Error messages in boot up

Hi guys, I appreciate any help on the matter.

for quite some time I've been getting TWO error messages during system BOOT UP.

the two errors are:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\AUTOEXEC.NT. The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows application. Choose 'close' to terminate the application.

============

C:\PROGRA~1\Xpoint\PE\vpd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\AUTOEXEC.NT. The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows application. Choose 'close' to terminate the application.


1- what are they about?
and
2- how do I get rid of them?

thanks a million everyone


I have an XP home SP3, 512 RAM, 40 GB HD,

 

And for how long has this been occurring? Can you go to a restore point previous to the issue? Do you also get these messages in safe mode? Any errors in your device manager? Any other performance problems?
From a command, try running sfc /scannow
Note the space before the /
:wave:wave

 

^ thanks for the reply.

1- it's been quite long and the restore point prior to that is lost !

2- I shall try it in the safe mode

3- I cant recognize anything related to this in device manager. but I'll try a screen shot and post it here.

4- I will try the command and let you know.

thanks again

 

thanks to everyone for their help.

I think it is solved finally.
well, I restarted it and the messages didnt appear.

cheers all