Error Message After Upgrade to Windows XP: The Following File Is Missing or Corrupted: Windows\System\Vgaoem.fon (315338)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
This article was previously published under Q315338

SYMPTOMS

When you upgrade your Microsoft Windows 98-based computer to Windows XP, you may receive an error message similar to the following when you restart your computer after Setup completes:
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.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the Vgaoem.fon file is missing or damaged.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use the Windows Recovery Console to extract the Vgaoem.fon file from the Windows XP compact disc to the Windows\System folder on your computer's hard disk. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. For more information about how to do this, please refer to your computer's documentation or contact your computer manufacturer.
  2. Insert the Windows XP compact disc into your computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer.
  3. When the Press any key to boot from CD dialog box is displayed, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP compact disc.
  4. When the Welcome to Setup screen is displayed, press R to start the Recovery Console.
  5. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, select the installation that you need to access from the Recovery Console.
  6. When you are prompted, type the Administrator password, and then press ENTER.
  7. At the command prompt, type map, and then press ENTER.

    Note the drive letter assigned to the computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive that contains the Windows XP compact disc. It is displayed in a format similar to the following:

    D: \Device\CdRom0

  8. Type the following line, and then press ENTER (where CD-ROM drive is the letter of the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive that contains the Windows XP compact disc, and drive is the letter of the drive on which Windows is installed):

    expand CD-ROM drive:\i386\vgaoem.fo_ drive:\windows\system

    For example, type the following:

    expand d:\i386\vgaoem.fo_ c:\windows\system

    Note the underscore character after the "o" in "Vgaoem.fo_".

    You receive the following message: 
       Vgaoem.fo_
           1 file(s) expanded.
  9. Type exit.

    The computer restarts.
  10. Remove the Windows XP compact disc from the computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and then start the computer normally.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about the Recovery Console, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

229716 Description of the Windows Recovery Console

307654 HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP

For additional information about how to troubleshoot Windows XP Setup issues, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

310064 HOW TO: Troubleshoot Windows XP Setup Problems When You Upgrade from Windows 98 or Windows Me

For additional information about Windows XP Setup, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

306824 Release Notes for Windows XP Setup Contained in the Home.txt File

286463 Release Notes for Windows XP Setup Contained in the Pro.txt File

For information about how to contact your computer manufacturer, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

65416 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, A-K

60781 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, L-P

60782 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, Q-Z

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/6/2002
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB315338
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.