Microsoft KB Archive/245184

= NTVDM CPU Has Encountered an Illegal Instruction =

Article ID: 245184

Article Last Modified on 11/1/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition

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This article was previously published under Q245184



SYMPTOMS
When you attempt to run a 16-bit program on a computer running Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 3, the program may quit immediately, or you may receive the following error message:

Hidden Console of WOW VDM

The NTVDM CPU has encountered an illegal instruction.

CS: 04c3 IP:3937 OP:c71c 9d 37 00

Choose Close to terminate the application.

When you click Close, you may receive several similar error messages.



CAUSE
This behavior can occur if you use an incorrect version of the Command.com file. For example, this issue is known to occur if you use a Command.com file included in Microsoft Windows 95, dated 7/11/95.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, replace the Command.com file in the Winnt\System32 folder with the same file from another computer that is running Windows NT Workstation 4.0 or Windows NT Server 4.0, and then make sure that there are no Command.com files dated 7/11/95 on the computer. You can also replace the Command.com file on the computer with the same file on the Windows NT installation CD-ROM.

Additional query words: NT simulate emulate 95

Keywords: kbprb KB245184

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