[trapperkeeper]

I have a Sony Vaio PCV-E3O2DS.

When I turn it on it states:

Detected registry/configuration error and tells me to select command prompt only

Then it says:

Following file missing or corrupted EMM386.EXE
There is an error in your CONFIG.SYS file on line 3

Gives me some driver information then it says:

Following is missing or corrupted:

HIMEM.SYS
DBLBUFF.SYS
IFSHLP.SYS

Then I get a warning about high memory area is not available,
additional low memory will be used instead

Finally it says:

Cannot find WIN.COM unable to continue to loading Windows.

I did a dir win.com command and it says something about

Volume in drive C has no label


This computer has been down for about a year but I would like to get it working again so I can retrieve some digital photos.

FWIW, I think all this started when I deleted a file.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

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You can ignore "Volume on Drive C has no label". This just means that drive C hasn't been given an optional volume label and has nothing to do with your problem or missing files. I would recommend that you re-install Windows as it appears several critical files are missing or corrupted. Format the drive before attempting to re-install. This will greatly reduce the chances of install problems caused by existing corrupted files.

[pip22]

You can ignore "Volume on Drive C has no label". This just means that drive C hasn't been given an optional volume label and has nothing to do with your problem or missing files. I would recommend that you re-install Windows as it appears several critical files are missing or corrupted. Format the drive before attempting to re-install. This will greatly reduce the chances of install problems caused by existing corrupted files.

[gerryf]

Yes, those are all critical files, even replacing them is likely to only reveal other issues...it almost sounds like your windows directory has been removed...most of those are located in c:\windows...some I think are in c:\windows\command

Your data may still be present, though

[peterm]

DO NOT format your drive or you will lose all data

[trapperkeeper]

That is what I was thinking.

The computer is not important in the grand scheme of things.

I just want to get the photos off the hard drive.

[peterm]

ok few things
1) If Gerryf is helping you then I would listen to him - VERY GOOD
2)When you start the computer Hold down ctrl key does this give you the option to boot into safe mode
3) If no safe mode what happens when at the prompt you type
cd windows
4) do you have a 98 cd
5) your window cab files may still be on the computer which is good
6) If all else fails we can look at setting your drive as a slave in your other computer a get the files back that way

[trapperkeeper]

1. I will take any help I can get, but I will follow the advice of Gerryf.

2. When I start it, the computer takes me to a screen with six options and tells me I must choose the "command prompt only" option.

3. Nothing happens......says Invalid Directory (I am not skilled at DOS, command prompts, etc).

4. I do not have a Windows 98 CD, all I have is some sort of Sony System/Applications Recovery cd.

5. OK

6. How do I do that?

[peterm]

By all means listen to everyone
Put the system restore cd in your cd drive then what happens?
does it give you a list of options?
if yes what are they?
I would rather take this the long way and step by step - less chance of lossing your files if that is ok with you