Restoring win.com

[Aisha]

My Windows 98SE will not boot. I have used my start up disk & extracted the 3
files from my Cd it said were missng. Then it told me it could not find
win.com, so I have extracted win.cnf from my CD & typed : ren C:\windows\win.
cnf C:\windows\win.com. The next error message is:
invalid parameter - C:\windows\win.com. What now?

 

[Buffalo]

Aisha wrote:
> My Windows 98SE will not boot. I have used my start up disk &
> extracted the 3 files from my Cd it said were missng. Then it told me
> it could not find win.com, so I have extracted win.cnf from my CD &
> typed : ren C:\windows\win. cnf C:\windows\win.com. The next error
> message is:
> invalid parameter - C:\windows\win.com. What now?
Try this:

Open c:\Msdos.sys (hidden file) with Notepad

and check that the following lines are present

WinDir=C:\WINDOWS
WinBootDir=C:\WINDOWS

 

[Jeff Richards]

The command is
ren C:\windows\win.cnf win.com

assuming that you extracted win.cnf into the \Windows folder. The command
will fail if Win.com exists in the \Windows folder. In that case the
problem is not that the file is missing, but for some reason the boot
process cannot find it or cannot access it. Note that this process should
only be used after you have confirmed that the listed files really are
missing, and after you have fixed whatever problem it was that caused them
to go missing. What happened between the time that windows was working OK
and the time that it wouldn't boot?
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Aisha" <Aisha@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:93F870C2-F542-4D32-8A74-443462501C70@microsoft.com...
> My Windows 98SE will not boot. I have used my start up disk & extracted
> the 3
> files from my Cd it said were missng. Then it told me it could not find
> win.com, so I have extracted win.cnf from my CD & typed : ren
> C:\windows\win.
> cnf C:\windows\win.com. The next error message is:
> invalid parameter - C:\windows\win.com. What now?

 

[Buffalo]

Aisha wrote:
> My Windows 98SE will not boot. I have used my start up disk &
> extracted the 3 files from my Cd it said were missng. Then it told me
> it could not find win.com, so I have extracted win.cnf from my CD &
> typed : ren C:\windows\win. cnf C:\windows\win.com. The next error
> message is:
> invalid parameter - C:\windows\win.com. What now?

After reading Jeff's reply, perhaps you should answer his question and also
post what the other two files were that were 'missing'.
It sounds like you extracted the win.cnf file and placed it into C:\Windows.
Then you used the command ren C:\Windows\win.cnf C:\Windows\win.com, is that
correct or did you use the command
ren C:\Windows\win.cnf win.com as Jeff said?
Did you look in the C:\Windows folder to see if win.com was/is
already there.
Also, did you check what I suggest earlier?
Anyhow, Jeff Richards is THE man to solve your problem.
Stick with him and answer his questions for best results.

 

[Aisha]

What an idiot, I was trying to clean up my PC & clear data out of my
accounts program before perhaps handing on my PC to a friend. How do I find
out if it really is missing?

"Jeff Richards" wrote:

> The command is
> ren C:\windows\win.cnf win.com
>
> assuming that you extracted win.cnf into the \Windows folder. The command
> will fail if Win.com exists in the \Windows folder. In that case the
> problem is not that the file is missing, but for some reason the boot
> process cannot find it or cannot access it. Note that this process should
> only be used after you have confirmed that the listed files really are
> missing, and after you have fixed whatever problem it was that caused them
> to go missing. What happened between the time that windows was working OK
> and the time that it wouldn't boot?
> --
> Jeff Richards
> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
> "Aisha" <Aisha@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:93F870C2-F542-4D32-8A74-443462501C70@microsoft.com...
> > My Windows 98SE will not boot. I have used my start up disk & extracted
> > the 3
> > files from my Cd it said were missng. Then it told me it could not find
> > win.com, so I have extracted win.cnf from my CD & typed : ren
> > C:\windows\win.
> > cnf C:\windows\win.com. The next error message is:
> > invalid parameter - C:\windows\win.com. What now?
>
>
>

 

[Aisha]

Thanx for your post, you are correct in your first assumption so I will keep
in touch with Jeff & see if the correct command works if he tells me that's
what I should do

"Buffalo" wrote:

