I am running Windows XP Pro with Service Pack 3 on a Dell XPS 630i. I recently had to re-install my OS b/c of the Windows updated BSOD and a bad root file caused me not to be able to recover.that was another issue and I just dealt with the factthat I had to re-install my OS.I have had the computer for about a year. When I first got the computer I installed 2 or 3 16-bit applications and they ran great. I never had an issue. This is the same factory OEM Windows XP Pro that came with the computer. It was service pack 2 out ofthe box.So the other day, I re-installed the OS (service pack 2) to take me back to my factory settings.
I downloaded all the windows updates, which took me up to Service pack 3. Now I can’t run 16-bit applications.Does anyone know how or why I can’t run these applications?I really don’t care why, I guess if someone could help me get them to run, I would be greatly appreciative.MS had an article in their knowledge base about 16-bit programs causing errors in XP. It told you to basically replace or re-write the config.nt, autoexec.nt and command.com files.I did this with no success. Nothing changed.Basically when I click on the setup.exe file of the 16-bit application, the machine starts to run by unpacking files to a local temp folder in my documents and settings. It looks to me that all the files are copied to the folder.My guess is the next step would be some type of installer package would start, but then it just does not continue. Windows continues to operate normally and you would not even know anything is running or wrong.
No windows are open or the program does not start to load or give any errors. Once you are restarting or shutting down the OS, you get End Program screen pop up that is trying to shut down WOWEXEC. If you end the program, it continues to shut down, but then another system error screen pops up saying “The request to end the selected 16 bit task has timed out. The Win 16 Subsystem may be unstable. Press OK to terminate the Win 16 Subsystem or Cancel to leave it running”. Obviously b/c I was shutting down, this error came up and I click OK and the system shuts down.
It starts back up and if I try to load the application, I get back to the same spot. I have let the application try to run for a few hours and it never loads.Please keep in mind, these programs ran on this machine before, with the exact same OS. I tried to run the application on other Windows XP pro systems and they runthis does not make any sense.The only thing that I can think is that b/c I downloaded and installed the windows updates and IE 8, I am no longer able to install a 16 bit application.Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get these programs to run in XP Pro with service pack 3?I have thought about re-installing windows again and starting from scratch, but I really don’t want to have to go through installing all my drivers again.
That took a really long time.Please provide some assistance. I ended up getting the application to run on the new machine by going to a Windows XP with SP3 machine that was currently running the application with no problems. I copied all the files in the appropiate folders for the application and flashed them inthe same folders on the machine that was not loading the application.
When I clicked the EXE file on the new machine, the program was searching for a few DLLs I went back to the other machine, again copying the DLLs and pasted them in the windows foldersand the application works.My assumption is that when you install the updates to windows, it causes problems with older versions of Installshield when installing certain 16-bit applications. Fortunately, this application did not need registry entries and was able to run without doingmore than copying a few files.Thanks for your assistance.
Hy there,I'm getting more and more annoyed by vista so I decided to put xp on it. I have a genuine xp cd and I used nLite to make a beautifull disk with all the service packs and drivers integrated. That done, during installation the computer asks for my product code.
It says it's the wrong one, which is not.I googled a bit and decided to start from scrap with my xp cd. First the thing didn't worked because it needed the sata drivers. So I downloaded them from the dell site, put them on a floppy disk. And now after the compu has loaded all the drivers it stops at the screen where you must choose if you want to install a complete new xp or repair the existing one. I tried it several times and it still stops, crashes, at the same screen.So, what am I doing wrong?
The drives are raid 0 and 1 configurated. There is still a vista version on the computer, maybe that is inflicting the intallation?
Dell Xps 630i Drivers
With nLite I could make partitions and format the whole thing, with just the xp cd the machine still has a problem with recognizing the hard-disks I think??Can you guys maybe help me out? Should I try the vista drivers for xp?And the xp disk is from my old compu wich is not a dell, could this inflict the installation as well?I'm running a Q9450, allready removed 2Gb ram, so I have 2Gb left.Many thanks,Michiel. Is the windoows xp cd that you have, did that come preinstalled on a store bought computer? If it is then in some cases ive ran into the XP install is matched to the bios on the motherboard and wont beable to use that same install on another motherboard.
Now with the vista 64 bit os that came with the 630 i have installed a new evga 870I motherboard and havent had any problems with this. I did run into a issue when i tried out vista 64 bit ultimate and forgot to format the hd. Gave me all types of grief and i didnt care for more of the useless junk they include so i went back to premium. As for the raid issue. I have yet to even try it, someone from this site will post more info for you. I also did a downgrade to XP. Everything is working like a charm now, except the bluetooth thing, but who needs that anyway.
Do not instlal the Nvidia ESA thing, it is buggy as hell.I think, as posted before re. The xp install cd, you should look for a 'neutral' install cd, I let you the guessing, what I mean. Then, as you did, use nlite, download all the drivers, include them (forceware, new 182. Graphics drivers, etc.) and do the install.As you got a legal copy of vista, you should not care about installing vista.Later on, if everything works perfect, install rivatuner, the Dell thermal application and the alienware FX, so you are in control of your own computerAs Dell also wrote me, they do not support a downgrade anymore, if you did not buy it with the order.