Microsoft KB Archive/102057

= How Windows NT Recognizes MS-DOS - Based Applications =

Article ID: 102057

Article Last Modified on 10/31/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
 * Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1

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This article was previously published under Q102057



SUMMARY
Windows NT recognizes a file as an MS-DOS - based application and gives it to the MS-DOS subsystem if the file meets the following criteria:


 * It is a .COM file.
 * It is an .EXE file and has no extended header (that is, no NE signature).
 * It is an .EXE file and has an extended header with an LE signature.
 * It is an .EXE file, has an NE signature, but there is no DOSCALLS.DLL in the import table
 * It is an .EXE file, has an NE signature, but no special signatures, such as:


 * ExeType in the extended header equal to 5 (DOS4.0)
 * No import table entry
 * "mode EXE$" signature in the extended header (Borland application)
 * "16STUB" signature in the extended header (Borland application)
 * "Phar Lap Software, Inc." signature in the extended header (Phar Lap extended header)
 * "Copyright (C) Rational Systems Inc." signature in the extended header (rational extended header)
 * Lotus 1-2-3 preloader signature of (certain version of 123.EXE)

Additional query words: prodnt

Keywords: kbinterop kb3rdparty KB102057

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