Please help! Error when trying to run certain programs.

Category: Geeks r Us

Post 1 by Twinklestar09 (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Friday, 24-Dec-2010 4:59:34

Hi all. I'm having a problem with an error message I keep getting lately. I had been using Avast, but have recently uninstalled it several months ago since I decided to use a different antivirus program.
When I try to open OpenBook, and apparently with some other programs, I get this message:
"16-bit Windows Subsystem: C:Program FilesAlwil SoftwareAvast5aswMonVd.dll. An installable Virtual Device Driver failed Dll Initialization. Choose 'Close' to terminate the application. Close button Ignore button"
I found out that there's a way to get rid of this problem; I found some help at this site:
http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/thread-2099468.php
One of the posters there gave this info:
"Using the Folder Options applet in Control Panel, make sure all hidden files/extensions are visible. Then go to C:WindowsSystem32 and find config.nt. Right click on it and open it with Notepad. Make the changes suggested by the poster on the forum I gave you and Save the file." (The site she/he is talking about is at
http://groups.google.com/groups?thr...Q%40comcast.com
, which is no longer up when I clicked on it.)
Anyway, the main thing that they were saying to fix that person's (and my) problem was to "comment out" a certain line. What does that mean and how do you do that; I can't find a specific example on how to do it, and I've never personally messed with system-related files before so want to make sure I'll know what I'm doing before anything. Thanks for any help.

Post 2 by BigDogDaddy (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Friday, 24-Dec-2010 7:32:10

What's the operating system you're using.
I've seen these sub system errors before, and they usually refer to a config file or a com1 error. I found an artickle on the microsoft site that seems to be more specific to your situation. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/254914 This reffers to windows 2000, but I've used these steps before for xp with the exception that instead of regedit32 it's just regedit after windows 2k. I'd be happy to help out even possibly via tandem if you needed some additional help.

Post 3 by Twinklestar09 (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Friday, 24-Dec-2010 7:35:50

Thanks. And I'll check that site out; I'm using Windows XP.

Post 4 by BigDogDaddy (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Friday, 24-Dec-2010 7:40:50

Here is the windows xp equal of the earlier link.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314452/

Post 5 by Twinklestar09 (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Friday, 24-Dec-2010 7:48:35

OK; cool. I found it, and I'm following the steps from there right now. Thanks again for all your help. *smile*