I have a client's computer that has Millenium on it. They tried to install a printer and it failed. Now when you boot, CMDNINST.EXE gives an error in KRNL386.exe when it tries to install an unknown USB driver, and goes nowhere from there. Nothing is connected to any USB port.
I can boot it into Safe Mode without a problem. Tried an in place install but it does the same thing. Disabled everything in the Device Manager that wasn't needed to boot, but get the same thing. Is there anyway to get it to quit installing this driver short of formating and starting over?
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When you refer to "an in place install" i assume you are referring to an 'over the top' Me reinstall, which will retain most of your programs and replace the system files?
If this is the case (and is the main reason i ask), IE6 and/or WMP9 (& presumably higher versions of either) MUST first be uninstalled if you're running them, otherwise a number of problems can be created ... perhaps you could confirm this please.
Printer is unplugged ( I don't have it). I can boot to Safe Mode. Tried a System Restore, but the last restore point is 2 years old and it won't restore to that, or any point. Yes I was refering to an over the top install. I don't think there have been many updates if any at all to this computer, as I don't think it has ever been on the internet.
Don't understand why it is still trying to install the printer even though it is not present. (I am assuming it is installing the printer, because it actually says unknown device right before it crashes).
When you disabled entries in the Device Manager did you also try a "clean boot" (as shown here in this MS article), it could prove more successful >
http://support.microsoft.c
Of possible use>
"Troubleshoot Printing Problems in WinMe":
http://support.microsoft.c
Having read around the subject i'm still unable to suggest a new idea, and it does look as if you'll have to go for a format & reinstall unless new comments are added to this thread .. will continue to monitor ...
Meanwhile Google located this thread in another forum ... it's a little inconclusive but you may still wish to see it >
"Cmdninst & KRNL386.EXE error in ME":
http://forums.techguy.org/
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by: JonveePosted on 2009-09-09 at 09:56:24ID: 25293218
If you ensure the printer is unplugged, can you boot to safe or normal mode?
If yes, try a System restore to a time prior to the user's problem.
If you cannot boot to Windows normally, or to Safe Mode, try launching System Restore from a Command Prompt(DOS):
http://support.microsoft.c
which in brief, says .....
1 Start your computer by using the Windows Me Startup disk.
2 At the Startup menu, choose Minimum Boot.
3 At the command prompt, type edit c:\windows\system.ini, and then press ENTER.
4 Edit the shell= line so that it looks like this:
shell=progman.exe
5 Press ALT+F, and then press S to save the changes to the System.ini file.
6 Press ALT+F, and then press X.
7 Remove your Windows Me Startup disk, and then restart your computer. When your computer restarts, Program Manager should start. If Program Manager does not start, repeat steps 1 through 7, being careful to follow these steps exactly, and then continue to the next step.
8 On the File menu, click Run, type msconfig in the Command Line box, and then press ENTER.
9 Click Launch System Restore to begin restoring your computer to a previous, functional state.
After you configure your computer to start Program Manager(Progman.exe), you can also start the System Restore tool by typing:
c:\windows\system\restore\
If you still cannot useSystem Restore, repeat steps 1 through 6. In step 4, change the shell=line so that it reads:
shell=explorer.exe
This sets the Windows shell back to Explorer.exe so that you can continue troubleshooting.