I reinstalled Win XP due to my computer being overwhelmed with multiple applications, etc. After the whole installation, I started to run into problems. When I have multiple screens up, occasionally, my computer will lock up. Within a few seconds, a cmd pop screen appears and states "16 Bit MS-DOS Subsystem". The message below it states, "C:\mstskmgr.exe The NTVDM CPU has encounter an illegal instruction. CS:0524 IP:0516 OP:63 65 6e 74 65 Choose 'close' to terminate the application." If I close it, it closes. If I hit ignore, the next message states :the system cannot open COM3 port requested by application. choose close to terminate". My computer is still locked. So I have to shut down the power and turn it back on. This has happen to me repeatively multiple times since my reinstallation yesterday. I try to hit the ctrl+alt+delete to bring up the task manager to end the tasks on those 2 screens and it will not come up.

What is this message error and how do I fix it?

I read about someone who had this same problem. Turns out that after they reinstalled, they did not install virus protection soon enough and got 3 viruses. Nothing affected the data, but they ran a scan, got the 3 viruses, got rid of them, and the problem went away. Try downloading and installing a free antivirus--Avast is great. Give that a try--I'd do it in Safe Mode, just to be safe (no pun intended...).

Here's a link to the thread I read this in:
Annoyances.org - re: The NTVDM CPU has encountered and illegal instruction (Windows XP Discussion Forum)

If not caused by a virus, this error message only should come up if you're trying to run a very old 16-bit program on a 32-bit or 64-bit OS (Win XP is 32-bit--of course x64 is 64-bit), and the program encounters some sort of error (I don't know why--I've read about it before but can't quite remember). It is because the emulator that the 32-bit Windows OS uses to execute 16-bit code "crashes" (so to speak). That's the best I can describe what's going on.

Give the virus scan a shot and see if that works.

__________________
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ (@2.6 GHz)
2x1GB OCZ Spec. Ops. PC3200
ASRock Dual939-SATA2
Antec TruePower 550 watt PSU
80 GB Seagate Barracuda SATA 7200 rpm
300 GB Seagate Barracuda SATA 7200 rpm
120 GB Maxtor ATA/133 7200 rpm
ATI Radeon x1950 Pro

i'll give it a shot tonight. thanks for the reply.

Hey Redonmyhead,
Welcome to CompuForums - great to have you. I hope you visit us often in the future and add yourself to our member map.

You might want to download some antivirus software [+firewall, etc.] and put it on a USB flashdrive or CD, so when you reinstall the computer you can install protection before you even go online with it.

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Ash
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thanks, I'll use my flash drive. I have a portable laptop. I download it on my flash and transfer it to my desktop. On more question, when I reinstall my PC, my standby button or hiberate button is grayed out when I click on the shutdown button. Why is that? Did something happen when I reinstalled?

Thanks again,
John

It could be that Windows needs a driver for your motherboard - while Windows will use a generic one for basic functionality, things like standby are handled by both the hardware and software. If you give us the make and model of the computer [or motherboard if it's a custom-build] and I'll be able to find a suitable driver.

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Thanks,
Ash
CF Founder
Great Webhosting. Shared starting at $2 per month. VPSes starting at $6 per month.
www.Centicero.com
Want to get in touch? Send me a PM | Do you want to continue receiving free help? Or do you want this site to close? Become a premium member.

Thanks Ash!!! I sure my motherboard is D850MV Intel Motherboard. I'm at work right now. I can't get the total specs till tonight. It's a Gateway 700X series. Bought it during 2002. Does that help?

If the sleep/hibernate button is greyed out, sometimes, in additon to a driver not being present, it means that you have not enabled Advanced Power Management (APM) in Windows. Here's the link to the M$ knowledge base article to outline how to enable this--it's quite simple, but I didn't want to re-type it and write something different:

Windows XP and Advanced Power Management (APM) Support

Also, after that, you must select the "enable hibernation" checkbox under the Hibernation tab in the Power properties window.

__________________
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ (@2.6 GHz)
2x1GB OCZ Spec. Ops. PC3200
ASRock Dual939-SATA2
Antec TruePower 550 watt PSU
80 GB Seagate Barracuda SATA 7200 rpm
300 GB Seagate Barracuda SATA 7200 rpm
120 GB Maxtor ATA/133 7200 rpm
ATI Radeon x1950 Pro