My List of Top Articles for Windows 98/95

Here's a repeat:
Many people don't want to go to the Microsoft Knowledge Base for several reasons. It's often too busy, you have to register and give your life story, and it reads information from your system; or so it's said??

Here's a Very FAST way to retrieve an article in text. ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/peropsys/WIN95/KB/Qxxx/x/xx.TXT Just copy the above and put the numbers in place of the x's. The article will fly to you brouser, save it wherever you want.

Proven Problem Fixers

Windows Restart Continuously
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q148/9/19.asp

Computer Caught in Reboot Loop After Using DriveSpace
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q130/0/18.asp

Computer Hangs After Windows Logo Screen Is Displayed
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q150/5/16.asp

ScanDisk Last Result: Check Was Stopped Because of an Error
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q135/9/52.asp

How Disk Defragmenter Reports Fragmentation
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q124/9/17.asp

Shutdown Hangs After "Please Wait While..." Screen
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q136/6/51.asp

Error Messages Section

This version of Windows does not run on MS-DOS 7.00 or earlier.
The following file is missing or damaged: WIN.COM
File creation error.
"If you get any on of these Error Messages" See:
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q178/1/51.asp

Troubleshooting Section

How to Troubleshoot Windows 95 Shutdown Problems
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q145/9/26.asp

Microsoft Technical Support Troubleshooting Wizards
http://support.microsoft.com/support/tshoot/default.asp

Multimedia Sound Troubleshooter
http://support.microsoft.com/support/reference/tshooter/multimediasound
/default.asp

Troubleshooting Video Problems in Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q127/1/39.asp

Cannot Remove Microsoft Internet Explorer from Windows 98
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q186/7/51.asp

Don't Even Try You will Balkanize your system:
Balkanize: "To divide (a region or territory) into small, often hostile units."
You cannot remove Microsoft Internet Explorer from Windows 98 because Internet Explorer is integrated into Windows 98.

When you upgrade your Microsoft Windows 95-based computer to Windows 98, the Ieremove.exe tool may still exist on your computer. This tool is used to remove Internet Explorer version 4.0 or 4.01 from a Windows 95-based computer "ONLY". Do not use the Ieremove.exe tool if you are using Windows 98. For more information about the Ieremove.exe tool, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q166/3/13.asp

Video Problem with Automatic Hardware Detection Fault/Stuffup/Bug/Pain in the Neck!
Ok, go to
http://www.conitech.com/windows/
and get the latest driver for your card. 98 is probably installing it's version. Or remove it's driver and install the one that you where running with before.

W98 keeps detecting hardware and rebooting?

Have you tried skipping all files? Once you have done this go into controll panel, check for conflicts and then install the origional drivers from the manufacturers. You do this by Start menu> settings> controll panel> system> device manager> and then update drivers for anything in unknown devices you do this by double clicking on each one and choosing drivers> update then search from source, insert the driver disk or CD ROM and check the CD ROM box and choose the relevant driver.

How to Enable Multiple Display Support Using Windows 98
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q179/6/02.asp

How to Troubleshoot Multiple Display Support in Windows 98
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q182/9/30.asp

YOUR SHUTDOWN PROBLEMS:
Computer Hangs When Viewing MS-DOS-Based Programs Full-Screen
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q187/2/17.asp

YOUR DOS PROBLEMS:
Description of Restarting Computer in MS-DOS Mode
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q138/9/96.asp

MIGHT BE RELATED:
Problems Restarting Laptop Computer in MS-DOS Mode
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q188/3/22.asp

Computer Appears to Stop Responding Restarting in MS-DOS Mode
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q150/3/23.asp

Spool32.exe Error When Printing on a Network
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q167/7/75.asp

Implementing Windows 95 Updates
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q161/0/20.asp

Cyrix CPU's, A Constant Problem

"General protection errors"
"Stack and page faults"
"Invalid VxD Dynamic Link Call"
"OE or OD Errors"
"Lost Drop & Drag or Copy & Paste"
"Invalid Page Fault"
"VFAT Device Errors"
You name it, it all happens??

