don't ask Posted January 10, 2005 Report Share Posted January 10, 2005 Hi folksI'm on Win 98SE - recently I uninstalled AntiVirus software prior to putting on AVG7 - now when PC is booting up it says Win is looking for a file referred to in system.ini and can't find it - if the application was uninstalled try reinstalling it.The missing file is definitely from the AntiVirus stuff I uninstalled (used the Add/Remove programs to uninstall it.).I can certainly continue booting up by just pressing a key, but this message is really annoying me now. I can remember many years ago on my ancient Win95 machine I had this message after an uninstall went wrong and if I remember correctly hubby had to do a Registry root around and delete something - which he swore he would never do again!Any words of wisdom for me please? ..... or shall I try to learn to love the message? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expertec Posted January 10, 2005 Report Share Posted January 10, 2005 What was the antivirus?Can you give more detail on the error message? (The exact message if possible). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don't ask Posted January 10, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2005 AntiVirus was Sophos.Oh blow! Someone has moved the bit paper I wrote it down on! Back soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don't ask Posted January 10, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2005 The full screen message is :Windows cannot find a device file that may be needed to run Windows or a Windows application.The Windows registry or SYSTEM.INI file refers to this device file, but the device file may no longer exist.If you deleted this file on purpose try uninstalling the associated application using its uninstall or setup program.If you still want to use the application associated with this device file, try reinstalling that application to replace the missing file.C:\PROGRA~1\SOPHOS~1\ICSTATIC.VXDPress a key to continueAs I said - I have been there before in the dark and distant past - any way of avoiding paddling in the registry stuff? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted January 11, 2005 Report Share Posted January 11, 2005 I don't remember - did MSCONFIG already exist in Win98? Try Start -> Run and type MSCONFIG (upper-case not required) -> [OK] -- does the MSCONFIG panel open? If so, can you see that ICSTATIC.VXD anywhere?If MSCONFIG is not found on Win98, can you try to open C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.INI, and see if that ICSTATIC.VXD is in there somewhere? If so, can you copy the entire contents of the SYSTEM.INI file, and paste it here?If all above is NO, then you may have to do a little bit of registry fiddling. But don't worry -- it isn't as difficult as it sounds. Someone here may guide you safely throught that process (including taking a registry backup before starting). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuzzman Posted January 11, 2005 Report Share Posted January 11, 2005 msconfig is in Win98 - And I even think it has a system.ini editor in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don't ask Posted January 11, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2005 Tried that thanks - no sign of the file in system.ini.Need a good reliable free registry cleaner I guess - with those instructions as to how to back up the registry.I did download one from the net which listed 238 registry items all with ticks against them it claimed wanted sorted, the ICSTATIC.VXD being the very last one at the foot of the list - if I wasn't so visually challenged I would have unticked them all one by one except for the one I wanted to deal with. I could have coped better with a list of stuff which left me to do the ticking of boxes. <_< Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trackrat Posted January 11, 2005 Report Share Posted January 11, 2005 How to back up the registry in windows 98.http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?...b;en-us;Q256419 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expertec Posted January 11, 2005 Report Share Posted January 11, 2005 I think in '98, system.ini (and others) can be accessed by running "sysedit" rather than "msconfig". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowdy Posted January 11, 2005 Report Share Posted January 11, 2005 Have you tried ccleaner, it is a small free program that removes rubbish, including bits left over from uninstalls, from your computer. You will find it in a thread under Software news on this Forum . I use it and it certainly worked for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don't ask Posted January 12, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2005 Thanks folks - have downloaded CCleaner but not used it yet (coward).I managed to borrow a disk with Sophos on it, so installed it, then uninstalled it - so far all seems in order.Once I get the instructions for CCleaner clear in my brain I will certainly use it - I like what everyone is saying about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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