Windows Err Msg: Cannot Run DOS Application in Second... (84794)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows 3.11
This article was previously published under Q84794

SYMPTOMS

You may receive one of the following error messages when you run Windows version 3.1:
Cannot run DOS application in second instance of Windows

-or-

Cannot start non-windows application in second instance of Windows

CAUSE

This problem occurs when you have outdated Windows 3.0 system files in the Windows \SYSTEM subdirectory.

RESOLUTION

To correct this problem locate and replace the outdated files.

Check the Windows \SYSTEM subdirectory for old .MOD files. The following files could cause the above error message if they are dated earlier than 3-10-92:

WINOLDAP.MOD
WINOA386.MOD
WINOA286.MOD

To correct this problem, expand the WINOLDAP.MOD file into the WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory, as follows: 
   c:\windows\expand a:\winoldap.mo_ c:\windows\system\winoldap.mod
If you are running Windows 3.1 on a 386 or higher machine, you will also need to expand WINOA386.MOD as follows: 
   c:\windows\expand a:\winoa386.mo_ c:\windows\system\winoa386.mod
Windows 3.1 does not need WINOA286.MOD; it is a Windows 3.0 file.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/13/2003
Keywords:KB84794
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.