Win 98SE .VXD error message on startup

Question

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)

Denny Denham · Answer

sunland9,

Since on letter is missing from "ress any key" I checked my 98 system for *fs.vxd. One file was found, dfs.vxd. You can extract this file from your Windows 98 CD by going to Start|Run, typing sfc and clicking OK. Tell System File Checker to extract one file (dfs.vxd) from the installation disk (point it to the win98 folder) and install it in C:\Windows\System.

sunland9 · Answer

Denny...

I followed your instructions exactly, but neither Win98 nor Win98SE disks
showed "dfs.vxd" files...also tried find file...no luck. I did find this on my C drive:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\DFS\static vxd "dfs.vxd"

Any thoughts?
(I looked in ALL files in both disks...I think!)

sunland9 · Answer

Hi Denny... I was finally able to get the compressed .cab file opened in WinZip, then extracted the dsf.vxd file...worked like a charm!...black screen error message gone! Many thanks! sunland9

Denny Denham · Answer

sunland9,

I was able to extract the file from the Win98 SE CD with no trouble. I am surprised that you found that entry on your C:\ drive, since it is a part of the Windows registry and should not be visible in Windows Explorer. You will not be able to locate the file on the Windows CD because it is contained in a .cab file which is compressed.

If you can't locate and install it you can email me (my email address is displayed if you click my user name) and I'll send you a copy. Your other option, since the error message says that System.ini refers to it is to disable the reference in System.ini. You can do this by going to Start|Run, typing sysedit and clicking OK. When the next window opens, click on the System.ini tab to open that listing. Then go to Search and enter dfs.vxd as the search term. When the line referring to it appears, place a semicolon at the start of the line to keep it from executing, then click File|Save.

Windows General

Win 98SE .VXD error message on startup

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