SYMPTOMS:
When you try to start Windows 95/98, you may receive one of the following error messages and be returned to the MS-DOS prompt:
The following file is missing or corrupted: Win.com
The following file is missing or corrupted: Win.comProgram too big to fit in memory
Cannot find Win.com, unable to continue loading Windows Program too large
CAUSE:
This issue can occur if the Win.com file is missing or damaged. Check the file to see if it is the correct size:
Windows 98: 24,791 bytes
Windows 95: 22,679 bytes
Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2: 24,503 bytes
RESOLUTION:
Create a new Win.com file by extracting the Win.cnf file from your Windows disks or CD-ROM to the Windows folder, and then renaming it to Win.com. To do so, follow these steps:
Extract the Win.cnf file from your Windows disks or CD-ROM to the Windows folder. For information about how to do so, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
ARTICLE-ID: Q129605
TITLE : How to Extract Original Compressed Windows Files
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q129605
(REMOVE SPACES from the pasted URL.)
NOTE: The Win.cnf file is in the following locations:
Disk 3 of the original Windows 95 disks
Win95_03.cab of the original Windows 95 CD-ROM
Win98_28.cab of the original Windows 98 CD-ROM
Win98_25.cab of the original Windows 98 Second Edition CD-ROM
Rename the Win.cnf file in the Windows folder to Win.com. To do so, type the following line, and then press ENTER:
ren c:\windows\win.cnf c:\windows\win.com
Restart your computer.
MORE INFORMATION:
If the Win.com file is too small, you receive the first error message listed above. If the Win.com file is too large, you receive the second error message. If the Win.com file is missing, you receive the third error message.
Good luck,
Maxwell
