Windows Err Msgs from Bad SYSTEM.INI Headings

Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
Article ID: Q84860
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY

Windows version 3.1 displays the following error messages if a section heading is missing in the SYSTEM.INI file or if an incorrect character is before the left bracket ([) of a section heading:

If the [boot] section is damaged or missing, the error message is:

   error loading DISPLAY.DRV

If the [386enh] section is damaged or missing, the error message is:

   System initialization file required to run Windows in 386
   enhanced mode is incomplete. You need to run the Setup program again.

If the [drivers] section is damaged or missing, the Events and Files in the Sound section of the Control Panel will not be available.

To correct this problem, do the following:

  1. Open the SYSTEM.INI file in Notepad or another standard ASCII text editor.

  2. Locate the affected section heading.

  3. Press HOME to move the insertion point to the beginning of the line.

  4. Press SHIFT+END to select the entire line.

  5. Press DEL to delete the entire line. (It is recommended that the entire line be removed to ensure complete removal of the corruption.)

  6. Retype the section heading and save the SYSTEM.INI file.


KBCategory: kbsetup kbdisplay kbsound kberrmsg kbenv
KBSubcategory: win31 winboot
Additional reference words: 3.10 3.11 err msg


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Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
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