1st. Check The Website For Your Mother Board.
For Example:

http://www.asus.com/products/techref/mb/SP97-V-tech.asp

The listing for the Cyrix 6x86MX-PR233 is incorrect there! The clock speed is listed at 66MHz, when in fact it is 75MHz! At the bottom of the webpage, the section "Jumper Setting To Set To 75/83Mhz External Bus Frequency", make the changes to those specs to be sure the CPU is running at 75MHz, not 66MHz.  If you are not sure of your CPU's actual clock speed, look on the CPU itself, you will have to remove the cooling fan and heat sink, but the clock speed will be printed right on the CPU.  That speed should match the motherboard settings, and if your motherboard is underclocking it, you're bound to get errors!

About Microphones, Internet Talk, Bandwidth ect;

See:
http://www.rockandsoul.com/12.htm
http://www.mediatech.com.tw/
http://www.computeraudio.telex.com/
http://www.mediatech.com.tw/
http://www.computeraudio.telex.com/in03a.htm/
http://www.meetingbywire.com/
http://www.cs.umr.edu/~hlee/iphone/review.html
http://www.wizzardsoftware.com/voice-mailmic.html
http://www.digitalvideo.com/mics.html

Microsoft's Best Written Bug "Office"

Here's my old but still usefull Office 97 page. office97.html
But I'd go right to the main source, "Woody's Office Watch"
http://www.wopr.com/wow/wowv3n40.shtml
It's all here folks.  You're Welcome

Welcome to Office Update

Office Update has been recently enhanced to provide you with the ability to sort, filter, and easily organize information on Office downloads. We have also enhanced Office Update to make it more accessible for those users who are blind or have low vision and need to use the site with screen readers. We take advantage of the latest browser technology to make these additional features possible.This technology is included in IE 4.01.

You will be able to enjoy the benefits of Office Update, such as downloads of Service Releases, other product updates, add-ins and templates, as well as their supporting documentation by using most browser technology, including Netscape Navigator, Internet Explorer 3.0 or Internet Explorer 4.01.

Table of Contents
Updates
Downloads
Word
Excel
Outlook
PowerPoint
Access
FrontPage
Publisher
PhotoDraw
Microsoft  Project

The best is still to get the Replacement CD:

To get it call Microsoft Supplemental Parts at 800-370-9272 and order the Office 97 SR-2 Replacement CD. This is the Full Version of Office 97 with the SR-1 and SR-2 fixes included.

Supplemental Parts is the only place you can order the Replacement CD. To get the Replacement CD, you must own a retail version of Office 97 or Office 97 SR-1. OEM customers are being given other instructions to obtain the CD.

You have to give the CD's code number and the Product ID number. If you don't ask specifically for the "Office 97 SR-2 Replacement CD" you would get the SR-2 Patch.

There is no charge for the Replacement Office 97 SR-2 CD.

REMINDER: The Office 97 SR-2 contains Outlook 97, not Outlook 98. Use Custom Install to insure you do not install it if you only want to use Outlook Express or are running Outlook 98.

OFF97: Problems with Millennium and Mystique Video Cards
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q166/1/25.asp

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Office 97 for Windows
Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
Microsoft Access 97 for Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint 97 for Windows
Microsoft Outlook 97 for Windows
Microsoft Project 98 for Windows

Word 6.x Doesn't Work?

Have You Upgraded To WIN98 and Find That Now Word 6.x Doesn't Work?

The following tip will help anyone using an older version of Microsoft Office on a Windows 98 system (and apparently, there are a lot of you out there!):

"Windows 98 no longer supports the MS-DOS command Share.exe. For Word 6.x to run correctly, it needs to find that command. Fortunately, the work-around is easy. Open Notepad and save a blank file under the name 'Share.exe' in the Windows System folder (not System32). This 'fake' file solves the problem."

---

Err; Windows Was Unable to Update Your System Files

Some computers include a feature that prevents applications from writing to the boot sector. Such features are normally in the form of anti-virus protection set in your computer's CMOS settings. If anti-virus protection is enabled, Windows cannot complete its installation, or it does not load properly.

The Fix is to simply disable the anti-virus protection set in your computer's CMOS settings, and re-setup

Windows 98, Multiple display support

All the display adapters used in a computer with multiple-display support must be Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) or Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) devices using multiple-display-enabled display adapter drivers included with Windows 98. Industry Standard Architecture / Extended Industry Standard Architecture (ISA / EISA) display adapters are not supported.

