Older games on XP? Compatibility issues...

I run windows xp and now, some of my older games will not work. I don't get it; they (the games) worked before on xp with no problem, but now it I get this prompt:

C:\WINDOWS|SYSTEMS32\AUTOEXEC.NT. The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft applications. Choose "close" to terminate the application.

I get two options with this prompt, "Close", and "Ignore", both options have the same effect: quitting the prompt and nothing else.


So far, the games affected are Baldur's Gate 1 and Call of Duty. I would like to get to the root of the problem, because I like to play alot of older games. I apologize beforehand if someone already asked this question or it was covered in a guide somewhere on the site--I failed to notice or see any guides (not to say they aren't here).

Also, my system specs:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 7/21/2004, 17:27:11
Machine name: YOUR-US67PI6LUV
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 1 (2600.xpsp1.020828-1920)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 05
System Model: P9853A-ABA 763N
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.53GHz
Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 197MB used, 1053MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0b (4.09.0000.0902)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.0001.0902 32bit Unicode

Any help would be appreciated.

 

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

Step 4.

Set them to read only after replacing.

 

Thank you for the quick reply!

I followed the steps on Microsoft's webiste, but two things....

1) in the cmd window, I type in the entries as detailed in step four, and I get a message much like this:

Destination is not a directory: c:\windows\system32\config.nt

So, I move on to the other steps, pasting and copying said files, but I cannot find this "command.com" file. I tried the search tool, and still come up with nothing. As said on the website, I have to paste system32 to the command.com, but I can't find. What should I do?

 

The only thing I can say is you mis-typed something...

Post the exact steps you took, and exact error.

A screenshot would be great too, if you can

 

The steps I had taken include the following:

1) open start, then click on "run", enter in "cmd". The black DOS window opens

2) I highlight the text I'm supposed to enter, entering the the individual lines as detailed in the instructions, and paste them into the DOS window, pressing the enter button after each entry, thus getting the "Destination is not a directory..." message.

I don't know how to load the pic on my post, but I did take a screen shot: with the instructions from the website and the black cmd. window.

 

How would I set the commands I enter in the CMD window to "read only"?

 

Download XP_FIX.EXE
Go to
http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/action/r/http://www.visualtour.com/downloads/
or download it here http://www.visualtour.com/downloads/xp_fix.exe File Size:140 Kb

Quote: This installaton program will reinstall the missing or corrupt Windows XP system files command.com, autoexec.nt and config.nt. The absence or corruption of one or more of these files causes a "16 Bit Subsystem" error.(Edit: Error message.....C:\WINDOWS|SYSTEMS32\AUTOEXEC.NT. The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft applications. Choose "close" to terminate the application.)

We recommend that you download this file and save it to your desktop or to another location where you can find it. Double click on the file to run it once it's downloaded. If problem reoccurs in the future, simply re-run this program :End Quote

I've had the same problem as you and this fixes it easily every time!

 

Hi,

You can solve that problem by replacing the file:

1. Browse to C:\WINDOWS\repair
Right-Click and Copy the file named: autoexec.nt

2. Browse to C:\WINDOWS\System32
Right-Click in that window to Paste the file
(Answer yes if prompted to replace existing file)



thats all

go to the game and now you can install it is as easy as that i had the samn problem

 

Xp_Fix does that automatically!

 

Arguing about a month old thread?

Hmm...

 

So try DosBox!
http://dosbox.sourceforge.net/news.php?show_news=1

---begin ad blurb---

DOSBox is a DOS-emulator that uses the SDL-library which makes DOSBox very easy to port to different platforms. DOSBox has already been ported to many different platforms, such as Windows, BeOS, Linux, MacOS X...

DOSBox also emulates CPU:286/386 realmode/protected mode, Directory FileSystem/XMS/EMS, Tandy/Hercules/CGA/EGA/VGA/VESA graphics, a SoundBlaster/Gravis Ultra Sound card for excellent sound compatibility with older games...

You can "re-live" the good old days with the help of DOSBox, it can run plenty of the old classics that don't run on your new computer!

DOSBox is totally free of charge and OpenSource.

Check our "Downloads" section for the most recent DOSBox version

---end ad blurb---

OK...
For my part, I've used this to successfully run 1980s-90s games like Lemmings, Thexder, Gobliiins, Blake Stone, etc...so it's time to dig out your abandonware, eh?

Hope this was what you're looking for!

 

Why mask a problem by using another program?

 

Try right click the prog exe and choose the compatability mode for your OS.

 

Ok, Im going to close this thread. People are dropping in here, posting BS, when more than one correct solution has been mentioned. In addition the thread is old, and either the poster isn't reviewing it any longer, or has fixed the problem.