Why do 16-bit programs no longer run on a Windows 2000 system after I install Service Pack 2 (SP2)?

John Savill

July 18, 2002

1 Min Read
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A. Win2K SP2 introduced a program compatibility feature in the Windows NT Virtual DOS Machine (ntvdm.exe) that can prevent some 16-bit applications from running. If you receive the following error message, your program is experiencing this known problem:

 caused a General Protection Fault in module KRNL386.EXE at 0001:6382 Choose close.  will close.

To resolve the problem, perform the following steps:

  1. Start a registry editor (e.g., regedit.exe).

  2. Navigate to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlSession ManagerAppCompatibilityNTVDM.EXE subkey, then press Delete.

  3. Click Yes to the confirmation.

  4. Restart the computer.

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