Display adapters with the following chip sets cannot be used as a multiple-display support device:

Permedia (this does not include the Permedia NT and Permedia-2 chip sets)

Any combination of the following supported PCI-based display adapters can be used with multiple-monitors. Only display adapters based on the following chip sets work as primary and secondary adapters.

Note #1: Only the PCI adapters listed below are supported as the primary adapter. However, other PCI adapters may work even though they are not supported.

Note #2: You also need to use the specified driver.

These drivers are supported by Microsoft and are included on the Windows 98 CD-ROM:

ATI Mach 64 GX (GX, GXD, VT)ATIM64.drv
ATI Graphics Pro Turbo PCI
ATI Graphics Xpression
ATI WinTurbo
ATI Rage I, II, & II+ATI_M64.drv
ATI All-In-Wonder
ATI 3D Xpression+ PC2TV
ATI 3D Xpression
ATI 3D Xpression+
ATI Rage Pro (AGP & PCI)ATIR3.drv
ATI Xpert@Work, 4 & 8 MB
ATI Xpert@Play, 4 & 8 MB
ATI All-In-Wonder Pro
S3 765 (Trio64V+)S3MM.drv

Note: Only certain updates work. These are 40, 42, 43, 44, 52, 53, & 54.
Note that if the card is at one of these updates, then Windows 98 will recognize the card as a Trio 64V+, provided the Microsoft driver is used. If the card is not at one of these updates, then it is recognized as a Trio 32/64. Some OEM drivers don't care which update is present; be sure to note carefully which Microsoft driver Windows 98 selects when you use this card.

S3 Trio64V2(DX/GX)S3MM.drv
Diamond Stealth 64 Video 2001
STB PowerGraph 64V+
STB MVP 64
Miro TwinHead 22SD
Hercules Terminator 64/Video
Number Nine 9FX Reality 332 (S3 Virge)
Number Nine 9FX Reality 334 (S3 Virge GX/2)
Number Nine 9FX Reality 772 (S3 Virge VX)
California Graphics V2/DX
Videologic GraphicsStar 410
Cirrus 5436CIRRUSMM.drv
Cirrus Alpine
Cirrus 5446CIRRUSMM.drv
STB Nitro 64V
S3 ViRGE S3V.drv
(ViRGE (325)
ViRGE VX (988)
ViRGE DX (385)
ViRGE GX (385))
Diamond Stealth 3D 2000
Diamond Stealth 3D 3000
Diamond Stealth 3D 2000 Pro
Number Nine 9FX Reality 332
STB Nitro 3D
STB Powergraph 3D
STB Velocity 3D
STB MVP/64
STB MVP/64 3D
STB WorkStation (2 & 4 output)
Miro Crystal VR4000
ET6000ET6000.drv
Hercules Dynamite 128/Video
STB Lightspeed 128
Compaq Armada S3MM.drv
Trident 9685/9680/9682TRID_PCI.DRV /9385/9382/9385
Jaton Video - 57P

More information on how to enable Multiple Display Support in Windows 98 can be found in Microsoft's Knowledge Base
Article No. Q179602.

Note: Normally you don't need to reinstall Windows 98 if you add a graphic card to start using the multiple monitor Functionality.
There's one exception: if you have a graphic adapter build into your motherboard, chances are that Windows 98 might not detect your on board graphics adapter after adding an additional adapter. In that case you'd have to reinstall Windows 98.

For How to Troubleshoot Multiple Display Support in Windows 98 see:
Microsoft's Knowledge Base Article No. Q182930.

How to Use Real-Mode CD-ROM Drivers from Windows 98 Startup Disk

This is from Article ID: Q190303

The Windows 98 Startup disk includes a set of generic real-mode CD-ROM drivers. These drivers work with most Integrated Device Electronics (IDE) ATAPI-compliant and Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) CD-ROM drives.

This article describes how to configure your computer to use the real-mode CD-ROM drivers from the Windows 98 Startup disk. This may be useful when you need real-mode drivers for your CD-ROM drive, or when you are unable to configure the Windows 98 protected-mode CD-ROM drivers to function correctly.

