KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q172378: Error Message: Error Loading. You Must Reinstall Windows.

Article: Q172378
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:95
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbenv kberrmsg win95
Last Modified: 17-DEC-2000

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows 95 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

When you start your computer, you may receive the following error message:

  Error loading. You must reinstall Windows.

CAUSE
=====

This error message can occur if the "shell=" line in the System.ini file is
missing the reference to the Explorer.exe file.

RESOLUTION
==========

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Use any text editor (such as Notepad) to open the System.ini file in the
  Windows folder.

2. Modify the "shell=" line so that it reads:

  " shell=explorer.exe " (without the quotation marks)

3. Save and then close the System.ini file, and then restart Windows 95.

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbenv kberrmsg win95 
Technology        : kbWin95search kbZNotKeyword3
Version           : WINDOWS:95
Hardware          : x86

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.