Err Msg: Invalid Setting in MSDOS.SYS File: Winver=4.10.1998 (220947)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows 95

This article was previously published under Q220947

SYMPTOMS

When you restart your computer after uninstalling Windows 98 to restore your previous Windows 95 configuration, you may receive the following error message:
Invalid Setting in MSDOS.SYS file: Winver=4.10.1998
Note that your computer may then start normally.

CAUSE

This issue can occur if you uninstall Windows 98 to restore your previous Windows 95 configuration while in Safe Mode. When you do so, the Winver line added to the Msdos.sys file by Windows 98 Setup is not removed.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, remove the Winver=4.10.1998 line in the Msdos.sys file:

NOTE: If your boot drive is compressed, you must edit the copy of the Msdos.sys file located on the host drive for drive C.
  1. Click Start, click Run, type attrib -s -h -r c:\msdos.sys in the Open box, and then click OK.
  2. Click Start, click Run, type notepad c:\msdos.sys in the Open box, and then click OK.
  3. Place a semicolon (;) character at the beginning of the Winver=4.10.1998 line in the [options] section of the Msdos.sys file.
  4. On the File menu, click Exit, and then press Y when you are prompted to save the file.
  5. Click Start, click Run, type attrib +s +h +r c:\msdos.sys in the Open box, and then click OK.

MORE INFORMATION

Winver is not a valid Msdos.sys entry in Windows 95.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/20/2004
Keywords:kbenv kberrmsg kbprb KB220947