Windows XP won't start. Get this error message....vmm32.vxd missing?

[uzer101]

The following file is missing or corrupted:
C:\WINDOWS\IFSHLP.SYS
WININIT.EXE: Missing/unable to load.

Press any key to continue

and then if you press a key...this is what it says....

The following file is missing or corrupted:
C:\WINDOWS\System\VMM32.VXD
Type the name of the Window loaders (example, C:\WINDOWS\System\VMM32.VXD)
C>


This is an old emachine with a celeron processor. Any way to solve this problem?

[stormy13]

Error Message: The Following File Is Missing or Corrupted: C:\Windows\Ifshlp.sys (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/258471)

[Appleton]

vxd files are from Win9x. Was this system upgraded to XP or have you installed any drivers recently?

First thing I would check is if you can get into Windows via safe mode. Boot pressing F8 and select safe mode from a list you should get. If you can boot into safe mode proceed to device manager and check for any issues (red X or yellow !) Report the findings here.

If you cannot get into safe mode then you will need to get either into a live distro CD environment (Bart/WinPE) or the recovery console. If you can get this far run chkdsk /r from a command prompt on the drive, due to the age there may be failing issues on the hard drive.

Good boot cd is the ultimate boot cd for windows, do a google search for it.

[uzer101]

thanks for the replies stormy13 and Appleton.

Appleton:
I tried to start in SAFE MODE as you suggested. I got the emachines screen entered the bios, got out of bios, got the windows ME screen( i'm not exactly sure if this wasn't upgraded to XP) and then got this message

Windows is bypassing your startup files

and then both of those messages as before.

stormy:
i am going to try and find the original windows me CD to try the microsoft fix.

thankyou both.

[infamouskid]

some advice.
do not upgrade from me.

do a fresh install.
format and repartition the drive.
and then install winxp.

[uzer101]

some advice.
do not upgrade from me.

do a fresh install.
format and repartition the drive.
and then install winxp.

yes this is true forthe future, but what to do now, i need to get back into XP to save some files

[BRAISKI]

yes this is true forthe future, but what to do now, i need to get back into XP to save some files

Worst comes to worst is buy a cheap small HDD and load it with a new OS then use your old HDD as a secondary drive, then you can open your files.

[uzer101]

never thought of that. Thanks braiski will give it a shot.

[dstefan]

Do a check disk on your drive. Download Hiren's Boot cd or a copy of ERD Commander