"16 bit Windows Subsystem" problem

[kav40]

When I try to run some .exe files, I get a message box with the heading "16 bit Windows Subsystem" & says

"C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\AUTOEXEC.NT. The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Micosoft Windows applications. Choose 'close' to terminate the application".

I noticed this comming after I updated to XP pro SP2. Even some of the setup.exe files comes with some games & softwares can't run as I get this message box even for them.

How can I correct this? Please help.

 

[gpalmer711]

Installation of Windows XP Service Pack 2 on an otherwise "healthy" Windows XP system may delete the AUTOEXEC.NT file. As a result, when trying to run certain applications which make use of 16-bit technology an error message like the following may be displayed: "16 bit Windows Subsystem - 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."

The error message can be misleading, because it is displayed even if the AUTOEXEC.NT file is actually missing.

To verify whether you have the file, type "%windir%/system32/" in the address bar of an Explorer window. If there is no AUTOEXEC.NT file proceed as follows:

Browse to "%windir%/repair/" (usually "C:\WINDOWS\repair")
Right-Click and Copy the AUTOEXEC.NT file
Browse to "%windir%/system32/" (usually "C:\WINDOWS\System32")
Right-Click inside the window and Paste the file
The error condition described here may also be the result of corruption of the AUTOEXEC.NT file, in which case the above procedure may be helpful to restore a valid file.

Corruption of the AUTOEXEC.NT file has also been related to virus programs. You may want to virus-check your system with one of the following free tools:

Trend Micro Housecall -

http://housecall.antivirus.com

Panda ActiveScan -

http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/

Microsoft has several Knowledge Base articles on this issue, including the following:

Error message when You Install or Start an MS-DOS or 16-Bit Windows-Based Program -

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=324767

An Error Message Occurs when You Run an MS-DOS or 16-Bit Windows Program -

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=324767

Greg Palmer
Free Software for Adminstrators

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk