http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314452/  Gives several pointers on the issue
and explains the key(s) that need to be recreated. The key mentioned is
usually found under
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\VirtualDeviceDrivers\VDD

" In scouring an old version of Norton's AntiVirus off my father-in-law's c=
computer I may have gone too far=2C as I stripped something out of the
Regis= try (Windows XP)and ever since he gets the following message on boot:
>=20
> "16-bit Windows Subsystem
> "SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\VirtualDeviceDrivers. VDD. Virtual 
>device
driver format in the registry is invalid.  Choose Close to terminate the=
application."
>=20"

evasnephew

-----Original Message-----
From: Personal Computer Hardware discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of PCBUILD automatic digest
system
Sent: December-30-08 9:03 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: PCBUILD Digest - 29 Dec 2008 to 30 Dec 2008 (#2008-313)

There are 7 messages totalling 323 lines in this issue.

Topics of the day:

  1. Windows XP error message
  2. CD/DVD Drive Problem (2)
  3. Is it dead? (4)

                  Visit our website regularly for FAQs,
               articles, how-to's, tech tips and much more
                          http://freepctech.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date:    Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:03:58 -0500
From:    d doran <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Windows XP error message

Even though it happened months ago=2C there may be a restore point from tha=
t time period=2C I really stress the 'may' when I say that. It's worth a sh=
ot just to check it only takes a couple of minutes.=20

Press F8 when booting up=2C to boot to safe mode=2C select last known good =
configuration=2C follow the prompts and check the calendar for date(s) of r=
estore points (if any available). You may get lucky?

If not=2C you can boot to the windows CD and try a repair. If this doesn't =
work=2C you'll have to save any important data from the HDD=2C then re-part=
ition=2C format=2C re-install windows.

If the system still somewhat works=2C it's best to make sure you get all of=
 the updated drivers for your system and have them transferred to another m=
edia source before you re-install windows=2C and in this case I'd do it bef=
ore trying a system restore or repair.

It makes the whole process much less aggravating and less time consuming if=
 you have all your latest drivers at the ready once your OS is done re-inst=
alling. Especially since it's my best guess that you will have to re-instal=
l the OS in order to resolve this issue.

Good Luck! Hope this helps!



> Date: Mon=2C 29 Dec 2008 09:05:14 -0500
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] Windows XP error message
> To: [log in to unmask]
>=20
> With tens of thousands of lines in a registry=2C it's hard to find the on=
e or two that is missing or invalid.  I searched my own registry with reged=
it=2C edit=2C  search=2C didn't find string VirtualDeviceDriver.  VDD appea=
rs frequently.  I just deleted Norton AV myself a few days ago=2C and can't=
 imagine it deleted every last shred from my system completely.  If you try=
 executing all the installed software and everything works=2C I would leave=
 well enough alone.  Only other option if the computer isn't used for much=
=2C would be to wipe the hard drive and reinstall everything.  That might n=
ot be too painful=2C depending on how much software is installed and whethe=
r or not you have a recovery disk set.  It also cleans out accumulated junk=

> Paul Hachmeyer  =20

                         PCBUILD's List Owners:
                      Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]>
                        Mark Rode<[log in to unmask]>

------------------------------

End of PCBUILD Digest - 29 Dec 2008 to 30 Dec 2008 (#2008-313)
**************************************************************

                  Visit our website regularly for FAQs,
               articles, how-to's, tech tips and much more
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