Win 95 System.drv error

Ceaser68

Ceaser68

Ceaser68

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UK
Hello,

Hoping some of the older members can search far back into their minds and help with my current problem.

Running windows 95 operating system and now it won't boot.

I get the message " Error loading system.drv. You must reinstall Windows. and then the screen just goes blank.

I tried a restart into safe mode but still get the same error.

I can boot in command pompt so I can still access the hard drive.

Would be grateful if anyone could offer a solution t get back up and running.
 
My memory isn't what it was, but my feeling is that will be down to filesystem corruption. Possibly caused by a dying hard disk or maybe just not shuting down properly before turning off the PC.

You could try a CHKDSK in the DOS command prompt, but that's unlikely to fix things as you'll be using FAT32 for '95, I think.

So far as I can recall, the most successfull approach to fixing Windows '95 problems is, like the message says, re-installing it.
 
VersionMonkey said:
My memory isn't what it was, but my feeling is that will be down to filesystem corruption. Possibly caused by a dying hard disk or maybe just not shuting down properly before turning off the PC.

You could try a CHKDSK in the DOS command prompt, but that's unlikely to fix things as you'll be using FAT32 for '95, I think.

So far as I can recall, the most successfull approach to fixing Windows '95 problems is, like the message says, re-installing it.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the prompt reply, would you know if it is possible to reinstall without loosing all the existing data on the disk
 
Ceaser68 said:
Thanks for the prompt reply, would you know if it is possible to reinstall without loosing all the existing data on the disk
Click to expand...
I'm not sure about that - I think you can; but it's possible I'm thinking of newer Windows. I would suggest, given the possibility of disk and/or filesystem corruption, you ought to format the C: drive anyway; so back up what you can.
 
I feel like I need to know the story here... have you come across a family members super old PC or similar? Windows 95 is certainly a blast from the past!
 
Scarfacé said:
I feel like I need to know the story here... have you come across a family members super old PC or similar? Windows 95 is certainly a blast from the past!
Click to expand...
Background - The operating system is actually the base system to run a Mazak Dual Turn machine. Currently without the operating system booting up the machine cant run.
 
Interesting to know how you get on with the old ISO.

Ahh... Windows 95, now that brings back some memories. I remember the massive hype when it was released. Everyone rushing to the local computer shop to buy a copy
 
I think I remember fixing something like by connecting the drive to another PC and copying across the missing/broken files :p

Retro PCs seem to be a bigger thing now. Probably due to most of the best games being pretty old now. Many don't work on current windows.
 
Last edited:
Still struggling to get passed the system.drv error. I have copied all the files of the HD and downloaded a windows 95 boot disc from bootdiscs.com.
I'm not sure what to overwrite now on the c:\ drive from the A:\.
Can anyone offer any advice please
 
If you had to just reinstall windows
Would you be able to reinstall the software?

I would have connected the 95 disk to another pc
Downloaded the 95 iso
And copied everything in the iso that looked useful
been so long cant remember much about 95 though

Found this on the net
Suggests you can do a non destructive install
Of 95
Much the same idea as later versions of windows can do

1. Boot W95 to command prompt.
2. From the windows\options\cabs sub-directory, at the command prompt, enter: setup /is

This does a fresh installation of W95 over top of the existing, replacing any questionable system files with fresh copies. It is totally non-destructive to data, drivers, and settings.

I know it's too late now
It usually is in these cases
But you should have had some sort of backup plan
In case of disaster
 
Mcnumpty2323 said:
If you had to just reinstall windows
Would you be able to reinstall the software?

I would have connected the 95 disk to another pc
Downloaded the 95 iso
And copied everything in the iso that looked useful
been so long cant remember much about 95 though

Found this on the net
Suggests you can do a non destructive install
Of 95
Much the same idea as later versions of windows can do

1. Boot W95 to command prompt.
2. From the windows\options\cabs sub-directory, at the command prompt, enter: setup /is

This does a fresh installation of W95 over top of the existing, replacing any questionable system files with fresh copies. It is totally non-destructive to data, drivers, and settings.

I know it's too late now
It usually is in these cases
But you should have had some sort of backup plan
In case of disaster
Click to expand...
Hello I follow this method and it has reinstalled win95, a big thank you and the files and programs still seem to be in place.

However I get the following error " Error starting program - a required DLL file, COMMON.DLL, was not found "

How can I obtain this file and how do I know which program cant be started.
 
Mcnumpty2323 said:
Good news you got windows restored
At what point do you get
The dll error?

Can you still run the software to control
The turn machine?

Could try
Command prompt as administrator
sfc /scannow
Click to expand...
The error comes up as soon as windows is started, its as if the software to run the machine should load just after windows has loaded.
 
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