Wowexec

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sam
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Sam

What is "wowexec" and why is it constanly getting hung up
when I try to install new software? I'm running Windows
XP Pro and these are new versions of programs that I'm
trying to install? I'm also running Norton Antivirus
program.
 
Sam said in news:[email protected]:
What is "wowexec" and why is it constanly getting hung up
when I try to install new software? I'm running Windows
XP Pro and these are new versions of programs that I'm
trying to install? I'm also running Norton Antivirus
program.
Click to expand...

Windows on Windows Executive
Used when running 16-bit applications

These really are "new" applications yet they are only 16-bit
applications? Sure doesn't look to be true.

How to Troubleshoot 16-Bit Windows Programs in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314495

HOW TO: Identify a 16-bit Program in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=320127

Monitoring 16-bit Windows Applications

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/en-us/prork/preb_mon_ewvl.asp

Troubleshooting NTVDM and WOW Startup Errors
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=196453

So this new software isn't really "new" versions, are they? More like
they are new installs (of old versions, or maybe the last version
available).
 
This only happens when running the setup.exe program.
Among the programs I'm trying to install have been
Quicken 2002 and Adobe Photoshop CS. Neither of these
are older programs. The Adobe Photoshop CS is brand new.

Could it be that something is amiss and causing Windows
to execute wowexec and the program gets hung up because
it isn't really a 16 bit application?

This only started happening after installing a new hard
drive, installing WIN XP Pro, and then putting my backed
up Docs and Settings files back in place. Before that
using the same computer and operating system this didn't
happen and the programs installed normally.

Any ideas? Could something be out of whack causing the
wowexec application to run erroneously? Are there any
registry settings that could affect this?

= = = =
 
(e-mail address removed) said in
This only happens when running the setup.exe program.
Among the programs I'm trying to install have been
Quicken 2002 and Adobe Photoshop CS. Neither of these
are older programs. The Adobe Photoshop CS is brand new.

Could it be that something is amiss and causing Windows
to execute wowexec and the program gets hung up because
it isn't really a 16 bit application?

This only started happening after installing a new hard
drive, installing WIN XP Pro, and then putting my backed
up Docs and Settings files back in place. Before that
using the same computer and operating system this didn't
happen and the programs installed normally.

Any ideas? Could something be out of whack causing the
wowexec application to run erroneously? Are there any
registry settings that could affect this?
Click to expand...

I'd check with the software vendors' tech support to ensure they aren't
using some really old version of, say, InstallShield that runs as a
16-bit application or they picked the wrong engine to build their
install program
(http://support.installshield.com/kb/view.asp?articleid=Q100096). Maybe
these programs support Windows all the way back to 3.1 so their setup
program must load as a 16-bit version. When you right-click on the
setup.exe program and look at its properties, does it have a version tab
(as noted in one of the KB articles on how to distinguish 16- and 32-bit
applications)? See the following:

Cannot Install Program Using Its Setup Utility
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=222975

which basically means you are missing a required file.

Otherwise, try booting into Safe mode to see what happens. Could also
be your anti-virus program interferring with the install. Most installs
recommend disabling your anti-virus software.
 
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