ARCHIVED: In Windows 95, 98, or Me, why do I get the message, "Cannot find a device file that may be needed to run Windows or a Windows application" when I start my computer?

As you restart your computer after installing the Dial-up Adapter in Windows 95, 98, or Me, 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."

Any or all of the following files might be listed as missing:

  Vnetsup.vxd
  Nwlink.vxd
  Nwredir.vxd
  Nscl.vxd
  Vredir.vxd
  Ndis.vxd
  Ndis2sup.vxd
  Vnetbios.vxd
  Ndiswan.vxd

You may see two additional dialog boxes informing you that the following two files cannot be found:

  Nwnp32.dll
  Msnp32.dll

After you acknowledge these error messages by pressing a key, Windows starts normally but without Dial-up Networking functionality.

This problem can occur if you install Dial-up Networking, the Dial-up Adapter, or Virtual Private Networking and then cancel the setup while the Copying Files dialog box is displayed, or if anything else interferes with the setup process. The Dial-up Networking files are not copied to the hard disk, but the filenames are added to the Windows registry. When the computer is restarted, the files are requested and cannot be found.

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, following the steps below:

1. From the Start menu, select Settings, then Control Panel. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
2. Click the Windows Setup tab, click Communications, and then click Details.
3. Click the Dial-Up Networking checkbox to clear it.

   Note: If you received the "Ndiswan.vxd" error message, click to clear the Virtual Private Networking checkbox only.

4. Click Close, and then click OK.
5. If you are prompted to restart Windows, click Yes.
6. Once Windows has restarted, from the Start menu, select Settings, then Control Panel. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
7. Click the Windows Setup tab, click Communications, and then click Details.
8. Click the Dial-Up Networking checkbox to select it.

   Note: If you cleared the Virtual Private Networking checkbox in step 3, click to select it.

9. Click Close, and then click OK.
10. If you are prompted to restart Windows, do so.

This document is adapted from Microsoft knowledge base article 166832.