autoexec.nt prevents dos programs from running

[Kieron Capehorn]

Hi,

I have some old CDs with games on them that were designed for Windows 95/98
(Quake I, LBA etc). When I try to run their installation batch files in
windows, the cmd window opened and I get this message in an error prompt:

"16 bit MSDOS subsystem

C:\windows\system32\cmd.exe
C:\windows\system32\autoexec.nt. The system file is not suitable for
running MSDOS and Microsoft Windows applications."


A search reveals I don't have an autoexec.nt file in the system32 folder. I
get a similar error if I try using CMD and use a command such as edit. How
can I solve this??


Also another question. Is it possible to prevent Windows from starting up,
so I can just get a DOS prompt? If I press F8 while the system is loading,
I get the option of Windows Safe Mode with DOS Prompt, but is it possible to
have just the prompt before windows loads?


Thanks

 

[Steve Parry [MVP]]

Hi,

I have some old CDs with games on them that were designed for Windows
95/98 (Quake I, LBA etc). When I try to run their installation batch
files in windows, the cmd window opened and I get this message in an
error prompt:

"16 bit MSDOS subsystem

C:\windows\system32\cmd.exe
C:\windows\system32\autoexec.nt. The system file is not suitable for
running MSDOS and Microsoft Windows applications."


A search reveals I don't have an autoexec.nt file in the system32
folder. I get a similar error if I try using CMD and use a command
such as edit. How can I solve this??


Also another question. Is it possible to prevent Windows from
starting up, so I can just get a DOS prompt? If I press F8 while the
system is loading, I get the option of Windows Safe Mode with DOS
Prompt, but is it possible to have just the prompt before windows
loads?


Thanks

Copy the attached file into your %Systemroot%\system32 folder

I've seen this on a few systems of late , don't know whats causing it,
wonder if its a virus/worm infection?

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

Please see if the following article helps:

"Error Message When You Install or Start an MS-DOS or 16-Bit Windows Based
Program"
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=324767

 

[Guest]

Hi,

I have some old CDs with games on them that were designed for Windows 95/98
(Quake I, LBA etc). When I try to run their installation batch files in
windows, the cmd window opened and I get this message in an error prompt:

"16 bit MSDOS subsystem

C:\windows\system32\cmd.exe
C:\windows\system32\autoexec.nt. The system file is not suitable for
running MSDOS and Microsoft Windows applications."


A search reveals I don't have an autoexec.nt file in the system32 folder. I
get a similar error if I try using CMD and use a command such as edit. How
can I solve this??


Also another question. Is it possible to prevent Windows from starting up,
so I can just get a DOS prompt? If I press F8 while the system is loading,
I get the option of Windows Safe Mode with DOS Prompt, but is it possible to
have just the prompt before windows loads?


Thanks

I have the same problem. I have tried to install my audio driver CD for
this computer and it gives me the same error. My mom has tried to use an old
game and it gives her this message. Yet she tells me because the reformat you
never got this message.

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

I have some old CDs with games on them that were designed for Windows 95/98
(Quake I, LBA etc). When I try to run their installation batch files in
windows, the cmd window opened and I get this message in an error prompt:

"16 bit MSDOS subsystem

C:\windows\system32\cmd.exe
C:\windows\system32\autoexec.nt. The system file is not suitable for
running MSDOS and Microsoft Windows applications."


A search reveals I don't have an autoexec.nt file in the system32 folder. I
get a similar error if I try using CMD and use a command such as edit. How
can I solve this??

Hi

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

You can put back the standard version of autoexec.nt/config.nt by
copying a backup copy held in %windir%\repair\ to %windir%\system32\
(%windir% is typically C:\Windows) instead of using the procedure in
the KB article above.


Could be caused a trojan or something similar, e.g.
TrojanDownloader.Win32.Dia.a, more about this here:
http://groups.google.com/[email protected]

Also, AVAST (antivirus software) can be the cause if you
have WinXP SP2 installed:
http://groups.google.com/[email protected]

 

[Alex Nichol]

"16 bit MSDOS subsystem

C:\windows\system32\cmd.exe
C:\windows\system32\autoexec.nt. The system file is not suitable for
running MSDOS and Microsoft Windows applications."


A search reveals I don't have an autoexec.nt file in the system32 folder. I
get a similar error if I try using CMD and use a command such as edit. How
can I solve this??

Copy a backup back from windows\repair to windows\system32

There appears to be a trojan around that damages this file, so do an up
to date Virus scan too. And it has been said the AVast AV program can
damage the file