unable to locate win.ini file

Does windows start after this?

If so, click Start, Run, type msconfig and click OK

Check through the startup items for a reference to idlewild and remove the tickmark before it.

I vaguely remember this to be a screensaver of some vintage

You must have deleted a program recently without uninstalling it. Try reinstalling the program and then uninstalling it. About your win.ini file, it should be in C:\windows directory. This file is the windows configuration file. Go to Start->Run and type msconfig. In the general tab make sure that your process win.ini is checked.

oops, looks like we answered togother bartsmit. Nice memory :-)

If I remember correctly this idlewild was a screensaver that came with afterdark. Did you recently uninstall after dark?

Thanx MRVW, I knew I'd seen it before somewhere!

The afterdark screensavers make an entry in the win 3.x compatibility ini files (win.ini system.ini). I think the reference is ad386.exe and it should be on a 'load' line in win.ini or a 'device' line in system.ini.

My guess is that the line is not there in win.ini and idlewild is set as the screen saver so it complains about win.ini.

Iris, we need some input from you. If necessary, the Win.ini can be recreated, but you will need to search your hard drive first to make sure that it isn't there.
Dennis

Dennis
Pls advise how to search hard drive for the win.ini file and also to recreate it.
I am no expert in these set up as I am only a user of software applications.
Thank you

Iris, let's make sure you don't have it first and then we will work on replacing it as it is quite involved.

Click Start, Find, Files and Folders.

Type in WIN.INI and click OK.

What comes up?

Dennis,
Had done above as directed. win file found - configuration setting.
When clicked on it, it opened as win notepad. So what do I do next?

Iris,

Make sure that file, WIN.INI is in the C:\Windows folder. Then reboot and see if the error returns.

That is the WIN.INI file, correct?

Iris, when you had it open in Notepad, did you see anything after 'run=' or 'load='? These are the top two lines of the file.

Bart, I think we need to fix the "cannot file win.ini" before we fix the file call inside, don't you think?

Dennis, I'm not sure that there *is* a problem with win.ini.

If after dark generated the message it maybe because it falsely concludes that win.ini is corrupted.

The engine was win3.x based for a long time and older versions got a kludge fix to run under win95.

Iris, did you upgrade win95 to win98?

Dennis
Managed to locate win.ini file after clicking on start, run and typing SYSEDIT.
The win.ini reads
[windows]
load=C:\WEP\IDLEWILD.EXE A:\IDLEWILD.EX
run=
nullport=none
and etc. etc.
Had brought the win.ini forward.
So, what's the next step?

Highlight all after load= and press delete.

Close sysedit and confirm that you want to save changes.

Thanks

Can bartsmit be given some points for helping dew associates?

Sure Iris, I'll take care of Bartsmit!

Glad you're up and running!

I must admit though I don't quite understand the "B" grade given that your problem was resolved fully!