16 bit Windows Subsystem error

[Laurel]

I downloaded a printer driver from the HP site for windows XP. When I
double click on the executable I get this error:

16 bit Windows Subsystem

C:\Windows\System32\autoexec.nt. The system file is not suitable for
running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications. Choose 'Close' to
terminate the application.

Since this is the driver HP designates for Aan XP system, I'm assuming
something is wrong with my system. I think I may have gotten this in other
situations - but it may only have been when I tried to install the same
driver earlier.

Any suggestions?

TIA
LAS

 

[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/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;324767

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Seems to be an epidemic lately....

This can be caused by a trojan.

Get rid of the trojan.

Update your antivirus software and run a full system scan.

Copy the autoexec.nt file from C:\Windows\Repair to C:\Windows\System32
And set Attributes for autoexec.nt to Read-only.

Or %systemroot%\Repair to %systemroot%\System32

Read-only
[[Specifies whether this file is read-only, which means that it cannot be
changed or accidentally deleted.]]

1. Right click the file.
2. Properties.
3. Select: Read-only.
4. Click: Apply.
5. Click: OK.

16-bit MS-DOS Subsystem error while installing or running a DOS application
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/16bit.htm

MS-DOS or 16-bit Windows-based program Error Message
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_m.htm#16bit

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

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Laurel]

Thanks. I chose this simpler method first (compared to the previous
response - but glad of that info there). It worked.

As to trojans, et. al., I run McAfee Professional VirusScan all the time.
Also CounterSpy. Every few days I run Adaware, and everytime I run it it
finds.... Oh darn... senior moment..... "Clickspring?" It says it can't
delete until the next reboot. After the next reboot, if I run it right away
nothing is found, but after a few hours, click spring is back. Here is the
exact object that it trys to delete.

c:\windows32\?ttrib.exe

Might this be the "trojan?" If so, any advice about what to do?

Seems to be an epidemic lately....

This can be caused by a trojan.

Get rid of the trojan.

Update your antivirus software and run a full system scan.

Copy the autoexec.nt file from C:\Windows\Repair to C:\Windows\System32
And set Attributes for autoexec.nt to Read-only.

Or %systemroot%\Repair to %systemroot%\System32

Read-only
[[Specifies whether this file is read-only, which means that it cannot be
changed or accidentally deleted.]]

1. Right click the file.
2. Properties.
3. Select: Read-only.
4. Click: Apply.
5. Click: OK.

16-bit MS-DOS Subsystem error while installing or running a DOS
application
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/16bit.htm

MS-DOS or 16-bit Windows-based program Error Message
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_m.htm#16bit

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

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

I downloaded a printer driver from the HP site for windows XP. When I
double click on the executable I get this error:

16 bit Windows Subsystem

C:\Windows\System32\autoexec.nt. The system file is not suitable for
running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications. Choose 'Close' to
terminate the application.

Since this is the driver HP designates for Aan XP system, I'm assuming
something is wrong with my system. I think I may have gotten this in
other situations - but it may only have been when I tried to install the
same driver earlier.

Any suggestions?

TIA
LAS

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Hi Laurel,

You may have had a trojan that caused this problem some time in the past and
never noticed because you never ran a 16-bit program. This *can* be caused
by a trojan. Doesn't have to be caused by a trojan.

CastleCops says...

Field Value
------------------------------------------
Name [random name]
Command ?ttrib.exe
Description PurityScan/Clickspring adware
http://castlecops.com/s8724-ttrib_exe.html

doxdesk.com: database says...

[[PurityScan is adware written and distributed by ClickSpring LLC.]]

Removal of PurityScan
[[If installed directly from purityscan.com or virtuescope.com there may be
a corresponding entry in the Control Panel’s Add/Remove Software list which
can be used to remove the software. ]]

PurityScan Manual removal instructions here...
http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/PurityScan.html

PurityScan - Adware removal instructions.
http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/library/purityscan/index.phtml

Ad-Aware should find and be able to remove PurityScan.

So should Sunbelt CounterSpy.

Are you updating Ad-Aware and Sunbelt CounterSpy before you run scans?

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Thanks. I chose this simpler method first (compared to the previous
response - but glad of that info there). It worked.

As to trojans, et. al., I run McAfee Professional VirusScan all the time.
Also CounterSpy. Every few days I run Adaware, and everytime I run it it
finds.... Oh darn... senior moment..... "Clickspring?" It says it can't
delete until the next reboot. After the next reboot, if I run it right
away nothing is found, but after a few hours, click spring is back. Here
is the exact object that it trys to delete.

c:\windows32\?ttrib.exe

Might this be the "trojan?" If so, any advice about what to do?

Seems to be an epidemic lately....

This can be caused by a trojan.

Get rid of the trojan.

Update your antivirus software and run a full system scan.

Copy the autoexec.nt file from C:\Windows\Repair to C:\Windows\System32
And set Attributes for autoexec.nt to Read-only.

Or %systemroot%\Repair to %systemroot%\System32

Read-only
[[Specifies whether this file is read-only, which means that it cannot be
changed or accidentally deleted.]]

1. Right click the file.
2. Properties.
3. Select: Read-only.
4. Click: Apply.
5. Click: OK.

16-bit MS-DOS Subsystem error while installing or running a DOS
application
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/16bit.htm

MS-DOS or 16-bit Windows-based program Error Message
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_m.htm#16bit

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

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

I downloaded a printer driver from the HP site for windows XP. When I
double click on the executable I get this error:

16 bit Windows Subsystem

C:\Windows\System32\autoexec.nt. The system file is not suitable
for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications. Choose 'Close'
to terminate the application.

Since this is the driver HP designates for Aan XP system, I'm assuming
something is wrong with my system. I think I may have gotten this in
other situations - but it may only have been when I tried to install the
same driver earlier.

Any suggestions?

TIA
LAS