Win98 problem..

[RogueLemming]

Hey all, I've got a quick question for you (not saying it's easy, though lol). My dad recently informed me of a problem with his computer...mind you, I haven't touched this computer in over a year, so I don't know what programs were on it or anything. Here's what I know:
- It's a HP Pavilion 6370Z running Windows 98.
- When it's running, there is a horrible sound coming from what I'm pretty sure is a fan (this could be unrelated, but I'm not sure).
- He says a little while ago it just froze, so he hard booted it.
- Now when it boots up, it says it's missing a file required for Windows [VMM32.VXD] and Windows might have to be reisntalled.

Any suggestions on how to go about fixing this? Also, if it must be scrapped, is there anyway to retrieve any files off of it before we get rid of it? Thanks for any help!

[Chuckiechan]

I'm afraid it dosen't get much worse than that! I would put it in as a slave drive in your computer and see if you can copy his data off onto yours.

Wait for other answers though, as many more experienced members may have better ideas.

I wouldn't do anything else until you know what your other options are. (except trying to pull data like I suggested.)

Except fix or replace his fan!

[Bovon]

VMM32.VXD is a virtual device driver, and is located in C:\Windows\System...see image.

See if he can get into Windows in safe mode by holding the ctrl key on boot, then choosing safe mode from the menu. If he can get into Windows, he can 1) place a copy of VMM32.VXD into Windows System, or 2) from DOS, get into C:\Win\Sys and do a copy command with the driver on a diskette.

Failing this...and if he has enough hard drive space...from DOS rename Windows to Windows old (winold) then reload a new copy of Windows on C: drive..boot into the new OC, go to Win Sys and copy over that VMM32.VXD...return to dos, rename the new Windows to winnold, then rename winold back to Windows..boot normally into the original OS (hopefully).
If this works, and he's back up and running on his old OS..he can simply delete the new OS install named (now) winnold.

If you think it's a fan that's making the noise, you should really verify it. The hard lockup could be from overheating, due to the bad fan. Take the side(s) off the case to see if you see a fan not working. Check the PSU fan as well.

It could also be a bad HDD. If you find there are no bad fans, d/l the utility that matches your HDD mfr, a list can be found here , and see if the HDD is not the culprit.

Hopefully, it's just your fan.

[Bovon]

Dangit...trying again

[RogueLemming]

Thanks for all the help everybody. I just got home from work tonight, but I will definately be trying those suggestions out tomorrow!

[Bovon]

One more thought...if you (or your father) can get into Windows in safe mode, try running SFC (System File Checker) from the start > Run dialog box, type sfc and hit OK. This will check all of your Windows operational files, and if it finds one missing or corrupt, it will give you the chance to replace it..have your Win98 install disk handy. Also run scandisk..that will also fix problems sometimes.