KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q40192: Error A2105 with PUSHA and POPA Instructions

Article: Q40192
Product(s): Microsoft Macro Assembler
Version(s): 5.1
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 04-MAY-2001

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM), version 5.1 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

MASM generates the following error message if the PUSHA or POPA instructions are
used without a prior .186, .286, or .386 directive:

  A2105: Expected: instruction, directive, or label

This error does not clearly indicate exactly what the problem is. By default, the
Macro Assembler generates code for the 8086 processor, for which these
instructions have not been implemented.

Page 302 of the "Macro Assembler 5.1 Programmer's Guide" states that these
instructions are implemented only for the 80186, 80286, and 80386 processors.

If you have an 8086-based computer, you will have to push and pop the registers
individually, using PUSH and POP. If you have a 80186, 80286, or 80386-based
computer, add the appropriate directive to the code.

Additional query words: kbinf 5.10

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbMASMsearch kbAudDeveloper kbMASM510
Version           : :5.1

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.