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Missing or corrupt autoexec.nt file could cause setup error

By JOHN TORRO
Published August 15, 2005

Q. When I try to install software (Windows XP), as soon as I click on setup.exe I get this message: "16 bit Windows Subsystem ? C:\Windows\system32\AutoExec.nt. The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows application. Choose close to terminate the application." The first few times this happened I was trying to install some old software, and I figured that the software would just not run under XP.This time I was trying to reload Quicken 2003 and got this message. This was from the same disk that I had originally loaded this software on this PC. This software states that it will run under XP. What could be wrong? What should I look at?

A. This error can occur if the autoexec.nt file is missing or corrupt. It is usually in the C:\Windows\System32 directory (for Windows XP). An easy method to replace this file is to look in the C:\Windows\Repair directory and simply copy it into the C:\Windows\System32 directory. If you can't locate a copy of this file, you will need to extract it from your original source CD as follows. From the command prompt, type these commands substituting D: with your CD-ROM drive letter designation:

expand D:\i386\autoexec.nt_ c:\windows\system32\autoexec.nt

exit

Q. This message comes up when booting up my computer (Windows 98 Second Edition): "A required DLL FILE, XMLPARSE.DLL was not found." Unless I click OK, it will not go away. How can I get rid of this message?

A. XMLParse.DLL is part of Yahoo Messenger. It is not a problem other than the error message being a nuisance. You can remove it by uninstalling it from Control Panel, Add/Remove programs.

Q. I had more memory installed, because I kept getting messages that I needed more. It is happening again, and I don't have a lot of things installed on my computer (Windows 98). What could be causing this message to come back again and so soon?

A. You didn't specify exactly what the message was and where it was coming from, so I can't be specific about the cause or solution. But here are a few things that help to understand memory usage on a Windows 98 PC: Since Windows 98 still has many of the DOS restrictions, it doesn't matter how much total memory you have when it comes time for Windows to keep track of many of its operating system components. There is a limit well below the total memory that Windows can use to keep track of its resources. Perhaps the message you're seeing relates to this type of situation. The message you are seeing also could be the result of a buggy or corrupted program. You can try to narrow it down by process of elimination. Windows XP has a very different operating system in which these resource limits are usually never a factor. It makes much better use of extra memory than the older Windows versions.

Q. I have a problem with Task Manager (Ctrl-Alt-Del). Whenever I use it, the Task window comes up, listing the tasks. The problem is that there is no way to get rid of the Task window. There is no X box in the upper right corner, nothing on the window that allows me to exit, nothing on right-click. I can't minimize it, either. My only options are to slide it off to the edge of my screen so it is not showing, or reboot.

A. What you have run into is called Task Manager tiny footprint mode, which removes the menu bar and the page tabs. All you need to do is double-click just inside the edge of Task Manager to restore the menubar. Double-click again and it will re-enter tiny footprint mode.

Q. I can't get rid of the pesky popup Aurora.

A. Go to www.mypctuneup.com/aurora and follow the instructions to download the tool that will rid your PC of this pest.

[Last modified August 12, 2005, 09:42:04]