Err Msg: The Following File Is Missing or Corrupt...

• Microsoft Windows 98

SYMPTOMS

When you start your computer, you may receive the following error message:

The following file is missing or corrupt: COMMAND.COM. Type the name of the Command Interpreter.

CAUSE

This problem can occur if you install Windows 98 in a dual-boot environment with MS-DOS, install Windows 98 again, and then uninstall Windows 98. The Master Boot Record (MBR) may not be properly updated after you uninstall Windows 98. The MBR loads the Jo.sys file instead of the Io.sys file from the root folder of drive C. The Jo.sys file can not load the MS-DOS versions of the Msdos.sys file and the Command.com file that are restored after you uninstall Windows 98.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, use the MS-DOS 6.x Upgrade Setup Disk 1 to restart your computer, and then use the SYS command on drive C. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Place the MS-DOS 6.x Upgrade Setup Disk 1 in drive A, and then restart your computer.



2. Press the F3 key when MS-DOS Setup starts to exit MS-DOS Setup.



3. Type sys c:, and then press ENTER.



4. Restart your computer.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Windows 98.

MORE INFORMATION

The Jo.sys file is used by Windows 98 in a dual-boot environment with MS-DOS.



For more information about how to use the Startup menu in Windows 98, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

No "Starting Windows 98" Message at Startup

Additional query words: 98

Keywords          : kberrmsg winboot win98 winfat32 
Version           : WINDOWS:
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb 

Last Reviewed: April 30, 1999