Virtual Device Drivers (VXDs) Do Not Work in Windows NT
Article ID: 103012
Article Last Modified on 4/8/2004
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
- Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
This article was previously published under Q103012
SUMMARY
In Windows NT, Windows 3.x virtual device drivers (VXDs) written for
16-bit applications do not work.
Virtual device drivers were originally written to take advantage of
386 enhanced mode functionality in previous versions of Windows (3.x).
The VXDs registered themselves in the SYSTEM.INI file upon
installation of the application that required their presence.
In Windows NT, these VXDs do not function properly. In most cases,
these drivers talk directly to hardware by virtualizing the device to
be used. By design, Windows NT does not allow applications to
communicate with the hardware directly. Applications that require the
use of VXDs must be rewritten to function properly with Windows NT.
Additional query words: prodnt
Keywords: kbother KB103012