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Thread ID: 66045 2006-02-09 01:03:00 Help from Hell -- Microsoft's best? Graham L (2) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
428607 2006-02-09 01:03:00 I struck a persistent error this morning. It occurs when I start any DOS application. "The NTVDM CPU has encountered an illegal instruction. PC=.... It gives the choice of "Close" or "Ignore". Here's Microsoft's helpful advice (www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/Windows/2000/server/reskit/en-us/Default.asp?url=/resources/documentation/Windows/2000/server/reskit/en-us/w2000Msgs/1259.asp). Graham L (2)
428608 2006-02-09 01:17:00 User Action:

Retry the operation . If you still get this message, try to continue . If you are able to continue, you might want to check the results of the running application . Otherwise, terminate the application, then restart it . If you still get this message, contact your technical support group or the supplier of the running application .

Gee, aren't they clever, very economical, they reuse this phrase in every software they have written .

As to getting meaningful help, you're more likely to be shat on from a height by a passing porcine GL .
Murray P (44)
428609 2006-02-09 01:31:00 These virtual machines can't really hack it when it comes to real ms-dos. :)

I found this description of how things should work:
www.microsoft.com
Terry Porritt (14)
428610 2006-02-09 01:44:00 But that's when it works, Terry. :( Graham L (2)
428611 2006-02-09 04:23:00 I struck a persistent error this morning. It occurs when I start any DOS application. "The NTVDM CPU has encountered an illegal instruction. PC=.... It gives the choice of "Close" or "Ignore". Here's Microsoft's helpful advice (www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/Windows/2000/server/reskit/en-us/Default.asp?url=/resources/documentation/Windows/2000/server/reskit/en-us/w2000Msgs/1259.asp).
That is typical MS help. They probably don't know what can cause it them selves. The best help I have ever had was with an early version of Turbo Pascal
mikebartnz (21)
428612 2006-02-09 04:33:00 Funnily enough one of the programmes it refuses to run is Turbo Pascal (version 7). I never pick up the manuals when I'm using TP. I read the manual when I got TP3. About TP5 I discovered THELP.COM. With C I need books. :( With assembly code I just use my head.

I have found some good looking suggestions which I'll try tonight. Suspicion lies on autoexec.nt and config.nt ...
Graham L (2)
428613 2006-02-09 04:48:00 You may have already seen this Graham:

support.microsoft.com

I also encountered two mentions of the problem resolving itself when a) network was disconnected; and b) when MS client for Networks was uninstalled, but they would more than likely be spurious.
Terry Porritt (14)
428614 2006-02-09 04:53:00 In other words, a format and reinstall might fix it, as far as MS is concerned? They obviously don't know. I think I'll have a look at autoexec.nt and config.nt. :D The posting I got that hint from gave two links to MS, the first one which I gave above, "for entertainment purposes", and I think, that one you've given. The poster didn't think much of that, either. :( Graham L (2)
428615 2006-02-09 05:58:00 The other sure fire tip I saw on a site dealing with sound problems, was to "uninstall Windows, and install DOS", that would work :) Alternatively dual boot with MS-DOS. :nerd: Terry Porritt (14)
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