Error Message on Boot

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Can you paste the entire contents of that file. Here’s mine:

;
[Paths]
WinDir=c:windows
WinBootDir=c:windows
HostWinBootDrv=c

[Options]
BootMulti=1
BootGUI=1
DoubleBuffer=1
AutoScan=2
WinVer=4.10.1998
____________________________

I think your friend was mistaken. You need it to say BootGUI=1. Get rid of the other entries you made.

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I made a couple of changes to MSDOS. SYS. Under Options, I added “DOS Boot=0 and Windows Boot=1.
I did this because all of a sudden Windows 98 booted into DOS and I had to type WIN at the C prompt. A friend advised me to make those changes. Now on Boot I’m getting an error message that reads “File Creation Error”. I’ve been to the MS Knowledge Base and found nothing.

Can some kind soul help me and tell me what to do now.

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[Paths]
WinDir=C:WINDOWS
WinBootDir=C:WINDOWS
HostWinBootDrv=C
UninstallDir=C:

[Options]
BootDelay=2
BootMulti=0
BootGUI=1
DOS Boot=0
Windows Boot=1
DoubleBuffer=1
WinVer=4.10.2222
Logo=0

I was also trying to remove the Windows Boot Logo Screen. Do I have it correct?

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Logo=0 seems to be the correct entry, but these lines are bogus:

DOS Boot=0
Windows Boot=1

Get rid of them! To boot into Windows, all you should need is BootGUI=1.

Axcel’s site has a complete list of msdos.sys entries here.

The MS Knowledge Base article is here.

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I shut down last night and when I tried to start Windows, it wouldn’t start and the message read: VFAT DEVICE INITIALIZATION FAILED – A device or resource required by VFAT is not present or is unavailable. VFAT can not continue loading. System halted.”

I restarted a couple of times but it wasn’t any use. I finally had to use GO BACK and revert to Sept. 22,2002 before I was able to boot into Windows. GO BACK lists of menu of files that can be recovered and I saved as many as I could, although all of them weren’t recoverable. Then I did a search for MSDOS.SYS and lo and behold the file was there but it was totally empty. I had to add the contens manually using your suggestions plus using the knowledge base article that you referred me to. Here is how MSDOS.SYS looks now. Please advise me if it needs any changes, I’m not about to boot again until I hear from you.

[Paths]
WinDir=C: (Should I remove this? The article says it’s lists things if using Win 95)

WinBootDir=C:Windows

HostWinBootDrv=C

[Options]
BootMulti=0

BootGUI=1

DoubleBuffer=1

WinVer=4.10.2222

Logo=0

These were added to options:

BootMenuDelay=15

BootMenu=1

AutoScan=1

That’s the end of the file. MSDOS.SYS is now 1915 bytes but the KB articles says that it should be 1024 bytes (Should I be concerned?)

I will wait to make any changes or deletions and to change the file back to read only or to boot my computer again if it has to run until 2003. Please reply as soon as you possibly can, I’m scared to death.

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1) First off, it should be:

WinDir=C:WINDOWS
WinBootDir=C:WINDOWS

The back slash after the colon is important — and so it the word “WINDOWS”. This tells your computer where “Windows” is installed.

2) BootMenuDelay of 15 seconds is rather long. I could finish my cup of coffee in that amount of time. ;-]

3) I personally like AutoScan=2 — automatic AutoScanning if needed. No user intervention required.

4) From Axcel’s site, it looks like you CAN use an entry like this:

BootWin=1

But I am not sure what that buys you. BootGUI should force your computer to boot to Windows — I don’t know why you would need both. Try it both ways!

5) DoubleBuffer=1 is for “SCSI, older ESDI/IDE/ATA and large FAT32 drives > 8 GB” Are you sure this applies to you? You might want to read this.

6) I suspect this message (VFAT DEVICE INITIALIZATION FAILED) is due to your incorrect WinDir entries. Read this section in the link:
“Incorrect [Paths] Section in the Msdos.sys File”.

7) You are OK if the msdos.sys file is OVER 1024 — it is only a problem if it is LESS than 1024:
How to Create an Msdos.sys File Larger Than 1024 Bytes

Hope that helps.

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The KB article says that WinDir list the location of the Windows 95 folder specified during Setup. Do either of us need it?

Is it possible to contact you some other way, this is getting mighty hairy? I need a faster way to get questions to you and replies back again. I think I may never boot again, I’m just that scared.

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Hi Duchess:
Please see Rule 10. Other people benefit by having discussions kept in the open forums.

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Thanks Phil, I read Rule 10. I didn’t mean to break any rules, it’s just getting complicated getting and sending replies this way. Also, it’s SLOW.

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It is slow because I have a real job, a wife, and two kids — likely similar to other people who “work” in the Lounge also have!

YES, you need to have the correct WinDir= line. If you don’t have that line correct, you will get the “VFAT DEVICE INITIALIZATION FAILED” — which is EXACTLY what you are getting.

Here is the quote from Microsoft:

Incorrect [Paths] Section in the Msdos.sys File

Windows 98

Verify that the following lines in the Msdos.sys file are correct [Paths] WinDir= Windows WinBootDir= Windows HostWinBootDrv=C where Windows is the folder that contains Windows.

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I guess that I forgot that people have to go outside their homes to work. I work from home and have lots of time to sit and wait. I’ll try to be more considerate of your time.

I will do exactly like you and Windows said. When I boot again, which may not be soon, I will hold my breath and cover up my eyes and pray that Windows starts.

Thanks for all your help and your patience with me.

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