Visual CE^® FAQ

V2-a) The installer says "Windows CE version 3.0 (or higher) required". Why do I get this message?

You need to install ActiveSync (if you have Windows 2000 or Windows XP), or the Windows Mobile Device Center (if you have Windows Vista or Windows 7). At the time of this writing, download and setup instructions are available from Microsoft.

If you have Windows Vista or Windows 7...

Basic connectivity for handheld devices is built into Windows Vista and Windows 7. But to install other software on your device, you will need to first install the Windows Mobile Device Center on your desktop computer.

At the time of this writing, the Windows Mobile Device Center is available on the CD that comes with newer devices or can be downloaded from Microsoft.

If you have Windows 2000 or Windows XP...

Included with your Windows CE device was a CD that contains the desktop connectivity software called ActiveSync. Make sure this is installed before you install Visual CE®.

At the time of this writing, this can also be downloaded from Microsoft.

V2-b) The installer says I need Mobile Devices/ActiveSync. Where do I get this?

You need to install ActiveSync (if you have Windows 2000 or Windows XP), or the Windows Mobile Device Center (if you have Windows Vista or Windows 7). At the time of this writing, download and setup instructions are available from Microsoft.

If you have Windows Vista or Windows 7...

Basic connectivity for handheld devices is built into Windows Vistaand Windows 7. But to install other software on your device, you will need to first install the Windows Mobile Device Center on your desktop computer.

At the time of this writing, the Windows Mobile Device Center is available on the CD that comes with newer devices or can be downloaded from Microsoft.

If you have Windows 2000 or Windows XP...

Included with your Windows CE device was a CD that contains the desktop connectivity software called ActiveSync. Make sure this is installed before you install Visual CE®.

At the time of this writing, this can also be downloaded from Microsoft.

V2-c) When I try to install, I get the message, "C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\AUTOEXEC.NT. The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications. Choose 'Close' to terminate the application." How can I fix the problem?

The problem is with Windows XP, and CAN occur after installing Service Pack 2.

This issue may occur if one or more of the following files are missing or damaged:

• Config.nt
• Autoexec.nt
• Command.com

To resolve this issue:

1. Look for and make backup copies of
   
   c:\windows\system32\config.nt
   c:\windows\system32\autoexec.nt
   c:\windows\system32\command.com
   
   If you can't find these files, that's OK.
   
   
2. Insert the Windows CD into the CD drive or DVD drive
   
   
3. Click Start, and then click Run.
   
   
4. In the Open box, type cmd, and then click OK.
   
   
5. At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command:
   
   expand D:\ i386\config.nt_ c:\ windows\system32\config.nt
   expand D:\ i386\autoexec.nt_ c:\ windows\system32\autoexec.nt
   expand D:\ i386\command.co_ c:\ windows\system32\command.com
   exit
   
   (If your CD or DVD drive letter is something other than D:, then use that in place of the D:)
   
   
6. Try to reinstall. If the issue is resolved, do not complete the remaining steps. If the issue is not resolved, go to the next step.
   
   
7. Start Notepad. In Notepad, type the following entries:
   
   dos=high, umb
   device=%SYSTEMROOT%\system32\himem.sys
   files=40
   
   
8. On the File menu, click Save As.
   
   
9. In the File Name box, type Config.nt, and then click Save.
   
   
10. On the File menu, click New. In the new blank document, type the following entries:
    
    @echo off
    lh %SYSTEMROOT%\system32\mscdexnt.exe
    lh %SYSTEMROOT%\system32\redir
    lh %SYSTEMROOT%\system32\dosx
    SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 P330 T3
    
    
11. On the File menu, click Save As.
    
    
12. In the File Name box, type Autoexec.nt, and then click Save.
    
    
13. Close notepad.
    
    
14. Start Windows Explorer.
    
    
15. Locate the Config.nt file you just created, right-click the Config.nt file, and then click Copy.
    
    
16. Right-click the C:\Windows\System32 folder, and then click Paste.
    
    
17. Locate the Autoexec.nt file you just created, right-click the Autoexec.nt file, and then click Copy.
    
    
18. Right-click the C:\Windows\System32 folder, and then click Paste.
    
    
19. Locate the Command.com file, right-click the expanded Command.com file, and then click Copy.
    
    
20. Right-click the C:\Windows\System32 folder, and then click Paste.
    
    
21. Restart your computer and try to reinstall again.