A This is another one of those cryptic error messages that Windows 95 appears to specialise in. According to Microsoft, there are three conditions that might generate this error.

1. Windows cannot find the correct version of ifshlp.sys. Check your Windows folder for this file. If it's not there, extract a new copy from the Win 95 installation CD.

It's also possible that your config.sys file contains a statement that loads an earlier version of ifshlp.sys. You can check this by booting in safe mode (or from a floppy) and opening config.sys in a text editor. If you see a line which reads: device=c:\windows\ifshlp.sys or similar, delete it.

2. Path information in msdos.sys is incorrect. Start the system in safe mode by hitting <F8> (when the message Starting Windows 95 appears on-screen) and choosing Safe Mode Command Prompt Only from the startup menu. To view the contents of msdos.sys, enter the following command: type c:\msdos.sys. You should see lines similar to the following in the [Paths] section of the file:

Make sure that WinDir and WinBootDir point to the folder which contains your Windows files. HostWinBootDrv will most likely be C unless you are using DriveSpace, in which case this variable should point to the drive letter of your host drive.

If changes are required, you will need to clear the file's system, read-only and hidden attributes. Do this by entering the command: attrib ûs ûh ûr c:\msdos.sys. Then type edit c:\msdos.sys and press <Enter>. Save your changes when you exit the text editor. Finally, reapply the file attributes by entering the following command: attrib +s +h +r c:\msdos.sys.

3. Winboot.ini is present in the root folder of your boot drive. If it is, it shouldn't be! Winboot.ini is a configuration file used by Windows 95 setup to recover from potential mishaps. It has no business being on your system once Windows has been successfully installed. Follow the procedure described above to start Windows in safe mode and then delete winboot.ini.