running old software

[rkny]

I have some software on a CD that was designed for Windows 95/98. It used
to run okay on my home-version XP, as long as I opened it from the program
list under START-PROGRAMS. But suddenly it won't work. It gives me a
message as follows: "c:/windows/system32/autoexec.nt. The system file is
not suitable for running MS DOS and Microsoft Windows applications." What
is going on????? The CD is unharmed.

 

[Peter Foldes]

Follow the instructions. Your autoexec.nt is missing or damaged. After run your Malware,AV, Spybot

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/16bit.htm

 

[Rock]

I have some software on a CD that was designed for Windows 95/98. It used
to run okay on my home-version XP, as long as I opened it from the program
list under START-PROGRAMS. But suddenly it won't work. It gives me a
message as follows: "c:/windows/system32/autoexec.nt. The system file is
not suitable for running MS DOS and Microsoft Windows applications." What
is going on????? The CD is unharmed.

Error message when you install or start an MS-DOS or 16-bit
Windows-based program
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=324767

Also can be caused by a Trojan installing a file windupdater.exe and
creating registry entries for that file.
http://groups.google.com/[email protected]

AVAST (free antivirus software) can be the cause if SP2 is installed:
http://groups.google.com/[email protected]

You can put back the standard version of autoexec.nt by copying a backup
copy held in windows\repair to windows\system32.