Microsoft KB Archive/103104

Knowledge Base

"The Win16 Subsystem was unable to enter Protected Mode" error in Windows NT Server or in Windows 2000

Article ID: 103104

Article Last Modified on 2/20/2007

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APPLIES TO

• Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
• Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
• Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51

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This article was previously published under Q103104

SYMPTOMS

When the 16-bit Windows or Windows on Windows (WOW) subsystem starts, the following error message is displayed:

NOTE: The WOW subsystem may be started automatically when you start Windows NT or the first time you run a 16-bit Windows-based application.

The Win16 Subsystem was unable to enter Protected Mode, DOSX.EXE must be in your AUTOEXEC.NT and present in your PATH.

CAUSE

One or more of the following conditions exists in Microsoft Windows NT or Windows NT Advanced Server:

• HIMEM.SYS or DOSX.EXE is missing or corrupt in the SYSTEM32 directory.
• HIMEM.SYS is not being loaded in the CONFIG.NT file.
• DOSX.EXE is not being loaded in the AUTOEXEC.NT file.

RESOLUTION

Make sure that the line, "device=%SystemRoot%\system32\himem.sys," exists in the CONFIG.NT file.

Make sure that the line, "lh %SystemRoot%\system32\dosx.exe," exists in the AUTOEXEC.NT file.

Expand HIMEM.SYS, DOSX.EXE, or both from the Windows NT setup disks or CD- ROM disc if either or both are missing from the SYSTEM32 directory.

For more information on DOSX.EXE, query on the following keywords in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   WOW and 16-BIT
                

Additional query words: wfw wfwg prodnt wow 16-bit

Keywords: KB103104

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