16bit Windows Subsystem

[GR]

I am trying to install a older program on my windows XP Laptop and I get the
following error..

16 bit Windows subsystem

C:\winnt\system32\autoexec.nt The system is not suitable for running MS-DOS
and Misrosoft windows applications. Close to terminate.

I use it on my desktop without problems. It use to work on my laptop. I
tried changing the emulations to windows 95, etc.

What can I check?

Thanks,

GR

 

[Galen]

In GR <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

I am trying to install a older program on my windows XP Laptop and I
get the following error..

16 bit Windows subsystem

C:\winnt\system32\autoexec.nt The system is not suitable for running
MS-DOS and Misrosoft windows applications. Close to terminate.

I use it on my desktop without problems. It use to work on my
laptop. I tried changing the emulations to windows 95, etc.

What can I check?

Thanks,

GR

Error message when you start a DOS or 16 bit Program:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;324767

Galen
--

"My mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me
the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis, and I am
in my own proper atmosphere. I can dispense then with artificial
stimulants. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for
mental exaltation." -- Sherlock Holmes

 

[Patti MacLeod]

Hi GR,

Have a look at the information here, provided courtesy of Kelly Theriot:

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



Regards,

 

[Bob I]

Restore a good copy from the C:\winnt\repair folder.

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "GR" <[email protected]>

| I am trying to install a older program on my windows XP Laptop and I get the
| following error..
|
| 16 bit Windows subsystem
|
| C:\winnt\system32\autoexec.nt The system is not suitable for running MS-DOS
| and Misrosoft windows applications. Close to terminate.
|
| I use it on my desktop without problems. It use to work on my laptop. I
| tried changing the emulations to windows 95, etc.
|
| What can I check?
|
| Thanks,
|
| GR
|

Interesting...

You say you have WinXP but the error message indicates you have Win2K !

Windows XP uses c:\windows while Windows 2000 (NT4 and Windows 2003 Server) use c:\winnt !!


AUTOEXEC.NT Fix Method 1:
copy; %windir%\repair\autoexec.nt
to
%windir%\system32

AUTOEXEC.NT FIX Method 2:
Go to; Start --> Run
enter; cmd.exe

{ assuming the WinXP/Win2K CDROM disk is in drive "D:" }
In the Command Prompt enter...
expand D:\i386\autoexec.nt_ %windir%\system32\autoexec.nt

Since there are many forms of malware that will cause this kind of problem with AUTOEXEC.NT,
please perform the following...

Dump the contents of the IE Temporary Internet Folder cache (TIF)
Start --> Settings --> Control Panel --> Internet Options --> Delete Files

Dump the contents of the Mozilla FireFox Cache
Tools --> Options --> Privacy --> Cache --> Clear

1) Download TrendMicro Sysclean by one of the following 2 methods

Trend Sysclean Method 1
---------------------------------------
Trend Sysclean Package
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/dcs.asp

Latest Trend signature files.
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/pattern.asp

Create a directory.
On drive "C:\"
(e.g., "c:\sysclean")

Download SYSCLEAN.COM and place it in that directory.
Download the signature files (pattern files) by obtaining the ZIP file.
For example; lpt598.zip

Extract the contents of the ZIP file and place the contents in the same directory as
SYSCLEAN.COM.

Trend Sysclean Method 2
---------------------------------------
Download the utility SYSCLEAN_FE at the following URL --
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm
SYSCLEAN_FE automates the download and execution process of the Trend Sysclean Package.
Direct URL --
http://www.ik-cs.com/programs/virtools/Sysclean_FE.exe

2) Download Ad-aware SE (free personal version v1.05)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

Update Ad-aware with the latest definitions.
3) Reboot your PC into Safe Mode and shutdown as many applications as possible.
4) Using both the Trend Sysclean utility and Ad-aware, perform a Full Scan of your
platform and clean/delete any infectors/parasites found.
(a few cycles may be needed)
5) Restart your PC and perform a "final" Full Scan of your platform using both the
Trend Sysclean utility and Adaware

* * Please report back your results * *

 

[Galen]

In David H. Lipman <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

!

Windows XP uses c:\windows while Windows 2000 (NT4 and Windows 2003
Server) use c:\winnt !!

Hah! I didn't catch that. Good catch. Though perhaps they installed XP into
\winnt\ or it's an upgrade installation? Makes me wonder...

