KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q84794: Windows Err Msg: Cannot Run DOS Application in Second…

Article: Q84794
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.1,3.11
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): win31
Last Modified: 24-OCT-1999

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows versions 3.1, 3.11 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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This problem occurs when you have outdated Windows 3.0 system files in the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To correct this problem locate and replace the outdated files.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.

Additional query words: 3.10 3.11 applications err msg

======================================================================
Keywords          : win31 
Technology        : kbWin3xSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin310 kbWin311
Version           : WINDOWS:3.1,3.11

=============================================================================

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.