Excessive NTVDM.exe and CMD.exe instances running

[denacho]

I have a Win2K Pro SP2 workstation that runs two 16-bit apps specific to our vendor. Just 2 days ago we began to notice numerous Application Popups for NTVDM.exe and CMD.exe. I also notice several instances of these 2 processes running in Task Manager. I've had to use a kill utility to kill them then start the two 16-bit apps back up. I keep repeating this process to get rid of all the excessive occurances. I ran a virus scan on this "server", scanned the HDD, and Defragged it. I also re-applied SP2. We didn't find any viruses. Does anyone have any other suggestions for why all of a sudden I would get so many occurances, when we've never had this problem before in the year+ this "server" has been running. I realize I could try SP3 or SP4, but the vendor has not approved that yet (yes, another issue), so I'd like to see if there is something else I can try before doing something out of our support range.

 

[JPCPB]

Greetings,

Have a look at this:

http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBN/tip6700/rh6753.htm

Kindest regards,

James

 

[denacho]

Thanks for the link. I tried that one last night when searching around for answers. I wasn't able to get any relief though. The 16-bit apps run, but the Task Manager just keeps piling up the NTVDM and CMD occurances. Sometimes (but not always) I get popups for both processes that read: "The application failed to initialize properly (hexidecimal). Click OK to terminate the application." Not to mention, there are hundreds of entries in the System Event log that match the popups - nothing in the App log. I have the vendor engaged on this, but they are telling me to rebuild the "server" - not an option right now as it's in use, just struggling along. We're now trying to figure out what has changed on this machine since Wed morning to cause this.

Thanks for your repsonse though!

 

[JPCPB]

Greetings denacho,

What's the Event ID/Source ?

Kindest regards,

James

 

[denacho]

ID= 26
Source = Application Popup

I tried TechNet website as well, but I'm not getting anything on this. Appreciate you trying to help me!

 

[JPCPB]

Greetingd denacho,

You're welcome!

Try this - (lots of reading!!):

http://www.eventid.net/display.asp?eventid=26&source=

The links to the MS articles don't work unless you're a subscriber, but it's not too difficult to type them in on Microsoft's site...!

Kindest regards,

James

 

[JPCPB]

Also...

When this message appears - "The application failed to initialize properly (number). Click OK to terminate the application."

...MS recommend that you contact the supplier!!

Kindest regards,

James