16 bit subsystem install error

[mattshirk]

Anybody have any ideas on why one might get this error trying to start the installshield portion of an application install?

"16 bit subsystem. C:\WINNT\Sys32\autoexec.nt the system file not suitable for running MSDOS or Windows applications"

Everything I find by Googling suggests its due to corruption in the autoexec.nt or config.nt but replacing those with good copies doesn't remove the error message.

The PC this is happening on was an upgrade from WinME (Yes, I know) to W2K. Probably some updating that didn't occur during that upgrade but why wouldn't replacing autoexec.nt and config.nt bring it back to correct configuration.

 

[hayes47]

Are you expanding the files from an install CD. I have had this issue several times and it was related to virus. Peruse Microsoft site there is an answer and instructions there.

 

[bcastner]

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/16bit.htm

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;324767