Determining If the Real-Mode CD-ROM Drivers Work

Before you configure your computer to use the real-mode CD-ROM drivers from the Startup disk, verify that the drivers work with your CD-ROM drive. To do so, follow these steps:

1.Restart your computer using the Windows 98 Startup disk. On the Startup menu, choose Start Computer With CD-ROM Support.

2.Insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.

3.Type "dir <drive>:" (without quotation marks), and then press ENTER, where <drive> is the drive letter for the CD-ROM drive. Note that the CD-ROM drive letter may be one letter higher than you expect.

If you can retrieve a directory of the CD-ROM, the real-mode drivers work with your CD-ROM drive. If you cannot retrieve a directory, you must use the drivers included with your CD-ROM drive.

Using the Startup Disk Real-Mode CD-ROM Drivers

To configure your computer to use the real-mode drivers from the Startup disk, follow these steps:

1.If you have not already done so, restart your computer using the Windows 98 Startup disk.

2.Create a new folder on your hard disk and then copy files to the new folder. To do so, type the following lines, pressing ENTER after each line:

c:
mkdir rmcd
cd rmcd
a:
copy aspi2dos.sys c:
copy aspi4dos.sys c:
copy aspi8dos.sys c:
copy aspi8u2.sys c:
copy aspicd.sys c:
copy btdosm.sys c:
copy btcdrom.sys c:
copy flashpt.sys c:
copy himem.sys c:
copy oakcdrom.sys c:
copy c:\windows\command\mscdex.exe c:\rmcd
c:
dir

There should be 11 files in the new folder.

3.Make backup copies of your Autoexec.bat and Config.sys files (if they exist). To do so, type the following lines at the command prompt, pressing ENTER after
each command:

c:
cd \
copy autoexec.bat autoexec.sav
copy config.sys config.sav

4.Type "edit autoexec.bat" (without quotation marks), and then press ENTER.

5.Add the following line to the Autoexec.bat file:

lh c:\rmcd\mscdex.exe /d:mscd001

6.On the File menu, click Save, and then click Exit on the File menu.

7.Type "edit config.sys" (without quotation marks), and then press ENTER.

8.Add the following line to the Config.sys file:

device=c:\rmcd\himem.sys /testmem:off

NOTE: If the Himem.sys line already exists, do not add the line above.

Add the following lines to the Config.sys file:

device=c:\rmcd\oakcdrom.sys /D:mscd001
device=c:\rmcd\btdosm.sys
device=c:\rmcd\flashpt.sys
device=c:\rmcd\btcdrom.sys /D:mscd001
device=c:\rmcd\aspi2dos.sys
device=c:\rmcd\aspi8dos.sys
device=c:\rmcd\aspi4dos.sys
device=c:\rmcd\aspi8u2.sys
device=c:\rmcd\aspicd.sys /D:mscd001
device=c:\rmcd\flashpt.sys
files=10
buffers=10
dos=high,umb
stacks=9,256
lastdrive=z

9.On the File menu, click Save, and then click Exit on the File menu.

10.Remove the Startup disk and then restart your computer normally.

Other Problems
The following list contains known issues with the real-mode CD-ROM drivers on the Windows 98 Startup disk:

CD-ROM drives connected to sound cards may not work properly.

Early proprietary CD-ROM drives (for example, Mitsumi, Panasonic, Sony) may not work with the drivers on the Startup disk. Some older IDE controllers also may not work.

The SCSI drivers on the Startup disk support most Adaptec, BusLogic, and Mylex adapters. Other SCSI CD-ROM drives may not work with the drivers on the Startup disk.

If your SCSI controller is configured for a non-default input/output (I/O) range, the drivers may not detect your SCSI card. Consult your SCSI driver documentation for the default I/O ranges for your card.

For additional information on troubleshooting SCSI devices, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

ARTICLE-ID: Q133258
TITLE : SCSI Setup & Basic SCSI Troubleshooting in Windows

Drivers are not included for any PC Card (PCMCIA) CD-ROM drives.

