Strange error message regarding DOSX??

When attempting to install some programs, ones designated to work with WIndows XP (or even programs that simply extract files), I get the following error message:

16-bit Windows Subsystem

An application has attempted to load a 16-bit device driver, which cannot be supported. This may cause the application to function incorrectly. Choose 'Close' to terminate the application.

Choosing 'Close' simply exits... Choosing "Ignore" brings up the following error message:

System Error:

The Win16 Subsystem was unable to enter Protected Mode, DOSX.EXE must be in your AUTOEXEC.NT and present in your PATH.

The things is, DOSX.EXE *is* present in that file, and in the path. I've been able to install these programs on other Windows XP systems, so I *know* the problem is not these applications. Short of re-installing all of Windows XP, can anyone tell me how to fix this?

When I try to run DOSX.EXE manually, ironically I get the same error... then some brief error about "Unable to load 16-bit application... Cannot find HMA... running DOS low..." How the heck can there be a High Memory Area in Windows XP? I thought that died with the end of Windows 9x??

Thanks in advance!

Yours,
Matthew R. Doebler
DUPDUP@psu.edu

 

Do you have the default settings (below)?

Config.nt contains the following commands by default:
dos=high, umb
device=%SystemRoot%\system32\himem.sys
files=40

Autoexec.nt contains the following commands by default:
@echo off
lh %SystemRoot%\system32\mscdexnt.exe
lh %SystemRoot%\system32\redir
lh %SystemRoot%\system32\dosx
SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 P330 T3

 

Here's mine for what it's worth:

config.nt

dos=high, umb
device=%SystemRoot%\system32\himem.sys
files=40


autoexec.nt

@echo off
lh %SystemRoot%\system32\mscdexnt.exe
lh %SystemRoot%\system32\redir
lh %SystemRoot%\system32\dosx
SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 P330 T3

It looks like it bears out what you're saying Newt.

 

Guys,

Thanks for the prompt replies...

Unfortunately, I do have the correct CONFIG.NT and AUTOEXEC.NT settings.

When I try to manually load any of the programs in AUTOEXEC.NT, I get the same error message that I mentioned above when I try to run DOSX.EXE manually. I get the same 16-bit error subsystem error, followed by a quick DOS screen that says, "HMA not available... Loading DOS low ", and then it disappears, failing to run the program.

I think the problem is deeper than I wish it were. Something fundamental is not happening. I wonder if it has to do with even a memory issue with my BIOS or motherboard. Ironically, other programs (perhaps pure 32-bit??) are working just fine. My system is amazingly stable, and it has yet to crash fatally.

Any more advice on troubleshooting would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Yours,
Matthew R. Doebler
DUPDUP@psu.edu

 

Have you tried extracting the original dosx.exe and himem.sys from the XP CD in case they are corrupt?

 

Wow... you guys are good... The DOSX.EXE file was fine, but the HIMEM.SYS file was only 945 bytes... even worse, it was a TEXT message about the HyperTerminal program!!! Don't ask me how in the world this got corrupt. Regardless, I copied the 4,768 byte HIMEM.SYS from the Windows XP CD, and all is well. Looks like despite Microsoft's claims, "legacy" DOS files like HIMEM.SYS are still needed to do things in Windows XP. (Yeah, I know, it is only *emulating* DOS in protected mode, blah blah blah)

Thanks so much for your insight. Despite Windows pointing the error to DOSX.EXE, the real culprit was HIMEM.SYS

This board ROCKS!!!!

Yours,
Matthew R. Doebler

 

All credit goes to Unixfan.

I would recommend a full virus scan with the latest dope just to be sure something isn't renaming your files for you.

Good luck.