Microsoft KB Archive/254914

= Virtual device driver error message in 16-Bit MS-DOS subsystem =

Article ID: 254914

Article Last Modified on 3/27/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition

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This article was previously published under Q254914





For a Microsoft Windows XP version of this article, see 314452.

Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry



SYMPTOMS
After you install some programs, one of the following error messages may appear when you attempt to run 16-bit programs:

16 bit MS-DOS Subsystem



. An installable Virtual Device Driver failed DLL initialization. Choose 'Close' to terminate the application.

-or-

16 bit MS-DOS Subsystem



SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\VirtualDeviceDrivers. VDD. Virtual Device Driver format in the registry is invalid. Choose 'Close' to terminate the application.

In some cases, clicking Ignore allows the program to run properly, but the error message continues to be displayed when you start 16-bit programs.



CAUSE
This behavior can occur if the following registry value has become corrupted:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\VirtualDeviceDrivers\VDD

This issue may occur after you install a 16-bit program, or a program that uses a 16-bit installation program, that is not Windows 2000 compliant.



RESOLUTION
Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.  Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe). Locate and click the following value:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\VirtualDeviceDrivers\VDD

 On the Edit menu, click Delete. On the Edit menu, click Add Value. Type VDD in the Value Name box, click REG_MULTI_SZ for the Data Type, and then click OK.</li> The Multi-String editor appears. Leave this entry blank and click OK.</li> Quit Registry Editor.</li></ol>

If the above steps do not work, or if you are unable to create the VDD key, it may be necessary to also delete and recreate the whole VirtualDeviceDrivers registry key.

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STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

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MORE INFORMATION
These error messages can also occur in Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 if this key is manually deleted for testing purposes.

Additional query words: kbfaqw2kperf

Keywords: kb3rdparty kbappdev kberrmsg kbprb KB254914

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