KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q58242: FORMAT.COM Cannot Be Directly Run with Parameters

Article: Q58242
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 25-OCT-1999

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

- Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.0a 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

If you create a PIF file that runs the MS-DOS version 3.x FORMAT.COM utility;
the PIF may have a question mark in the Parameters field. When you run the PIF,
enter a: or b: as the parameter, and then choose the OK button, FORMAT.COM will
start and then print the following error message:

  Drive letter must be specified

FORMAT.COM then exits without doing anything.

This PIF file works properly with Windows/386 Versions 2.x.

WORKAROUND
==========

To work around this problem, do not run FORMAT.COM directly; instead, run
FORMAT.COM from the MS-DOS command prompt, or run FORMAT.COM from the file
manager under the Disk Menu.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem with Windows version 3.0. We are
researching this problem and will post new information here as it becomes
available.

This problem does not occur with MS-DOS version 4.0 or 4.01.

Additional query words: 3.00 3.00a

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbWin3xSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin300 kbWin300a
Version           : WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a

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

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.