Missing file on bootup

[Tamra]

I am running Win 98SE. I lost all my settings yesterday, and I'm still trying to figure out what happened. I've got most everything back now; however, everytime I restart the computer, I get a message on what looks like a DOS screen. It reads something like: "cannot find a file . . . Program/AVEO/Megaphon/postShar.dxv . . . press any key to continue."
I go ahead and press a key and my system continues to boot up normally. However, things look "different". Something profound happened to my system and I'm pretty sure it wasn't virus-related as my anti-virus software (AVG) hasn't detected any viruses.
My question is: How do I get rid of this DOS message I encounter during bootups?
Thanks.

 

[mtbird]

Go to start>run. Type in msconfig. Click on the startup tab. Scroll down the list and look for an entry that matches your message. If you find one, uncheck it, click apply>ok. Reboot and see if the error is gone.
I would also do an online scan to double check for viruses. You can go here..........

http://housecall.antivirus.com/

If you don't know what this program is, post a startup list for us to look at. Go here ...........

http://www.lurkhere.com/~nicefiles/index.html

and download the startuplist program. Run it and it will create a text file. Copy and paste the results in your post here.

Debe

 

[Tamra]

Hi Debe,
Thanks for the quick reply. I did not find any reference to the file, PortShar.vxd, in the system.ini or any other place in sysedit . . BUT I did find the file in the registry at: My Computer\HKEY_Local_Machine\system\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\PortShar
I re-checked the error message that I had been receiving and it is as follows: "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 device file no longer exists . . . C:\progra~1\AVEO\MegaPhon\PortShar.vxd"
Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
Tamra

 

[mtbird]

Is this a program that you have installed ? I can't seem to find much about it......maybe a music program ? Look under C:\programs\aveo Do you have a reference there ?
If so, then look in your add/remove programs to see if it can be uninstalled.
If after all that, and you still can't find it, then I would backup that reg entry to the desktop and delete it from the registry.

Be sure to post that startup list.

Debe

 

[Tamra]

Hi Debe,

The program, I believe, is a voice mail program. It's not listed in my Add/Remove program list.

Please tell me how to backup the registry. If I were to back up the registry and then delete references to this file, AND if I then had a problem re-booting my computer because I had changed the registry, how then would I implement the saved registry settings from the backup?

I think I have found a web site where I can download this AVEO program. Should I download and re-install this program and THEN remove it utilizing the Add/Remove program in Control Panel?

Thanks.
Tamra

 

[mtbird]

Just double checking.....When you were in sysedit, did you check your autoexec for any reference to this ?

To backup the reg entry, click to highlight it, then click the registry button at the top. Select "export reg file". In the next box....save it to the desktop and name it backup. Click the save button.

If you would have any major bootup problems (which I know you won't), but never say never , hold down your ctrl key as it starts to boot. From the startup menu, choose "command prompt only". At the C:\ prompt, type in scanreg /restore. Note that there is a space after the g !

If you aren't sure about anything.....be sure to ask!

Debe

 

[WhitPhil]

Debe:
Reverting to a previous registry is not a good solution. Besides, the previous version will most likely have this same key in it.

The problem is a dangling reference left by a "shoddy" uninstall program. The easiest and most effective way is to delete the entry.


Tamra:
From Regedit, browse to HKEY_Local_Machine\system\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\PortShar

Select PortShar > Right Mouse > Delete

Exit & Reboot

***After doing the delete, do another Find in the Registry. I "think" you may find another reference.
Also, check HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shared DLLs for a reference to it.

 

[mtbird]

WhitPhil....
The reference to the restore was for her reassurance that if something would happen by deleting that entry, she would have a way of restoring back.
Thanks for jumping in here

Debe

 

[WhitPhil]

Ok. That sounds better.

I got confused (easily) when you mentioned the Export to "backup" the registry, immediately followed by Scanreg /Restore.
You "seemed" to be indicating that she was to backup the registry (Export) and then do a Scanreg /Restore to see if that helped.

(confusion reign supreme )

 

[noellemc]

First of all, thank you for this thread. You guys were the only ones to resolve this issue for me - bless you all!

The other thing I wanted to do was to provide some background on the issue for people that may come after me. I had tried to "clean" a Gateway system running Win 98 for a friend, using Pest Patrol, Spybot S&D and AdAware. Pest Patrol found a lot of issues with the Aveo file on the computer so I deleted it. From that point on, I got the message that Tamra found with regard to the "Windows registry is referencing a file that is no longer found - AVEO\MegaPhon\PortShar.vxd"

Now the system is running like water and I have bookmarked your site for my future use! Thanks again!!!