Problem installing Scanner

[Monique]

When I try to install the toolbox that comes with my
scanner, I get this message:
"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."
I emailed the scanner company, and they sent me an email
back saying "The error means that your system is not
configured to run 16-bit applications. Please visit
www.microsoft.com or contact your computer manufacturer for
details on how to resolve this issue." I searched
Microsoft.com, but it's a little too technical for me. Can
anyone give me steps?

OS: Windows XP
Computer: Dell Latitude C800
PIII, 128MB RAM

 

[Andre Da Costa]

See link about trouble shooting MS-DOS Programs:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314106

Andre

 

[Malke]

When I try to install the toolbox that comes with my
scanner, I get this message:
"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."
I emailed the scanner company, and they sent me an email
back saying "The error means that your system is not
configured to run 16-bit applications. Please visit
www.microsoft.com or contact your computer manufacturer for
details on how to resolve this issue." I searched
Microsoft.com, but it's a little too technical for me. Can
anyone give me steps?

OS: Windows XP
Computer: Dell Latitude C800
PIII, 128MB RAM

Is this an old scanner? What is the make/model? Is the toolbox software
you are trying to install an old program that was originally made for
Win9x? Does the scanner company have new software for XP?

Malke

 

[Guest]

The scanner is a CanoScan N656U, which is fairly new. The
website has no details on when the program was made or what
specs it has. It does not have new software, and on my
computer at home (I'm in college now) the scanner installed
just fine with no problems. I run XP on that system as
well. The instructions Andre Da Costa has linked me to are
far too complicated for me. I can't follow them at all.

 

[Malke]

The scanner is a CanoScan N656U, which is fairly new. The
website has no details on when the program was made or what
specs it has. It does not have new software, and on my
computer at home (I'm in college now) the scanner installed
just fine with no problems. I run XP on that system as
well. The instructions Andre Da Costa has linked me to are
far too complicated for me. I can't follow them at all.

There are two other things that can cause the "MS-DOS" error: a virus
and having AVAST av on the system. I would suggest you make sure your
computer is 100% virus and spyware-free before attempting to install
any more software. Look in Add/Remove programs and see if you have
Winad on the system; if so, uninstall it and proceed with more
cleaning. Here are general malware removal steps:

Scan in Safe Mode with a current antivirus program (meaning a version
not earlier than 2003 using updated virus definitions). Also, remove
spyware with Spybot Search & Destroy from www.safer-networking.org and
Ad-aware from www.lavasoftusa.com. Be sure to update these programs
before running them. These programs are free, so run them both since
they complement each other. It is best to run antivirus and spyware
removal tools in Safe Mode. You may also want to run CWShredder and
HijackThis from http://aumha.org/freeware.htm. Although CWShredder is
no longer being updated, it will still clean older variants of the
CoolWebSearch malware. A combination of HijackThis and About:Buster
(http://www.majorgeeks.com) works well in removing homepage hijackers.
Please read the instructions carefully. Make sure you are able to see
all hidden files and extensions (View tab in Folder Options). Also,
make sure you've visited Windows Update and applied all security
patches. Do not install driver updates from Windows Update. Make sure
you are running a firewall.

Malke

 

[Guest]

I've done all you've recommended, and it still won't work. This is getting
extremely frustrating.

 

[Malke]

I've done all you've recommended, and it still won't work. This is
getting extremely frustrating.

How does the scanner connect to the computer? USB? Did you install the
software first, before connecting the scanner? That is the usual way to
install USB devices. If you did not do this, then uninstall the scanner
and any of its software with Add/Remove Programs. Make sure you reboot.
Then install the software first.

Malke

 

[Guest]

I uninstalled the scanner, disconnected the USB cable, and installed, but I
still can't install the toolbox. I'm still getting the error message that I
made in the first post.