robert23

Thanks for responding. I just got your message but everything's ok with that problem now. Last night I decided to dump the whole system and start over. So I used http://www.putergeek.com/downloads/#win95b_boot http://www.shaneo.com/bootdisks/ together (putergeek to erase the C drive and shaneo to boot 98). After I had an online connection hooked up again I went straght to to Windows Update website and tried the driver update again. Turns out the WOL558.vxd file was 1 of dozens the update wanted. I put a blank disk in the A drive and in place of the "Intel Pro Adapter CD ROM or floppy disk" and everytime it said that file couldn't be found on the disk I went to the internet and put the name of the file in the search browser and looked for the files individually, It wanted dozens of files. Everytime it asked for one I located it and put it on the floppy in the A drive then it would ask for another one. I kept adding files to this floppy not knowing if it would really work. I found a lot of the files for the Intel Pro at http://silentdragon.com/download/NICs/pro100/ and downloaded them one by one. Some of the other ones were at other websites. After one of the files downloaded the whole screen went blank and I thought for certain everything was wiped out. I had to unplug the computer to get it to turn off. Amazingly it rebooted ok after the Scan Disk ran, I thought for sure it would come up with some sort of error but luckily not. I went back to Windows Update and clicked to install the driver again. It seemed to pick up again where I left off. Then it wanted me to put my Windows 98 CD in for more files. I did that and it said it couldn't find them. I knew they must be on that disk somewhere if the Intel update was asking me to go there but the install program couldn't find them. Since the Windows 98 had installed ok, I assumed the files also had to be in my C drive. So I went to Start, clicked find and put the file names in there and bingo it found them. I did a right click on the file after I found it and clicked "send to" and sent the file to the floppy in the A drive and the install program was then able to retreive them there. Eventually a message came up saying the installation was successful and I was pretty amazed. There's an icon now that says Intel® Graphics Technology on my bottom toolbar and when I went to Windows Update it didn't come up saying I needed a driver update. I went ahead and installed the 20 critical updates it suggested including Service Pack 1 for Windows. I didn't have any problem doing that and didn't expect any since I had done it before. This Intel driver thing was important to me because after I install Windows 98 It's got only the Standard PCI Graphics VGA Adaptor with 2 colors. and AOL wants more. Now the AOL 9.0 is working ok. I didn't have the 256 colors before, just the 16. I thought AOL wanted 256 colors so I set it there but the display still wasn't right. The new Intel graphics adaptor gives me another option I didn't have before True Color (24bit). I called AOL and was told to set it there. After I did that everything displays correctly now so all of this was worth it. Actually I'm thinking about going with different ISP but that's another issue and it's good to know my system is upgraded. I do have a new issue to resolve. I ran AOL Computer CheckUp and it came up saying I needed to defragment the disk and to go to Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Defragmenter. I've done that and it says there isn't enough available memory to defragment and to close some programs and try again. I've shut down everything else and even gone to Task Manager and shut down everything I can and it still won't let me defragment. I was advised to try this in Safe Mode and I did that but still get the same message. Does anybody know what I need to do to defragment?

