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Q103104: Err Msg: The Win16 Subsystem Was Unable to Enter Protect…

Article: Q103104
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): 2000,3.51
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbtool
Last Modified: 08-AUG-2001

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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 
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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

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Keywords          : kbtool 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNT351search kbwin2000AdvServ kbwin2000AdvServSearch kbwin2000Serv kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTAdvSerSearch kbwin2000ServSearch kbwin2000Search kbwin2000ProSearch kbwin2000Pro kbWinNTS351search kbWinAdvServSearch
Version           : :2000,3.51

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