To set the stage for this question...
I have a Toshiba sattelite 2535cds (laptop) running Windows 98 with
pentium mmx.  (Yes, it's old but it's all I've got at home.)

Problem:  Can't get windows to start.
Message:  system.ini not found   restart windows   press any key to
continue

I most likely deleted an important file during my last "cleaning" and
since I also use window washer, which runs automatically each time I
shut down, anything I deleted is gone for good;)

When I attempt to turn on the computer I get the above message and
after pressing a key, the computer shuts down without ever starting
windows or getting a DOS prompt.  If I don't press a key the computer
does the same.

However, I can get a DOS prompt by using my "companion diskette". 
This diskette has several files for what I guess would be just my
situation but alas, none are system.ini files.

Also, my manual doesn't seem to have the info I need.  There is a
"configuration builder" cd which I kept from the time of purchase but
it is my understanding that using it will delete all files on my hard
drive and I would lose valuable software as well.  I consider that to
be a last resort.

How can I restore this file on my computer and once again run windows
98 without having to erase my hard drive and start again?  Should it
be on my "companion diskette?"   Is there some command I could use
from the DOS prompt?  Is there I disk I can buy or web-site from which
I could download such a file?

If there is more info you would need to accurately answer, please ask
for a clarification.

Hi there genki.

The good news is that your system is almost certainly rescuable. The
better news is, you also won't have to buy anything. I have given you
three possible solutions, in my preferred order of implementation. I
hope the first will work straight away for you, but do try out the
others if it does not!



#1

1) When you turn on the computer, keep pressing the F8 key repeatedly
(as fast as your fingers can press it). You may hear beeping, but
ignore this.
2) You should see a menu, offering to start Windows in a number of
different ways.
3) Using the arrow keys, select "Safe Mode", and press ENTER to
proceed with that.
4) Your computer will now proceed to start. It may well take a long
time (I've seen it take more than 5 minutes before), but it should
arrive at your desktop.
5) Shutdown, and restart your laptop. A new system.ini file should
have been created for you.

This definitely works for Windows 95, as evidenced by an article at:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q122051&

The relevant quote is: "If no System.ini file is found to restore, an
empty System.ini file is created...Windows 95 now uses the original
registry settings and System.ini".

I believe it should also work for Windows 98.



#2

An alternative solution is to attempt to restore a previous copy of
this file. Windows sometimes makes a backup copy called "system.---",
and it is sometimes possible to get this back. To do this, follow the
following procedure:

1) Press F8 as above, to access the boot menu.
2) This time, choose "Command Prompt" and press ENTER.
3) You'll reach a DOS prompt.
4) Type "cd\windows" without the quotes.
5) Type "copy system.--- system.ini" without the quotes.
6) If you see "File copied successfully" or some such message, you're
probably in luck, and rebooting should restore the system. If you see
"File not found", then this method has not worked.


#3

The final solution is to recreate the file from scratch, which is
something you'll want to set aside 15 minutes to do.

1) Follow steps 1-4 as above
2) Type "copy con system.ini" without the quotes, and press ENTER
3) Type in everything between the ----- below. Painful, but it's a
sure thing!
4) Press F6 and press ENTER. You'll see a message saying "1 file(s)
copied".
5) Reboot.

I spotted this solution at:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q140441&

-------- EVERYTHING BELOW THIS LINE IS PART OF SYSTEM.INI ------
   [386Enh]
   device=*vshare
   device=*dynapage
   device=*vcd
   device=*vpd
   device=*int13
   keyboard=*vkd
   display=*vdd
   mouse=*vmouse, msmouse.vxd
   woafont=dosapp.fon
   device=*enable

   [keyboard]
   layout=kbdus.kbd
   subtype=
   type=4
   keyboard.dll=
   oemansi.bin=

   [Intl]
   ACP=1252
   OEMCP=437
   SystemLocale=00000409

   [boot]
   system.drv=system.drv
   drivers=mmsystem.dll
   user.exe=user.exe
   gdi.exe=gdi.exe
   sound.drv=mmsound.drv
   dibeng.drv=dibeng.dll
   comm.drv=comm.drv
   shell=Explorer.exe
   keyboard.drv=keyboard.drv
   fonts.fon=vgasys.fon
   fixedfon.fon=vgafix.fon
   oemfonts.fon=vgaoem.fon
   386Grabber=vgafull.3gr
   display.drv=pnpdrvr.drv
   mouse.drv=mouse.drv
   *DisplayFallback=0

   [power.drv]

   [drivers]
   wavemapper=*.drv

   [iccvid.drv]

   [mciseq.drv]

   [mci]
   cdaudio=mcicda.drv
   sequencer=mciseq.drv
   waveaudio=mciwave.drv
   avivideo=mciavi.drv
   videodisc=mcipionr.drv
   vcr=mcivisca.drv

   [NonWindowsApp]

   [vcache]

   [nwnp32]

   [boot.description]
   keyboard.typ=Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
   aspect=100,96,96
   display.drv=Standard Display Adapter (VGA)
   mouse.drv=Standard mouse
   system.drv=Standard PC

   [MSNP32]

   [display]

   [drivers32]
   vidc.CVID=iccvid.dll
   VIDC.IV31=ir32_32.dll
   VIDC.IV32=ir32_32.dll
   vidc.MSVC=msvidc32.dll
   VIDC.MRLE=msrle32.dll

-------- EVERYTHING ABOVE THIS LINE IS PART OF SYSTEM.INI ------

I hope this answer solves your problem! If there's anything here
that's unclear, or if you need further explanation of something, then
please don't hesitate to request clarification before rating this
answer.

Thanks, and good luck with your system!

--seizer-ga

Search strategy: Searched for: windows 98 system.ini
site:microsoft.com

---

Clarification of Answer by seizer-ga on 06 Nov 2002 13:33 PST

One more thing you may not know. To reboot out of DOS mode, you hold
the CTRL and ALT keys down together, and then press the DEL key.

---

Clarification of Answer by seizer-ga on 07 Nov 2002 03:55 PST

Thank you for your generous rating and tip! It's good to hear that
you're back up and running. My commiserations, though, on having to
use the last method to type the whole file in again.

As to your question, "Where else can I get a service like this", I'm
happy to tell you: Nowhere :-)

Thanks again,

--seizer-ga

Wow!  I just can't believe I got such a complete answer in 26 minutes-
where else can you get service like this?  Unfortunately, the easier
two options didn't work for me but entering the data from the third
option did the job.  Seizer-ga, you'll be happy to know I am back up
and completing this rating on my laptop at home:)  Thank you!  One
post script...it would have been helpful to know that in order to type
the "upside down and backwards L" character I had to hold Alt and type
170.  (called a friend on that one- of course I would have asked you
had I been able to get online at home)

Anyway- just know that you are appreciated:)