Entries in Config.nt or Autoexec.nt May Cause NTVDM Errors

Last reviewed: March 27, 1997
Article ID: Q156687

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you start a 16-bit application, you receive an error message similar to the following:

   16 Bit Windows Subsystem - Hidden Console of WOWVDM.
   The NTVDM CPU has encountered an illegal instruction. Source

CAUSE

When you receive WOWVDM error messages when starting 16 bit applications, they may be caused by problems with the Config.nt or Autoexec.nt file. These files are parsed each time a VDM is started. If there are problems with these files, you may see error messages such as the above.

RESOLUTION

Either restore the Config.nt or Autoexec.nt file, or remark (REM) any nonstandard lines in the existing files to determine which file is the source of the errors. Remove the offending line(s).

Additional query words: prodnt
Keywords : kbusage nt16ap NTSrvWkst
Version : 3.5 3.51 4.0
Platform : WinNT
Issue type : kberrmsg

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Last reviewed: March 27, 1997
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