Windows Me won't boot

[comp615]

I have an old computer that is slightly modified running windows ME that the munchkins liketo use the internet and play emulators on. Just recently, it has not started into windows. A normal startup will stop about 5 seconds in, display a black screen with blinking arrow. Safe mode boots just fine. And doing a step-by-step confirmation I get to msmouse.vxd and no matter if I choose yes or no it stalls out after that.

Ideas appreciated! Thanks for the help!

[rjfvillarosa]

This fault is usually attributed to a corrupt driver file, I know two fixes for Windows 98 with the same problem but I don't know if it works for ME, you might want to wait for someone with another suggestion, here are the fixes anyway.

This one deletes all the drivers causing Windows to reinstall them on boot:
1. Boot to Safe Mode (if possible) and run RegEdit.
2. Before you do anything else, export the registry to a backup file. Make sure you choose to export all and not just a key!
3. Open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
4. Select and DELETE the Enum entry.
5. Reboot and let the OS re-detect the hardware.

This one helps you extract a good copy of the damaged file from your Windows CD and replace it:
Insert a Windows 98 Startup diskette in your computer’s floppy diskette drive and restart your computer. Once the startup process has begun, you will see a menu from which you should select Start Computer With CD-ROM Support. At the MS-DOS command prompt, type cd C:\ and press ENTER. Type cd windows\system and press ENTER. Next, type rename msmouse.vxd msmouse.old, and press ENTER. Now insert the Windows CD into the CD drive, type ext (to extract a file) and press ENTER. You will see a message that says: Please enter the path to the Windows CAB files. Enter D:\win98 (assuming your CD drive is labeled D:\) and press ENTER. Now you will see a message that asks for the name(s) of the files(s) you want to extract. Type msmouse.vxd and press ENTER again. The next message asks you for the path to extract to. Type C:\windows\system and press ENTER. The final message asks for confirmation; Type Y and press ENTER to complete the file extraction. Remove the Windows Startup disk and restart your computer.

[comp615]

Thanks I will try the first method and see what happens. On the second one....I dont think that msmouse.vxd is the affected part, because step by step when I choose not to load it, it still stops.

The first one seems to work ok, working on reinstalling the drivers now. Got to a normal startup so should be able to go form there!

[rjfvillarosa]

Originally Posted by comp615 I dont think that msmouse.vxd is the affected part, because step by step when I choose not to load it, it still stops.

That is still a part of the problem, loading it or not loading it, the msmouse.vxd is still causing the problem.
I hope the first fix works for you.

[comp615]

Turns out it wasn't part of the problem :-P

The first fix worked for me, from what I could tell something happened to the display drivers that got it messed up. Reinstalled those and everything is spiffy again. Thanks for the help!