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What's a 16bit MS DOS Subsystem?

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Boot in Safe Mode and see if that helps. If not it's time to reinstall Windows.

Posted by: Benjamin Lindelof at November 10, 2004 1:54 AM

Well,

I personally don't believe this is an issue with spyware or the like.. I believe that you just have old versions of
Config.nt
Autoexec.net
Command.com

Follow this MS KB Article to resolve the issue http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;324767

Thanks,
Sean W

Posted by: sean at November 11, 2004 10:19 PM

Cause:


This issue may occur if one or more of the following files are missing or damaged:
Config.nt
Autoexec.nt
Command.com


Resolution:


To resolve this issue, perform any one of the following three procedures:

Procedure 1: (Successful and easy to perform)


Please install a patch from the link given below. When the patch downloads save it on the desktop. Then right click on the downloaded file and choose Extract to and make sure that you choose the directory C:\Windows\System32. If you have got the right directory you will be asked if you wish to overwrite the existing files. Say yes, reboot and try your program again.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/spencer.greystrong/XPFiles.zip

Posted by: Srikanth G at January 24, 2005 7:25 AM

Yes, im getting something similar to what i see above. My case is only slightly different.

I have recently installed an ADSL internet connection on my laptop. It worked perfectly fine for the first several days.

However, now, when i connect the ADSL line everything is fine for a minute or two and then suddenly the connection crashes. This happens for both internet explorer and firefox.

After the crash occurs, if you go the icon to reconnect to the internet using ADSL, nothing happens. You click on this icon and nothing occurs...zero. Its like it may as well not even be there.
Also, a couple minutes after the crash, i receive the following pop up message;

Subsystem MS-DOS 16 bits (this appears in the window pop up header)
Quote:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\command.com
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\AUTOEXEC.NT. The file of this system is not appropriate to execute MSDOS applications and Windows.
Choose 'close' to finalize the application.


Then you choose 'close' or ignore with the exact same result. The window closes and your are still unable to reconnect to the internet.

So, my first idea was to reinstall the ADSL internet software. This works...however, the problem just reoccurs and im back to square one.

So the problem appears to be in this 'command.com' MSDOS file in my system32 folder. For some reason it has all of a sudden started to not get along with my ADSL connection.
What is strange is that it was working fine for several days then it started.

I have cleaned my laptop for viruses and found several but they have all been eliminated. Same with spyware. All viruses i found seemed to have no connection to this 'command.com' file but maybe one caused damage to it somehow.
Im just not sure.

Some people have suggested reinstalling windows but id prefer to wait to do this.

If anyone has any suggestions or experience with this, id love to hear about it.

Thanks in advance to anyone who responds.

Posted by: Adam at June 21, 2005 8:09 AM

I'd try running the system file checker: http://ask-leo.com/what_is_the_system_file_checker_and_how_do_i_run_it.html

Posted by: Leo at June 21, 2005 8:49 PM

This is what appears when i open Jazz Jackrabbit.
I have downloaded this from the Net. I have Windows XP professional
.
16-bit MS-DOS subsystem
A:\JAZZ.PIF Invalid program file name, please check your pif file. Choose 'Close' to terminate this application.
Perhaps you could help me

Posted by: Lawrence at July 1, 2005 9:13 AM

The patch worked for me. I had this problem also. Upon stumbling to this site using google and reading then downloading the patch. My problem with that 16 bit subsystem disappeared. Thanks. :D its been a pain in the A$$ after sooo long. I didnt wanna re-install coz i had lotsa stuff installed.

Posted by: E. Nigma at August 1, 2005 1:43 AM

I hope you can help me. Everytime I try to download a game from the internet or i put a very old computer game in it works but when i try to open the file the 16 bit MS-DOS thing comes up and then it says to close or ignor file. Either one does the same thing. Now i can never play all of these games. And i payed money for some of these really old games.
Please help and please help me fast i cant wait any longer for this 16bit thing.

Posted by: Spencer at October 20, 2005 3:47 PM

I know that you allready solve this problem but I need you to tell me how to solve it.When I open the game simmilar to one of the questions, I have an error.My windows are xp proffesional.
16 bit MS-DOS Subsystem
C:\Sos\Saku_D\SAKU-CD.PIF
Invalid program file name, please check your pif file.Choose "Close" to terminate the applicaton.
Please help me I don`t know what to do.

Posted by: Looka at January 30, 2006 3:02 AM

Lawrence make sure the PIF file refers to a valid location.

Posted by: Cameron at May 22, 2006 12:25 PM
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