Win XP PRO Ser Pk 2 and 16 Bit Windows Subsystem Error

Marky13,

Were you unable to restore autoexec.nt as shown in Step 4 (expand CD-ROM Drive Letter:\i386\autoexec.nt_ c:\windows\system32\autoexec.nt)? Was there an error message when you tried to expand the file? If so, what exactly was the error message?

Jim

Hi Jim thanks for getting back to me. I tried all the steps shown in the KBA, and steps 4 and so on made no difference. I moved on step by step following the KBA and have made the Autoexec.nt and Config.nt file which I have left on my desktop for ease to find. I am not at all sure how I a) join them as the KBA says, I can't get the file when windows explorer finds it I can't get it to right click to copy it. b) I don't know where the %SYSTEMROOT%\System32 folder is? And therefore can't execute that instruction in step 15.

 

I am pretty much a novice at this level of Windows so if I have came across as a dummy it is probably true with this stuff.

 

Thanks

Marky13,

For Windows XP, "%SYSTEMROOT%" is C:\Windows. So the full path to the System32 folder is C:\Windows\System32.

You may find that there's a correct copy of autoexec.nt in the folder C:\Windows\repair. If so, you should be able to copy the one there to the C:\Windows\System32 folder.

Did you try to run the program after completing Step 4? Were there still errors reported? The remaining steps should not be needed if the only problem is a corrupt copy of autoexec.nt!

Jim

Jim,

I have redone the 1st 5 steps of the KBA to write down the exact messages so you can see what is happening.

When I open the command window the cursor starts after the following C:\Documents and Settings\Mark>

At that I input the line as shown in step 4. The following msg comes up after all 3 inputs with the obvious last few words changed to match the config.nt autoexec.nt and command.com

I have omiited the copyright info etc  "Destination is not a directory :Letter:\i386\config.nt_c:\windows\system32\config.nt.

I tried to run the program anyway after all 3 inputs but nothing changed. On the matter of the files being in Windows\repair, I opened that and looked and sure enough there is 2 of the files in there the autoexec.nt and the config.nt Autoexec shows as being modified on 29/8/04 and the config.nt modifeied on the 3/9/04. Both of these dates are pre service pack 2 instal. Do you think you could talk me through copying them and them running them in the %systemroot% folder?

Thanks.

Do you think you could talk me through copying them and them running them in the %systemroot% folder?

Marky13,

Let's give it a try.

Open a cmd.exe window. In that window, type the following lines:

copy c:\windows\repair\autoexec.nt c:\windows\system32
copy c:\windows\repair\config.nt c:\windows\system32

If that fixes the problem, I wouldn't bother with command.com. The file that SP2 somehow damages seems to be autoexec.nt. Then start your payroll program and see if it works.

Jim

Mark,

You're welcome! It's a puzzle as to why XP SP2 results in autoexec.nt being clobbered, but this is by now an all too common report. And naturally, the reason people are still running 16-bit programs is that they can't be easily replaced, so when the problem is encountered, it's almost always a crisis.

Happily, the fix is pretty easy. The Microsoft article makes fixing the problem sound a lot more difficult than it is.

Jim

Jim,

I don't know where you are or what you do for a living but you have seriously saved my bacon. Truly appreciate your time and consideration. I just opened cmd.exe and pasted your lines and it worked great. Again thanks very much.

 

Best wishes

Mark