Win98 - No DBLBUFF.SYS, IFSHLP.SYS, WIN.COM

[raggatt]

I'm hoping someone here can help with this problem...When I start my computer (Micron Transport LT laptop), it ends up in DOS mode with a message saying the DBLBUFF.SYS and IFSHLP.SYS files are missing or corrupted.  I also get a message saying "Cannot find WIN.COM, unable to continue loading windows."

I do have a Win98 restore disk.
I do not have a Win98 installation disk (didn't get one with computer!)
I do have a WinXP installation disk that I got with a different computer.

I do have a C:\ prompt and have tried typing in Scanreg/restore....but get the message "bad command or file name."   

Any help would be MUCH appreciated!!!
Thank you!

PS, I'm not especially computer savvy, so if the fix is too complicated I might be up the creek w/out a paddle....

[Broni]

Welcome aboard 

Scanreg/restore

This command has a space:
Scanreg /restore

[raggatt]

Thanks Broni for your reply. 

I'm sorry, but I did type it with a space between "scanreg" and forward slash:

"scanreg /restore"

and got the message "bad command or file name"

I do appreciate your helpful suggestion though, and am hoping for more 

[Broni]

It looks like you have some serious problem with some system files, especially command.com
I'd definitely go for Restore disk, because to try to fix it one-by-one, is gonna be painful.
Do you have any important data there?

[dahlarbear]

I'd have to agree with Broni.  Sounds like it's not finding a bunch of important system files and it would be very painful to try to identify and recover the missing files.  When I had similiar problem with my Windows 98 desktop, it bit me three times over a three to six month period causing me to re-install each time.  Problem was only resolved by purchase and installation of a new hard drive.

So...  I'm wondering whether your hard disk is "old" and "tired" and should be checked/replaced before re-installing.  What do you think Broni?

Manufacturers of hard drives usually provide diagnostic software that can be downloaded and placed on bootable floppy or CD to check the integrity of the drive as well as the surface of the disk platters.  The tests are not always "destructive" meaning many of them may be run without corrupting your current data.

[raggatt]

Broni and Dahlarbear: thanks yet again for your thoughts on this problem.

I've tried to locate the "missing" files using the following:

dir c:\windows\dblbuff.sys
dir c:\windows\ifshlp.sys
dir c:\windows\win.com

For these, I got the message "File not found"

Also tried to locate scanreg by typing:
dir c:\windows\command\scanreg.exe

And got the message "Path not found"

Yes, it's an old computer, bought in 1999 (I think)...I just hate to trash it if it's at all fixable.  I'm hoping to fix it and give it to a niece...

I really appreciate your help.

edited to add:  No, I don't have anything on it I can't afford to lose (although I'll definitely miss some things  )
Also, my Win98 manual doesn't say anything about how to use the restore disk, so I've no idea how!

[Broni]

First of all, this:

dir c:\windows\command\scanreg.exe

is incorrect command.
scanreg.exe resides in C:\Windows directory, and command.com in root C:\ directory (someone please correct me on the last one)
To see, if you have those files, at C:\ prompt type:
dir C:\Windows |more
Hit Enter. Hit any key to display next portion of Windows directory.
Do the same to find, if Command.com is there. At C:\ prompt, type:
dir |more
Hit Enter.

I agree with dahlarbear about checking your HD, itself.

[raggatt]

I've tried typing
dir C:\Windows |more
and
dir |more

I'm pretty sure the "|" symbol right before "more" is the one above "\", which you get by hitting that and the "shift" key...(I hope this makes sense!  It just looks different on the DOS screen and I've never used it before...sorry!)  Is this right?  If so, I got the same message "bad command or file name."  Of course I'm probably doing it wrong.... Or, Is "|more" shorthand for something else?  Sorry to be so thick!

And I'll look online for hard drive diagnostic tools, per your suggestion.  Thanks!

[Broni]

I'm pretty sure the "|" symbol right before "more" is the one above "\"

That's correct.

Is "|more" shorthand for something else?

"|more" switch just allows you to see a very long directory in parts, that fit DOS window. Otherwise, the list will scroll to the very bottom.

I got the same message "bad command or file name."

Which, most likely means, that your command.com file is missing, or corrupted.

[raggatt]

When I just tried: 
dir C:\Windows

I got the following files:
.                        <DIR>
..                       <DIR>
CPUNUM~1 INI
SYSTEM             <DIR>
TEMP                 <DIR>
HIMEM SYS
SMARTBAY EXE
SMARTBAY VXD
EXPLORER EXE
TASKMON EXE
WIN386 SWP
APPLIC~1          <DIR>
ALLUSE~1          <DIR>
DESKTOP           <DIR>
LOCALS~1         <DIR>
UNICOWS DLL
HOUSEC~1        <DIR>
HOUSE~1 6       <DIR>
8 file(s)
10 dir(s)

Then I tried just typing "dir" at the C:\ prompt and got:

WINDOWS         <DIR>
COMMAND COM
MYDOUCU~1      <DIR>
PROGRA~1         <DIR>
1 file(s)
3 dir(s)

No dblbuff.sys, ifshlp.sys, win.com, scanreg.exe....but it does show command.com so, is this good?

[Broni]

It's been a while since Win 98, so I don't remember everything.
"scanreg.exe" may be located in "System" directory.
Try:
dir C:\Windows\system |more
and see, if it's there.

[raggatt]

Broni - You are an angel for helping.

