ME to Win95

[Norm]

I have a new Dell 8100. I removed ME and installed Win95, restarted, and I get the message "while initializing device IOS: Windows protection error. You need to restart your computer." Upon restart message is repeated. Suggestions?

Thanks, Norm

[Hpro]

Tyr this ,
When booting to Win95 as soon you see STARTING WIN95 press F8 and then select "Command prompt Only" this will leave you at C:\>prompt there type

TYPE BOOTLOG.TXT |MORE and press enter look out for LOADING and FAILED - this should be right at the first few pages of the bootlog and read something like :

[0010AF7D] Loading Vxd = C:\WINDOWS\system\VMM32\IFSMGR.VXD
[0010AF7B] LoadSuccess = C:\WINDOWS\system\VMM32\IFSMGR.VXD
[0010AF7D] Loading Vxd = C:\WINDOWS\system\VMM32\IOS.VXD
[0010AF7B] LOAD FAILED = C:\WINDOWS\system\VMM32\IOS.VXD

This again can be for several reasons (the above example has been modified at the last line to show you what it reads if one of the STARTUP files has failed to load or there of there is a problem with it..)

If you see this error then Reduce the System CACHE REFRESH RATE or RAM and etc in the bios - OH BTW what was the reason for you to install Win95 ? Did WinMe cause the same problems ?

But it could also be a failing hard drive and FAILING RAM..

[Norm]

Thanks for the assistance Hpro. I am primarily a MAC user, so I am a little lost in the DOS realm.
At the C prompt I typed "type bootlog.txt" . I did not type the vertical line (I don't even know how to reproduce that on the keyboard) and "more". The results are as follows:
[0013cccec] loading device=c:\windows\setver.exe
(logo disabled)
[0013ccced] loadsuccess=c:\windows\setver.exe
[0013ccced] loading device= c:\windows\himem.sys
[0013cccee] loadsuccess=c:\windows\himem.sys
[0013cccee] loading device=c:\windows\ifshlp.sys
[0013cccef] loadsuccess=c:\windows\ifshlp.sys
The system is for my father who is a professional accountant. He runs dual boot systems because he uses DOS (not through windows) and Windows software. I saw no problems with WinME that shipped with system. I am Using Win95 because that is what all his other computers at his company are running and it allows for fat 16 format. I then partition the drive into 2GB partitions and that way he can see/access entire drive while in DOS. I recently built a system for him and configured it this way, and all seems to be working well.
Norm

[Hpro]

I think you got to do this one more time but change the ending of the Bootlog.TXT to .PRV instead ..

The PIPE (Vertical Line ) you can do when you press SHIFT + BACKSLASH ( \ ) at the same time.. this command allows you to scroll, using the SPACEBAR, through the entire file and again look out for "Dynamic load failed"

The Pipe and MORE ( |MORE ) command is used to read the file page by page if left out then the page will scroll fast making it impossible for you to read..

You can also do this form within Win95 in safe mode or normal mode if you can boot up all the way.. Both of those files have HIDDEN attributes so it is important that you make them Visible from the VIEW menu > Show All Files ...

To open the Bootlog.txt just double click will open it but for the Bootlog.PRV (previous) you need to press and hold the Shift button and right click the file and then select OPEN WITH and choose NOTEPAD .. use the find command (edit menu)in notepad to find the the lines which faliled to load - by typing FAIL - which is more than enough..

Then post them back here may I'm able to help you more then..As I wrote in my first post - there is a big chance that windows 95 can't handle the RAM either the Speed or the Amount - and this will show up mostly in the bootlog.PRV because it seems that your bootlog.txt has failed to be created proper (Because of the IOS error)so PRV is a previous backup of it ... If there aren't any failures then try to boot with SAFE MODE and look the outcome..

Hope this gets it working

[Norm]

Okay, I may have something. I did as you recommended, and I guess this indicates where the failure occured:

[000E4BF7] Loading Vxd = Vshare
[000E4BF7] LoadFailed = Vshare

All else looked fine.

[Hpro]

Just read your message and will look into what could be the problem - got a Win95 machine around here somewhere - usually Vshare doens't cause Protection Errors - this will be caused most times by RAM or or SPEED errors throughout the bios - CPU etc..will post back on this within a few hours..

One question can you boot to SAFE MODE? from the Start Menu select SAFE MODE this will Start Win95 in REAL MODE instead of Protected mode - let me know..

[Hpro]

So I bootet a Win95 machine and looked at the bootlog file - afterwards called some friend - it'a 8AM here (couldn't get them out of bed earlier)by now and asked them also if Vshare could cause the problem and all of them denied the question - The Vshare.vxd has been invented for the SHARE.EXE form DOS and win3.1 times and it is not capable of making such a hazarderous error that it will not boot up to windows..
anyway try this:

At the Start menu select "step by step Confirmation" and then when asked to process the Registry answer with Y or just enter ..this also accounts for following files:
Bootlog
Himem
ifshelp
All windows Drivers
Now when it stops to respond again go back and look at the bootlog.txt which of the drivers hase failed.. this I think is the only way to pinpont the problem..


Note:
If windows tries to boot into safe after you selected Step By Step then just move the cursor downwards to step by step anf proceed..

[glc]

Isn't an 8100 a Pentium 4? My suggestion is to use the Dell restore disk and put it back the way it came. Just guessing, but there is a possibility there might be an issue with Win 95 on a P-4 like there was with an AMD K-6/350 or faster......

Why did you get rid of ME? I can understand someone not liking ME (I happen to hate it) but at least put 98SE or 2000 Pro on it instead.

