Problem with 16-bit apps in xp sp2

[Mike Polinske]

I'm having a problem running 16-bit apps on a XP SP2 machine.

When I start the application, I see ntvdm and wowexec in my task
manager but the program does not load.

I've verified the files listed in
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\WOW KnownDLLs and
all of the files listed are in my C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 folder.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

 

[TaurArian [MS-MVP]]

When a WinXP Home computer runs 16-bit applications it produces the following error
message: -
WOWEXEC caused a General Protection Fault in module MMSYSTEM.DLL at 000A:0032

WOWEXEC is short for "Windows on Windows Execute" and is a helper program used to run
16-bit applications under NT and XP.

A 16-bit program can give this error message when WOWEXEC is already running when the
16-bit program is started.

Make sure that WOWEXEC is not left in memory when a 16-bit program is closed.
To do this:
1. Log in as the administrator.
2. Run Regedit.exe (in \Windows).
3. Go to the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\WOW
4. Look for the entry DefaultSeparateVDM, and change it to Yes.
5. Close Regedit.

Another possibility is that the path name to the 16-bit program is longer than 128
characters. To solve this problem relocate the program on a path with a shorter name.

 

[Mike Polinske]

TaurArian,

DefaultSeperateVDM was already "yes".

The path of the program is "C:\Program Files\HymnSoft\hsoft205.exe"

The other 16-bit program I am having trouble with is an InstallShield
Setup launcher on a CD D:\Setup.exe

My OS is Windows XP Pro with all of the updates installed.

Any other ideas?

 

[TaurArian [MS-MVP]]

Hi Mike, only other suggestion if it's related to InstallShield you search their KB.
http://support.installshield.com/