How do I get old 16bit programs to wor on FAT32 system?

[Guest]

When trying to run some old programs I get a message box titled: 16 Bit
Windows Subsystem, which reads: 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.
What can I do to make it work?

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

When trying to run some old programs I get a message box titled: 16 Bit
Windows Subsystem, which reads: 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.
What can I do to make it work?

"Error message when you install or start an MS-DOS or 16-bit
Windows-based program"
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=324767

Note that this problem is more than often caused by malware.