But, apparently, the "|more" part doesn't work with Win98, because every time I try it, I get "bad command or file name".  When I typed, without it:

dir C:\Windows\system

I do get the directory, but it scrolls down so fast I can't see the first entries (they go off screen too fast).  the scanreg.exe isn't in the part I can see...but I don't know if it's the beginning!!!  Are there any other commands I might try to stop it from scrolling so fast and enable me to see the first contents of the system directory listed?

Did I mention you're an angel?   

[Broni]

"|more" switch is a DOS switch, regardless of Windows version. It works even in Vista's Command Prompt.
As, I said, I suspect, your "command.com" file is corrupted.
You have also more system files screwed, so....
Why not to use Recovery disk?

[raggatt]

"|more" switch is a DOS switch, regardless of Windows version"

 As Homer would say "Doh!"   

I'd be happy to use the recovery disk!  But, being a DOS moron (as evidenced above) I don't even know what command(s) to type in to use it.  I've already checked my Micron and Win98 manuals and they don't say anything about it.  They only talk about using the installation disk which I never got from the retailer, even when I went back and asked for it a month later (which still makes me mad!)


Would you be willing to advise?  Of course, I don't want to bother you any more than I already have....

Edited to add:  just discovered that I could view one page at a time by typing:
dir c:\windows\system /p

And nope, scanreg.exe definitely isn't in there...

[WillyW]

I've tried to locate the "missing" files using the following:

dir c:\windows\dblbuff.sys
dir c:\windows\ifshlp.sys
dir c:\windows\win.com

Using Win98SE here.

If you were in doubt about the location of those files,  that is where they are found on this system.   

Also tried to locate scanreg by typing:
dir c:\windows\command\scanreg.exe

Here, scanregw.exe is found in c:\windows
scanreg.exe is found in c:\windows\command


Broni:

...and command.com in root C:\ directory (someone please correct me on the last one) ...

Here,   command.com   was found in both   c:\      and   c:\windows
Same filedate and filesize.


raggatt:

...I do get the directory, but it scrolls down so fast I can't see the first entries (they go off screen too fast). ...

Try the /p switch.     As in     dir /p  .         I like   dir/a/o/p
See:
http://www.vfrazee.com/ms-dos/6.22/help/dir.htm     for more info
(http://www.vfrazee.com/ms-dos/6.22/help/   is a great page to bookmark)
or
right here on CH:   http://www.computerhope.com/dirhlp.htm


Broni:

"|more" switch is a DOS switch, regardless of Windows version. It works even in Vista's Command Prompt.

More is not really a switch - it is an external command.    In other words,  there is a file named    more.com     and here it is found in   c:\windows\command  (which is in the path).
I can't comment on Vista.

Speculation - -If it is not working for him,  maybe it is not in his path?


raggatt:
If you like, check out:
http://www.computerhope.com/morehlp.htm
and
http://www.vfrazee.com/ms-dos/6.22/help/more.htm
for more.   Pun intended.   


raggatt:

Edited to add:  just discovered that I could view one page at a time by typing:
dir c:\windows\system /p

I see you found it.   


If there is something you would like me to locate, etc.,  on my Win98SE system here,   just say the word and I'll look it up.

[2k_dummy]

From a dos prompt type c:\windows\system\sfc. You should be able to recover most, if not all, of the corrupted files. Don't mess with the ones you don't about. There should be 3 copies of command.com. 1. c:\windows 2.  c: windows\system\command\ebd and 3. c:\. sys.com should be located in c:\windows\command.. If you have trouble locate\ing any of these or transferring them the proper locations, post back.

[2k_dummy]

From a dos prompt type c:\windows\system\sfc. You should be able to recover most, if not all, of the corrupted files. Don't mess with the ones you don't about. There should be 3 copies of command.com. 1. c:\windows 2.  c: windows\system\command\ebd and 3. c:\. ----sys.com should be located in c:\windows\command.. If you have trouble locateing any of these or transferring them the proper locations, post back.

[WillyW]

... 2.  c: windows\system\command\ebd

Here, it is    c:\windows\command\ebd

[Broni]

Thanks guys for all corrections.

[raggatt]

Thank you all very much for your help...I haven't been able to get online for the last couple days, due to ongoing computer problems...I've tried to follow your suggestions and typed in

c:\windows\system\sfc

c:\windows\command\ebd

c:\windows\command

and got the message "bad command or file name"

I tried a bunch of other variations and got the same message or "File not found"

So, I'm not sure I'm following 2k_dummy and Willy W's responses.   I guess I'm in over my head.

I noticed there's been alot of other posts since this one, so you may not get back to read this...but if you do, I think I'm giving up for the moment.  I'm trying to get a copy of the installation disk and if I do will post back with that...

Thank you!!!!

[Broni]

c:\windows\system\sfc

c:\windows\command\ebd

c:\windows\command

You have to add "cd" command in front of them:

cd c:\windows\command

for instance

[2k_dummy]

Do you have a floppy drive? Do you have an EBD (emergency boot disk)? An EBD can be made from inside windows or downloaded from bootdisk.com. You will need to know the names of the missing or corrupted files and their proper locations. Boot from the floppy and select the option command prompt only. At the command prompt type sys c:. Afterwards type ext. Answer the questions about the file name and location. This should allow you to extract practically any file that is contained in the CAB files. Don't forget to press <enter> after each command. This should get you up and running in a matter of a few minutes.