How can I get rid of the 16bit subsystem error?

smidley · Post by **smidley** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 1:19 am

After I installed windows XP pro with service pack 2, I was able to run older programs fine... such as Procom Plus 3.0.
But after installing a couple programs (nero, norton antivirus, and doing windows update), I am unable to run any older software that I need. Here is the error I get:

Error title: 16 bit Windows Subsystem

what it says: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\AUTOEXEC.NT. The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windwos applications. Choose 'Close' to terminate the application.

Then it gives me the options to Close or Ignore. It doesn't matter which one I pick, because either way it won't let me run the programs.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 8:36 am

Hmmm...it's odd...far as I know, nothing in Windows Updates for NT should affect its functionality of running older applications.

As you might know, DOS/Win9X use autoexec.bat, and config.sys, to set DOS environments for older programs. Both of those files sit in the root of C. Win9X does not need any of them to run, only needed for setting the environment for legacy apps.

In Windows NT, the files which fill those roles, are autoexec.nt, and config.nt, which reside in the C:\%system%\system32 directory. %system% being whatever directory you installed it to, such as C:\Windows, or C:\WinNT.

What version of Norton Antivirus did you install? Is Nero a fairly new version also?

Have you worked with the "compatiblity" modes in your legacy apps, like ProComm?

Can you edit your autoexec.nt and config.nt, copy 'n paste the contents of them here?

mnosteele52 · Post by **mnosteele52** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 11:18 am

I've seen the same error a few times and the fix posted HERE worked for me.