Windows 95 Hangs After Installing Microsoft Mouse Driver
  
PSS ID Number: Q134431
Article last modified on 08-22-1995
 
9.00 9.01 95
 
WINDOWS
 

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The information in this article applies to:
 
 - Microsoft Windows 95 Preview Program
 - Microsoft Mouse driver versions 9.0, 9.01
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SYMPTOMS
========
 
After installing the Microsoft Mouse driver, you may receive the following
error message when you restart your computer:
 
   Cannot find a device file that may be needed to run Windows or a
   Windows application.
 
   The Windows registry or System.ini file refers to this device
   file, but the device file no longer exists.
 
   If you deleted this file on purpose, try uninstalling the
   associated application using its uninstall or Setup program.
 
   If you still want to use the application associated this device
   file, try reinstalling that application to replace the missing file.
 
   C: <unusual character>
 
   Press any key to continue
 
When you press a key, you receive the following error message:
 
   Error loading C:\mouse\mouse.drv. You must reinstall Windows.
 
You then see the screen that tells you it is safe to turn your computer
off.
 
CAUSE
=====
 
The Microsoft Mouse driver versions 9.0 and 9.01 are not designed to
function with Windows 95. They replace a driver on the "keyboard=" line in
the System.ini file, and add Pointer.exe to the "load=" line in the Win.ini
file. Although the Microsoft Mouse Setup program replaces the actual mouse
driver, it does not completely update the "keyboard=" or "load=" lines in
the initialization files. Reinstalling Windows 95 does not correct the
problem.
 
RESOLUTION
==========
 
To correct this problem, use the following steps to manually update the
System.ini and Win.ini files:
 
 1. Restart the computer. When you see the "Starting Windows 95" message,
    press the F8 key and then choose Command Prompt Only from the Startup
    menu.
 
 2. Edit the System.ini file. Change the line that reads
 
       mouse.drv=c:\mouse\mouse.drv
 
    to read:
 
       mouse.drv=mouse.drv
 
 3. Change the line that reads
 
       keyboard=C:\mouse\mousevkd.386
 
       -or-
 
       keyboard=C:\msinput\msinput.386
 
    to read:
 
       keyboard=*vkd
 
 4. Save the System.ini file and then open the Win.ini file.
 
 5. Remove the following entry from the "load=" line:
 
       C:\mouse\pointer.exe
 
       -or-
 
       C:\msinput\pointer.exe
 
    NOTE: Do not remove any other entry from the "load=" line.
 
 6. Save and then close the file.
 
 7. Restart Windows 95 normally.
 
 8. Press ALT+S, use the UP ARROW key to select Settings, press the
    RIGHT ARROW key to select Control Panel, and then press ENTER.
 
9. Use the ARROW keys to select the Mouse tool, and then press ENTER.
 
10. Use the TAB and RIGHT ARROW keys to select the General tab.
 
11. Press ALT+C.
 
12. Press ALT+A to show all devices, and then select an appropriate
    mouse driver from the list.
 
13. After you press the OK button, restart your computer when you are
    prompted to do so.
 
MORE INFORMATION
================
 
The Microsoft Mouse driver versions 9.0 and 9.01 are not designed to work
with Windows 95. However, the Microsoft IntelliPoint and IntelliType
software version 1.1 does work with Windows 95 and should be available
concurrently with Windows 95. Please call the Microsoft Sales and
Information Center at (800) 426-9400 for information about these products.
 
KBCategory: kbenv
KBSubcategory: win95 wpp95 windrvvr
Additional reference words: 9.00 9.01 95
 
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Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1995.