[Norm]

Why 95 over ME? I touched on this in my second post above. It is not a dislike of ME, and I have suggested to my father that he might at least move to Win98. I guess the reason my father wants to run Win95 is for two reasons. One, for continuity and the KISS theory (keep it simple stupid). All his other computers at his accounting firm are running Win95. Two, I think Me doesn't support fat 16 formatting? And he wants to run a dual-boot system because he still uses straight DOS (not dos through windows). I partition off the drive in 2GB partitions so that he can have full access to the drive through DOS. As I mentioned I am In the dark when It comes to Windows, and there may be a far more effective and elegant solution. I am open to suggestions. I should add that none of his computers are networked.


I wasn't turning up anything with "step by step confirmation". So I was thinking about what Hpro said about CPU or RAM speed ( and now glc's response about the P4 also points to this area). So I went into the system bios looking for any possible adjustments I could make there. I switched the CPU from "normal" to "compatible" and I was finally able to boot in safe mode and from there I was able to get everything up and running. There are still a few kinks. For one thing I can't access the CDROM through DOS. I will need to look into that, but right now I don't think I am seeing any problems I haven't worked through before. But Windows access is a "BIG " improvement!


Hpro, out of curiosity, Where exactly in Asia are you located? Thanks a lot for your time, and as I mentioned, I am open to any advice, tips, suggestions.


Norm

[Hpro]

Hi,
to get your cdrom working you need following lines in DOS
- CONFIG.syS and AUTOEXEC.BAT = also the files have to be
placed in there..

I assume that you run DOS on drive C:\> = primary partition
so if this is not like that then all you have to do is change
the =C= to whatever drive letter DOS is on..

Config.sys -- Place this line after all other lines!
======================================================

DEVICE=C:\OAKCDROM.SYS /D:CD_ROM


end of config


Autoexec.bat -- also place this line after all other lines
==========================================================

C:\DOS\MSCDEX /D:CD_ROM
CLS

end of autoexec.bat

make sure that the file OAKCDROM.SYS is in the ROOT folder of
the drive where DOS resides - if you run any other DEVICE DRIVER
for the CDROM instead then all you have to do is change
the name according to the DRIVERS NAME *.SYS you use.
OAKCDROM.SYS you can copy form any WIN98 system you will
find it in C:\WINDOWS\Command\EBD

MSCDEX.EXE is by DEFAULT set into \DOS so there is nothing
much to change..This will get the CDrom working -
EDITING AUTOEXEC.BAT in Win95 will force that Win95 is
running in REAL mode instead and can't read LFN's so if
not necessary do not place this in the Win95 Autoexec.bat -
don't worry there about the config because the driver is tested
for Win98 and above

YOu can use the EDIT command at the DOS PROMPT to edit this
two files , all you need to do is to type EDIT CONFIG.SYS
and press enter and EDIT AUTOEXEC.BAT and press enter

I live in Bangkok..

[Norm]

Dimension 8100 Pentium 4, 1.3GHz
32MB Geforce2 MX
128MB PC800 RDRAM


System seemed to be running okay at 16 color / 640x480. I installed the Geforce drivers off of the Dell disk, and when I switched to greater color depth and resolution, performance took a nosedive. Really slow start up time now. I am a little uncertain what to try next.


Norm

[glc]

AGP support in Win95 is piss poor to nonexistent. You have a *chance* if you use 95B with USB supplement or 95C - but you will still be running a 4X AGP card at 1X.

[Carl Price]

Originally posted by Norm
Why 95 over ME? I touched on this in my second post above. It is not a dislike of ME, and I have suggested to my father that he might at least move to Win98. I guess the reason my father wants to run Win95 is for two reasons. One, for continuity and the KISS theory (keep it simple stupid). All his other computers at his accounting firm are running Win95. Two, I think Me doesn't support fat 16 formatting? And he wants to run a dual-boot system because he still uses straight DOS (not dos through windows). I partition off the drive in 2GB partitions so that he can have full access to the drive through DOS. As I mentioned I am In the dark when It comes to Windows, and there may be a far more effective and elegant solution. I am open to suggestions. I should add that none of his computers are networked.

Except for the reason that you want all the computers running the same operating system, the reasons for win95 are invalid. Win98SE will recognize fat 16 partitions, and you don't need a dual boot with it. Enable the startup menu with "Msconfig" and when you boot you can choose command prompt only which is dos pure and simple. Upgrade to Win98 and give yourself a fighting chance with your AGP.

[HAL9000]

I agree. Fears that things might be too different shouldn't be an issue. Differences are minor and can often be changed so that either Win98 or ME will look and act the same as 95. Win98 and WinME both support FAT16. Since you want to run a program from DOS, go with Win98 as converting WinME back to DOS support may be more than you want to do at this time. Win98 supports running DOS apps in a window much better than Win95 ever did, so with Win98 you may even be able to do away with the need to reboot to DOS (You should be able to do this with ME as well).

[glc]

If your dad still wants to use real DOS and Windows 95, grab that nice new Dell and take it away from him - and build him an old Pentium 166 or something that is from the same era. New machines and old operating systems do not mix well at all. There is not a dos based program in the world that can take advantage of a Pentium 4. This is like using a 2001 Mustang GT with a supercharger to drive 2 blocks to the store and back and nothing else. Overkill to the max.

If you can get away with it, take that Dell and run the restore disk on it and enjoy it as a ME machine the way it was designed. Heck - try running his software in a full screen dos window - you (and he) may be very surprised. Crunch those numbers at the speed of light!