Windows XP
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XP cannot load virtual driver MMD.386
I tried to compile a program using Microsoft Fortran on Windows XP. I got the message that the window was not able to load the virtual driver MMD.386. However, when I checked the sys.ini file, the command for the loading was there. I have since learnt that many others are facing the problem and apparently Microsoft was not interested in providing a patch for this. Is there a solution for resolving this? I have tried several different possible solutions but to no avail. Thanks.
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This question seems to address a similar problem but with C++ 1.0 instead of Fortran: https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/10180706/System-Ini.html
I pasted the relevant part here, maybe it can help you.
From Technet
SYMPTOMS
When attempting to compile from the development environment while running on Windows NT you receive the following message stating that MMD.386 is not loaded.
"The MMD.386 virtual device driver is not loaded in Windows.
Ensure that the line 'DEVICE = <Directory Specified in Setup for
Binaries>\MMD.386' exists in your SYSTEM.INI [386Enh] section."
CAUSE
The error message is correct. MMD.386 is a Virtual device driver (VxD) designed for 16-bit Windows, so Windows NT does not load or execute these VxD files. Therefore, you cannot compile from within the development environment on Windows NT.
However, if you obtain the B2FIX patch, you can use the command-line tools in a console session under Windows NT. In this way, you can still use the development environment and Wizards. Then go to a console session, and execute the \MSVC\BIN\MSVCVARS.BAT file to set your environment variables and use NMAKE.EXE on the makefile produced by the development environment. For example:
namke /f project.mak
Please see the following Windows NT article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
ARTICLE-ID: Q103621
TITLE : Running Visual C++ for Windows with Windows NT
I pasted the relevant part here, maybe it can help you.
From Technet
SYMPTOMS
When attempting to compile from the development environment while running on Windows NT you receive the following message stating that MMD.386 is not loaded.
"The MMD.386 virtual device driver is not loaded in Windows.
Ensure that the line 'DEVICE = <Directory Specified in Setup for
Binaries>\MMD.386' exists in your SYSTEM.INI [386Enh] section."
CAUSE
The error message is correct. MMD.386 is a Virtual device driver (VxD) designed for 16-bit Windows, so Windows NT does not load or execute these VxD files. Therefore, you cannot compile from within the development environment on Windows NT.
However, if you obtain the B2FIX patch, you can use the command-line tools in a console session under Windows NT. In this way, you can still use the development environment and Wizards. Then go to a console session, and execute the \MSVC\BIN\MSVCVARS.BAT file to set your environment variables and use NMAKE.EXE on the makefile produced by the development environment. For example:
namke /f project.mak
Please see the following Windows NT article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
ARTICLE-ID: Q103621
TITLE : Running Visual C++ for Windows with Windows NT
I wonder if the same solution works for Windows XP. Furthermore, where does one get the B2FIX patch? It seems that Microsoft Knowledge Base has removed the above mentioned article ID Q103621. It has been about 4 years ago that the similar question on Microsoft C++ was asked.
The location of Article ID Q103621 was re-located. After some search, combined with some luck, I managed to locate it. Yes, it seemed that the B2FIX patch consists of a program BETA2FIX.EXE for fixing up some issues with Windows NT and it can also be used to fix up some command lines so that Microsoft C++ can run under Windows NT. I would still be interested in a an inexpensive but reliable solution for enabling the MMD.386 virtual driver to be loaded by XP so that the Microsoft Fortran compiler can be used.
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I accept that applications running on 16-bit windows like Microsoft Fortran will have to be upgraded to run on Windows XP. This is perhaps a profit-generating device for the software industry!
Windows XP
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Microsoft Windows XP is the sixth release of the NT series of operating systems, and was the first to be marketed in a variety of editions: XP Home and XP Professional, designed for business and power users. The advanced features in XP Professional are generally disabled in Home Edition, but are there and can be activated. There were two 64-bit editions, an embedded edition and a tablet edition.