"MIDI File Parser" Error Message at Startup

When you start Windows 98, you may receive the following error message: Windows starts normally after you receive this error message.

This behavior can occur if your computer contains a sound card or integrated sound chip by C-Media, Inc., based on the CMI-8330 chip set. The error message is caused by the Windows 95/MS-DOS MPU-401 Emulator for MIDI driver (Cmmpu.exe) being loaded in the Win.ini file. This driver was designed for use with Windows 95 only.

Check for and disable the Cmmpu.exe driver in the Win.ini file:

1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig.exe, and then click OK.
2. Click the Win.ini tab. Click the plus sign in front of the [Windows] line. Make a note of the entries on the "Run=" and "Load=" lines.
3. Locate the Cmmpu.exe line (Run=c:\windows\system\cmmpu.exe), and then click to clear the check box for that item. Click OK. This disables the Cmmpu.exe driver.
4. Restart the computer.
5. Reinstall the system's sound card drivers from the original media.
   
   NOTE: You may need to check for updated drivers from the manufacturer of the sound card.
   1. Right-click My Computer on the desktop, and then click Properties.
   2. Click the Device Manager tab. Click the plus sign in front of the Sound, Video and Game Controllers branch, and make a note of the listed items. Also make a note of the resources used in the properties settings.
   3. Click an item, and then click Remove. Repeat for each item listed. Do not restart the computer until all items have been removed.
   4. Restart the computer. Install the drivers from the sound card manufacturer's driver disk when you are prompted. Click the Have Disk and locate the driver source.

C-Media posts drivers for their chip sets used in Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) sound cards and motherboards at the following Web site: Check for updated drivers for your sound card with the OEM, and use the actual chip set manufacturer's driver as a final resort.

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.