[Resolved] Win95 recovery? no disk

[shannyb74]

I have no knowledge of win95 and no disk so Im off to a bad start as it is.
Somehow this file (vmm32.vxd) a video driver was deleted to the recycle bin..it was never emptied so it is still there.
the problem is the computer will only start up in DOS , windows will not even come up now... can I recover this file from the recycle bin using a particular/series of DOS commands? if so what are they?

 

[Huon]

This is a link to the ins and outs of the recycle bin.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;136517
If you are VERY careful, you can copy the file out of the recycle bin, and the put it back in the c:\Windows\system folder where it belongs.
I would try dir vmm32.vxd /s
at the command prompt first though. Maybe the file is accessable without renaming.

 

[Huon]

You can also try the backup registry,
go to the windows directory.
cd c:\windows
type the following commands and type enter after each one
attrib -h -r -s system.dat
attrib -h -r -s system.da0 (thats a zero)
attrib -h -r -s user.dat
attrib -h -r -s user.da0

then type
copy system.da0 system.dat
copy user.da0 user.dat

then try a reboot

Might be worth a try before messing with the recycled bin in DOS.

 

[shannyb74]

ty very much... what exactly is windows directory?
how do i access that?
the only thing that comes up when the pc is turned on is a dos prompt....nothing more

 

[john1]

Hi shanny,

I think you will have to do this in two stages.
Firstly copy the file into the directory you want,
Then re-name the file.

The recycle bin lists its contents by number,
not name, but it keeps the ext with the file.

So you should be able to see the VXD extension.

Ive had a look on my W95, theres only one VMM32.VXD
on mine its 709kb, ive copied it to a 'New Folder'
on desktop, and deleted it.

The number of files in my bin on the W95 has gone
up by one to DC102 and its ext is VXD,
so i know its that one.

I'm going to restart my W95 in dos and copy it from
the bin back to the New Folder at C:\windows\desktop.
To let you know how to do it.

Will check back soon.
John

 

[john1]

Hi shanny,

Check in the bin using dos, you will need
the file number.

At the C:\> prompt type: dir recycled

C:\>dir recycled

then press enter.

the contents of the bin should scroll past,
leaving the last handfull of entries.

look for the VXD extension and note the file,
on mine it is DC102.VXD

If its not among the last files, say so and
i (or someone) will say how to see the rest.

now copy that file to where you want it.
yours should be in C:\Windows\System

Mine i just want to put back to the New Folder
on Desktop

you should be back at the C:\> prompt, and type:
copy c:\recycled\dc102.vxd c:\windows\system
using the file number from before.

The spaces are important, dos uses them as
separators, one after copy, and one after vxd


C:\>copy c:\recycled\dc----.vxd c:\windows\system


then press enter.
copy is the instruction, then the source,
then the destination.

You should get a confirmation saying:
1 file copied

So, its back, but its name is not right yet.
I'll go through that next.
back soon,
John

 

[john1]

Hi shanny,

To re-name this file in dos.

ive just done this in my New Folder,
renamed dc102.vxd to vmm32.vxd
there was no confirmation,
i did a dir and checked the name.

from the C:\> prompt type,
cd windows\system

C:\>cd windows\system

then press enter.
cd stands for change directory,
the other bit is called a path, it goes to
the System folder (directory)
dont forget the gap after cd

You should now have C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM>_

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM>_


now type:
ren DC----.VXD VMM32.VXD
to get:


C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM>ren DC----.VXD VMM32.VXD_

ren stands for rename, then the old name,
then the new name, ok ?

Then press enter, mine gave no confirmation
of completing the instruction.

If you get no error message at this point,
you can assume it worked.

Now just type 'win' and press enter, Win95
should start, unless there are other problems.

Best of luck with it,
John.

 

[shannyb74]

THANKS JOHN! IT WORKED

 

[john1]

Hi Shanny,

You're welcome,
i'm glad it worked out.

Some people are very put off by dos.

Regards, John