The binary distribution for Linux is compiled on Linux 6.1 with SML/NJ 110.0.6. It may not work well on some old Linux systems. You can either choose to upgrade your system,  or download and compile the source distributions. From our experience, CWB-NC compiled by SML/NJ 110.0.3 worked fairly well on Linux 5.2 .
 

The CWB-NC run-time script will set some environment variables, which may exceed the limitation of default environment buffer. Add the following line to your C:\config.sys, which will increase the size of environment space to 1024 bytes. Remember to reboot the machine after you add it.

The CWB-NC utilizes SML/NJ runtime, which is a 16-bit windows application. This error may happen if some of Windows NT system DLL files are corrupted, missed or outdated.  The following solution is quoted from Microsoft Windows Knowledgebase.
 

Expand the following files from the orignial Windows NT compact dist,
      Commdlg.dll
      Compobj.dll
      Ddeml.dll
      Ole2.dll
      Ole2disp.dll
      Storage.dll
      Ctl3dv2.dll
      Ole2nls.dll
      Stdole.tlb
      Typelib.dll
      Ver.dll

Additional files may also be at issue. Check the %SystemRoot%\System folder for the correct version as well. Check for additional files elsewhere on the computer. Some files may be replaced by installing Microsoft Windows 95 or Microsoft Windows 98 versions in the System\System32 folder.

NOTE: The Ver.dll file is located in the %SystemRoot%\System folder and the %SystemRoot%\System32 folder, and both versions have the same file size and date.

To expand a file from the Windows NT CD-ROM, follow these steps:
 

1.  Click Start, click Run, type cmd in the Open box, and then click OK.
2.  Type the following lines, pressing ENTER after you type each line

       <cd-rom>
       cd i386
where <cd-rom> is the letter of your CD-ROM drive.
 
3. The files you may need are compressed in this directory and the file names will be truncated by one letter. For example, the Ntvdm.exe file is listed as the Ntvdm.ex_ file. To expand the Ntvdm.exe file to the System32 folder, type the following command:

        expand ntvdm.ex_ c:\winnt\system32\ntvdm.exe
Repeat this step for each file in the previous list.