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ntvdm.exe on XP?

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by Thoracias, 2008/07/14.

  1. 2008/07/14
    Thoracias

    Thoracias Inactive Thread Starter

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    I tried researching some of the archives on this problem and I see some discussion on it but no solutions. Just wondering if there have been any breakthroughs on getting this NTVDM.EXE to run properly on Windows XP?

    I am trying to run an older game that is seven discs long. We have made it ot the 5th disc so far but on one scene, suddenly we get the error message that it has to shut down becuase of this NTVDM.EXE.

    I, too, searched the internet for solotions and I get a lot of "scanners" that want to fix my PC for an extensive price. I tried going to the Microsoft website and finding a solution but no luck there, either.

    I know it can't be THAT difficult to fix this. Can someone offer some advice, please?
     
  2. 2008/07/14
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    NTVDM is the Windows 16-bit Virtual Machine. It provides an environment for a 16-bit process to execute on a 32-bit platform. You just may not be able to run the 16-bit game in Windows XP.
     
    Arie,
    #2

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  4. 2008/07/14
    mflynn

    mflynn Inactive

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    You may be running out of DOS environment BUFFERS, FILES, FCBS and STACKS.

    edit c:\windows\system\config.nt (this file is for 16bit and DOS otherwise not used by XP)

    If the setting are there then increase them to the below, if not there open a line and add them and save.

    FILES=120

    BUFFERS=80

    FCBS=32,32

    STACKS=9,256

    Then:

    I will give you 2 options, more than the below to run a game is not worth it!

    XP Compatability Mode!

    See these 2 links.
    http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/russel_02february18.mspx

    http://www.theeldergeek.com/use_compatibility_mode.htm

    Last resort: But somewhat more complex to setup!
    http://www.dosbox.com/


    Mike
     
  5. 2008/07/14
    Thoracias

    Thoracias Inactive Thread Starter

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    help?

    I did try to run the game in another compatability mode but the game's options only go to Windows 2000.
    Yes, I realize playing a 1995 game on today's system's is strange, lol, but it was a good game then and now my 15 yr old wants to play it. I could understand if the entire game would not load/play but I can't understand why it plays until the 5th disc and THEN has this error.
    Thank you for your help but I'm not sure what you mean baout changing those settings. Can you tell me step by step what to pull up?
     
    Last edited: 2008/07/14
  6. 2008/07/14
    mflynn

    mflynn Inactive

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    Are you sure that disk is not scratched or dammaged?

    OK
    Start-Run
    type
    cmd
    enter

    Then in cmd prompt type
    notepad c:\windows\system32\config.nt

    You will be editing a long document scroll to the bottom you will something similar to the below:

    Change or add the items in my last post. Do not change anything else.

    Hit x to exit and when it prompts to save answer yes.

    Mike
     
  7. 2008/07/15
    goddez1

    goddez1 Inactive

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    Hello Thoracias,

    I would also like to mention that many games also have had various patches released that fix bugs that were not noticed until after the games release. Some of the more popular ones also released windows operating system version compatibility updates. Many win95/98 games, needed one, when win xp was released. It is recommended that you look for and seek these patches. If any original support site, for the game, may not exist, depending upon the age of the game, many user sites will still have these available on their own servers.

    Google will also assist in finding users who may offer advice on the best method to get these games up and running in winxp.

    As a side note the latest Dosbox is very effective and relatively painless (after a slight learning curve). I use it frequently. It does require some some knowledge and comfort in using and typing dos commands in a dos box. A child may find this difficult. Keep in mind that the dosbox.config can be backed up and modified to make a shortcut that will run any commands needed to mount and play the game with one click of the shortcut, again this will take some learning, but may smooth out any difficulty a child would have. Or, as in my case, any laziness or lapse in memory, with the command lines needed to load the game. It's not for the meek or one who is dosbox challenged but can be a lifeline for some of the older games that are fussy or refuse to run in XP.

    ---------------
    If you care to be specific in what the name of the game is I can do some looking for ya'.
     
    Last edited: 2008/07/15

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