Hope this is the right place for this...

Discussion in 'other software & services' started by yvonne, May 21, 2003.

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  1. yvonne

    yvonne Registered Member

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    Every time I turn my computer on I get this black screen that says 'Cannot find 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 uninstall or setup program.If you still want to use the application association with this device file, try reinstalling that application to replace the missing file c:/windows/systems/vshinit.vxd press key to continue' Now I have no idea what this message is talking about!! o_O I have not deleted anything! I am a novice at this computer stuff and trying to teach myself, so any information in grade school level talk :D would be very helpful.Thanks a million...yvonne
     
  2. Pieter_Arntz

    Pieter_Arntz Spyware Veteran

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  3. yvonne

    yvonne Registered Member

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    :rolleyes: Well it seems I somehow deleted Mcafee from my computer!! Don't know how, when, or why I did this, but I did.I can find shortcuts, file folders, but no uninstalls, or programs.I don't know where to go from here. :doubt: Thanks for trying to help me.Guess I will just have to put up with the annoying black screen every time I turn my computer on...yvonne
     
  4. spy1

    spy1 Registered Member

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    yvonne - You really need to get your anti-virus program re-installed. Right now I'm really hoping that it was you that dis-abled and/or accidentally un-installed it - and not a virus or Trojan.

    Can you at least go to here: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ and do an online scan of your computer?

    Or here (or both ): http://www.pcpitstop.com/ and click on the "AntiVirus" link under the "Test My PC" heading?

    Let's make sure this isn't a malware problem first. Pete
     
  5. JimIT

    JimIT Registered Member

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    Hi Yvonne,

    There are a couple of tools that can help you, especially if you're a newbie:

    Norton Utilities includes WinDoctor, which should find and delete the registry entries that are causing the problem, and will also get rid of the shortcuts and assorted other "trash" that the deletion left behind. FixIt Utilities will also have something similar, and a program like either is a good thing to have for just such a situation.

    If you're feeling brave, the thread posted did include some manual removal instructions, which you should undertake using extreme caution so as to avoid a complete re-install of your Windows OS. ;)

    I have posted them below:

    1) Click on Start-> Run -> and type Regedit in the box

    2) Double click on Hkey_Local_Machine > System > CurrentControlSet > Services > Vxd > right click on Vshinit.vxd folder and delete it.

    3) close the registry editor and Re-boot the computer

    No guarantee that this will work is expressed or implied!

    Good luck! ;)
     
  6. root

    root Registered Member

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    Hi. When this happens, and it does to many, the easiest thing to do is to reinstall the program that got partially deleted. Then, you can either use it or uninstall it the right way using the Windows uninstall in the Control Panel.
     
  7. JimIT

    JimIT Registered Member

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    You know what, root? You're absolutely right.

    I wasn't seeing the forest for the trees! :D

    JimIT regrets the error...
     
  8. root

    root Registered Member

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    Been there, done that, Jim.
    We're just all trying to help and that's what's important. :D
     
  9. eyespy

    eyespy Registered Member

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    Agreed 100% Root !!

    regards,
    bill :)
     
  10. yvonne

    yvonne Registered Member

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    Gosh you are all so great!! Now I get to play around awhile.Be back to let ya know how it's going...yvonne :D
     
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