>
>
> Aisha wrote:
> > My Windows 98SE will not boot. I have used my start up disk &
> > extracted the 3 files from my Cd it said were missng. Then it told me
> > it could not find win.com, so I have extracted win.cnf from my CD &
> > typed : ren C:\windows\win. cnf C:\windows\win.com. The next error
> > message is:
> > invalid parameter - C:\windows\win.com. What now?
>
> After reading Jeff's reply, perhaps you should answer his question and also
> post what the other two files were that were 'missing'.
> It sounds like you extracted the win.cnf file and placed it into C:\Windows.
> Then you used the command ren C:\Windows\win.cnf C:\Windows\win.com, is that
> correct or did you use the command
> ren C:\Windows\win.cnf win.com as Jeff said?
> Did you look in the C:\Windows folder to see if win.com was/is
> already there.
> Also, did you check what I suggest earlier?
> Anyhow, Jeff Richards is THE man to solve your problem.
> Stick with him and answer his questions for best results.
>
>
>

 

[Jeff Richards]

At a C:\> prompt enter the command:

DIR/s WIN.COM

This command will search all folders on the C drive an report all copies of
the file.

What are the other two files that are missing? What exactly is the message
that advised you they were missing?
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Aisha" <Aisha@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B6ED4095-348E-4E87-9B5D-C98226D973EF@microsoft.com...
> What an idiot, I was trying to clean up my PC & clear data out of my
> accounts program before perhaps handing on my PC to a friend. How do I
> find
> out if it really is missing?
>
> "Jeff Richards" wrote:
>
>> The command is
>> ren C:\windows\win.cnf win.com
>>
>> assuming that you extracted win.cnf into the \Windows folder. The command
>> will fail if Win.com exists in the \Windows folder. In that case the
>> problem is not that the file is missing, but for some reason the boot
>> process cannot find it or cannot access it. Note that this process
>> should
>> only be used after you have confirmed that the listed files really are
>> missing, and after you have fixed whatever problem it was that caused
>> them
>> to go missing. What happened between the time that windows was working OK
>> and the time that it wouldn't boot?
>> --
>> Jeff Richards
>> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
>> "Aisha" <Aisha@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:93F870C2-F542-4D32-8A74-443462501C70@microsoft.com...
>> > My Windows 98SE will not boot. I have used my start up disk & extracted
>> > the 3
>> > files from my Cd it said were missng. Then it told me it could not find
>> > win.com, so I have extracted win.cnf from my CD & typed : ren
>> > C:\windows\win.
>> > cnf C:\windows\win.com. The next error message is:
>> > invalid parameter - C:\windows\win.com. What now?
>>
>>
>>

 

[Jeff Richards]

Go ahead and try the renaming - if the file actually exists in the \Windows
folder then you will be warned and the renaming will not occur and the
existing file will not be overwritten. If that happens, then the comments
from Buffalo may be relevant, as it indicates that for some reason the boot
process is not looking in the correct location for the files it needs to
start Windows.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Aisha" <Aisha@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:4BD0BC8C-C698-4FAC-8F3A-D89ECC9B76B3@microsoft.com...
> Thanx for your post, you are correct in your first assumption so I will
> keep
> in touch with Jeff & see if the correct command works if he tells me
> that's
> what I should do
>

 

[Aisha]

Have typed in your command, may be a while searching as it's quite slow. As
far as the other 3 files are concerned. Cannot remember exact message but
they were:
Himem.sys
Dblbuff.sys
Fshlp.sys

"Jeff Richards" wrote:

> At a C:\> prompt enter the command:
>
> DIR/s WIN.COM
>
> This command will search all folders on the C drive an report all copies of
> the file.
>
> What are the other two files that are missing? What exactly is the message
> that advised you they were missing?
> --
> Jeff Richards
> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
> "Aisha" <Aisha@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:B6ED4095-348E-4E87-9B5D-C98226D973EF@microsoft.com...
> > What an idiot, I was trying to clean up my PC & clear data out of my
> > accounts program before perhaps handing on my PC to a friend. How do I
> > find
> > out if it really is missing?
> >
> > "Jeff Richards" wrote:
> >
> >> The command is
> >> ren C:\windows\win.cnf win.com
> >>
> >> assuming that you extracted win.cnf into the \Windows folder. The command
> >> will fail if Win.com exists in the \Windows folder. In that case the
> >> problem is not that the file is missing, but for some reason the boot
> >> process cannot find it or cannot access it. Note that this process
> >> should
> >> only be used after you have confirmed that the listed files really are
> >> missing, and after you have fixed whatever problem it was that caused
> >> them
> >> to go missing. What happened between the time that windows was working OK
> >> and the time that it wouldn't boot?
> >> --
> >> Jeff Richards
> >> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
> >> "Aisha" <Aisha@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:93F870C2-F542-4D32-8A74-443462501C70@microsoft.com...
> >> > My Windows 98SE will not boot. I have used my start up disk & extracted
> >> > the 3
> >> > files from my Cd it said were missng. Then it told me it could not find
> >> > win.com, so I have extracted win.cnf from my CD & typed : ren
> >> > C:\windows\win.
> >> > cnf C:\windows\win.com. The next error message is:
> >> > invalid parameter - C:\windows\win.com. What now?
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

