Cabinet file Error

[mikeb]

Okay so I recently did a clean install of Win98 SE and as I was loading software from a manufacturer provided disk, I got an error message suggesting that there may be a corrupt cabinet file.

I have never come across this message before. Can anyone shed some light on why and how this occurs?

Thanks,
Mike

[Steve R Jones]

This Setup (.cab) File...
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q140/9/01.asp

[Michael Chiew]

mikeb

Short, sweet and simple - that's generally how the subject of cabinet files are expoused. What they are, what they do, how do you get to them - that's all you need to know, my class teacher used to say.

That aroused my curiosity. I just had to know a little bit more. I went to the local library, checked out the books on Win98, went straight to the index for Cab.Files. My teacher was right. Some of the books didn't have anything on Cab.Files at all. Those that did ran through the subject casually. You're told how to extract cabinet files. Two options - one through System File Checker (Start|Run|sfc), the other using the Extract command in DOS. Simple gig. No sweat. How could that be, I asked myself.

When I assembled my first computer and loaded it with Windows 98SE, I moved immediately to discover the world of the cabinet files.

My first try was a failure. I couldn't find the Cabinet Files. Where were they? I discovered that Windows 98SE had not copied over the Cabinet Files to my system.

Consequently, I found them in the \Win98 directory of my OS installation CD. I copied them over to my hard disk and my journey of discovery again took flight.

I went into DOS, changed directory to \Win98 and executed the Extract command. I was greeted by a list of all the cabinet files - the DLLs, EXEs, and more. I was delighted, of course.

For the first time, I saw the structure of the Cabinet and the cabinet files. Thrilled beyond belief, I was like a child given a new toy to play with. Secretly, I gloated with pleasure over my new-found toy. I played with the toy to no end. Executing the Extract command in different variations, I cajoled, I coaxed, I summoned the cabinet files to do my bidding.

Extract /A C:\Win98\Base4.cab Ifshlp.sys /L C:\Windows\Command
Extract /A C:\Win98\Base4.cab Himem.sys /L C:\Windows\System
Extract /D /A C:\Win98\Ebd.cab *.* | more
Extract /D /A C:\Win98\Base4.cab *.* | more
Extract /D /A C:\Windows\SysBckup\RBBAD.cab *.* | more

Since then I pay regular visits to the reclusive Cabinet where 6,014 files (325,963,535 bytes) reside in an orderly structure that spells the genious of Microsoft programmers.

Cabinet Files - never in the limelight until they are needed, never intruding into front-of-the-house operations. Quietly, submissively, they do our bidding when system files go missing or are corrupt. Himem.sys, Oakcdrom.sys, Mouse.drv, Drvspace.bin, etc., etc. Files that you need for system support. They're all there.

Bloody marvellous!

Michael Chiew

[lorenbar]

Your problem is actually what got my next problem started!!...

See: http://www.sysopt.com/forum/Forum2/HTML/014895.html

In order for me to install Win98 without the cabinet file errors during setup after a HD reformat, I ended up disabling my external cache. Was then able to install Win98, all my drivers and all previously installed programs except for MS Office 2000!... And now I cannot enable the external cache without getting boot up errors and of course I still haven't managed to re-install MS Office 2000.

I'll keep an eye on the responses you get... just in case!... Good Luck!