes, that is the message except your last line starting with C: is replaced with javasup.vxd. See my thread no. 20 regarding what is shown in my registry. Also, I tried to download Java and apparently it isn't available any longer.

 

I just loaded a version of Java but that didn't solve the problem.

 

I got it, javasup.vxd is part of the MS Java VM. Download and install Microsoft's Java Virtual Machine

 

No, I'm very sorry to say, Dude, same error message, same problem.

 

OK, as theefool suggested:

Once windows boots. Click, start, run, then type in:

notepad "c:\windows\system.ini"

Do a search for javasup.vxd, is it there?

If not, then you may need to do a search in the registry for javasup.vxd.

Start -> Run

regedit

OK

Edit -> Find

javasup.vxd

Export the reg entry and copy and paste the contents of the exported reg file in your next reply.

 

Is this the only spot in the registry that javasup.vxd is located in?

If so, then give the exact location of this key. Also, I'd love to know if this is the only thing that resides in this key.

IF AND ONLY IF JAVASUP.VXD IS THE ONLY ITEM WITHIN STATICVXD, THEN YOU MAY DELETE THAT KEY. But, there may be more data entries within STATICVXD.

So, export the STATICVXD key, and post it here.

 

Reg file attached

 

Didn't post. Change the file extention to txt and try again.

 

The file size is probably to big. Or try to use a different host, then post the link to the file here.

 

File attached, I hope!

 

keep that reg file you just posted handy, you may need it.

Go back into regedit and delete the "StaticVxD"="JAVASUP.VXD" entry. Exit regedit and reboot.

 

Download, unzip, then copy the enclosed javasup.vxd to c:\windows\system

JAVASUP.VXD

 

OK! The error message is gone on boot. But I still have a problem with opening certain icons with messages such as "unable to locate. The explorer icon message says "windows cannot find iexplorer.exe.
As for copying javasup.vxd to C:\windows\system, i am having trouble doing that.I have it on my desk top now.

 

Do you have the (zip)ped form? or do you have the unzipped form? IF you unzipped it, simply select the file, then right click, and select copy, then migrate through explorer to c:\windows\system and then paste it there. I.E. right click within the folder and select paste.

Download and run CCLEANER:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4191

Make sure you do both the "Run Cleaner" and the "Issues" clean.

Note:

What are these certain icons, that are causing you issues?

 

Open a MS-DOS Terminal type the following copy:

copy c:\windows\desktop\javasup.vxd c:\windows\system

If that doesn't work while in Windows, reboot to DOS and issue the same command.

[EDIT] if what theefool suggests does not work. Use my solution.

 

Specific icons not opening are Explore, MS Word, CCleaner (message is run time error) and window washer.

 

Interesting....

What happens when you click START, RUN, then type in: winword (press enter)

What EXACT error do you get?

for Explore:

START, RUN, type in: explorer.exe (press enter).


I'm wondering if your paths are messed up, OR PERHAPS YOU HAVE SOME MALWARE ISSUES.

When was the last time you ran any antivirus programs and/or anti-spyware programs?

 

Well, I been sitting behind this dad gum computer all day and I'm tired and gotta work tomorrow. So, I'll pick up on this when I get home. But I want you guys to know that you are the best and I really appreciate your help.

 

Oh, he's got malware issues. That's how this whole thing started.

Steve

 

To fix the runtime error download the VB6 runtime from MS.

vbrun60sp6.exe

 

Thanks, Metacrumbie...err..umm, eh...Matacumbie

Anyway, I guess we need to be more watchful on certain items.

Note: I tend to FOCUS on one item only, and as a bulldog, tear into it, with no concerns of anything else.

 

No problem, anytime. We all love to help, as long as everyone who posts, posts full explanations on what is going on! Thanks for working with us!

 

Winward response is "cannot find Winward or one of its components".
I have run all the AV and spy programs in the "Read this first". That is what started this whole thing. I have undeletable coolsearch items in my registry but my system ran great until this am when I tried to send you guys the log from HJT and I did something to cause this mess.

 

Explorer.exe entry brings up C: file folders