Problem with MS DOS program in XP

[Chris S]

Hi,

I am running a DOS program using QBASIC on Win XP.
The program has worked fine, but now when I run the DOS program I get the
following error.

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\AUTOEXEC.NT
The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows
applications.
Choose Close to terminate the program.

I am not sure why it is now doing this as it has ran fine before.
I have installed the Visual Basic Runtime Files VB6.0-KB290887-X86
Maybe this is the problem.
Any idea how to fix it?

Thanks.

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

Please see if the following article helps:

"Error Message When You Install or Start an MS-DOS or 16-Bit Windows Based
Program"
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=324767

 

[Guest]

Chris, if Will Denny's suggestion does not work. Do the following which has
solved my problems many times for I run hundreds of DOS applications. XP is
not DOS based, it uses a DOS emulator. Use the Windows Compatibility Wizard
and set it to use Windows98 which is DOS based. Most of my DOS programs
run without problems. Now, I said MOST not ALL.

 

[Andre Da Costa]

Right click the executable for the program, click Properties > Compatibility
tab, choose a suitable operating system. Windows 95 should do just fine.

Andre

 

[Alex Nichol]

I am running a DOS program using QBASIC on Win XP.
The program has worked fine, but now when I run the DOS program I get the
following error.

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\AUTOEXEC.NT
The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows
applications.
Choose Close to terminate the program.

I am not sure why it is now doing this as it has ran fine before.

There is a piece of malware around that damages that file.

Two possible causes :
http://groups.google.com/[email protected]

Also, AVAST (antivirus software) can be the cause if you
have WinXP SP2 installed:
http://groups.google.com/[email protected]

and run an up to date check with a good AV program and a good Antispy
anyway - see suggestions at http://rgharper.mvps.org/cleanit.htm

You can correct the matter by copying windows\repair\autoexec.nt back
into windows\system32, but if you have one of these problems it will
only arise again

 

[Alex Nichol]

Right click the executable for the program, click Properties > Compatibility
tab, choose a suitable operating system. Windows 95 should do just fine.

Not relevant to running DOS programs

 

[David Candy]

About bloody time someone other than me says this.

 

[Chris S]

It works, but after some a few days I get the same error message and have to
repeat the process.
Why?

 

[Chris S]

It works, but after a reboot I get the same error message and have to
repeat the process.
Why?

 

[Rock]

It works, but after a reboot I get the same error message and have to
repeat the process.
Why?

<excessive cross posting removed>

Deleting of the autoexec.nt file can be caused by a Trojan installing a
file windupdater.exe and creating registry entries for that file. See this:
http://groups.google.com/[email protected]

AVAST (free antivirus software) can be the cause if SP2 is installed:
http://groups.google.com/[email protected]

You can put back the standard version of autoexec.nt by copying a
backup copy held in windows\repair to windows\system32.

Note: cross posting is preferred to multiple posting but you should pick
two or at most three groups. Eight is way to many.

 

[Guest]

Hi Chris,

Came to this group because I am experiencing exactly the problem you
describe. Manually installing config.nt and/or autoexec.nt in
...windows\system32 fixes the problem, but only until I reboot. I'm hunting
for an answer too. Any luck yet?

Jerry

 

[Guest]

Earlier posting suggested loss of autoexec.nt file connected with
DownloaderTrojans. Although my Norton had not alerted me to any problems, I
ran a full system scan. 34 Adware files were identified as "at risk". I
removed these, found the offending program (Win???.com) via Control Panel
Ad/Remove Programs, and removed that program. All of a sudden no more
problems with my MS-DOS program.

Jerry

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Good work. Thanks for posting the solution.

Earlier posting suggested loss of autoexec.nt file connected with
DownloaderTrojans. Although my Norton had not alerted me to any problems,
I
ran a full system scan. 34 Adware files were identified as "at risk". I
removed these, found the offending program (Win???.com) via Control Panel
Ad/Remove Programs, and removed that program. All of a sudden no more
problems with my MS-DOS program.

Jerry