Thanks to all of you who helped me with the Windows 95 problem, glad it's solved. Here's a new problem: I successfully installed Windows 98 on a Compaq Desktop with 600 megahertz Intel Pentium III, 512 Megabytes Installed Memory and 40 GB hard drive. Next I went to Microsoft Update site and downloaded the critical updates. So far so good until I downloaded the 1 driver update it recommended. The computer stopped downloading and came up with a message to insert the Intel Pro Adapter CD ROM or floppy disk. I didn't have one and tried to get out of the download. 2 messages came up: "The file on WOL558.vxd on Intel Pro Adapter CD ROM or floppy disk cannot be found. Setup could not find a file on thr specified path. If the path appears below make sure it is correct. Click OK to try copying again. C:\WINDOWS\CATROOT" ========================================== "Copying files source scanning destination C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\net82557.din" ========================================== I aborted the operation the best I could and got out of the mess. When I went to restart the computer, I got the message: "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 that application to replace the missing file." ========================================== Next I typed "Intel Pro Adapter WOL558.vxd" and found this at DriverQuide.com: Fujitsu Intel® PRO/10+ PCI Adapter Driver Driver for CP021060-1, Intel® PRO/100B PCI Adapter (TX), Intel® PRO/100B PCI ... I was after the WOL558.vxd file that it contains, to fix my mysterious ... http://members.driverguide.com/driver/deta...?driverid=17616 I download and installed the program, went back to Windows Update and their driver update installed with no nasty messages and I got a message saying the program was installed. Now if I type WOL558.vxd in Find and search the C drive I get: Name In Folder Size Type Modified wol558.vxd C:WINDOWS\... 10KB Virtual device driver 7/29/98 10:56 AM My problem now is that in spite of doing all this I get the same message as before when I go to start the computer: "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 that application to replace the missing file." I'm able to push a button and the message goes away and Windows starts up ok but I'd like to know how to fix this correctly and get the message to go away permanently. Does anybody know how to solve this problem? I'd be most appreciative.

Thanks for the detailed response, there's a lot there for me to study. I found a boot disk that was able to erase the system. I went to http://www.putergeek.com/downloads/#win95b_boot and downloaded the file and used it to create a boot disk that erased the memory. When I went to reinstall Win95 I discovered that the PuterGeek boot disk didn't work with the Packard Bell CD which contains Windows 95 within it. Starting to get discouraged and thinking I might have to go out and buy a Windows 95 CD, it occurred to me that I should try the Packard Bell Master Restore Diskette Ver 3.61W and Packard Bell Master CD PC-Doctor TM Diagnostics combination again and BINGO that was the answer!!! The PuterGeek download got rid of whatever crud was preventing the factory disks from working. So it turns out the problem was in my C Drive not in the 3.5 Restore Diskette. When I bought this computer new back in '97 I was just doing e-mail and staying within the AOL program and 16 MB RAM was good enough. Now I go to various websites and it was nearly impossible to get anything accomplished because of the slow speed. Today with the operating system running again and nearly 75% hard drive space available instead of the 3% available when the system was corrupted I went to WeirdStuff (a computer surplus store in Sunnyvale CA) and bought 4 16MB simms and installed them myself, another first for me who previously wasn't brave enough to remove the cover of the unit. With 64 MB RAM the computer seems like it's running at lightening speed compared to the way it was before. It's not as powerful as my other computer with Windows XP and 256 RAM and 30 GB hard drive but I'm on it right now with several windows open and it's hanging in there so I'm happy and feel like Einstein that I was able to do this without having to take it into a shop. I'm wondering what to do about virus protection. I've never had it on this system before but think I need something. Just before the 'fix" I had downloaded Grisoft AVG Version 7.1.0.287 but it wasn't usable because of the corruption and slow operating speed. With the 64 MB Ram and the clean system, I'm wondering if I should try Grisoft again or if it would bog things down too much. Grisoft starts itself up each time the system boots but I'm hoping I can disable that function as a preference and only have it run when I start it manually. Any ideas on virus protection the system I've got?

NARROWING DOWN THE PROBLEM I think I've got this boot disk problem almost solved and will be able to use the disk I've been working on once I figure just a couple of things out. I believe I've narrowed the problem down to the AUTOEXEC.BAT file and the link between the CD-ROM drive and the sound card. Here's where things stand now: =================================================== current CONFIG.SYS on boot disk DEVICE=A:\HIMEM.SYS DEVICEHIGH = A:\HXCD-ROM\LTNIDE.SYS /D:MSCD000 ======================================================= current AUTOEXEC.BAT on boot disk SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 T4 @ECHO OFF PROMPT $P$G PATH C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND;C:\ SET DIRCMD=/O SET TEMP=C:\PBTOOLS\WINTEMP SET WINPMT=[WINDOWS] $P$G A:\WINDOWS\AZTPNP.EXE /A LH A:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\MSCDEX.EXE /D:MSCD000 /M:20 /S /L:Q ============================================================ current AUTOEXEC.BAT on C Drive SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 T4 @ECHO OFF PROMPT $P$G PATH C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND;C:\ SET DIRCMD=/O SET TEMP=C:\PBTOOLS\WINTEMP SET WINPMT=[WINDOWS] $P$G C:\WINDOWS\AZTPNP.EXE /A LH C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\MSCDEX.EXE /D:MSCD000 /M:20 /S /L:Q ============================================================= The boot disk now works if I put C instead of A in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file so I guess that means I found the right CD-ROM driver code but I know the value needs to be A When I put A in it won't work so I think that means some of those Cs in the AUTOEXEC.BAT boof disk file needs to be As and maybe I don't need a few of thos addresses that are in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Does anyone have ideas what I should try next?

