Unable to Run 16-bit Applications If FILES= Is Greater Than 255

• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition

SYMPTOMS

Window NT Virtual DOS Machine (NTVDM) may not allow 16-bit applications to run after installing Windows NT on a computer where the previous operating system had a parameter of FILES=255 or greater in Config.sys file.

CAUSE

Windows NT copies the FILES= value from the Config.sys file into the Config.nt file during setup. Any value for FILES= greater than 255 copied into Config.nt will prevent 16-bit applications from starting.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 4.

Keywords : NT4SP4Fix kbbug4.00 kbfix4.00.sp4
Version : WinNT:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbbug