DOCUMENT:Q143388 08-AUG-2001 [winnt] TITLE :16-bit Windows Programs May Not Start PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:WinNT:3.5,3.51 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbenv ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51 - Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When you attempt to run a 16-bit Windows program in its own memory space, an error message may briefly appear on the screen, and the program may not start. CAUSE ===== This behavior can occur if either of the following conditions exists: - Folders in the path to the program (.exe) file contain long file names (LFNs). - Folders in the path to the program file contain extended characters. NOTE: There may be other possible causes for this behavior. RESOLUTION ========== To resolve this behavior, use one or more of the following methods: - Change the folder names in the path so that they do not contain extended characters. - Rename folders so that they conform to the MS-DOS 8.3 naming convention. - Do not run the program in a separate memory space. This causes the program to be run in a shared memory space within a single Windows-On- Windows (WOW) environment. STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Windows NT 3.5 and 3.51. This problem is resolved in Microsoft Windows NT 4.0. Additional query words: prodnt windows on windows ntvdm ====================================================================== Keywords : kbenv Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNT351search kbWinNT350search kbWinNTW350 kbWinNTW350search kbWinNTW351search kbWinNTW351 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTS350 kbWinNTS351search kbWinNTS350search Version : WinNT:3.5,3.51 Issue type : kbbug Solution Type : kbfix ============================================================================= 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.