Opening DOS program in XP Pro, get error message.

[Guest]

When I open a DOS program in WinXP SP2, I get an error message that lists the
executable's path & file, and says: "Attempt to access invalid address." I
have re-copied and checked the config.nt, autoexec.nt and command.com files
in the \system32 directory. The program will work in Safe Mode, but not in
Normal mode.

Thanks.

 

[Ghostrider]

When I open a DOS program in WinXP SP2, I get an error message that lists the
executable's path & file, and says: "Attempt to access invalid address." I
have re-copied and checked the config.nt, autoexec.nt and command.com files
in the \system32 directory. The program will work in Safe Mode, but not in
Normal mode.

Thanks.

What is the DOS program and does it have special memory needs,
such as expanded or extended memory?

 

[Guest]

It is an old gas measurement program, circa 1989. It doesn't have any
special requirements, I can run it on any other XP machine with no problems.
I have the same problem with any DOS program I try to run on this machine.

 

[Guest]

The DOS program will open in Safe Mode, but not in VGA mode or in Normal mode.

 

[Yves Leclerc]

Are the other machines using the same version of XP (Home or Pro?)

Are you running it, on this machine, with the same type of account??

 

[Guest]

Yes, all machines are identical OS, WinXP Pro SP2, and I'm logged on with the
same domain admin account. I've tried logging in as local admin, same error
result.

 

[Ghostrider]

The DOS program will open in Safe Mode, but not in VGA mode or in Normal mode.

1989 puts the program in the days right at the start of VGA.
If it runs in safe mode but not in normal mode, then the VGA
driver may be too advanced for the DOS program. To check this,
what is the graphics card in this computer and is it different
from the graphics cards being used in the other computers?

For situations like this, my favorite advice has been to keep
an old computer around, just for the old programs.

 

[Joe Wright]

Yes, all machines are identical OS, WinXP Pro SP2, and I'm logged on with the
same domain admin account. I've tried logging in as local admin, same error
result.

Here's what I would try, and I'm not sure this would help:

Click Start, point at All Programs, Accessories, right-click Command
Prompt, click Properties. Compare the setting here with those on a
system that correctly runs the DOS program. Make the necessary changes.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the advice. Never could figure it out, so reloaded the machine to
fix the problem. Works fine after reload of XP.

Thanks.