Hi Folks....I'm new and naive! After years of success with my old Dell Inspiron 3500, I booted it up the other day and it immediately went into DOS with the following ERROR message: "VMM32.VXD required to run Windows." I did a directory search and found the file in the C:\system directory. I thought it might be corrupted, so I tried to delete it in hopes of then reloading the Windows 98 OS and solving the problem. However, when I tried to delete the file, I got a "file not found" message. I then tried reloading the OS anyway, but it woudn't run and I got the same original error message. In summary, Windows doesn't recognize the file, it IS in the C:\system directory, but I can't delete it. Any thoughts? Thanks, in advance, for any consideration.
LarryHi again...As a follow-up, I managed to delete the "vmm32.vxd" file. When I tried to reinstall the Windows 98 OS, it stopped soon after it started with the message that Windows 98 was already installed and that I would have to install "windows 98 update" I tried that and it went to DOS with the same "no vmm32.vxd" message. I'm trying to resolve this without having to reformat the hard drive. To summarize, MS support says that if the vmm32.vxd file is not on the drive, I must re-install Windows 98. When I try to reinstall the OS, it won't install because it says I already have 98 installed. Hi

chances are your install CD is windows 98 Service PACK 1 or 2.
the version on the computer may be older or newer so it will freak out and ask for the same version, ie w98sp2 installed you need win98sp2 disk.
possible that it was plain win98 and was updated to sp 1 or 2 later, maybe from a magazine cd or something.
Anyhow you need the same version if you don't want to reformat

OR

the vmm32.vxd file will be on any windows CD but it may be zipped in one of the .cab files.
If you can find it you can extract that single file and copy it over on floppy disk.
BUT .... same goes here, if you currently have win98, SP1 or sp2 installed you will need same version.
hope this helps
steveDo you have a full version cd of Win.98 and the product key and a diskette drive:-? If so do a Repair install of Win.98 Post back if you need instructions..

Good luckDusty and Steve....Thanks for taking the time to respond. I found a Dell Diagnostic disc that came with my computer. I ran it, and it said the hard drive is shot. So, I think I'll let this sleeping dog LIE! I might try a reformat just for drill. Once again, thanks for helping!You're WELCOME Cloudrest - sorry to hear about the demise of your hdd...

Good luck