What's the problem

Hi! I now have a problem when installing anything on my computer. I get an error message that says The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications. I found the solution on your website (THANK YOU). The solution states:

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 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:

Insert the CD into the CD drive or DVD drive.

Click Start, and then click Run.

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

At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command:

expand CD-ROM Drive Letter:\i386\config.nt_ c:\windows\system32\config.nt

expand CD-ROM Drive Letter:\i386\autoexec.nt_ c:\windows\system32\autoexec.nt

expand CD-ROM Drive Letter:\i386\command.co_ c:\windows\system32\command.com

exit

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.

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.

In Notepad, type the following entries:

dos=high, umb

device=%SYSTEMROOT%\system32\himem.sys

files=40

On the File menu, click Save As.

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

On the File menu, click New.

In the new blank document, type the following entries:

@echo off

lh %SYSTEMROOT%\system32\mscdexnt.exe

lh %SYSTEMROOT%\system32\redir

lh %SYSTEMROOT%\system32\dosx

SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 P330 T3

On the File menu, click Save As.

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

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

Right-click the %SYSTEMROOT%\System32 folder, and then click Paste.

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

Right-click the %SYSTEMROOT%\System32 folder, and then click Paste.

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

Right-click the %SYSTEMROOT%\System32 folder, and then click Paste. Restart your computer.

I can do these steps:

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

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

Right-click the %SYSTEMROOT%\System32 folder, and then click Paste.

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

Right-click the %SYSTEMROOT%\System32 folder, and then click Paste.

I CANNOT GET THE COMMAND.COM FILE TO COPY AND PASTE INTO THE SYSTEM32 FILE. I GET AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT SAYS IT IS A READ-ONLY FILE. HOW CAN I GET THE COMMAND.COM FILE INTO THE SYSTEM32 FILE? DO I NEED TO RE-WRITE THE FILE AND IF SO COULD YOU GIVE ME INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO DO SO? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

This question was answered on September 22, 2004. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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To resolve this problem, rename the %WinDir%\System32\Catroot2 folder For more information about how to rename folders by using the Windows XP user interface, click Start, click Help and Support, type renaming folders, press ENTER, and then click Change the name of a file or folder

To rename the %WinDir%\System32\Catroot2 folder at a command prompt, follow these steps:

While the Setup program is running, and while the error message still appears on the screen, press SHIFT F10 to start a command prompt.

At the command prompt, type cd\windows\system32\, and then press ENTER

Type rename catroot2 catold, press ENTER, and then restart the computer.

Try again to finish the upgrade

If you cannot start a command prompt while the Setup program is running, start the computer from a Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Millennium Edition startup disk, and then rename the %WinDir%\System32\Catroot2 folder Or, start the computer from the Windows XP CD, and then rename the folder in Recovery Console

STATUS

About the author

Posted by Anderson of Katharine Gibbs School - New York on September 22, 2004

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