Thanks for responding, 98Lite and ROM II sound interesting and I might do it if I can get a good deal on a 98 program. Right now I'm fighting to get the 95 reinstalled and am having trouble creating a new boot disk. I can't get past the problem of getting the LITEON CD-ROM LTN222A driver to work on the boot disk and nothing I've put into the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT seems to work. The CD-ROM works except when I try to use the boot disk. I found a driver program for it and downloaded it but no change. I'm hoping somebody can tell me what data I need to put in the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files to make the disk work. Here's some data on what's going on now: =============================================== A:\CONFIG.SYS from New Boot Disk DEVICE=A:\HIMEM.SYS DEVICE=A:\EMM386.EXE NOEMS I=B000-B7FF =============================================== A:\CONFIG.SYS from Packard Bell Disk DEVICE=A:\HIMEM.SYS DOS=HIGH,UMB DEVICE=A:\EMM386.EXE NOEMS I=B000-B7FF FILESHIGH=30 BUFFERSHIGH=20 STACKSHIGH=0,0 FCBSHIGH=1 LASTDRIVEHIGH=Z ================================================= C:\CONFIG.SYS From Sysedit DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS DOS=HIGH,UMB REM DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS I=B000-B7FF FILESHIGH=50 BUFFERSHIGH=20 STACKSHIGH=0,0 FCBSHIGH=1 DEVICEHIGH=C:\WINDOWS\MOUSE.SYS REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- REM devicehigh=c:\pbtools\ltnide.sys /d:mscd0001 /dma REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- REM devicehigh = c:\hxcd-rom\ltnide.sys /d:mscd000 REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- REM devicehigh = c:\hxcd-rom\ltnide.sys /d:mscd000 REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- REM devicehigh = c:\hxcd-rom\ltnide.sys /d:mscd000 REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- REM devicehigh = c:\hxcd-rom\ltnide.sys /d:mscd000 DEVICEHIGH = C:\HXCD-ROM\LTNIDE.SYS /D:MSCD000 DEVICEHIGH=C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\DRVSPACE.SYS /MOVE ================================================= From Windows Explorer to Windows to Config to General RIFF† IDF LIST MMAPhdr ) ) General MIDI Instrument x inst¥ ¥ ( 0 Unspecified Company U n s p e c i f i e d C o m p a n y General MIDI Instrument G e n e r a l M I D I I n s t r u m e n t caps chan ÿý t , LISTR MMAPhdr * * Percussion on Channel 16 instØ Ø ( ) R Unspecified Company U n s p e c i f i e d C o m p a n y MIDI Instrument with Drums on Channel 16 M I D I I n s t r u m e n t w i t h D r u m s o n C h a n n e l 1 6 caps chan ÿ ? ================================================= C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT From Sysedit SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 T4 @ECHO OFF PROMPT $P$G PATH C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND;C:\ SET DIRCMD=/O SET TEMP=C:\PBTOOLS\WINTEMP SET WINPMT=[WINDOWS] $P$G REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- REM lh c:\windows\command\mscdex.exe /d:mscd0001 /m:20 /s /l:q C:\WINDOWS\AZTPNP.EXE /A REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- REM lh c:\windows\command\mscdex.exe /d:mscd000 /m:20 /s /l:q REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- REM lh c:\windows\command\mscdex.exe /d:mscd000 /m:20 /s /l:q REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- REM lh c:\windows\command\mscdex.exe /d:mscd000 /m:20 /s /l:q REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- REM lh c:\windows\command\mscdex.exe /d:mscd000 /m:20 /s /l:q REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- REM lh c:\windows\command\mscdex.exe /d:mscd000 /m:20 /s /l:q REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- REM lh c:\windows\command\mscdex.exe /d:mscd000 /m:20 /s /l:q REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- REM lh c:\windows\command\mscdex.exe /d:mscd000 /m:20 /s /l:q REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- REM lh c:\windows\command\mscdex.exe /d:mscd000 /m:20 /s /l:q REM --- By HiSpeed CD-ROM Drive installation program. 9/7/105 --- LH C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\MSCDEX.EXE /D:MSCD000 /M:20 /S /L:Q ======================================================

