Microsoft KB Archive/175154

= Microsoft Knowledge Base =

Cannot Run an MS-DOS-Based Program or Open an MS-DOS Prompt
Last reviewed: October 15, 1997

Article ID: Q175154

The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS
When you try to run an MS-DOS-based program or open an MS-DOS Prompt in Windows 95, you may receive the following error message:

A device attached to the system is not functioning. This error message may be followed by additional error messages.

CAUSE
This behavior can occur if the Winoa386.mod file located in the Window\System folder is missing or corrupt.

RESOLUTION
To resolve this behavior, follow these steps:

  Extract the Winoa386.new file from your original Windows 95 disks or CD-ROM to the Windows\System folder. The Winoa386.new file is located in the following locations: - The Win95_03.cab cabinet file on the Windows 95 and Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2 (OSR2) CD-ROM. - The Win95_03.cab cabinet file on disk 3 of the original Windows 95 DMF floppy disks. - The Win95_04.cab cabinet file on disk 4 of the original Windows 95 non-DMF floppy disks. For information about using the Extract tool, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: ARTICLE-ID: Q129605 TITLE : Using the Windows 95 Extract Tool (Extract.exe)   At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command: cd\windows\system ren winoa386.mod winoa386.old ren winoa386.new winoa386.mod  Restart your computer.

Keywords         : win95 kberrmsg kbinterop Version          : WINDOWS:95 Platform         : WINDOWS