XP Problem

[Matt]

Hi all,

Running windows xp home sp2, and when I try to install some of my old
applications I get the following error message:

An installation file required by NTVDM is missing execution must
stop.C:\windows\system\ntio.sys. Choose close to terminate.

I think it has something to do with 16bits vs 32bits!

Is there a fix to this problem? Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Wesley Vogel]

NTIO.SYS - The equivalent of IO.SYS on MS-DOS machines.
NTIO.SYS - VDM Component.

NTIO.SYS should be in ...
C:\WINDOWS\system32
and
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache

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

Try running System File Checker.

Load your XP CD in your CD drive.

Start | Run | Type: sfc /scannow | Click OK

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Matt]

Wes,



Thanks for your reply. I ran System File check, and there were no
indications that there was a problem. So, I assume that all files are in
their proper place. The problem first came up after I downloaded and
installed SP2 from the Microsoft web site – they ran before the installation
of SP2. I tried to reinstall an Epson printer - which by the, way states
the it is XP compatible, when I first got the message. Tried running other
software, some ran, some did not?



I even tried to run config.nt and autoexec.nt, and go the same message:



An installation file required by NTVDM is missing execution must
stop.C:\windows\system\ntio.sys. Choose close to terminate



BWT I upgraded to XP from an upgrade disc. I don't know if this means
anything, but I thought I let you know.



Matt

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Matt,

If SFC.EXE did anything it will be in the Event Viewer.

Open the Event Viewer...
Start | Run | Type: eventvwr | Click OK |
Click System | Look at any Windows File Protection
entries.

Do a Search for ntio.sys.

HOW TO: Search For Hidden Or System Files In Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302347

Does ntio.sys exists in
C:\WINDOWS\system32
and/or
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache
or anywhere on your machine?

If ntio.sys does not exist on your machine...

A compressed version of ntio.sys is on the XP CD. NTIO.SY_ is in the \I386
folder.

If ntio.sys needs to be replaced you can use msconfig to expand the file.

To use Expand File in Msconfig.exe, follow these steps:

1. Insert your Windows XP installation disk into your CD drive or DVD drive.

2. Click Start, click Run, type Msconfig and then click OK.

3. On the General tab, click Expand File.

4. In the File to restore box, type the name of the file you want to expand.
Or, to locate the file you want to replace, click Browse File and then
click Open.

This is the file you want to restore...

ntio.sys

5. In the Restore from box, type the path from which to restore the file.
Or, to locate the source file you want to expand on your Windows XP
installation disk, click Browse From, and then click Open.

This is the path to the file you want to expand...

\I386\NTIO.SY_

6. If the Save file in box is not already populated from step 4, type the
path to which you want the file to be restored. Or, to locate the
destination folder you want to expand the file into, click Browse To and
then click OK.

This is the destination folder...

C:\WINDOWS\system32

7. Click Expand.

From...
How to expand Windows XP files from the installation disk
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;888017


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Matt]

Wes,

NTIO.sys is where it's supposed to be, however it's dated 03\31\2003 - if
that makes a different - but dllcache is no where on my machine!

Remember, when you tell me to load my XP disc, it's an upgrade disk, and not
a full XP installation disc!

Matt

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Matt,

The version of Ntio.sys probably shouldn't make any difference, but I am
curious. I have XP Pro SP1 and My Ntio.sys/17 May, 2004/33,840 bytes.

This KB article says...
Windows XP Service Pack 1
Ntio.sys/01-Dec-2004/33,840 bytes
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=892520

Your first two posts state...
C:\windows\system\ntio.sys

Just for fun, copy ntio.sys from C:\WINDOWS\system32 and paste it into
C:\windows\system.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Matt]

Wes,



I got it to work (?), I copied:



ntio from c:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 to C\Windows\System32 which gave
me two files with ntio. One was ntio.sy_ which had 18kb, and was dated
3/13/2003, and one which was ntio.sys with 34kb and dated 8/3/2004. BTW, the
18kb did not have the same icon as the other files in the Windows\system32
directory, whereas the 34kb file does.



Also, ntio IS, I say again, IS located in C:\windows\System32\dllcache.



I hope the extension .sy_ as opposed to the extension .sys won’t cause any
problems?



I have tried applications which would not download yesterday, and they do
today.



Do you still want me to: Just for fun, copy ntio.sys from
C:\WINDOWS\system32 and paste it into C:\windows\system?



Matt

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Hi Matt,

The extension .sy_ means that it is a compressed version of .sys. Kind of
like the file was zipped.

ntio.sy_ has to be uncompressed or expanded in order for it to be able to do
anything. Like an air mattress with no air in it, it is worthless until it
is expanded. At least not very comfortable. ;-)

Compressed files and the underscore.

[[Installation archives often contain files with extensions ending in the
underscore. These files are compressed versions of their uncompressed
versions and the first two characters in the extension are the same as the
extension in the uncompressed file. For example, .EX_ would likely expand to
..EXE or .SY_ to .SYS, and so on.]]
http://www.filext.com/detaillist.php?extdetail=ex_

Expand
[[Expands one or more compressed files. This command is used to retrieve
compressed files from distribution disks.]]
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/expand.mspx

If everything seems to be working I wouldn't do anything else except get rid
of the ntio.sy_ file in C:\Windows\System32, or just leave it if you want.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In