Err Msg: Cannot Find a Device File That May Be Needed to Run...

View products that this article applies to.

Symptoms

When you restart your computer after installing the Dial-Up Adapter, you may receive the following error messages:

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, but the device file no longer exists ...

If you still want to use the application associated with this device file, try reinstalling that application to replace the missing file.

The following files are listed as missing:

Vnetsup.vxd
Nwlink.vxd
Nwredir.vxd
Nscl.vxd
Vredir.vxd
Ndis.vxd
Ndis2sup.vxd
Vnetbios.vxd
Ndiswan.vxd

Two additional dialog boxes may appear informing you that the following two files cannot be found:

Nwnp32.dll
Msnp32.dll

After you acknowledge these error messages, Windows starts normally but without Dial-Up Networking functionality.

↑ Back to the top

Cause

This problem can occur if you install Dial-Up Networking, Dial-Up Adapter, or Virtual Private Networking and then cancel Setup while the Copying Files dialog box is displayed. The Dial-Up Networking files are not copied to the hard disk but the file names are added to the registry. When the computer is restarted, the files are requested and cannot be found.

↑ Back to the top

Resolution

NOTE: If you have previously set up Dial-Up Networking and have added items such as phone numbers, TCP/IP settings, and other protocols, record the information before you remove the Dial-Up adapter. Do the same for Network Adapter properties information if a network adapter is listed in Network properties.

↑ Back to the top

To resolve this problem, remove and then reinstall Dial-Up Networking. To do so, follow these steps:

Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
In Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
Click the Windows Setup tab, and then click Communications.
Click Details, and then click to clear the Dial-Up Networking check box.

NOTE: If you receive the Ndiswan.vxd error message, click to clear the Virtual Private Networking check box only.
Click Close, click OK, then click Apply.
When you are prompted to restart Windows, do so.
Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
In Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
Click the Windows Setup tab, and then click Communications.
Click Details, and then click to select the Dial-Up Networking check box.

NOTE: If you cleared the Virtual Private Networking check box in step 4, click to select it.
Click Close, and then click OK.
If you are prompted to restart Windows, do so.

If any additional protocols are necessary, add the protocols by using the Network tool in Control Panel.

NOTE: Check with your system administrator or Internet service provider to determine the required settings for Dial-Up Networking and TCP/IP.

For additional information about configuring Dial-Up Networking to workwith an Internet service provider, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

133219 Connecting to the Internet Using a Service Provider

↑ Back to the top

More Information

If you cancel the Dial-Up Adapter installation while the Copying Files dialog box is displayed, the installation proceeds and returns the following message:

You must now restart your computer before the new settings will take effect. Do you want to restart you computer now?

Because the files were not copied to the hard disk, you receive the error messages listed at the beginning of this article. Completing the installation of the files as outlined above resolves the issue.

For additional information about similar startup problems, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

140010 Microsoft Plus! Setup Inadvertently Installs NetWare Client

137454 Err Msg: Cannot Find a Device File...Vnetsup.vxd

132008 Err Msg: Cannot Find a Device File That May Be Needed...

↑ Back to the top