 

[Aisha]

Oh! It's just told me 'file not found'

"Jeff Richards" wrote:

> At a C:\> prompt enter the command:
>
> DIR/s WIN.COM
>
> This command will search all folders on the C drive an report all copies of
> the file.
>
> What are the other two files that are missing? What exactly is the message
> that advised you they were missing?
> --
> Jeff Richards
> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
> "Aisha" <Aisha@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:B6ED4095-348E-4E87-9B5D-C98226D973EF@microsoft.com...
> > What an idiot, I was trying to clean up my PC & clear data out of my
> > accounts program before perhaps handing on my PC to a friend. How do I
> > find
> > out if it really is missing?
> >
> > "Jeff Richards" wrote:
> >
> >> The command is
> >> ren C:\windows\win.cnf win.com
> >>
> >> assuming that you extracted win.cnf into the \Windows folder. The command
> >> will fail if Win.com exists in the \Windows folder. In that case the
> >> problem is not that the file is missing, but for some reason the boot
> >> process cannot find it or cannot access it. Note that this process
> >> should
> >> only be used after you have confirmed that the listed files really are
> >> missing, and after you have fixed whatever problem it was that caused
> >> them
> >> to go missing. What happened between the time that windows was working OK
> >> and the time that it wouldn't boot?
> >> --
> >> Jeff Richards
> >> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
> >> "Aisha" <Aisha@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:93F870C2-F542-4D32-8A74-443462501C70@microsoft.com...
> >> > My Windows 98SE will not boot. I have used my start up disk & extracted
> >> > the 3
> >> > files from my Cd it said were missng. Then it told me it could not find
> >> > win.com, so I have extracted win.cnf from my CD & typed : ren
> >> > C:\windows\win.
> >> > cnf C:\windows\win.com. The next error message is:
> >> > invalid parameter - C:\windows\win.com. What now?
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

 

[Aisha]

Hoorah! It's booted but I've got no mouse & I don't know how to use the
keyboard to get it back

"Jeff Richards" wrote:

> Go ahead and try the renaming - if the file actually exists in the \Windows
> folder then you will be warned and the renaming will not occur and the
> existing file will not be overwritten. If that happens, then the comments
> from Buffalo may be relevant, as it indicates that for some reason the boot
> process is not looking in the correct location for the files it needs to
> start Windows.
> --
> Jeff Richards
> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
> "Aisha" <Aisha@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:4BD0BC8C-C698-4FAC-8F3A-D89ECC9B76B3@microsoft.com...
> > Thanx for your post, you are correct in your first assumption so I will
> > keep
> > in touch with Jeff & see if the correct command works if he tells me
> > that's
> > what I should do
> >
>
>
>

 

[Jeff Richards]

You may not be able to get the mouse back from within Windows, depending on
what type of mouse it is and the reason for it disappearing. If the system
is booting to the desktop, use Ctrl+Esc to bring up the start menu, then the
arrow keys to move among the menu options to Settings / Control Panel and
use Enter to open it. Use arrow keys to move to System and use Enter to
open it. Right arrow to select Device Manager then Tab Tab to get to the
list and arrow down the list to Mouse. Right arrow to expand it and down
arrow to select. Tab to Properties and Space to select. What is the detail
about the mouse? Tab Tab Tab to highlight General and arrows to select other
tabs. Esc and Alt+F4 to close windows.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Aisha" <Aisha@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A6C29859-7261-4970-9E6F-AF483A9629D3@microsoft.com...
> Hoorah! It's booted but I've got no mouse & I don't know how to use the
> keyboard to get it back
>
> "Jeff Richards" wrote:
>
>> Go ahead and try the renaming - if the file actually exists in the
>> \Windows
>> folder then you will be warned and the renaming will not occur and the
>> existing file will not be overwritten. If that happens, then the
>> comments
>> from Buffalo may be relevant, as it indicates that for some reason the
>> boot
>> process is not looking in the correct location for the files it needs to
>> start Windows.
>> --
>> Jeff Richards
>> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
>> "Aisha" <Aisha@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:4BD0BC8C-C698-4FAC-8F3A-D89ECC9B76B3@microsoft.com...
>> > Thanx for your post, you are correct in your first assumption so I will
>> > keep
>> > in touch with Jeff & see if the correct command works if he tells me
>> > that's
>> > what I should do
>> >
>>
>>
>>

