I am trying to boot up my old machine for one of my kids. When it first starts to boot up I get an error message that a Z:\vvinesd.386 file is missing. I have tried various online fixes for this but to no avail. I can get past this screen but when I do I get a second error message

"explorer.exe has performed an ilegal operation and needs to be shut down"
After this I get only my background with no icons or taskbar. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hello Slainte_2,

I bid you Welcome to PC Help Forum. Lets see...Try this please.

1:Boot to a DOS prompt
2:At the C prompt type CD\windows
3:In the windows directory type sysedit. This will bring up the System Configuration Editor. In the editor close all but the System.ini box.
4:Use the editor to find the vvinesd.386 entry. At the start of the entry place a semicolon { ; }.
5:Save the file. Exit the editor then reboot.

If this doesn't help, We may have to edit the registry. Hopefully it won't come to that..

LC

Just got in and found your reply, thanks for the quick response. I will let you know how it goes.

I just tried what you said but the sysedit in the windows directory doesnt work. Bad command or file name.

Try this from the C: prompt. Type { edit C:\windows\system.ini } without the brackets. If the command.com file is not corrupt then that should work. Edit is a basic text editor and I do mean basic so you will have to use keyboard commands to navigate. Just remember that the Alt key activates the toolbar commands on top and Ctrl key is for the dropdowns. If this doesn't work, Well will need to find you a boot disk with an onboard text editor...

LC

FYI guys - to bring back explorer.exe press CTRL+ALT+DEL -> File -> Run -> Explorer.exe

This should load the task bar and all your icons again.