ntvdm has encountered an illegal instruction

[Guest]

When trying to sync my Palm Z22 with my Winxp pro pc, I received an error
stating that "ntvdm has encountered an illegal instruction" From my initial
research it points to a problem with windows xp- is this accurate? How do I
fix this?

Ken Larson

 

[Lyle]

OK, my first time posting. Please, someone correct me if I'm incorrect
on this issue.

It sounds like your command.com file is outdated. To fix this, rename
your command.com file located in WINDOWS\SYSTEM32, then copy the command.com
file from another XP machine's SYSTEM32 folder into yours. If you can't get
to another XP machine, you can copy the file from the XP installation CD.
The file is located in the i386 folder, and is named command.co_. Copy the
file from the cd, rename to command.com, then copy into your SYSTEM32
folder. Try the device to see if this is the solution.

Please let me know if this helps. Also, if anybody disagrees with this
solution, or has a better way, please let me know. Thank You.

Lyle Florence
MCDST in training

 

[Wesley Vogel]

There could be several things causing this.

If you are not intentionally using a 16-bit program, run the System File
Checker (sfc.exe) it replaces screwed up system files, see below. NTVDM.EXE
should only run with 16-bit programs unless something else is messed up.

Also do this first...
Update your antivirus software and run a full system scan.

Update whatever anti-spyware applications that you have and run a full
system scan with each one.

Scumware can foul up your real files by adding scumware versions that run
instead.

The NTVDM CPU has encountered an illegal instruction

NTVDM CPU Has Encountered an Illegal Instruction
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/245184

Entries in Config.nt or Autoexec.nt May Cause NTVDM Errors
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/156687

How to Troubleshoot Local Logon Scripts with Windows NT
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/102907

To run sfc.exe...

Load your XP CD in your CD drive.

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

If you have XP Home and it asks for your XP Pro CD, see this KB article...

You may be prompted to insert a Windows XP Professional CD when you run the
System File Checker tool in Windows XP Home Edition
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;897128

Explains a whole bunch about sfc.exe.
scannow sfc (sfc.exe)
http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html

Description of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 System File Checker
(Sfc.exe)
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310747

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Hi Lyle,

You have to ask yourself why would command.com and ntvdm.exe be trying to
run when the OP is trying to sync his Palm pilot? I do not know much about
palm pilots, but I'll bet they do not have much to do with 16-bit programs.

Of course, on the other hand, I could have no idea what I am talking about.
;-)

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Lyle]

Wes,
Thank you for that. How about this:

Ken,
Are there any third-party applications that you're trying to run when
you sync your Palm? Anything like Intellisync, Avantgo, etc.? Or, are you
running the standard Hotsync application from Palm?

Maybe down a clearer track, Wes? Is there something more obvious I may be
missing?

BTW, thank you so much for your help. As I stated, just getting started, so
any and all help from a more knowledgable resource is greatly appreciated.

Lyle Florence
MCDST in Training

 

[Wesley Vogel]

We may never know, Lyle. The OP is posting with CDO and may never be back
to read any of these messages.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

I reviewed the answers provided and also reviewed all the places in the
registry where reference was made to this software from Palm. I then removed
those references and rebooted, reinstalled the Palm Z22 software using the
out of the box syncing software and all is now working. I do not know all the
theory and correct technical jargon about this but it seemed as if the Palm
software saw the pieces of its software already in the registry and skipped
over it during re-installations and in fact was corrupted.

Sorry I could not get back sooner. We installed ThreatWall and now I have
many emails get through that had not been allowed until all the bugs were
worked out. Thanks for all of your help!

Ken