 

[Aisha]

Got it back!

"Jeff Richards" wrote:

> You may not be able to get the mouse back from within Windows, depending on
> what type of mouse it is and the reason for it disappearing. If the system
> is booting to the desktop, use Ctrl+Esc to bring up the start menu, then the
> arrow keys to move among the menu options to Settings / Control Panel and
> use Enter to open it. Use arrow keys to move to System and use Enter to
> open it. Right arrow to select Device Manager then Tab Tab to get to the
> list and arrow down the list to Mouse. Right arrow to expand it and down
> arrow to select. Tab to Properties and Space to select. What is the detail
> about the mouse? Tab Tab Tab to highlight General and arrows to select other
> tabs. Esc and Alt+F4 to close windows.
> --
> Jeff Richards
> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
> "Aisha" <Aisha@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:A6C29859-7261-4970-9E6F-AF483A9629D3@microsoft.com...
> > Hoorah! It's booted but I've got no mouse & I don't know how to use the
> > keyboard to get it back
> >
> > "Jeff Richards" wrote:
> >
> >> Go ahead and try the renaming - if the file actually exists in the
> >> \Windows
> >> folder then you will be warned and the renaming will not occur and the
> >> existing file will not be overwritten. If that happens, then the
> >> comments
> >> from Buffalo may be relevant, as it indicates that for some reason the
> >> boot
> >> process is not looking in the correct location for the files it needs to
> >> start Windows.
> >> --
> >> Jeff Richards
> >> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
> >> "Aisha" <Aisha@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:4BD0BC8C-C698-4FAC-8F3A-D89ECC9B76B3@microsoft.com...
> >> > Thanx for your post, you are correct in your first assumption so I will
> >> > keep
> >> > in touch with Jeff & see if the correct command works if he tells me
> >> > that's
> >> > what I should do
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

 

[Jeff Richards]

Well done! Is Add/Remove programmes the only outstanding issue?
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Aisha" <Aisha@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:64B5A479-A9BE-461B-9502-DB663A49231A@microsoft.com...
> Got it back!
>

 

[letterman@invalid.com]

On Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:29:01 -0700, Aisha
<Aisha@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>What an idiot, I was trying to clean up my PC & clear data out of my
>accounts program before perhaps handing on my PC to a friend. How do I find
>out if it really is missing?
>
>"Jeff Richards" wrote:
>
>> The command is
>> ren C:\windows\win.cnf win.com
>>
>> assuming that you extracted win.cnf into the \Windows folder. The command
>> will fail if Win.com exists in the \Windows folder. In that case the
>> problem is not that the file is missing, but for some reason the boot
>> process cannot find it or cannot access it. Note that this process should
>> only be used after you have confirmed that the listed files really are
>> missing, and after you have fixed whatever problem it was that caused them
>> to go missing. What happened between the time that windows was working OK
>> and the time that it wouldn't boot?
>> --
>> Jeff Richards
>> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
>> "Aisha" <Aisha@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:93F870C2-F542-4D32-8A74-443462501C70@microsoft.com...
>> > My Windows 98SE will not boot. I have used my start up disk & extracted
>> > the 3
>> > files from my Cd it said were missng. Then it told me it could not find
>> > win.com, so I have extracted win.cnf from my CD & typed : ren
>> > C:\windows\win.
>> > cnf C:\windows\win.com. The next error message is:
>> > invalid parameter - C:\windows\win.com. What now?
>>
>>
>>

If you had made a backup of your computer, you could just boot from a
floppy, go to the windows folder on your backup and copy it to
c:\windows. I never understand people who dont make backups.
Or copy it to the boot floppy (it's small), and then copy it to your
harddrive.