Too many 16 bit files open?

A file that I'm trying to launch freezes, and when I click "RESTART" a message says that I have too many 16 bit files open and that I should close some of them or change the settings in config.sys. I am a novice, so I don't know how to handle this.

My notebook is an HP Pavillion dv9700 with 2 Gb memory, and my OS is Vista Ultimate 64 bit with SP2. I would appreciate any help you can offer.

 

So this is a program you are trying to launch, and it sounds like it is a real ancient one at that. Am I right with this assumption? Config.sys hasn't been used on Windows machines for many years now. It sounds like this program is simply not compatible with Windows 7. This might even be a 16-bit program (or one that uses some 16-bit code). I think 64-bit versions of Vista and later do not support 16-bit code anymore.

 

Yes This a program, specifically, it is a downloaded map program from Garmin.

 

Hmm, is this Garmin MapSource? I am running this on my 64-bit Win7 machine; works fine. Did you get the newest version?

 

Yes. I have a new Nuvi 1490T for which they are giving me a free update to the latest version.

 

Well, MapSource itself is generally free, you only pay for the maps themselves. So you are using this version? Has MapSource ever worked on this computer? If not, you could try to simply uninstall and reinstall it. I have this running both on 32-bit Vista and 64-bit Win7, so I would be suprised if this can't run on your 64-bit Vista box. If all else fails, you could try to contact Garmin Tech Support. They take a while to respond, but I found them helpful in the past.

 

Thanks. I'll sign out & contact them tomorrow.

 

64bit oses do not run 16bit apps anymore but 32bit oses can run most 16bit apps so thats where the problem is.