This file is not in your PATH, you may need to reinstall Windows.

[mycowmary]

When I attempt to start my computer, I get the following error message:

"VMM32.VXD is required to run Windows.
If this file is not in your PATH, you may need to reinstall Windows.

Windows has stopped. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to restart your computer."

If anyone can help, it would be appreciated.

I not very computer literate so, I need elementary instructions.

Thanks.

[jdc2000]

If this file is actually missing, you may need to reinstall Windows to recreate it.

[Tweaker]

This might help.

Error Message: VMM32.VXD Is Required to Run Windows...
View products that this article applies to.
This article was previously published under Q194679

SYMPTOMS:
When you start your computer, you may receive the following error message:

VMM32.VXD is required to run Windows. If this file is not in your PATH, you may need to reinstall Windows.
Your computer then starts to a command prompt.

CAUSE:

This behavior can occur if the Windows\System folder is missing or renamed, or if the PATH line in the Autoexec.bat file is missing or does not include the Windows\System folder.

RESOLUTION:

To resolve this behavior, use the appropriate method:
Method 1
At the command prompt, type:
dir vmm32.vxd /s

If the Vmm32.vxd file is not found, you must install Windows 95 or Windows 98 again. If the Vmm32.vxd file is found, note the folder in which it is located, and then continue with step 2.


At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command
cd windows
ren folder system

where folder is the folder you noted in step 1.


Restart your computer.
Method 2
Using a text editor (such as Notepad), edit the Autoexec.bat file and add or modify the PATH line so that it includes the Windows\System folder. For example, add the following line to your Autoexec.bat file:
path=c:\windows\system

The information in this article applies to:
Microsoft Windows 98
Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
Microsoft Windows 95

Source: http://support.microsoft.com/default...NoWebContent=1

[Landon]

Do you have a UMAX scanner?

If you do go to: www.umax.com and search for the patch for the VMM32.VXD issue.

If you don't you may have to reinstall Windows.

[mycowmary]

Originally Posted by Landon

Do you have a UMAX scanner?

If you do go to: www.umax.com and search for the patch for the VMM32.VXD issue.

If you don't you may have to reinstall Windows.

Nope, no scanner.

And I don't have the Windows installation disks.

Doh!

[mycowmary]

Originally Posted by Tweaker

This might help.

Error Message: VMM32.VXD Is Required to Run Windows...
View products that this article applies to.
This article was previously published under Q194679

SYMPTOMS:
When you start your computer, you may receive the following error message:

VMM32.VXD is required to run Windows. If this file is not in your PATH, you may need to reinstall Windows.
Your computer then starts to a command prompt.

CAUSE:

This behavior can occur if the Windows\System folder is missing or renamed, or if the PATH line in the Autoexec.bat file is missing or does not include the Windows\System folder.

RESOLUTION:

To resolve this behavior, use the appropriate method:
Method 1
At the command prompt, type:
dir vmm32.vxd /s

If the Vmm32.vxd file is not found, you must install Windows 95 or Windows 98 again. If the Vmm32.vxd file is found, note the folder in which it is located, and then continue with step 2.


At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command
cd windows
ren folder system

where folder is the folder you noted in step 1.


Restart your computer.
Method 2
Using a text editor (such as Notepad), edit the Autoexec.bat file and add or modify the PATH line so that it includes the Windows\System folder. For example, add the following line to your Autoexec.bat file:
path=c:\windows\system

The information in this article applies to:
Microsoft Windows 98
Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
Microsoft Windows 95

Source: http://support.microsoft.com/default...NoWebContent=1

I have to use a bootable disk to get a command prompt.

Then, when I use method 1, I get "file not found". HOw can this be? I didn't intentionally delete any files. What happened was the last time I was on the internet, it hung, so I ctl alt del and the task manager came up, and then I started hitting "end task". I think this file may have been in the list that I "end task"ed.

Can I use the bootable disk to try method 2. HOw do I get to the text editor from the c: prompt?

any other ways?

I do not have the Windows installation disks.

[Landon]

Anything that you endtasked should have come back after you rebooted, that's just the way that it works.

I would try to find a CD from someone and follow one of the previous replies to re-extract the file.

[mycowmary]

Originally Posted by Landon

Anything that you endtasked should have come back after you rebooted, that's just the way that it works.

I would try to find a CD from someone and follow one of the previous replies to re-extract the file.

Thanks, this forum is a great resource.

[jdc2000]

Unfortunately, I believe that the VMM32 file is one of those that is created when you install Windows specifically for the hardware and software configuration for that PC. Even if you could get a copy of that file from another PC, chances are it wouldn't work properly on your PC. If Windows even started, you'd get constant errors. That is why Microsoft indicates that you must re-install Windows to recreate this file if it is in fact really missing.

As to what caused it to go missing, it could have been due to a crash or power glitch, or it could be a bad sector in the hard drive. If you do get Windows going again, a thorough scandisk would probably be a good idea.

[jtdoom]

Hi

that is correct
setup compiles this file and includes drivers for the hardware it recognised in it.
any additinally installed hardware (and updates) go in separate folder, but this vmm32.vxd is "built" during setup, which is why extracting a basic version off the windows CD , and a copy from another PC won't work