I keep getting the following message at boot up:
“Windows could not start. The following file is missing or
Corrupted \windows\system\vgaoem.fon.
You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows
Setup using the original setup CD-ROM. Select ‘r’ at the
first screen to start repair”.
This happened after using this installation of Windows XP Home for over a year.
I have repeatedly followed the instructions for replacing the file in:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315338
Expanding this file to \System results in it having
an fo_ extension. I copied it to Temp, (after expanding it from the install CD), renamed it vgaoem.fon, then copied it back to \System and \System32. It simply doesn’t work. None of the other startup options work either. I don’t think the named file is really the problem.
My options are to do a repair reinstall every day, (which doesn’t repair the problem but does allow me to use my computer normally until I have to shut down or reboot), or to let my computer run. Either way I can’t do any updates as many of them require a system restart which isn’t possible.
I’ve scoured the web for a possible solution but all I can find is many references to the problem, no solution, (except Experts-exchange.com but they will only share their solution if I subscribe to their Premium Service. I would subscribe if I thought they really had a solution).
“How to start your computer by using the Last Known Good Configuration feature in Windows XP”.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307852
Hasn’t been any help.
There are 7 or 8 posts on this problem in Microsoft’s Windows XP performance and Maintenance Community Newsgroup but no intelligent answers from the MVPs. They have avoided answering my post. The problem seems to go back to Windows 3.1, 95, and 98, and many of the posts indicate it is a problem with the SP2 upgrade, (I haven’t done SP2 yet), or specific HP/Compaq machines.