Error When EMS Memory Is Configured for MS-DOS App in .pif File

ID: Q196875

The information in this article applies to:

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

SYMPTOMS

You may receive the following error message after you modify the custom configuration settings for an MS-DOS or Win16 application:

%systemroot%\System32\Config.Nt. The system file is not suitable for
running MS-DOS and MS Windows applications.

This error occurs when a .pif file is used to establish EMS memory and a custom Config.nt and Autoexec.nt are specified in the PIF file. Either the application will use the default configuration files in the %SystemRoot%\System32 folder, if they exist, or it will generate the error message listed above. Settings in the custom configuration files in a folder other than %SystemRoot%\System32 will not be used if EMS is specified in the .pif settings.

CAUSE

The location of the custom configuration files is lost when EMS memory is established. The default configuration file location is used.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or the individual software update. For information on obtaining the latest service pack, please go to:

http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/ServicePacks/

Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack

For information on obtaining the individual software update, contact Microsoft Product Support Services. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:

http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/overview/overview.asp

NOTE: If this product was already installed on your computer when you purchased it from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and you need this fix, please call the Pay Per Incident number listed on the above Web site. If you contact Microsoft to obtain this fix, and if it is determined that you only require the fix you requested, no fee will be charged. However, if you request additional technical support, and if your no-charge technical support period has expired, or if you are not eligible for standard no-charge technical support, you may be charged a non-refundable fee.

For more information about eligibility for no-charge technical support, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q154871 Determining If You Are Eligible for No-Charge Technical Support

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT version 4.0 Service Pack 5.

Additional query words: default.pif

Keywords : kbbug4.00 kbfix4.00 nt4sp5fix
Version : WinNT:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbbug