Error Message When You Install or Start an MS-DOS or 16-Bit Windows-Based Program

7/27/2019 Error Message When You Install or Start an MS-DOS or 16-Bit Windows-Based Program

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message when you install or start an MS-DOS or 16-bit Windows-based program

support.microsoft.com/kb/324767[7/6/2013 3:43:23 PM]

Important notice for users of Windows XP: To continue receiving security updates for Windows, make sure that

you're running Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3). The support for Windows XP with Service Pack 3 ends April 8,2014. If youre running Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3) after support ends, to ensure that you will receive allimportant security updates for Windows, you need to upgrade to a later version, such as Windows 8.

For more information, see Support is ending for some versions of Windows.

Error message when you install or start an MS-DOS or 16-bitWindows-based programArticle ID: 324767 - View products that this article applies to.

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This article applies to a different version of Windows than the one you are using. Content in this article may not be relevant to you.

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This article was previously published under Q324767

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If you try to start or install an MS-DOS-based or a 16-bit Windows-based program on your Windows XP-based computer, you mayreceive an error message that is similar to one of the following:

Although you may be prompted to quit the program or ignore the error message, either selection makes the program quit.

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Symptoms

16-bit MS-DOS Subsystempath to the program that you are trying to start or install

C:\Winnt\System32\config.nt The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications. Choose 'Close'to terminate the application.


config.nt The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications. Choose 'Close' to terminate theapplication.


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.

Cause

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This issue may occur if one or more of the following files are missing or damaged:

Config.ntAutoexec.ntCommand.com


To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods.

Method 1

1. Insert the CD into the CD drive or DVD drive.2. Click Start , and then click Run .3. In the Open box, type cmd, and then click OK.4. At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command:

expand CD-ROM Drive Letter:\i386\config.nt_ c:\windows\system32\config.ntexpand CD-ROM Drive Letter:\i386\autoexec.nt_ c:\windows\system32\autoexec.ntexpand CD-ROM Drive Letter:\i386\command.co_ c:\windows\system32\command.comexit

5. Start or install the program. If the issue is resolved, do not complete the remaining steps. If the issue is not resolved, go to thenext step.

6. Note: The Command.com file is not edited or created in the following process. Because of this, you may have to expand it fromyour Windows XP CD-ROM.

Start Notepad.7. In Notepad, type the following entries:

8. On the File menu, click Save As.9. In the File Name box, type Config.nt, and then click Save. Close the Config.nt file.

10. On the File menu, click New.11. In the new blank document, type the following entries:

12. On the File menu, click Save As.13. In the File Name box, type Autoexec.nt, and then click Save. Close the Autoexec.nt file.14. Start Windows Explorer. Locate the Config.nt file, right-click the Config.nt file, and then click Copy.15. Right-click the %SYSTEMROOT%\System32 folder, and then click Paste.16. Locate the Autoexec.nt file, right-click the Autoexec.nt file, and then click Copy.17. Right-click the %SYSTEMROOT%\System32 folder, and then click Paste.18. Locate the Command.com file, right-click the expanded Command.com file, and then click Copy.19. Right-click the %SYSTEMROOT%\System32 folder, and then click Paste. Restart your computer.

If the issue continues to occur, copy the Autoexec.nt and Config.nt files from the Repair folder in Windows to the System folder. To doso, follow these steps:

1. Click Start , click Run, type c:\windows\repair, and then click OK.2. Right-click Autoexec.nt, and then click Copy.3. Click Start , click Run, type c:\windows\system32, and then click OK.

4. Right-click anywhere in that folder, and then click Paste.5. Right-click the Autoexec.nt file that you just copied, and then click Properties.6. Click to select Read-Only , and then click OK.7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 to copy the Config.nt file.

Note You must enable Read-Only permissions or the files will be removed after you restart Windows.

Method 2

1. Click Start , click Run, type C:\windows\repair, and then click OK.2. Right-click the Autoexec.nt file, and then click Copy.3. Click Start , click Run, type %windir%\system32, and then click OK.4. In the System32 folder, press Ctrl + V to paste the Autoexec.nt file in this folder.


Resolution

dos=high, umb

device=%SYSTEMROOT%\system32\himem.sys

files=40

@echo off

lh %SYSTEMROOT%\system32\mscdexnt.exe

lh %SYSTEMROOT%\system32\redir

lh %SYSTEMROOT%\system32\dosx

SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 P330 T3


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For more information about MS-DOS-based programs in Windows, click the following article numbers to view the articles in theMicrosoft Knowledge Base:

305521"16-bit MS-DOS Subsystem" error message when you run an MS-DOS or 16-Bit Windows program in Windows Server2003 or Windows 2000 Server

314106Troubleshooting MS-DOS-based programs in Windows XP


Article ID: 324767 - Last Review: May 22, 2013 - Revision: 5.0

Applies to

Microsoft Windows XP ProfessionalMicrosoft Windows XP Home Edition

Keywords: kberrmsg kbprb KB324767


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Error Message When You Install or Start an MS-DOS or 16-Bit Windows-Based Program