Unofficial Aptiva Technical Support Knowledge Base   Aptiva TechDoc #10026
Last updated 1/25/2000



VMWAUDIO BSODs

Mwave-related errors after upgrading to Windows 98

Problem

BSOD ("Blue Screen Of Death") error message referring to problems with the file VMWAUDIO.VXD

Occurs

While attempting to access video or other multimedia files; using Apple QuickTime; or launching games

Effects

Aptivas with the Mwave Dolphin card (2144 and 2168 Pentium models and all 2134 and 2176 models) after upgrading to Windows 98

Cause

A conflict with the version 4.04.9900 VMWAUDIO.VXD file Microsoft provides with the Windows 98 Mwave drivers on the Win98 CD

Solution

(A) Easy Double-Click Fix
  1. Download the VMWFIX.EXE file to an empty folder on your
    hard drive and Double-Click on it to extract the contents

  2. Double-Click on the "VMWAUDIO BSOD QuickFix" icon to
    run the batch file utility which installs the new (old) copy
    of VMWAUDIO.VXD after backing up the original file
    VMWFIX.EXE
    20.6kb (21,176 bytes)

(B) Manual (DIY) Method
  1. Download the IBM File Restore Utility and install the RESTORE.EXE program to root drive C

  2. Click Start > Click Shutdown > Choose Restart in MS-DOS

  3. Type the following and tap [ENTER]:
    ren c:\windows\system\vmwaudio.vxd vmwaudio.old

  4. Insert your Product Recovery CD

  5. Type the following and tap [ENTER]:
    restore windows\system\vmwaudio.vxd

  6. After you see "Restore Complete!" type exit and tap [ENTER]

More Info

This issue effects systems with the Mwave Dolphin card and the Microsoft VMWAUDIO.VXD file will generally work fine on systems using the Win98 Mwave Stingray drivers. The only scenario under which VMWAUDIO BSODs commonly occur on 2159 systems with
the Mwave Stingray card is when the user has installed IBM's "20E" Windows 95 drivers.

To resolve this issue one can restore the Microsoft-supplied file
using System File Checker:
  1. Insert your Win98 Upgrade CD
  2. Click Start > Click Run > Type SFC > Click OK
  3. Check the "Extract one file from installation disk" radio button
  4. Type VMWAUDIO.VXD in the "File to extract" box > Click Start
  5. Type G:\Win98 in the "Restore From" box
  6. Type C:\Windows\System in the "Save file in" box
    (if it's not already specified)
  7. Click OK > Click Close > Restart the PC



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