Long PATH Environment Variable Causes 16-bit Apps to Hang

Article ID: 169171 - View products that this article applies to.
This article was previously published under Q169171
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SYMPTOMS

Certain 16-bit programs may stop responding (hang) or not run. When you look at Processes in Task Manager, it shows NTVDM at or around 100 percent CPU time.
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CAUSE

This problem occurs when the PATH statement is approximately 200 characters or more in length.

This problem has also been seen when security on the files in the %SystemRoot%\System32 folder has been made too restrictive. Specifically, the users running 16-bit programs must have at least Read (RX) access to all files in the folder and all subfolders. This is the configuration by default.
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RESOLUTION

Use one of the following methods to resolve this problem:

Method 1

The PATH statement can be found in two locations. Shortening one or both statements should fix the problem.

PATH in System Properties:
  1. In Control Panel, double-click the System icon. Click the Environment tab.
  2. Under System Variables, select PATH and shorten the value.
  3. Click Set, and then click OK.
PATH in Autoexec.nt:
  1. Use Notepad to open Autoexec.nt, which is located in the %SystemRoot%\System32\Autoexec.nt directory.
  2. Shorten any PATH= statement.
  3. Save Autoexec.nt.
The NTVDM must be terminated before the new PATH will be used. To terminate the NTVDM process, go to task manager and select NTVDM. Click End Process.

Method 2

Increase the environment size in Config.nt:
  1. Use Notepad to open Config.nt, which is located in the %SystemRoot%\System32 directory.
  2. Add the following statement: 
          SHELL=%systemroot%\system32\command.com /e:2048
This will increase the environment size to allow the path statement to remain at the current length. If problems persist, increase the e: parameter.
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STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0.
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Properties

Article ID: 169171 - Last Review: November 1, 2006 - Revision: 1.1
APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
Keywords: 
kbbug kbpending KB169171
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