FIRST OF ALL:I have to thank this wonderful forum for ALL the wonderful help & input. We individuals that have a negative cash flow, thirst for knowledge, and frequent migraines due to the overly complicated computer industry,rteceive from DAL. very much appreciate having DAL there. Especially, in my case, Dan Penny……..amongst many, many other great member minds.
Failures in my computer (Some self inflicted) have warranted me to re-format hard drive frequently (lately). This has been due to freeze ups and system crashes. The main disruption was a total PC crash that ended up the OS restoring “Itself” to a prior time frame…in which programs I had long since deleted reappeared. (Probably via “Go-Back” thanks to Gateway.
As a result I am receiving error messages during the boot up period (White letters on black field) the read as follows:
“Can not 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 set up program.
If you still want to use the application associated with this device file, try reinstalling that application to replace the missing file."

FILES INDICATED BY THE ABOVE STATEMENT/PROMPTs:
1- MpFireWI.VXD
2- Mpf Bocks.VXD
3- C:\Windows|System|vshinit.VXD

My question is, is there an easier way to determine where these files originated so that
I can either delete or reinstall the programs? Or do I have to spend the normal “HOURS” tracing back.

Yes, I am very close to seeking a new PC….with Windows XP “OS”.

"Probably via “Go-Back” thanks to Gateway."

So this is a Gateway system.

I've never used "Go-Back" but what I've read about it on various help forums, most advice I've seen is to uninstall it.

"... have warranted me to re-format hard drive frequently (lately). This has been due to freeze ups and system crashes. The main disruption was a total PC crash that ended up the OS restoring “Itself” to a prior time frame…in which programs I had long since deleted reappeared."

Are you using a Microsoft Win98 or Win98SE CD (with a Product Key) to reinstall? Or are you using a "Gateway Restore CD"?

Does the system eventually boot into windows after the error messages?

If so;
The MpFirewl.VXD, Mpf Bocks.VXD, and vshinit.VXD files are related to McAffee AV/Firewall. If Mcaffee has been uninstalled and system entries have been "left behind" they can be removed manually;

First uninstall Mcaffee if not already done.

Go into My Computer/View/Folder Options. Change the settings to View All Files so that system/hidden files are displayed.

Go to C:\windows\system and find the mpfirewl.vxd, vshinit.vxd, and mpfbocks.vxd files and delete them if present.

Start, Run, type in SYSEDIT. Click on System.ini, scroll down the entries and if you find any lines with the three files, type REM at front of each line containing any of the three filenames.

Start, Run, type in regedit. Highlight My Computer, click Edit then Find. Type in mpfbocks.vxd and click Find Now. Delete all you find, hit F3 to keep searching until it's done.

Repeat the above for the other two filenames entries.

Post back with your results any any questions.

Hi again Dan,

I followed all your suggestions & proceedures:
In your para. "Start, Run, Type in regedit, highlight My Computer, click edit, then find: The stages in my "regedit" area was/is: Edit, find, then the next box becomes "Find next".
The only area I found any mention of McAfee was in the

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT

McAfee.com.Fw.Ping.Obj
McAfee.com-MCVSQT Coll.1
McAfee-.MCVS Scan

I investigated the "Root" area as I have checked all the other sections frequently & could find none. I have not removed the above.......yet.

I believe the next step I will take is to completely reinstall Win 98 se. Incidently, the restoration & Win 98 discs I have are the original Gateway discs I received with th PC. (Which I do not have much faith in,,,but am stuck).

I will use the proceedures outlined in your web page instructions.

A simpler fix is to get a new computer, with WinXP, more speed & memory....in otherwords stop trying to patch up my "endangered species"...which Win98 has become.
Anyone know where to by a GOOD, inexpensive, expandable computer? Maybe re-built, or is Dell any good?
I am at a disadvantage (like lots of people) where I am disabled (Not totally, but enough) & spend most of my money on Rx's & MD's.........on a small, fixed income. Not complaining, just have to be careful.
Not complaining.........just establishing realestate......

Stan
ps: Again, DAL gallops to my rescue...so many times.

If you decide to not reinstall windows, and McAfee is NOT installed, I'd remove the registry entries. (All keys/sub-keys/entries containing McAfee.) This should eliminate the boot errors.

Prior to the above, go to Start, Run, type in msconfig. Click on the Startup tab and ensure there is a check mark in the "ScanRegistry" box. If there is no check mark and you add one, once you exit/save, shut down the system, wait at least thirty seconds (this allows the memory to "bleed off" any remnants of instructions etc), then reboot. This will add the current boot/system files to the backups in case you need to do a (Windows) system restore.

If you choose to do a Gateway restore, a word of caution; ~Some~ proprietary system restore CD's will hang or exit if there have been hardware changes which differ from the "Factory Released" system configuration. If this happens you will have to remove any non-factory hardware devices.

ie; If you've added a video adapter card and the system came with onboard video engaged, then you'll have to do the bios change back to onboard, then remove the card and switch the monitor cable back to the onboard connector after you shut down. (Otherwise you'll usually get a blank video screen.) They can be added back in after the restore is finished. (Make sure you save any related drivers for that hardware before the restore.)

EDIT:
Just found this link;

http://ts.mcafeehelp.com/faq.asp?fra...oryId=245&chat

Dan, Have to thank you again. My solution was to reformat the hard drive/Win98. This is such fun.

You're welcome. Good luck.