"Invalid Vxd" Error Message Starting Windows 95

Last reviewed: March 15, 1996
Article ID: Q137824

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

When you start Windows 95, you may receive the following error message:

   Error: Invalid VxD

Your computer may then stop responding (hang) with a cursor in the upper left corner of a black screen.

When this occurs, you can start Windows 95 in Safe mode, but there is no mouse support.

CAUSE

This problem can occur if you are using an Acecad Mouse Pad tablet. When you install the Acecad Mouse Pad tablet, the installation program makes a change to the System.ini file that is not compatible with Windows 95.

RESOLUTION

To work around this problem, follow these steps:

Restart your computer in Safe mode. To do so, restart your computer, press the F8 key when you see the "Starting Windows 95" message, and then choose Safe Mode Command Prompt Only from the Startup menu.
Type the following line to change to the Windows folder, and then press ENTER
```
      cd <windows>
```
where <windows> is the path to the Windows folder.
Type the following line and then press ENTER:
```
      edit system.ini
```
Disable the following line in the [386Enh] section of the file by placing a semicolon (;) at the beginning of the line:
```
      mouse=vsermd.386
```
Save and then close the System.ini file.
Restart your computer. Windows 95 will start normally without a mouse.

To resolve this problem, contact Acecad to inquire about obtaining updated drivers for Windows 95.

KBCategory: kbhw kberrmsg
KBSubcategory: win95 windrvr
Additional reference words: 95

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Last reviewed: March 15, 1996
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