Q.    When I start the DCMS, I get a confusing Windows error message indicating a problem with either  the "config.nt" file or the "autoexec.nt" file.

I was asked about this problem a few months ago and coincidentally, I had encountered the very same problem a few days earlier with someone else's computer. The problem is that one of your system files is either missing or corrupted.  Here is the answer straight from Microsoft's knowledge base and it helped me fix the other user's computer. You are going to need your original Windows disk to do this fix...

SYMPTOMS

If you try to start or install an MS-DOS-based or a 16-bit Windows-based program on your Windows XP-based computer, you may experience a system freeze up or you may receive an error message that is similar to one of the following: 

16-bit MS-DOS Subsystem
path to the program that you are trying to start or install C:\Winnt\System32\config.nt The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications. Choose 'Close' to terminate the application.

16-bit MS-DOS Subsystem
path to the program that you are trying to start or install config.nt The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications. Choose 'Close' to terminate the application. 

16-bit MS-DOS Subsystem 
path to the program that you are trying to start or install C:\Windows\System32\Autoexec.nt The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications. Choose 'Close' to terminate the application.

Although you may be prompted to quit the program or ignore the error message, either selection makes the program quit. 

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: 

1.   Insert the original Windows CD into the CD drive or DVD drive. 

2.   Click Start, and then click Run. 

3.   In the Open box, type   cmd  , and then click OK. 

4.   At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command:  (if your CD-ROM drive is not D:, replace D: in the lines below with the correct drive letter)

    expand D:\i386\config.nt_ c:\windows\system32\config.nt 
    expand D:\i386\autoexec.nt_ c:\windows\system32\autoexec.nt 
    expand D:\i386\command.co_ c:\windows\system32\command.com
    exit 

5.   Start or install the program. If the issue is resolved, do not complete the remaining steps. If the issue is not resolved, go to the next step. 

6.   Note: The Command.com file is not edited or created in this in the following process. Because of this, you may have to expand it from your Windows XP CD-ROM. 

START NOTEPAD

7.   In Notepad, type the following entries:
  
    dos=high, umb
    device=c:\windows\system32\himem.sys
    files=40

8   On the File menu, click Save As. 

9.   In the File Name box, type   Config.nt  , and then click Save. Close the Config.nt file. 

10.  On the File menu, click New. 

11.  In the new blank document, type the following entries: 

     @echo off
     lh c:\windows\system32\mscdexnt.exe
     lh c:\windows\system32\redir
     lh c:\windows\system32\dosx
     SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 P330 T3

12.   On the File menu, click Save As. 

13.   In the File Name box, type   Autoexec.nt   ,  and then click Save. Close the Autoexec.nt file. 

14.   Start Windows Explorer. Locate the Config.nt file, right-click the Config.nt file, and then click Copy. 

15.   Right-click the C:\Windows\System32 folder, and then click Paste. 

16.   Locate the Autoexec.nt file, right-click the Autoexec.nt file, and then click Copy. 

17.   Right-click the C:\Windows\System32 folder, and then click Paste. 

18.   Locate the Command.com file, right-click the expanded Command.com file, and then click Copy. 

20.   Right-click the C:\Windows\System32 folder, and then click Paste. 

21.   Restart your computer. You should be fine from here on.

Hope that helps.
 
 

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