Err Msg: NTVDM.EXE Has Encountered a System Error (128930)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
This article was previously published under Q128930

SUMMARY

When you start the first 16-bit application after installing Windows NT version 3.5 Service Pack 2, the following error message may appear:
NTVDM.EXE has encountered a system error The handle is invalid.

Choose Close to terminate the application or Ignore.


If you choose Ignore, the 16-bit application continues to run correctly. In addition, when you shut down Windows NT, the following message appears:
NTVDM is Busy Choose end task or wait.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, expand VGA.SY_ and VIDEOPRT.SY_ from the Windows NT Server or Workstation version 3.5 installation media to the %systemroot%\SYSTEM32\DRIVERs subdirectory as VGA.SYS and VIDEOPRT.SYS.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.5. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/30/2003
Keywords:KB128930
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.