VirtualDeviceDrivers invalid

When I try to start a game on my computer I get the following:
16 bit Windows Subsystem
Hkey_Local_Machine\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\VirtualDeviceDrivers. Virtual Device Driver format in the registry is invalid. Choose "Close" to terminate the application.
[ Close ] [ Ignore ]
Close and Ignore are buttons.
If I chose Close, the notice goes away, but the game does not start.
If I chose Ignore, the game starts.
This has started lately. I have tried to restore to an earlier date, but it does not help. I removed the key from the registry, but that does not help. I removed Symantec "Norton" that was put in by Compaq, several years back. I then went to Symantec and downloaded their removal app, and used it. Also removed everything of Symantec and Norton from the registry. Never used them. Do not know if that is the problem. They take a lot of hard drive space.

 

A friend suggested that I try Campatibility. That did not work either.

 

Try this.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/254914/EN-US/

 

Thanks alot WhitPhil!!! I did the registry change and tried to start the game twice, and it opened both times. I will keep a record of that in case I or someone else I know needs it. Thanks again!