Member Avatar for meemee

When I start up windows I recieve the following message '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 no longer exists. If you deleted this file on purpose, try uninstalling the associated application using its unistall 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, vsdata95.vxd. Im don't know what started this problem. The mouse stopped working, my color shows funny and when its time to put in my password its like the password is all ready in their thiers a gray stripe going where my password needs to go and i just press enter and it goes to my desktop but their are a lot of programs running. If anyone knows who to fix this problem please help me. Im running compaq windows 98.

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Short, practical diagnosis and safe steps that fill gaps in the thread.

The startup message naming vsdata95.vxd normally means a device-driver VxD was referenced by the system but the file is missing or corrupt; many reports tie that specific filename to ZoneAlarm/Zone Labs components on Win9x systems, and Windows will still show the device-file error until the reference is removed or the file restored. (support.microsoft.com)

Recommended recovery workflow (work from Safe Mode; back up before changing anything)

  • Boot Safe Mode (F8 at boot). Safe Mode loads a minimal set of drivers so a problematic third‑party VxD will usually be inactive. (flylib.com)
  • Make a registry backup with the Win98 Registry Checker and/or export the registry branches that will be edited; Scanreg can also restore older registries if needed. (support.microsoft.com)
  • Open System.ini with the System Configuration Editor (Start → Run: sysedit) and search for any line that mentions vsdata95.vxd; comment it out (prefix with ;) or remove it, then save.
  • Use RegEdit to search for vsdata95 and remove leftover keys that reference the VxD (notably the VxD service key and RunServices/SharedDLLs entries). Export those keys first so they can be restored if required. Community removal lists show the common ZoneAlarm registry/file leftovers to check. (datadoctors.com)

Fast commands / reminders (run from Safe Mode / command prompt)

Start -> Run: sysedit
Start -> Run: regedit
MS-DOS: cd \windows\command
MS-DOS: scanreg.exe /restore   (choose a registry backup made before the fault)

Notes and cautions

  • If the missing VxD must be returned rather than removed, extract it from the Win98 backup CAB files (rb0*.cab) or an OEM source and place it in C:\Windows\System, then reboot. (support.microsoft.com)
  • Because reported mouse/display oddities and saw the mouse only work in Safe Mode, these point to a driver or low‑level filter/VxD conflict; reinstall OEM mouse and video drivers from the Compaq CD if problems persist. (flylib.com)

All registry edits carry risk—always back up first. The steps above expand on the earlier suggestions in this thread (mentions by and others) by giving a safe, ordered way to remove the stale VxD reference or restore the missing file. (support.microsoft.com)

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Member Avatar for Killer_Typo

i found this answer from another site

Uninstall ZoneAlarm by going to Start, Settings, Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs.

Now go to the following site and install the latest version:

Hope this helps!

Member Avatar for Killer_Typo

alrighty i gots ur rep so im figuring your having issue gettin it reinstalled. Have you tried reinstalling your old version of Zone Alarm assuming you still have it, or if it came as OEM copy with ur puter. I know you dont have mouse, but you can navigate as if you had a mouse with the keyboard. ALso have you tried other mouses, or should i say first, what type of mouse do you have. DO you have PS/2 mouse (plugs into hole about size of pinky) or a USB mouse (plugs into small rectangle hole) or a Serial Mouse, plugs into a hole thats a DB9 2 row.

If your using USB try plugging in a PS/2 or Serial mouse, to see if it will work. sounds like some driver issues might have arrised from ur messed up/missing file.

Member Avatar for gumptownbaddest

I Put My Computer In Safe Mode And The Mouse Only Works In Their Does Any One Know Why. IT ONLY WORKS IN SAFE MODE AND WHY WHEN I GO TO MEDIA PLAYER AND TRY TO PLAY MUSIC I RECIEVE THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE{WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER CANNOT FIND THE SPECIFIED FILE. BE SURE THE PATH IS TYPED CORRECTLY. IF IT IS THE FILE DOES NOT EXISTS AT THE SPECIFIED LOCATION OR THE COMPUTER WHERE THE FILE IS STORED OFF LINE} I KNOW THE FILE IS IN THAT LOCATION SPECIFIED BECAUSE I CHECKED AND MY COMPUTER IS ALWAYS ONLINE SO COULD ANY ONE HELP ME? IF YOU COULD IT WOULD BE A BIG HELP THANKS SO MUCH.

Member Avatar for DMR

gumptownbaddest,

Please post your question in its own thread rather than "hijacking" another member's thread.

Thanks.

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