Long PATH Environment Variable Causes 16-bit Apps to Hang

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

Certain 16-bit applications may stop responding (hang) or fail to run. When you look at Processes in Task Manager, it shows NTVDM at or around 100 percent CPU time.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the PATH statement is approximately 200 character or more in length.

RESOLUTION

Use one of the following methods to resolve this problem:

Method 1

The PATH statement can be found in two locations. Shortening one or both statements should fix the problem.

PATH in System Properties:

1. In Control Panel, double-click the System icon. Click the Environment tab.

2. Under System Variables, select PATH and shorten the value.

3. Click Set, and then click OK.

1. Use Notepad to open Autoexec.nt, which is located in the %SystemRoot%\System32\Autoexec.nt directory.

2. Shorten any PATH= statement.

3. Save Autoexec.nt.

Method 2

Increase the environment size in Config.nt:

1. Use Notepad to open Config.nt, which is located in the %SystemRoot%\System32 directory.

2. Add the following statement:

         SHELL=%systemroot%\system32\command.com /e:2048
   

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.