Error - System\CurrentControlSet\Control\VirtualDeviceDrivers.Virtual Device Driver format in the registry is invalid, while installing a program.

Question

Original Title: Virtual Device Driver Format.

I am running XP Pro w/SP3. I recently tried to install a program but after opening the .exe file I got a 16 Bit Windows Subsystem message that said: System\CurrentControlSet\Control\VirtualDeviceDrivers.Virtual Device Driver format in the registry is invalid. Choose Close to terminate the application. 

I chose "Ignore and the proogram innstalled. However, if I try to print multiple pages the program creates, I can only print the cover page. I am able to view all the pages but only print the first. Please advise as to the fix. Many thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Hi paparick,

You may try creating the key VDD (VirtualDeviceDriver) key on your machine. Thereafter, try to install the software.

Before you proceed,please first backup the Registry.

Important: This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry in Windows:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756

a.       Click Start > Run, type ‘regedit’ in the Open box, and then click OK.

b.       Navigate to the locationHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control.

c.       Right click on Control in the left pane, click New > Key.

d.       In the open box created in the left pane, type ‘VirtualDeviceDriver’ > press OK.

e.       Exit registry.

Hope the information helps. Please post back and let us know.

Regards

Debleena S

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

Answer 2

Thanks for your response Debleena. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the program as you suggested. However the issue still persists. I have followed the instructions below provided my MS. However, when I navigate to the file I can only go as far as "\Control" in the string. There is no "\VirtualDevice Drivers" entry in that file's string.

Windows XP instructions:

1. ClickStart->Run and type Regedit. ClickOK
2. Navigate to  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\VirtualDeviceDrivers
3. Delete the VDD value
4. ClickEdit->New->Multi-String Value
5. Name the valueVDD, press Enter

Answer 3

I realize this thread is quite old, but I had the same problem.  Looking into my registry, the Key "VirtualDeviceDrivers" did not exist (I suspect that some Registry "optimizer" did this).  After adding back the key and adding the "VDD" Multi-String value, my problem was resolved.  In summary I needed to follow first the advice of Dableena S, and then the advice of Paparick.  Hope this helps anyone else who runs into this issue.

Answer 4

Be careful. I got this method to work too, but only after I discovered that some of the examples in this thread spell VirtualDeviceDrivers incorrectly as VirtualDeviceDriver.

Answer 5

Hi paparick,

Which program you have installed?

• This behavior can occur after you install a 16-bit program or a program that uses a 16-bit installation program that is not Windows XP-compliant.
• This behavior can also occur if the Command.com file that is installed on your computer is damaged or is the incorrect version.

It seems that the program has not installed correctly.

a. You may uninstall the program from  Add or Remove Programs .Thereafter, follow this link

"16 Bit MS-DOS Subsystem" Error Message When You Install a Program

b. Try to reinstall the application again & check if the issue persists.

Hope the information helps. Please post back and let us know.

Regards

Debleena S

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.