Windows ME, Boot Problems

Hi All,
I have aproblem with my son's computer, which has been going off and on for a while now, but has finally given up the ghoast.
It was giving us a boot problem, it refused to boot when you first turned the power on, but if you left it for awhileand re-booted it, it would boot up, so I formated the drive and re-installed ME, however the problem persisted, so I tried to re-install again but now it just boots to the window where it has fouyr joices to choose from, normal, logged, safemode, and another which I am at a loss to remember at present. No matter which one I choose when I hit the enter key I get the same message, which is. The follow[ng file is missing or corrupted: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEMIFSHLP.SYS
Then under that line it says: The following file is missing or corrupted: C:\WINDOWSSYSTEM\VMM32.VXD
Then it says: Type the following name of Windows Loader( eg. C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\VMM32.VXD
Anyone come up with this problem before, or anyone know what the messages are reffering to and how can I rectify them.
The computer is a home built one with a 1.7 MHZ, AMD processor.The memory is 512MB The mainboard has the sound and VGA implanted.
I would be more than grateful if some good person could point me in the general direction so I can nail the son of a gun, it's driving me crazy. I look forward to any replies.
Cheers.
phetjiu

 

Hello phetjiu,

A place to start:

The VXD files are Virtual Device Drivers in \Windows\SYSTEM\, the IFSHLP.SYS is a systm file in \Windows\. Right click on them and get see what the properties are. Accessing it manually may tell you whether they are corrupted.

Have you defragged -run disk scan? The Mfg. of the HD may have disk diagnostics for the HD.

Regards - Charles

 

Hello Charlesvar,
I have run scandisk several times and i have also de-fraged the drive . I also logged on to Seagate's website to see if they have any info on my HD, but couldn't find any info of value, so I am truely at a dead end as to what I should try next. I have run the anti virus system (Norton) plus Spybot( search and destroy) and CS Cleaner, but they all came up with a blank.
I really don't know where to go next. If I could just get the computer to boot into Windows, I might beable to try a few other things, but at present I'm totally lost.
Cheers
phetjiu

 

I quess you didn't create a boot floppy - can you borrow one or create one on another system. A 98 may work as well, although don't know for sure.

Or try this site http://www.bootdisk.com/

Regards - Charles

 

From what you describe in your first post, your drive's motor may be dead. When nothing happens when you first turn it on, your drive's motor may be slow spinning up the platters, after a bit when they are up to speed you get a boot up.

 

Hi Mark,
Thanks for your input, I had a thought that something like that could be the problem.
Any way of rectifying the problem, or is it a new HD required.
Look forward to your reply.
Phetjiu

 

A new drive is the better choice. It is possible to get a new one for less than the repair of the old.
Later on, when windows is running on the new drive, you could connect the old drive as a Slave, and maybe copy any data off of it.

 

HI Mark,
Thanks for your suggestion, I have a new 40 Gig Seagate, that I bought especialy for this occasion, so I'll drop that into the computer and give it a blast.
Will let you know the outcome.
Cheers
phetjiu

 

Hi Mark & Charlesvar,
Just to let you know that I have solved the boot problem.
I changed the HD and while I wasabout it, i change the OS and installed Windows XP Pro, it all worked out well and the computer is now working perfectly.
Thank you both for your input, I am extremely grateful.
Catch you next time.
Kindest regards.
Phetjiu