For additional information about how Windows Setup detects CD-ROM drives, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

ARTICLE-ID: Q151550
TITLE     : How Windows Setup Detects CD-ROM Drives
 

For information about specific CD-ROM drives that require real-mode drivers to work in Windows, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

ARTICLE-ID: Q131499
TITLE     : CD-ROM Drives Requiring Real-Mode Drivers

Faster Shutdowns

You've just spent what seems like an eternity tweaking Windows into submission. It opens flawlessly, all your applications hum in perfect harmony, and nothing can go wrong. Then you click on the Shut Down option and various unpleasant things start happening. Or maybe nothing happens at all-your system just hangs and you need to hit the power switch.  Many of you know all too well Windows doesn't always close up shop in an orderly fashion. Here's a look at some of the things that can go wrong as you exit Windows, along with a few suggestions on how to customize the shutdown process.

As one aspect of an orderly exit, Win98 clears a "bad shutdown" flag in a reserved section of the file allocation table. The flag is set during routine disk-write operations, and remains set if Windows doesn't shut down properly-as may happen if your system crashes or if you shut down by simply flipping the power switch off. In either case, the set flag is noted the next time Windows opens and ScanDisk runs automatically, on the assumption that a hard disk problem needs fixing.

This can be a nuisance during repetitive restarts. To temporarily disable it, use Win98's System Information applet (Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information). Open its Tools menu, select System Configuration Utility, click Advanced and check "Disable ScanDisk after bad shutdown." This writes AutoScan=0 into the MSDOS.SYS file, which instructs Windows not to run ScanDisk if it encounters a bad shutdown flag. Win95 SR2 also supports this feature, but you'll have to edit the MSDOS.SYS file yourself to enable it.

Achieve Fast(er) Shutdown If you hold down the Shift key after choosing Restart, Windows closes and reopens without going through the usual full-reboot routine. But Microsoft doesn't officially support this feature, so it's one of those "use at your own risk" procedures. If the system hangs or you get an error message, that's your cue that your hardware isn't happy, and you'll just have to get along without this option.

But even if it appears to work, you may notice some odd side effects. The next time you do a full reboot, open Device Manager, double-click System Devices and look for an Advanced Power Management Support icon. If it's there, your system supports this feature, and Control Panel's Power Management applet will display a System Standby option on its Power Schemes tab. Restart while holding down the Shift key and then recheck the Power Schemes tab. You may find the System Standby option has vanished. And if you return to Device Manager's System Devices/Advanced Power Management Support, you'll see an exclamation mark over its icon. There's no permanent configuration damage though, because both problems go away the next time you restart without holding down the Shift key. But it pays to keep an eye out for such glitches and perhaps use Shift-key restart only when troubleshooting other problems. Once your system is back to normal, do a full reboot, followed by a double-check of these trouble spots.

Here's another way to speed things up. When you select Start/Shut Down, the radio button you chose on the previous shutdown is already enabled, since Windows assumes you want to use the same option again. It's certainly no major hassle to click one of the other radio buttons, but, if you prefer, you can enter the two-letter key combination directly from the Start menu to select an exit mode: U to Shut Down followed by S (Shut Down), R (Restart), and so on. Or, if you haven't a moment to lose, you can create a brute-force escape hatch that bypasses these intermediate steps. Just write a shortcut with the command line RUNDLL32.EXE User,ExitWindows and name it Bail Out or whatever you like. Put it in a convenient place and double-click it to exit Windows without bothering with the Start menu options. You'll still be prompted to close unsaved work in any open apps, however.

Speaking of shutdown operations, Registry watchers who've discovered the Windows Shutdown key may wonder if it's a counterpart to the Run key; that is, a place from which you can control various custom shutdown procedures. As far as I can tell, the answer is a definite "yes and no." Its use appears to be quite limited-in Win95 it does nothing at all, and in Win98 it controls the Fast Shutdown mode, which is enabled by default.

The Fast Shutdown mode allows Windows to exit faster by omitting a step in which installed drivers are uninitialized before shutdown. In most cases this causes no problem, since turning the power off is going to uninitialize the whole works anyway. However, some drivers don't like to give up control without a fight, so if your system consistently hangs during shutdown, disabling this option may help. The best way to do this is to go back to Win98's System Information applet. Again, select Tools/System Configuration Utility/Advanced, only this time check "Disable fast shutdown."

