Old software won't install on XP

[MarkG]

I'm trying to install some old software on my XP Home system. I get this error each time:

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\AUTOEXEC.NT
The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsft Windows applications.

I've tried using the compatability function on the install.exe's and setup.exe's but I still get the same errors. Does this mean I can't even play my old games like: Redneck Rampage and Decent?

[Donald]

Hi MarkG !

I don't know much about all of this, but I have this link in my E: Drive Data Base. As best as I understand is that you download this program and it will let you run DOS based games on XP. You can check it out and see if it is for you , I just don't know but check it out. Remember ALWAYS make a 'System Restore' point BEFORE downloading and installing new applications.--------------Good Luck--------Don

http://sourceforge.net/projects/dosbox

[MarkG]

Thanks Donald, that worked to some degree...there's got to be a better way though. I'm getting the same message on almost everything I try to install including Visual Basic 6.0 Professional. I'm just frustrated that I spent all this money on a new computer and now I can't seem to install most of my programs on it. A big boo hoo!

[RJ]

What other programs are you trying to install ?

The oldest software that I have is Word 97 and it installs and works fine in Windows XP (Original, XP1, and XP2).

RJ

[MarkG]

The programs that won't install are: Adobe PhotoDeluxe HE 3.0, MS Visual Basic 6.0 Pro Ed., Personal Entertainment Organizer for PEG-S300 series (Palm Desktop), and a few games... Descent 2, Chessmaster 5500, MYST, Tomb Raider (The Last Revelation)

These programs I obtained around 1997-9 and I've noticed that most of the above program were originally written for Windows 95.

I had no problems installing: MS Office 97 (Pro Edition), Textpad, JDK, Eclipse & UML, Visual Paradigm, Noteworthy Composer 1.75b, the software for my hardware, and a couple of modern PC games.

An IT friend of mine suggested that it has something to do with the Service Pack 2 for XP and recommended that I re-install XP without the SP2. Another IT friend said scrap XP altogether and install Windows 98! (Sore customer!)

[RJ]

Try the compatibility mode. That helped me installing Word 97 on SP2 RC2.

RJ

[MarkG]

Thanks RJ, I tried that but it didn't work with the programs I was trying to install. I actually took my IT friends advice and re-installed Windows XP without service pack 2 and now XP installs and runs ALL my programs fine. Problem Solved - kind of!

[Donald]

Hi MarkG !
Just curious. At the end of your post , you said 'kind of' . Was there a 'kind of' little problem left?--------I my self don't care for any up dates at this time.My Windows XP does everything it should. Maybe that will change-- "but why "--------Don