16 bit Windows Subsystem problem

Hi makana,
Running Legacy applications in Windows XP (& Server 2003)

How To's

HOW TO: Use Windows Program Compatibility Mode in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;292533

Using Program Compatibility Mode
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/appcompat.mspx

HOW TO: Use Compatibility Mode Technology in Windows Server 2003
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;324265

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting MS-DOS-based programs in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314106

How to troubleshoot program compatibility issues in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=285909

"16 Bit MS-DOS Subsystem" Error Message When You Install a Program
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314452

Error Message When You Install or Start an MS-DOS or 16-Bit Windows Based Program
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;324767

If all else fails try using a DOS emulator

DosBOX and VDMSound http://www.dosgames.com/essential.php
Bochs IA-32 Emulator Project http://bochs.sourceforge.net/

PeteL

makana,
Error message when you install or start an MS-DOS or 16-bit Windows-based program

16-bit MS-DOS Subsystem
path to the program that you are trying to start or install
C:\Winnt\System32\config.nt The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications. Choose 'Close' to terminate the application.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=324767
Pete

This dictionary is an exe file that i run directly.

makana,
the quickest fix is to copy autoexec.nt and config.nt from a working PC :)


Pete

Whatever i click, ignore or close. the program doesnt start.
I dont have any other pc around to copy those two file Pete. Can i copy them from the win2k3 cd?

>> Can i copy them from the win2k3 cd?

u can try SFC scan :)
Goto START>RUN and type cmd
now type sfc /scannow (hit enter)
System File Checker will start to scan ur system !!
u will need ur Win2k3 in order to fix the corrupted windows system files, if found by scan.

Saahil. i knew that ty.
Pete, and Shahil I will do the replacement as soon as I get back from the ccna class this morning.

Nice to see some quik responses !

Ty all !

Another thought - make sure under "Folder Options" that EXE is not listed, otherwise you could still have the latent effects of a Trojan, even though the Trojan itself has been removed.

pete ans Sahil

I have found config.nt_ in the cd not this one config.nt -----Now these two are same and to be replaced?
The case is same for autoexec.nt     in the cd its named as autoexec.nt_

??

u have to expand these config.nt_ and autoexec.nt_ files to C:\Winnt\system32 folder from command prompt, as described here >> http://www.winnetmag.com/Article/ArticleID/23312/23312.html

But i needed to accept Pete's suggestion too. How would i do that?
As assited one.

goto Support area >> https://www.experts-exchange.com/Community_Support/
ask a question and tell a moderator abt this question, ask them to reopen it so that u can re-close it !!
for more info. on how to close a Question, plzz refer here >> https://www.experts-exchange.com/help.jsp#hs5

1. Insert the OS CD into the CD drive or DVD drive.
2. Click Start, and then click Run.
3. In the Open box, type cmd, and then click OK.
4. At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command:


expand CD-ROM Drive Letter:\i386\config.nt_ c:\windows\system32\config.nt
expand CD-ROM Drive Letter:\i386\autoexec.nt_ c:\windows\system32\autoexec.nt
expand CD-ROM Drive Letter:\i386\command.co_ c:\windows\system32\command.com
exit  
5. Start or install the program. If the issue is resolved, do not complete the remaining steps. If the issue is not resolved, go to the next step.
6. Note: The Command.com file is not edited or created in this in the following process. Because of this, you may have to expand it from your Windows XP CD-ROM.

Start Notepad.
7. In Notepad, type the following entries:    dos=high, umb
device=%SYSTEMROOT%\system32\himem.sys
files=40
 
8. On the File menu, click Save As.
9. In the File Name box, type Config.nt, and then click Save. Close the Config.nt file.
10. On the File menu, click New.
11. In the new blank document, type the following entries: @echo off
    lh %SYSTEMROOT%\system32\mscdexnt.exe
    lh %SYSTEMROOT%\system32\redir
    lh %SYSTEMROOT%\system32\dosx
    SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 P330 T3
 
12. On the File menu, click Save As.
13. In the File Name box, type Autoexec.nt, and then click Save. Close the Autoexec.nt file.
14. Start Windows Explorer. Locate the Config.nt file, right-click the Config.nt file, and then click Copy.
15. Right-click the %SYSTEMROOT%\System32 folder, and then click Paste.
16. Locate the Autoexec.nt file, right-click the Autoexec.nt file, and then click Copy.
17. Right-click the %SYSTEMROOT%\System32 folder, and then click Paste.
18. Locate the Command.com file, right-click the expanded Command.com file, and then click Copy.
19. Right-click the %SYSTEMROOT%\System32 folder, and then click Paste. Restart your computer.

windows xp replaced with windows 2000 cd

We have this problem a lot and there is a simple fix:

Try this fix:
1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
2. Locate and click the following value:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\VirtualDeviceDrivers\VDD
3. On the Edit menu, click Delete.
4. On the Edit menu, click Add Value.
5. Type "VDD" (without the quotation marks) in the Value Name box, click
REG_MULTI_SZ for the Data Type, and then click OK.
6. The Multi-String editor appears. Leave this entry blank and click OK.
7. Quit Registry Editor.

Insert the CD into the CD drive or DVD drive.
2. Click Start, and then click Run.
3. In the Open box, type cmd, and then click OK.
4. At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command:


expand CD-ROM Drive Letter:\i386\config.nt_ c:\windows\system32\config.nt
expand CD-ROM Drive Letter:\i386\autoexec.nt_ c:\windows\system32\autoexec.nt
expand CD-ROM Drive Letter:\i386\command.co_ c:\windows\system32\command.com
exit  

A far simpler solution would be to edit the existing autoexec.nt and config.nt files in your system folder. Because of the errormessage you get i would assume the autoexec.nt file is missing or corrupted in some way. If they don't exist, just create a file without any content in notepad or your text editor of choice. (just make sure you save the file in plain text/ascii) The autoexec.nt file is usually rather unimportant. the config.nt file on the other hand is very imortant. especially for 16 bit apps that uses some kind of database.

a recommended content of the config.nt file you should try is:

dos=high, umb
device=%SystemRoot%\system32\himem.sys
files=40

I have the same problem, but none of the solutions seem to have worked.

Digital- for which application you are facing the problem?
reInstall a fresh copy of that.
btw, replace the files from a fresh XP/2k/2k3 CD

c:\windows\system32\config.nt
c:\windows\system32\autoexec.nt
c:\windows\system32\command.com

Makana

I face this problem for all the programs that I am trying to run on XP that were made before 1999. I might need to reformat my HD, but it has all of my companies vlauble information, so I can't at the moment.

Yeah i had that issue a lil while ago i got the 3 files from my WinXP CD and did a new system32 nt do over lol that was kinda fun since it took me about 1 hour to figure out what was up with my system....