It may seem just as easy to edit the Registry by changing the FastReboot entry from "1" (enabled) to "0" (disabled) in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet \Control\Shutdown. But there's one more step that isn't so obvious. If you use the System Configuration Utility to disable Fast Shutdown, you'll see a new line written in the same subkey. The Name column now shows an original_FastReboot entry, and its Data column value is "1". If you subsequently clear the checkbox, the line disappears, so it's easy to overlook this item if you don't use the configuration utility.

If your shutdown-related problem goes away once you check the Disable box, there's probably a driver that's incompatible with the fast-shutdown operation. If so, you have two choices: Leave fast-shutdown disabled and forget about it, or locate the problem driver and see if an upgrade is available. If you choose the latter, try pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del. Highlight any potential suspect and click on the End Task button, then try again to shut down. Keep at it until you've identified the culprit. If this procedure doesn't lead anywhere, examine your CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT and WIN.INI files for any troublesome app that may be loading at startup. Also try holding down the Shift key as Windows opens, to prevent the entire StartUp group from loading.

The problem driver list

If an upgraded driver isn't available, there's still one more remedy worth trying. Under the Registry's Shutdown key, you'll find an ExclusionList subkey. By default, Win98 writes DVP and NAVEX into this key's Contents pane. These files are part of the Norton Utilities' antivirus system. Presumably, drivers listed here need to go through their normal uninitialization process and are allowed to do so even if you've enabled Fast Shutdown. You may be able to add to this list the names of drivers that are giving you problems. But keep in mind this is one of those "at your own risk" excursions, because I haven't been able to test it.

By the way, you may have already discovered one other aspect of Fast Shutdown. When Win98 announces "It's now safe to turn off your computer" you can't have second thoughts and press Ctrl+Alt+Del to reboot. If pressing your computer's reset button to reboot is unacceptable, once again it's time to disable Fast Shutdown. After doing so, you'll once again be able to use a three-finger salute when the "It's now safe ..." announcement appears.

Although the Shutdown key doesn't allow modifications other than the Fast Shutdown mode, there is a way to persuade Windows to perform various automated preshutdown tasks every time you exit. Just create a batch file with whatever commands you want to execute and write the RUNDLL32.EXE line described earlier as the last command in the file. Then put a shortcut to the batch file on your Desktop. When you double-click it, the batch commands will be executed in the order they appear in the file, after which Windows itself will close down.

One odd shutdown-related problem can prevent Windows from opening in the first place. When you power on your PC, the opening message appears, followed by "It's now safe to turn off your computer." The most likely cause of this problem is a missing or damaged WININIT.EXE file, and the solution is to use your emergency diskette or any other boot diskette, then expand a fresh copy of WININIT.EXE from your Win95/98 CAB files.

If Windows still won't open, the next likely suspect is a VMM32.VXD file. If so, you may see the following message: "Cannot start Windows because VMM32.VXD was not found or is damaged."

You can be sure of one thing if you see this message: The file was found. The message is embedded in the file, so if it were missing, the message would be, too. But the file may be damaged, and, if it is, you may need to reinstall Windows to recover, because simply expanding a fresh copy of the missing file may not help.

If it sounds like I'm hedging, it's because I am. Here's why: If the file really is damaged, a Microsoft Knowledge Base paper states you have to reinstall Windows, because this file is created during setup and doesn't exist in the cabinet files. But that's not true: VMM32.VXD is in the WIN98_48.CAB file. But that file is a foundation on which your own system-specific VMM32.VXD will be built during setup. In a typical configuration, your own version of this file may be twice the size of the CAB file version. So the CAB file version alone may not work properly.

I continue to hedge because I deliberately wiped out my own version of the file, which was 931,584 bytes, and replaced it with the 475,084-byte file from the CAB file. Of course, I knew it wouldn't work, and of course, it did, and I haven't discovered any nasty little surprises (yet). I did discover that the VMM32.VXD file on several other PCs was identical to my missing version (which I'd squirreled away for safekeeping in the event of a real disaster). So, if a VMM32.VXD disaster hits and the CAB file version doesn't help, you may be able to avoid reinstalling Windows by grabbing a copy from another PC. Total success is unconditionally unguaranteed here, but it's worth a shot if all else fails.