Galen
--

"My mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me
the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis, and I am
in my own proper atmosphere. I can dispense then with artificial
stimulants. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for
mental exaltation." -- Sherlock Holmes

 

[Bob I]

"Upgrades" from 2000 will be "Winnt". Clean install or Upgrade from
Win98 or ME is "Windows"

 

[Patti MacLeod]

Interesting...

You say you have WinXP but the error message indicates you have Win2K !

Windows XP uses c:\windows while Windows 2000 (NT4 and Windows 2003

Server) use c:\winnt !!

I recently learned that the WINNT directory is common with some XP OEM
systems.



Regards,

 

[GR]

The original distribution was from HP Windows 2000 Professsional and was
upgraded to XP.

 

[GR]

It was an upgrade installation.

GR

In David H. Lipman <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:


Hah! I didn't catch that. Good catch. Though perhaps they installed XP
into \winnt\ or it's an upgrade installation? Makes me wonder...

Galen
--

"My mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me
the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis, and I am
in my own proper atmosphere. I can dispense then with artificial
stimulants. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for
mental exaltation." -- Sherlock Holmes

 

[GR]

I am doing a backup to prepare for a clean install.

How do you do this from a XP upgrade distribution?

GR

 

[Bob I]

With a clean disk, an Upgrade will ask for the qualifying media, stick
it in the drive at that point. BTW a "Restore" CD will not work for this.

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "Patti MacLeod" <[email protected]>

| Server) use c:\winnt !!
|
| I recently learned that the WINNT directory is common with some XP OEM
| systems.
|
| Regards,
|
| --
| Patti MacLeod
| Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User
|

That would indicate that the OEM upragded a previous OS. One of the *many* reasons I prefer
to wipe tghe hard disk of a PC with a pre-installed OS and install it from scratch.

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "GR" <[email protected]>

| The original distribution was from HP Windows 2000 Professsional and was
| upgraded to XP.
|
That's what I figured and is the reason why the answer I provided used the environmental
variable %windir%.

Note that there is NO reason you need to do a clean install because of the reported error.
Of course if you do, it would eliminate all possibilities of non-viral malware and the vast
majority of viruses. But, if you don't backup the system rebuilding the platform could be
more trouble than what it is worth and it may be better to repair the AUTOEXEC.NT file and
perform the scans I provided you.

 

[relic]

I am doing a backup to prepare for a clean install.

How do you do this from a XP upgrade distribution?

By Formatting the disk to get rid of all traces.

Delete the existing partition, then you can create a new one and format it.
It shouldn't need to see the Win2K CD done this way. If you format outside
of the installation, you will need to 'show' XP the qualifying product's CD.

 

[relic]

That would indicate that the OEM upragded a previous OS. One of the
*many* reasons I prefer to wipe tghe hard disk of a PC with a
pre-installed OS and install it from scratch.

Or it could just mean that the installer renamed the directory during
installation. Most OEM systems come with an OEM Version of XP; it can't do
an upgrade install.

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "relic" <[email protected]>


|
| Or it could just mean that the installer renamed the directory during
| installation. Most OEM systems come with an OEM Version of XP; it can't do
| an upgrade install.
|
| --
| If there is a Tourist Season, how come we can't shoot them?
|

There is absolutely no logical reason to rename the folder to winnt. It is my experience as
a past VAR Tech and as a contracted employee that vendors DO upgrade the OS and recreate an
image rather than start from scratch.

 

[relic]

There is absolutely no logical reason to rename the folder to winnt.
It is my experience as a past VAR Tech and as a contracted employee
that vendors DO upgrade the OS and recreate an image rather than
start from scratch.

Which vendors do you know that buy and install the Retail Versions of XP to
do that with? It's cost is twice that of the OEM Versions.

The OEM Versions of XP will _not_ do an upgrade installation.

 

[Rebecca]

There is absolutely no logical reason to rename the folder to winnt.
It is my experience as a past VAR Tech and as a contracted employee
that vendors DO upgrade the OS and recreate an image rather than
start from scratch.

It is my experience that people state to be true what their imagination
believes should be true.

OEM Vendors use OEM Versions of XP. An OEM Version of XP cannot do an
upgrade... only a clean install.

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "relic" <[email protected]>

|
| Which vendors do you know that buy and install the Retail Versions of XP to
| do that with? It's cost is twice that of the OEM Versions.
|
| The OEM Versions of XP will _not_ do an upgrade installation.
|
| --
| If there is a Tourist Season, how come we can't shoot them?
|

Vendors don't install retail versions. Mom and Pop shops may and if they the install a
retail version from scratch and rename the default of .\windows\ to .\winnt\ then their r
services should be avoided !