Error message when you run a 16-bit program in Windows Server 2003: "NTVDM has encountered a hard error"

On a computer that is running Microsoft Windows Server 2003, you may receive the following error message when you run a 16-bit program:The 16-bit program stops responding. When this problem occurs, the following event is logged in the System log:

Event Type: Information
Event Source: Application Popup
Event ID: 26
Description: Application popup: ntvdm.exe - System Error : NTVDM encountered a hard error.

Note Usually, this problem occurs when you print from the program.

This problem occurs because the Wow32.dll module does not convert the DEVMODE data structure from the 16-bit Windows 3.1 version to a 32-bit ANSI version. Therefore, the Ntvdm.exe process uses the wrong DEVMODE buffer size to transfer data to the printer spooler service.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

You must have Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 installed to apply this hotfix.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003 with SP2, x86-based versions

Windows Server 2003 with SP2 and Windows XP with SP2, x64-based versions

Windows Server 2003 with SP2, Itanium-based versions

Windows Server 2003 with SP1, x86-based versions

Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP, x64-based versions

Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Itanium-based versions

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

The DEVMODE data structure contains initialization information and environment information for a printer or for a display device. For more information about the DEVMODE data structure, visit the following Microsoft MSDN Web site:For more information about the terms that are used to describe software updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: