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Q80120: FIX: MASM 6.0 May Incorrectly Generate A2032 for EQU

Article: Q80120
Product(s): Microsoft Macro Assembler
Version(s): 6.0,6.0a,6.0b
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 06-MAY-2001

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

- Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM), versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0b 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

The Microsoft Macro Assembler may incorrectly generate the following error:

  A2032: invalid use of register

CAUSE
=====

This is demonstrated on lines eight and nine in the sample code below. The error
occurs because the LEA and MOV instructions on those lines use an equate and a
register as an address. In the example, table1 is equated to the value of the
location counter, "$", and the register is BP.

RESOLUTION
==========

To work around the problem, use the LABEL directive rather than an equate of the
current location counter.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in MASM versions 6.0, 6.0a, and
6.0b. This problem was corrected in MASM for MS-DOS version 6.1.

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

The following sample code can be used to demonstrate the problem.

Sample Code
-----------

  ; Assemble options needed: none

  code SEGMENT word public 'code'
  ASSUME cs:code

  table1 EQU $
  ;table1 LABEL word      ; Use this line instead of previous one.
  table2 DW 0

     lea di, table1[bp]   ; line 8
     mov ax, table1[bp]   ; line 9
  code ENDS

  END

Additional query words: 6.00 6.00a 6.00b buglist6.00 buglist6.00a buglist6.00b fixlist6.10

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbMASMsearch kbAudDeveloper kbMASM600 kbMASM600a kbMASM600b
Version           : :6.0,6.0a,6.0b
Solution Type     : kbfix

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