Solution:
Neither of these messages is particularly uncommon when it appears alone, but the combination of these two messages certainly represents an unusual situation. We don't have a sure-fire solution, but we can recommend a few steps that may eliminate at least one—if not both—of the errors.
The best initial response is to download WinXP SP2 (Service Pack 2) from www.microsoft.com and follow the on-screen instructions. WinXP SP2 is a free download that enhances security and repairs countless deficiencies in WinXP SP1. SP2 may rectify all of the reader's problems, but he should keep in mind that it can be a monster to install. He and other Smart Computing subscribers have online access to an article CPU magazine published about SP2 at www.computerpoweruser.com. We also must advise the reader to consider whether his system has enough memory for WinXP and all of his software. Microsoft recommends a minimum of 128MB of RAM for WinXP, but the reader may need significantly more if he runs video-editing apps, disc-recording software, high-end games, or publishing programs. We also recommend verifying that the virtual memory settings are configured for optimum performance. The reader can check these settings by opening the Start menu, right-clicking My Computer, and choosing Properties. Below the Advanced tab, he should locate the Performance heading and click the corresponding Settings button. From the next dialog box, he should choose the Advanced tab and click Change below the Virtual Memory heading. From the Virtual Memory dialog box, he should select the Windows drive (the drive where WinXP is installed) in the Drive field, click the System Managed Size option, and click OK to close the dialog boxes.
The error message indicates that the reader's PC is trying to run a 16-bit Windows program, so he also should ensure that his system is configured to accommodate the 8.3 file-naming format, which limits DOS-based file names to eight characters or less. He can do so from the Registry Editor. (NOTE: Be careful as you make changes to the Registry and back up your system beforehand.) From the Start menu, select Run, type regedit in the field, and click OK. When the Registry Editor opens, he should locate HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\CONTROL\FILESYSTEM and make sure the NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation value, if present, is set to 0. If it isn't set to 0, he can right-click the value, select Modify, and type 0 in the Value Data field of the resulting dialog box. He then should click OK, close the Registry Editor, and reboot his PC.
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