windows 16 bit subsystem

gascona · #1 01-19-2004, 02:52 PM

Hello, my name is Martin and i'm new on this forum.

I hope that one of you can help me.
I've bought a game and when i want to install it, a message shows up that it is a windows 16 bit subsystem and, that it's not compattible with a windows or dos system
I'm sure that my computer is capable of playing the game.
what is wrong?

it's also says about c:\windows\system32\configNT

help help help help help help

I've tried to reinstall XPpro but that did not worked.
what can i do too play the game?

I'm not a wizzkid so please explane to me in plain english or dutch.

thanks in advance
I hope that you have all the information you need
my computer runs on XPpro

Martin

ESALADUANE · #2 01-19-2004, 02:56 PM

See if this is helpful:

"16 Bit MS-DOS Subsystem" Error Message When You Install a Program
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314452

snowmonkey · #3 01-19-2004, 02:59 PM

forget it

gascona · #4 01-19-2004, 03:38 PM

the sollution didn't worked and now and can't undo the changes

what now

greetz Martin

ESALADUANE · #5 01-19-2004, 03:55 PM

What changes did you make? The article just wanted you to delete, then re-enter, the VDD (Virtual Device Driver). You're just replacing an old (corrupted?) VDD with a refreshed one. If you did that then there is nothing to change back.

Is the program 16-bit? Try the Program Compatibility Wizard.
Start > All Programs > Accessories > "Program Compatibility Wizard"

gascona · #6 01-21-2004, 02:46 PM

Hello

I've made the changes. But i have the same problem.
the message i see on my screen is:

windows 16 bit subsystem

C\windows\system32\config.NT.
the systemfile is not .............. for MS DOS and Microsoft Windows applications

I've translated it from Dutch.

it shows on my screen when i want too install the game.
I've done the Program Compatibility Wizard, but it had no succes.
have you got another sollution?

Thanks in advance, Martin

ESALADUANE · #7 01-21-2004, 03:06 PM

XP is a 32-bit system. Microsoft has made an effort to make it possible to run many 16-bit programs (through the Program Compatibility Wizard), but some 16-bit programs simply won't run on XP. If yours is an older program written for Windows 3.X I doubt that you'll find any way to do it.

Even if you find a way, your going to run into some problems (this is from Microsoft):

1. Most 16-bit programs do not support long file names. (Windows XP maintains the links between short and long file names, however, so that long file names are preserved when a 16-bit application modifies a file and saves it using the same name.)

2. In general, 16-bit applications do not run as fast as comparable 32-bit applications. The 16-bit programs are restricted to using a single thread, even on a multithreaded operating system such as Windows XP. And calls made by a 16-bit application must be translated for the 32-bit operating system. This translation process, called thunking, adds to execution time.

3. Some 16-bit applications require 16-bit device drivers, which are not supported in Windows XP. Applications that directly access hardware must supply a Windows XP virtual device driver and a Windows XP 32-bit device driver, or they won’t run.

4. Dynamic link libraries (DLLs) written for 16-bit applications cannot be used by 32-bit applications, and vice versa. Because the setup program for most applications installs all the DLLs needed by the application, you won’t be aware of this distinction most of the time. But if, for example, you have a macro written for Microsoft Word 6 (a 16-bit application) that accesses one or more DLLs, it won’t work with Word 2002 (a 32-bit application).

gascona · #8 01-21-2004, 04:24 PM

So if i understand you.
I can: throw the game away, get a refund, give to a friend or sell it, because XP doesn't support the 16-bit system from my game?

The next time i'm going too buy a game, i'll look if it will run on XP.
Anyway, thanks for you're time and support.

Martin

ESALADUANE · #9 01-21-2004, 04:39 PM

As a general rule, if you can't get a 16-bit program to run with either the Program Compatibility Wizard (if it's on a CD) or Compatibility Mode (if it's on your hard drive) then you probably won't be able to use it at all. However, there are ways to do it by creating what's called a "virtual machine" that mimics "386 enhanced mode" in the older Windows 3.x environment. I don't know how to do it, and I've been told that you can do some serious damage to your computer if you try it without knowing what your doing.

Personally, I'd forget the program and (as you said) read the box more carefully next time.