Hello All…

I just completed installing a new hard drive and a clean install of Win98SE, and would appreciate any advice on the latest mystery to pop up! On boot-up, the last black screen displayed before windows launches presents this message:

"annot find a device file that may be needed to run windows or a
indows application.

he windows registry or SYSTEM.INI file refers to this device file, but
he device file no longer exists.

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

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

fs.vxd

ress any key to continue."

As you can see, the type bleeds off the left side of the black screen, so I can’t tell what the actual file is to fix or replace. If I press any key, screen disappears and windows seems to load normally. I tried find file with "*fs.vxd" and got: Cdfx.vxd C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\IOSUBSYS 58kb Virtual device driver, but I have no idea if this means anything! (Checked static vxd files in registry, found none missing any info)

This seems to have started when I tried to reinstall the TB Montego drivers. First tried to install them from OEM TB disks, then I downloaded them from Dell, installed, uninstalled, reinstalled with various degrees of success. Installed, uninstalled WinAmp 8.1 (still can’t get it to play!), installed windows Media Player...now have CD music, but no matter what, the last black screen still shows the above message. Is this more than an inconvenience? Can I (you!) fix it?

...And last, a totally different request: how/where can I find the extension NAME for saved desktop appearance schemes? I backed up my original color scheme on disk, but don’t know how to find it again because I don’t know the extension to search for...same for outlook addresses and IE bookmarks!

Thanks in advance,

Sunland9

Windows 98 SE (build 4.10.2222)
Dell Dimension XPS R400
- with PowerLeap 1.4gigahertz Intel Celeron CPU upgrade
Seagate Barracuda 40 GB Hard Drive
HITACHI 2000 [CD-ROM drive]
LITE-ON LTR-24102B [CD-ROM drive]
Generic floppy disk drive (3.5")
384 Megabytes Installed Memory
Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1
HP DeskJet 1220C Printer on LPT1:
Crucial RADEON 7500 AGP 64MB
DELL D1226H Monitor
Virtual CloneDrive
Win9x-ME Promise Ultra100 TX2 (tm) IDE Controller
TBS Montego Gameport Interface
TBS Montego MPU-401 Interface
TBS Montego PCI Audio
TBS Montego Sound Blaster Emulation
TBS Montego Multifunction PCI Platform
U.S. Robotics 56K Modem
Logitech Trackball Mouse (PS/2)