I have the following error message on WIN98 operating system and would
like to find a way around the error message so that I can minimally
bring up "safe mode" or "normal" Windows.  If I can do this, then I
should be able to use the Windows version of REGEDIT to delete the
offending registry entries. However, upon this error message popping
up, the only available function appears to be a DOS "C" prompt.  I
know that this referenced error message is a result of a poorly
uninstalled McAfee application.  I do not want to reinstall it.  A
restore of the registry did not help. A reload of WINDOWS did not
solve this problem either.  I do not want to reformat and start again
if possible. Your help is appreciated.  Here is the error message in
full.

"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 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 associated with this device file, try
reinstalling that application to replace the missing file.
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\VSHINIT.VXD
Press a key to continue."

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Request for Question Clarification by feilong-ga on 22 Nov 2002 08:12 PST

Could you please tell me if you tried to press "Enter" after the error
message? Windows should continue to load after that and bring you to
the Windows environment. If another similar error pops out, continue
pressing the "Enter" key. I need to know so we can solve this problem
in the Windows environment. I also need to know if Windows cannot load
at all and if the only option for you left is to operate in "Safe
mode" or "Dos" environment. Please provide me all the details as
completely as you can. I'll wait for your reply. Thank you

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Request for Question Clarification by seizer-ga on 22 Nov 2002 09:44 PST

Did this error message come up when you attempted to boot into safe mode?

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Request for Question Clarification by pwizard-ga on 27 Nov 2002 04:35 PST

sondej,

I am curious to know if the solution I pointed you to regarding the
manual removal of VirusScan (see comments) corrected the problem for
you? If so, I'd like to post it as the official answer and close out
the question. If it didn't work, I'd like to research further. Please
let me know, thanks!

Sincerely,
PWizard

Have you created a Windows Rescue disk? If so, try inserting it, it
may allow your system to boot up normally.

For clarification....Windows 98 did come up in Safe Mode after the
error message.  From safe mode, I went into REGEDIT and deleted all
references to McAfee in the "software" keys area.  Attempted a restart
and got the same error message as stated earlier regarding the
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\VSHINIT.VXD file.  I went back into REGEDIT and with
looked for VSHINIT.VXD with the FIND command.  It found the file and I
deleted it also (or at least thought I did).  Restarted WIN 98 and the
same error message appears before the actual load of the desktop.  The
WIN 98 logo comes up in all cases.  By depressing the enter key, WIN
98 will load but now it will not shut down normally either.  I also
tried to get to OUTLOOK EXPRESS and it also is now saying that it
cannot load because one of the DLL files is missing.  I forgot to
write down the specific *.DLL file but am guessing that it will the
first of several files that now may be missing.  I did export the
registry before doing any of the above so should be able to reload if
necessary.  My questions...1.  Don't know why the *.VXD message
continues to pop up after deleting the references to McAfee and
deleting the VSHINIT.VXD file as well.  Also, am now concerned that
other problems exist as well.  Thanks again for your help.  PS...what
is a Windows Rescue disk?  I know of a NORTON Rescue disk and a
Windows Startup Disk but am unaware of a WINDOWS Rescue disk.

Dear sondej,

The error you are receiving is indeed due to a bad uninstallation of
McAfee VirusScan from your system. This software loads several
instances of files deep in your registry and also in your system
bootup files. If you able unable to uninstall the application
normally, it must be manually uninstalled which includes manually
editing the registry and system files, then deleting several files
that remain on the HD from the install. I'd like to refer you to the
following article I found on Google Groups which explains all the
steps necessary to perform this action. You will need to be able to
get into Windows (Safe mode or otherwise) to access the registry
editor, etc.

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=C:%5CWINDOWS%5CSYSTEM%5CVSHINIT.VXD&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&selm=%23s9AAVVL%23GA.173%40uppssnewspub05.moswest.msn.net&rnum=3

After following these instructions, it should clear up the error. If
these instructions look to be more than you want to take on, you might
be able to re-install VirusScan, reboot and then uninstall it the
proper way (add/remove programs). Please let me know if this helps as
I'll be happy to put the instructions in a more readable format and
post it as an official answer.

Thanks,
PWizard

I have encountered this a couple times, and there is an often
overlooked tidbit in this quote: "The windows registry or SYSTEM.INI
file refers
to this device file". Try opening the system.ini file in notepad, and
delete any reference to the file in question. This will not make your
computer run any better, but you will no longer get the error message
you mention.