Err Msg: Cannot Find a Device File That May Be Needed to Run...

ID: Q166832

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 95 OEM Service Release versions 2, 2.1
Microsoft Windows 98

SYMPTOMS

When you restart your computer following the installation of the Dial-Up Adapter, you may receive the following error messages:

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, but the device file no longer exists ...

If you still want to use the application associated with this device file, try reinstalling that application to replace the missing file.

The following files are listed as missing:

Vnetsup.vxd

Nwlink.vxd

Nwredir.vxd

Nscl.vxd

Vredir.vxd

Ndis.vxd

Ndis2sup.vxd

Vnetbios.vxd

Ndiswan.vxd

Two additional dialog boxes may appear informing you that the following two files cannot be found:

Nwnp32.dll

Msnp32.dll

After you acknowledge these error messages, Windows starts normally but without Dial-Up Networking functionality.

CAUSE

This problem can occur if you install Dial-Up Networking, Dial-Up Adapter, or Virtual Private Networking and then cancel Setup while the Copying Files dialog box is displayed. The Dial-Up Networking files are not copied to the hard disk but the file names are added to the Windows registry. When the computer is restarted, the files are requested and cannot be found.

RESOLUTION

NOTE: If you have previously set up Dial-Up Networking and have added items such as phone numbers, TCP/IP settings, and other protocols, record the information before you remove the Dial-Up adapter. Do the same for Network Adapter properties information if a network adapter is listed in Network properties.

To resolve this problem, remove and then reinstall Dial-Up Networking. To do so, follow these steps:

In Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs.

Click the Windows Setup tab, and then click Communications.

Click Details, and then click the Dial-Up Networking check box to clear it.

NOTE: If you receive the Ndiswan.vxd error message, click to clear the Virtual Private Networking check box only.

Click Close, and then click OK.

When you are prompted to restart Windows, do so.

In Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs.

Click the Windows Setup tab, and then click Communications.

Click Details, and then click the Dial-Up Networking check box to select it.

NOTE: If you cleared the Virtual Private Networking check box in step 3, click to select it.

Click Close, and then click OK.

If you are prompted to restart Windows, do so.

If any additional protocols are needed, add the protocols using the Network tool in Control Panel.

NOTE: Check with your system administrator or Internet service provider to determine the required settings for Dial-Up Networking and TCP/IP.

For additional information about configuring Dial-Up Networking to work with an Internet service provider, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q133219 Connecting to the Internet Using a Service Provider

MORE INFORMATION

If you cancel the Dial-Up Adapter installation while the Copying Files dialog box is displayed, the installation proceeds and returns the following message:

You must now restart your computer before the new settings will take effect. Do you want to restart you computer now?

Because the files were not copied to the hard disk, you receive the error messages listed at the beginning of this article. Completing the installation of the files as outlined above resolves the issue.

For information about similar startup problems, see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q140010 Microsoft Plus! Setup Inadvertently Installs NetWare Client

Q137454 Err Msg: Cannot Find a Device File...Vnetsup.vxd

Additional query words: 95


Keywords          : kbenv kberrmsg dun win95 win98 
Version           : WINDOWS:
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: March 31, 1999