DOCUMENT:Q103104 08-AUG-2001 [winnt] TITLE :Err Msg: The Win16 Subsystem Was Unable to Enter Protect... PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER::2000,3.51 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbtool ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.51 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server - Microsoft Windows 2000 Server - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 : kbtool Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNT351search kbwin2000AdvServ kbwin2000AdvServSearch kbwin2000Serv kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTAdvSerSearch kbwin2000ServSearch kbwin2000Search kbwin2000ProSearch kbwin2000Pro kbWinNTS351search kbWinAdvServSearch Version : :2000,3.51 ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.