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Q52206: MS-DOS Hangs when "Relative" PATH Is Used

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

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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 
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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

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Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS321 kbMSDOS400 kbMSDOS320 kbMSDOS330a kbMSDOS310 kbMSDOS330 kbMSDOS401
Version           : MS-DOS:3.x,4.x

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