Problem with some .exe files

Question

I have 3 new Latitude D820's and each behave the same. When I try to run the Dell express.exe it tells me path not found. I also have the same problem with another random .exe file. Each time you try to run the express.exe it will generate a 'ntvdm.exe falied to initialize error' that shows up when you logoff or shutdown/restart. One error message for each time the .exe failed to run. This occurs if logged in under Administrator or any administrator type account. But if you right click on express.exe and select 'Run as' and choose any user account and enter its password, the .exe runs every time. I have only seen this on two .exe files so far. What is the problem - policy, etc.?

caladandaoc · Answer

This may be the start of Vista like problems. The XP SP2 OS is a different build than any of our other machines. The industrial software .exe that would not run works fine on any other XP SP2 machine. It was an install type of .exe and not a normal application run .exe. This 'run as' feature that allows these files to execute is supposed to be part of Vista OS for security to keep embedded code from running.

caladandaoc · Answer

I have not found or heard of a solution (this is also posted on a Microsoft forum) but so far (I was loading industrial software but have stopped at this point) there has been only express.exe and one other .exe (on a DVD and CD but neither would run unless I did the right click I described) that failed to run. Dell has my case number open but have not heard any replies. Tech support's only solution was to reload Windows! I have run some of the software I loaded with no issues but only limited use so far.

dvarnerxp · Answer

I have the exact same problem with my D820. I have a replacement D820 coming but am concerned it will have the same problem.   Have you found any solutions yet?

dvarnerxp · Answer

I found the following message.   http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=sw_winxp&message.id=188657&query.id=20322   Uninstall Embassy Trust Suite. This made my Express.EXE work again.   What type of industrial software are you installing? I didn't get to installing the industrial software that I normally use.   I also found that I had to remove the SQL path from the TEMP environment to make room for another application. However, I am not sure if I will be able to get all of my software installed due to the limit of characters in the path.   Hope this helps!

caladandaoc · Answer

I will give that a try. I didn't get the biometeric security but guess Dell loads everything anyway. I use Rockwell Software for automation control and had RSView32 TrendX install .exe fail to run. Once I installed it via right click run as, it works fine. Rockwell software usually has problems with the length of the path but I have not had any lately. The graphic card vendors have quit putting long elements in the path statement. If Rockwell is the software you are trying to load, refer to E2030499 Technote.

dvarnerxp · Answer

Thanks for the technote!   I will need to load various Rockwell Software products (plus other SCADA applications) soon.   First I need to free up some drive space by getting rid of all of the backups I had to make.

caladandaoc · Answer

Un-installing Embassy Suite fixed the problem. It seems people that bought the biometric are having problems with the software also per the Dell forums. The software appears to be flaky.

Thanks for your help!

Dell Tech Support .... if you are reading this please make a note so you will not continue to encourage people to reload Windows OS to fix this issue when the real problem is YOUR application.

RiverWind · Answer

caladandaoc - embassy is a great product for securing your documents using the trusted platform module to protect the private key that encrypts the file. My peers and I have been using this software without any issues at all.  Perhaps your issues lie elsewhere?

Samhende · Answer

I also have a new D820 and was having 'file not found' issues when attempting to install Visual Studio 6 Service Pack 6. I was also experiencing 'NTVDM not initialized error' on shutdown. UNINSTALLING Embassy fixed the problem! Thanks for the help.

caladandaoc · Answer

Riverwind ... Check out the forums (and other web forums on this wonderful product) and you will see, as this one shows, that the embassy suite does cause problems. Dell has chosen to ghost the hard drives with the software even though many have no need for the biometric protection and did not order it. Also tell this to the people I found in the various forums that can't access their laptops now because of Embassy.

cas100uk · Answer

Hi guys,

I have a D820 with the same problem. Before I unistalled Embassy program I thought I would take a look on the wave website. You can leave the embassy program on and just perform the following to sort out the problem. Worked for me immediately:

http://www.wave.com/support/CSC/CustomerService/Documents/DM-010.htm

Document Manager compatibility issues with some 16-bit applications

Because of compatibility issue with some 16-bit applications, Document Manager users may opt to uninstall Document Manager, in order to continue to run their 16 bit applications with the EMBASSY Trust Suite.

Follow these steps to uninstall Document Manager.

Go to START > CONTROL PANEL
Click Add or Remove Programs
Click EMBASSY Trust Suite by Wave Systems
Click Change/Remove
Click Modify
Click Next
Uncheck Broadcom Trusted Platform Module v1.2
(make sure there is still a checkmark near Dell EMBASSY Trust Suite by Wave Systems)
Click Next
The Wave Installer Screen appears
Click Next
Click "individually configure my application for repair or removal"
Put a checkmark next to Document Manager Lite
Click on the name Document Manager Lite. You will now see two choices in the Active Buttons section at the bottom of the screen; Repair and Uninstall.
Click Uninstall
Click Next

Article ID: DM-010
Last Reviewed: May 11, 2006
Revision: 1.00

caladandaoc · Answer

Yeah I saw that too but since I do not have the biometric reader on my laptop (and sure don't want one!) I saw no need to keep their software since it has no function without the reader and chip.

cas100uk · Answer

I don't have the biometric reader either. Are you saying that the software is purely for the reader and if not fitted you don't need it at all?   Thanks,

caladandaoc · Answer

That is what I found when I tried to run the software before uninstalling it. The software would open but functions were unavailable because my chip was not enabled. And without a reader, I don't know what function it would have if it was enabled.

d820user · Answer

cas100uk: Thanks for the info.  You just saved me a lot of time and grief!

Windows General

Problem with some .exe files

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