Here ar the results, what now, restart?

Directories to be processed = 27
Total datat in bytes = 105,046,266
Elapsed time in sec. = 500
Action speed (MB/min) =13.1
Files examined = 1,141
Files copied = 1,139
File copies failed = 2
Exit code = 102 (Exit code is the number of failures plus 100)


C:\>_

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 or setup program.

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

C:\WINDOWS\VMM32\IFSMGR.VXD
Press ant key to continue
again

Insufficient memory to initialize windows,---- and then it shut down before i could type the rest, something list delete auotexec.bat or **********8 ????

C:\WINDOWS\VMM32\IFSMGR.VXD

Should be:

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\VMM32\IFSMGR.VXD

Grab the attached vxd.zip file and extract all four files to a floppy.

If the problem system shuts down after the errors, or hangs, start the machine with a 98 Startup boot disk, no CDROM support. When it finishes booting and you have the A:\> prompt, switch floppy disks and type in vxdfix and hit Enter.

If it boots to C:\>, with the four file floppy in the A: drive, type in a:\vxdfix and hit Enter.

Pull the floppy after the files are copied and restart the machine.

Where are we now?

I can't get that far, computer won't even open beyond this message:

A required .dll file c/windows/systems/shlwapi.dll not found
Error loading explorer.exe
must reinstall windows


I don't know WHAT to do. This happened just last night when I automatically updated critical updates from Microsoft and tried to turn on computer this morning.

PLEASE HELP !

"... start the machine with a 98 Startup boot disk, no CDROM support. When it finishes booting and you have the A:\> prompt, switch floppy disks and type in vxdfix and hit Enter.

Pull the floppy after the files are copied and restart the machine."

when you say boot up disk are you talking about the recovery cd ?
I don't want to erase any of my files.

and what floppy disks would I be switching ? I'm really computer ignorant.

I meant a 98 EBD floppy. (Emergency Boot Disk) From the sounds of your recent post, the machine may or may not be booting to C:\>. If it is, disregard the bootdisk elements. If you don't have a 98 bootdisk you can download one from my webspace;

http://www.cyberus.ca/~danpenny/WIN98SE.EXE *

Re-read my #23 post. The vxd.zip file is attached. Once you carry out the unzipping/copying, this new floppy is the one you either insert or switch to.

*
The above bootdisk image file is a self extracting file and has to be executed (run) from a running Windows machine in order to create the actual startup diskette. (This image file produces the same bootdisk which 98SE creates.) This downloaded image file will format the floppy disk, write the files to the disk, then verify the file write, so it'll take a minute or three to create the bootdisk.

Ensure the floppy drive is set as the first boot device in the bios. http://www.d-a-l.com/articles/library/23.html

When you boot a machine with this boot floppy, it creates a RAMDRIVE in system memory to contain DOS system tools. Thus it will move your "normal" CDROM device/drive letter "up" one level. (If your CDROM is normally E:, it will be F: when booting with this bootdisk.)

How do I get into Bios ? on F8 the options I see are

1.normal
2.logged(bootlogged)
3.safemode
4. step by step confirmation
5. command prompt only
6.safemode command prompt only

and in F10 I see the computer set up

when I search on the internet I don't see what F key to use for bios. The computer is a Compaq Presario 5660

"...F10 I see the computer set up"

I believe compaq's are F10. That's your bios setup.

But just start the system by using option 5 above; Command prompt only.