Windows Err Msg: Driver Error: Cannot Load <Driver Name>...

 Last reviewed: December 27, 1994
Article ID: Q106057
The following information applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11

SYMPTOMS

When you try to add drivers in the Drivers section of Control Panel, Windows generates the following error message 

   Driver Error: Cannot load <driver name>. The driver file may be
   missing. Try installing the driver again or contact your system
   administrator.
where <driver name> is one of the following: 

   Intel Indeo (TM) Video Board
   Timer
   MIDI Mapper
   [MCI] MIDI Sequencer
   [MCI] Sound
   Sound driver for PC Speaker

CAUSE

You can receive this error message when you attempt to install drivers from Windows 3.11 or Windows for Workgroups 3.11 into Windows 3.1.

This error can also occur if one of the following conditions exists:

  • MMSYSTEM.DLL is corrupted or missing from the Windows SYSTEM subdirectory.
  • LZEXPAND.DLL is corrupted or missing from the Windows SYSTEM subdirectory, or is the wrong version.
  • EXPAND.EXE is corrupted or missing from the Windows SYSTEM subdirectory, or is the wrong version.

RESOLUTION

You can correct this problem by expanding MMSYSTEM.DL_ and LZEXPAND.DL_ from your original Windows or Windows for Workgroups disks using the following syntax: 

   expand a:<filename>.dl_ <windows drive:directory>\system\<filename>.dll
For example, if you are expanding MMSYSEM.DL_, your original Windows floppy disk is in drive A, and your Windows directory is C:\WINDOWS, type the following at the MS-DOS command prompt and then press ENTER: 

   expand a:mmsystem.dl_ c:\windows\system\mmsystem.dll
EXPAND.EXE does not need to be expanded from the original Windows disks and can simply be copied to your Windows directory.

Use the following table to determine the disk on which MMSYSTEM.DL_ is located: 

Product                         1.44-MB 3.5-inch       1.2-MB 5.25-inch


Windows 3.1 and 3.11            Disk 4                 Disk 5
Windows for Workgroups 3.1      Disk 5                 Disk 7
Windows for Workgroups 3.11     Disk 4                 Disk 5
Use the following table to determine the disk on which LZEXPAND.DL_ is located: 

Product                         1.44-MB 3.5-inch       1.2-MB 5.25-inch


Windows 3.1                     Disk 2                 Disk 1
Windows 3.11                    Disk 2                 Disk 3
Windows for Workgroups 3.1      Disk 3                 Disk 3
Windows for Workgroups 3.11     Disk 2                 Disk 2
Use the following table to determine the disk on which EXPAND.EXE is located: 

Product                         1.44-MB 3.5-inch       1.2-MB 5.25-inch


Windows 3.1                     Disk 3                 Disk 3
Windows 3.11                    Disk 4                 Disk 5
Windows for Workgroups 3.1      Disk 6                 Disk 8
Windows for Workgroups 3.11     Disk 6                 Disk 6

KBCategory: kbsetup kbdisplay kbsound kberrmsg
KBSubcategory: win31 wfw wfwg windrvr
Additional reference words: err msg 3.10 3.11

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Last reviewed: December 27, 1994
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