Q43074: Cannot Use Standard Device Names as Filenames

Article: Q43074
Product(s): See article
Version(s): 1.00   | 1.00
Operating System(s): MS-DOS | OS/2
Keyword(s): ENDUSER | | mspl13_basic
Last Modified: 17-MAY-1989

You cannot use the standard device names (COMx, LPTx, and CON) as the
base filename in the Microsoft Editor.

For example, the command "M COM1.C" under DOS will attempt to open the
communications port for editing and will hang the computer.

This information has been tested for the following devices: COM1,
COM2, LPT1, LPT2, CON. The different devices give slightly different
results. COM1 and COM2 will hang the computer immediately, but the
others will give errors or hang when the file is saved.

The protect-mode editor behaves in the same fashion.