Article: Q52206
Product(s): Microsoft Disk Operating System
Version(s): MS-DOS:3.x,4.x
Operating System(s):
Keyword(s):
Last Modified: 17-DEC-2000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft MS-DOS operating system versions 3.1, 3.2, 3.21, 3.3, 3.3a, 4.0, 4.01
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SYMPTOMS
========
In MS-DOS versions 3.1x-4.x, if a "PATH \;.." statement is used and an
executable (or .BAT) file is found in the directory that translates to the "\"
portion of the PATH statement, the system stops (hangs).
STATUS
======
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in MS-DOS versions 3.1, 3.11, 3.2,
3.21, 3.22, 3.3, 4.0, 4.0a, and 4.01. This problem does not occur in later
versions of MS-DOS.
RESOLUTION
==========
Reversing the order of the path items (to read ..;\) eliminates the problem.
MORE INFORMATION
================
This type of path is common when software is organized onto logical drives and
all necessary files are loaded in the root or in a directory below the working
directory.
Additional query words: 3.10 3.20 3.30 3.30a 4.00 4.00a 5.00 noupd
======================================================================
Keywords :
Technology : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS321 kbMSDOS400 kbMSDOS320 kbMSDOS330a kbMSDOS310 kbMSDOS330 kbMSDOS401
Version : MS-DOS:3.x,4.x
=============================================================================