Error when trying to install software

I have checked many threads and don't see anything that matches this error. If I have repeated, I apologize. I have WinXP 2002 SP-1 with 1GB Ram, and my system was locking up and very slow, using 97% of my resources with many svchost.exe running. I couldn't do anything, so I uninstalled all Norton Internet Security software and reinstalled WinXP. I then reinstalled all Norton security. After that, I tried to reinstall CleanSweep 2001, which was running on my pc prior to deleting Norton software. Now when I try to install it or various other software, I get the error pictured:

Windows Error Message Box: 16-Bit Windows Subsystem
c:\windows\systems32\autoexec.nt
The system file is not suitable for running MS-Dos and MS Windows Applications. Choose "close or Ignore" to terminate.

HOW DO I FIX THIS? I WENT TO MICROSOFT SITE AND FOUND WHAT LOOKED LIKE A FIX, BUT IT DIDN'T WORK. WHAT NOW???

HELP PLEASE!

Thanks!

 

pansygirl,

Try this, http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;324767

Note: One of our senior members also suggest adding this extra step.There is either spyware or viruses modifying these files, even after replacing them.
So before rebooting on the replacement step, set all files to read only.

Let us know.

Steve

 

Hi Matacumbie:

Thanks for addressing my problem. Here is what happens when I try this fix. I have tried this twice before and got the same results. This time I stopped at the screen shot I am attaching. It doesn't look right so before I move on, I am asking you to look at it. If it is not correct, what do I do.

About possible spyware, I know I keep getting BargainBuddy flagged and a few other files that Norton AV calls Malware, as well as Ad-Aware SE. I am unable to completely get rid of these files and this may well be part of the problem. Try as I may, I have not suceeded.

Thanks,
Linda aka pansygirl

 

You are taking the article too literally.

Replace "CD Rom Drive letter" with the letter of your cd rom drive with the XP CD in it.

 

Thanks to Matacumbie! Worked like a charm! Once I figured out that I was being too literal, as Adrynalyne pointed out...lol.

Thanks to Adrynalyne for not laughing outloud in your post to me regarding being too literal. I'm still smacking myself in the head over that one. Blonde, what can I say? Lol!

Seriously though, thanks to both of you for your help...heaven knows I'm going to need a lot of it. Just posted another problem for anyone to help with.

Thanks,
Linda aka pansygirl