Allie McKinley wrote:

 > I have started getting this error message when installing or running a
 > .exe file:   c:\windows\system32\autoexec.net.  The system file is not
 > suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications.>>

This does not necessarily mean that your dos program won't run on XP.

A more likely explanation is that the file autoexec.nt (you have mis-spelt
it) has been corrupted or removed from the Windows/System32 folder,
possibly by a trojan or virus.  (The same error can occur with the
config.nt file.)

Open Windows/Repair folder and you should find a copy of each of those
files there.  Copy whichever one the message refers to into the System32
folder and you should then be able to access or install your favorite dos
progs again.  Provided, that is, they will run in XP.  Some will, some won't.

The file autoexec.nt is used to initialize the MS-DOS environment.  If it
is missing, no dos 16-bit software will work.  I suggest you mark it
Read-only.  This just might help protect it against future removal.

Then run a full system antivirus and trojan scan.

Don Penlington
 From the Beach at Surfers Paradise in sunny Queensland.
Computer tutorials, local scenery,  and other things at my website:
http://users.tpg.com.au/deepend/index1.html