KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q69085: Trailing Space in SET TEMP Causes Printing Problems in Windows

Article: Q69085
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 06-DEC-1999

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

- Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


SYMPTOMS
========

If the SET TEMP= line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file contains a space at the end of
the line (after the last character), you will encounter problems when using
Windows applications in Microsoft Windows.

NOTE: If the SET TEMP= line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT does not have the backslash
character, (SET TEMP=C:TEMP) the same problems will occur in Windows 3.1.

WORKAROUND
==========

To correct the problem, reenter the SET TEMP= line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file,
being careful not to include any spaces except the one between SET and TEMP.

If using Windows 3.1, be sure to include the backslash character:

  SET TEMP=C:\TEMP

Save the edited AUTOEXEC.BAT file and reboot the system.

MORE INFORMATION
================

A trailing space in the SET TEMP= line of the AUTOEXEC.BAT file can cause
problems when Microsoft Windows version 3.x tries to access the declared
directory.

The symptoms that you observe will be different in different applications. The
symptoms of some common applications are described below.

Calendar (CALENDAR.EXE)
-----------------------

When executed, Calendar will display an error message:

  Warning: Unable to create file needed to save changes; changes you are going
  to make will not be saved.

Cardfile (CARDFILE.EXE)
-----------------------

When executed, Cardfile will display an error message:

  Warning: Cardfile will not be able to save changes; delete one or more files
  to increase available disk space and try again.

Paintbrush (PBRUSH.EXE)
-----------------------

The Print command under the File menu will be grayed.

Notepad (NOTEPAD.EXE)
---------------------

The Print command under the File menu will be grayed.

SysEdit (SYSEDIT.EXE)
---------------------

The Print command under the File menu will be grayed.

Write (WRITE.EXE)
-----------------

When executed, Write will display an error message:

  System Error: Cannot find TEMP.WRI

followed by another error

  Insufficient memory to run Write; close one or more Windows applications to
  increase available memory.

Excel Versions 2.x (EXCEL.EXE)
------------------------------

When the Print command is selected from the File menu, Excel displays an error
message

  Error printing on XXXX

where XXXX is the description of the current printer driver and port.

Excel Version 3.00 (EXCEL.EXE)
------------------------------

When the Print command is selected from the File menu, Excel displays an error
message

  Cannot open printer driver

followed by another error

  Error printing on XXXX

where XXXX is the description of the current printer driver and port.

Word for Windows (WINWORD.EXE)
------------------------------

When the Print command is selected from the File menu, Word for Windows displays
an error message:

  Cannot print

PowerPoint (POWERPNT.EXE)
-------------------------

When the Print command is selected from the File menu, PowerPoint displays an
error message

  Sorry, memory is too full to perform operation

Similar errors may also occur when the Windows directory is missing from the path
statement.


Additional query words: 3.00 3.0 3.0a 3.00a 3.10 3.11

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbWin3xSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin300 kbWin300a kbWin310 kbWin311
Version           : WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11

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

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.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.