VMM32.VXD was not found or is damaged

Just when I thought I had Windows ME working and was starting to install programs, I got the following messages:

Cannot start Windows because VMM32.VXD was not found or is damaged. You need to run the setup program again to install VMM32.VXD.

I've done a search in Google and on this site, but I've seen differing opinions on whether I can just copy the file, onto my hard drive, using DOS.

I would like to know if I can copy the VMM32.VXD file from this Windows 98SE PC, to a floppy, and copy it to the WinME Windows\System folder, using DOS. If not, is my only option to format and reinstall Windows?

EDIT: I removed my D: drive, which contains all of my data, and rebooted. Windows loaded perfectly. I don't get it. My C: drive is a Maxtor and the D: drive is a Western Digital (WD). I have this ongoing problem with the PC recognizing the Maxtor as the Master and the WD as the slave. I have the jumpers set correctly and I have the drives set correctly on the IDE cable. I'm going to move the WD to the other IDE cable and hope that it solves the problem.

I think that the reason that I got the VMM32.VXD error was, because the PC thought that the slave drive was the master.

RE-EDIT: I moved the WD to the middle connection of the secondary IDE. The CD-RW was on the master connection. I tried three different jumper settings on the WD, but I could not get the PC to read both hard drives and the CD-RW. I put the WD back on the secondary connection of the primary IDE cable and rebooted. Everything was recognized and Windows loaded normally. I don't know why I have to do this, but It's happened before. I wish I would have known this before I started this post, because I would have changed the title. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

Windows Me...*shudder*


That was a failure of an OS.


IMO, it was about as stable as an install of Windows 95, pre SP.

 

You can copy VMM32.VXD from the WIndows ME disk, but I would not think that the Win98SE disk would have the same version.

The problem I see is the ever-present one when looking for files on the CD. They're in the .cabs, so you best bet is to use WinZIP or similar on another machine to search through each .cab to find the right file.

 

I thank you for trying to help me fix the VMM32 problem. I didn't find out that there was no problem with it, until after I started this thread. I've just found the VMM32.VXD file in the Windows\System folder, using the search feature. I also found it, using DOS, when I typed "C:\dir vmm32.vxd /s".

I stated that I wanted to change the title, once I found out that the PC was trying to find the OS on the slave drive. (see quote)

Windows loads fine, now. However, it's not the first time I've had this problem. I always move the slave drive to the other IDE cable, fail to get the PC to recognize it on that cable, and move it back to find out it's back to normal. If I have this problem again, I may start a new thread. Thanks you all for your suggestions and help.

Robo, no problem. I'm leaning towards Windows 2000, though.

 

Just as a warning to anyone reading this thread and gets the idea that one can restore the VMM32.VXD from the install-cd.

The VMM32.VXD on the install cd is an empty compressed file. During the installation the empty file is copied to the local hdd and most of the needed drivers for the current installation is added to the empty VMM32.VXD on the local HDD.

If restoring the the VMM32.VXD from the install-cd, then one would loose the drivers added specificly for your machine. The best thing to do for restoring VMM32.VXD is to reinstall (As the warning said, though it was misleading in this case)

http://www.infinisource.com/techfiles/vmm32.html

 

If you were still stuck with the VMM32.VXD problem then you can re-build it using the instructions here: http://www.windows-help.net/techfiles/vmm32.html

Edit: Just noticed you posted the same link at the same time, oh well...

 

Harddrive

Hi Tony,try Maxblaster---download it from yor HDD manufacturer site---in it you will find how to install a HDD and a slave-----maxblaster is better then the westerndigital one