Thanks for responding. The floppy seems ok and the problem starts after I insert the CD. There's no tab to slide on the floppy, it came that way. I re-installed the system a couple of times before in the past without problems. I bought the computer new in '97 What is an ERROR.LOG ? I was wondering if there was something I could do in DOS that would fix it. I need help in these areas: "try CD'ing to a writable disk first, like the RAM disk if one is created, then starting the cdrom program using its full pathname. It may also be that the program you're trying to run need to create a file in a "temp" directory. Let us know if you need talking through any of the above" IWould it be better or easier to just erase the whole hard drive and just start over with something new? If so I'm not sure how to do it. This is a 2nd computer now that I've got a newer one with Windows XP. I don't care about all that Packard Bell Navigator stuff that came with the computer. All I really need is the most current version of Windows that this computer will handle and I also want to try experimenting with Linux and install that operating system if I can. I ran a BelArc scan on the computer and got the following information: Operating System System Model Windows 95 B (OSR2) (build 4.0.1111) Packard Bell NEC C 115A System Serial Number: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Processor a Main Circuit Board b 120 megahertz Intel Pentium No memory cache Board: Intel Corporation NV430VX Bus Clock: 96 megahertz BIOS: Intel Corporation 1.00.08.DN0R 10/23/96 Drives Memory Modules c,d 3.28 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity 768 Megabytes Hard Drive Free Space LITEON CD-ROM LTN222A Generic floppy disk drive (3.5") Seagate Technology 1275MB - ST31276A [Hard drive] (1.28 GB) -- drive 0, s/n FNE9AA9, rev 1.37, SMART Status: Healthy 16 Megabytes Installed Memory Slot '0' has 8 MB Slot '1' has 8 MB Slot '2' is Empty Slot '3' is Empty Local Drive Volumes c: (FAT on drive 0) 2.00 GB 606 MB free h: (FAT on drive 0) 1.28 GB 162 MB free Network Drives None detected Users (mouse over user name for details) Printers No details available Canon Bubble-Jet BJ-200 on LPT1: Microsoft Fax Driver on FAX: Microsoft Fax Driver on PUB: Controllers Display Standard Floppy Disk Controller Intel 82371SB PCI Bus Master IDE Controller Primary IDE controller (dual fifo) Secondary IDE controller (dual fifo) S3 Inc. Trio64V+ [Display adapter] ViewSonic E773 [Monitor] (15.7"vis, s/n DP02302710, June 2000) Bus Adapters Multimedia None detected Sound III Audio Device w/SWT Sound III EEPROM Device Sound III Gameport Joystick Device Sound III MPU-401 Device Wave Device for Voice Modem Communications Other Devices Sound III 336SP [Modem] AOL Adapter Microsoft Virtual Private Networking Adapter Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard Standard PS/2 Port Mouse

I have a Packard Bell computer with Windows 95. I get errors and want to reinstall the operating system. When I put the Packard Bell Master Restore Diskette Ver 3.61W and Packard Bell Master CD PC-Doctor TM Diagnostics disks in I get the message: Unable To Create ERROR.LOG and can proceed no further. Does anyone know how to fix this? Robert